HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Historic Preservation Commission - 3/13/2006 MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MARCH 13, 2006
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 NORTH LA CANADA DRIVE
CALL TO ORDER: 6:03 PM
PRESENT: CHAIR PAMELA SARPALIUS
VICE CHAIR ROBERT BAUGHMAN
COMMISSIONER NANCY MAGER
COMMISSIONER JIM KRIEGH
COMMISSIONER PATRICIA STURMON
COMMISSIONER AL KUNISCH
COMMISSIONER SYBIL NEEDHAM
ALSO PRESENT:
BRENT SINCLAIR, AICP, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
MARGOT HURST, PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
JENNIFER JONES, RECORDING SECRETARY
ABSENT: CONNY CULVER, TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON
EMILY GRAVES, STUDENT LIAISON
CALL TO AUDIENCE
Bill Adler, 10720 N. Eagle Eye Place, Oro Valley, Arizona. Mr. Adler suggested revising the Historic
Preservation Commission mission statement to include the words "enhancement" and "restoration".
I. • APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13, 2006 MEETING
Commissioner Kriegh had a few corrections that need to be made to the March 13, 2006 minutes.
MOTION: Vice Chair Baughman MOVED to approve the minutes with the changes.
Commissioner Needham SECONDED the motion. Motion carried (7-0).
II. HISTORY READING BY JIM KRIEGH
Commissioner Kriegh read an article from the Arizona Daily Star, titled "Meeting on Debt Tonight, Oro
Valley needs $12,000 soon" dated November 6, 1974:
"An emergency Town Council meeting is scheduled tonight in Oro Valley to decide how the 6 %2
month old Town can raise enough money to pay $12,000 it owes the County for public services."
"The Town has $4,000 and Mayor Kenneth W. Holford said yesterday that a bank has offered to lend
the Town up to $10,000 at 6% interest." "The only problem with borrowing is that we're going to have
a tough time paying it back", he said. "It's only first aid, like putting on a band aid for a hernia."
"Councilman Virgil Branden said he feels the most painless way to raise the money would be to allow
the County to put the Town into receivership and add a special property tax assessment to raise
enough money to pay for the services." "Under a contract with the County the Town is charged about
$4,000 per month for services which include a sewage disposal, road maintenance and sheriff's
protection." "The money is delinquent if not paid within 45 days of the end of each three months. The
first bill is due Nov 15th. A second $12,000 bill will come due on Dec 31St." "A second meeting of the
Town's Finance Committee met with the Town Council instead at 7:30 pm in the library of the CDO
High School."
Chair Sarpalius welcomed Patricia Sturmon as the new Historic Preservation Commissioner.
III. REPORT FROM THE ORO VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Commissioner Kriegh informed the Commission of the following:
• The first annual meeting is March 16th at the Library. Mr. Richard Tully will be speaking.
• The first fund raising event will be Saturday, May 6, 2006 at 6:00 pm at the White Stallion
Ranch. (Flyers were given to the Commission).
IV. PRESENTATION BY ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION — PROPOSED
AESTHETIC TREATMENT, WITH A HISTORICAL THEME, FOR THE RETAINING WALLS
AND SOUND WALLS THAT BE BUILT ALONG ORACLE ROAD WHEN THE ROAD IS
WIDENED
Laurel Parker, Project Manager for the Arizona Department of Transportation presented a powerpoint
presentation illustrating the road improvements that ADOT is designing to widen four miles of Oracle
Road from four lanes to six.
Ms. Parker described the aesthetic treatment for the walls as follows:
• Aesthetic treatment for walls reflects the area's ranching history
• The concrete noise walls and retaining walls will have a "rope" texture
• Metal ornamentation will depict cacti, and cattle brands used by ranches in the Oro Valley
and Oracle areas (Brands researched through the Arizona°Historical Society).
Ms. Parker stated that ADOT would like the input and advice of the Town's Historic Preservation
Commission.
Chair Sarpalius thanked Ms. Parker for her presentation.
Commission Kriegh requested a copy of the presentation so that he can show it to Henry Zipf, the
great grandson of Geroge Pusch. Mr. Kriegh stated that Mr. Zipf has a lot of other information and he
would like to see if he has any suggestions that would relate back to the Steam Pump Ranch days'.
Commissioner Kriegh also mentioned that at mile post 80 there used to be a historic marker. Mr.
Kriegh stated that he has a print of what the marker said and he has spoken with the developers of
Steam Pump Village to see if they would allow for a place for it to be on their property, because there
may not be room in ADOT's right of way.
Vice Chair Baughman inquired if ADOT has researched the ranches associated with the cattle brands.
Ms. Parker stated that they have done extensive research and all are legitimate ranches.
Commissioner Mager asked if there are any plans to be any interpretive signage somewhere along
the road.
MARCH 13, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Ms. Parker stated that someone had made that suggestion, but it is a really high speed road. Ms.
Parker stated that they have applied for a enhancement grant for paths adjacent to the road and if
they were going to do something like that, that would be the place for it.
Commissioner Mager pointed out that there will be a lot of people biking once those lanes are in, also
some of the bike tours go through there and will be a fair amount of traffic that is not motor driven.
Chair Sarpalius stated that the Steam Pump Ranch perhaps some signage could be put in that area.
Ms. Parker stated that since the Town will be preserving the ranch house, maybe some interpretive
information could be place there.
V. REPORT AND STATUS OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
Mr. Sinclair informed the Commission of the following:
• The Commissions request for a study session with the Town Council was granted and a joint
study session has been scheduled for April 12, 2006 at 6PM.
• The joint study session will include a meeting with Bob Shelton.
Chair Sarpalius moved agenda item number XII for discussion.
Chair Sarpalius stated that the Commission could vote to change their meeting date to April 12, 2006.
Vice Chair Baughman stated that considering the fact that there are some items that the draft
committee left in the draft of this ordinance, knowing that they contradicted current policy of the
Council, believing that the Historic Preservation Commission qualifiedfor an exception. Mr.
Baughman stated that he felt this would generate a fair amount of discussion. Mr. Baughman
suggested either meeting at 5 o'clock (an hour before the study session) or staying.an hour after the
• study session. }
Commissioner Kunisch stated that the study session should be just that and the Commission should
have their regular meeting on April 10, 2006.
Vice Chair Baughman stated that if only three Commissioners attend the study session, it is efficient
to work a study session but not a regular meeting.
Mr. Sinclair stated that it would be a big disappointment if all Commissioners were not present at the
study session.
Chair Sarpalius inquired if all Commissioners could be present at 5 o'clock on April 12, 2006.
Commissioner Mager pointed out that unless the Commission has something that needs to be voted
on she does not see anything that is on the agenda that couldn't wait until the next meeting (May).
Chair Sarpalius stated that they might want to finalize a few things, since May is Historic Preservation
Month. Ms. Sarpalius suggested meeting at 5:30 p.m. on April 12, 2006.
MOTION: Vice Chair Baughman MOVED to change the April meeting from
April 10, 2006 to April 12, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. Commissioner
Kunisch SECONDED the motion. Motion carried (7-0).
MARCH 13, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Commissioner Kriegh stated that he wanted to discuss Item number XII.
Chair Sarpalius asked if Mr. Shelton was going to be at the Study Session.
Commissioner Kriegh replied that he has to contact Mr. Shelton. Mr. Kriegh stated that knowing that
time is important he was trying to arrange a meeting with the Commission and hoping that the Council
would come, which he likes the way it has turned out with the study session. Mr. Kriegh stated that
the idea is to have Mr. Shelton come in and he will hopefully tell them what he would like to do. Mr.
Kriegh stated that this is an excellent time to find out exactly what Bob Shelton has in mind and have
the Commission and Council listen to it.
Vice Chair Baughman asked for confirmation that the study session is to start at 6PM.
Mr. Sinclair stated that was the time on the memo that was sent out by the Mayor.
Commissioner Kriegh will contact Mr. Shelton to confirm if he can attend.
VI. REPORT FROM STUDENT LIAISON
No report for this meeting.
VII. REPORT FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
No report for this meeting.
VIII. REPORT FROM THE SANTA CRUZ NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ALLIANCE LIAISON
Commissioner Mager reported the following to the Commission:
• • Handed out flyers for the March 18, 2006 Founders Day in Marana.
• Spring event—Still in a holding pattern, looking at sometime in May and looking at the
Governor attending.
• It is still being debated as to who is going to get this legislation into the public eye, Jon Kyle
and Jim Kolbe are concerned that the size of the Heritage Area is too big, so the Alliance
has to sit down and show them that in terms of size of Heritage Areas that currently in
existence, they are currently about mid-range, so they are not really as big as some of these
areas that are in the eastern part of the country.
IX. REPORT FROM THE HONEY BEE VILLAGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PLANNING GROUP
LIAISON
Vice Chair Baughman stated that he was unable to attend the full session of the last meeting and Mr.
Sinclair has volunteered to give his report for him.
Mr. Sinclair reported the following:
• The last meeting was March 2, 2006, which was the second meeting.
• The first part of the meeting was reviewing the scope of work for the consultant planning the
site.
MARCH 13, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
• Community By Design is the consultant the Town will be using, this consultant was also
involved in the first round, the concept plan.
• They also spoke about what they wanted to see in the archaeological preserve. Mr. Sinclair
stated that what they hope to do after they select a consultant and start to get an idea of the
site, they will do a presentation with the Commission and perhaps the Council.
Vice Chair Baughman asked if anyone had any questions, to please contact him by email.
Vice Chair Baughman also stated that he and Chair Sarpalius will be representing the Commission in
support of the Honey Bee Village project, at the Development Review Board meeting tomorrow night
(March 14, 2006).
X. DISCUSSION CONCERNING POSSIBLE TRANSPORATION ENHANCEMENT GRANT
FOR STEAM PUMP RANCH
Mr. Sinclair stated that the Town is hoping that there are bond funds there that are sufficient to the
cost of the 15 acres. Mr. Sinclair stated that the Town is hoping that there are also bond funds
sufficient enough to cover the cost of the acquisition and some of the planning of the site as well and
in addition to that the Town is hoping that there is money there to pay for the restoration of the site.
Mr. Sinclair stated that what the Town hoped to do while trying to condemn and/or negotiate the site,
is to apply for a grant from the Department of Transportation. Mr. Sinclair explained that ADOT is
looking for projects that have historical value and have something to do with transportation. Mr.
Sinclair pointed out that Steam Pump Ranch was a major transportation stop for a couple of hundred
years'at least; it has major historical value and transportation in the front and back part of the site.
Mr. Sinclair referred to the two page application from ADOT that was mailed to the Commissioners,
which he will fill out and mail in.
Vice Chair Baughman asked Mr. Sinclair for the worst case scenario as to how long it will take to
acquire title to the property?
Mr. Sinclair stated that his best estimate would be within this calendar year.
Mr. Sinclair explained that because the deadline for the grant is at the end of March 2006, the Town
can not wait for the acquisition of the property before submitting for the grant.
Commissioner Needham stated that the Tucson/Pima Historic Preservation Commission has given
out $20,000 every year in small grants and wondered if they would ever consider a request for a grant
from Oro Valley?
Mr. Sinclair stated that every little bit will help. Mr. Sinclair stated that the restoration of the building
on site will cost up to 3/4 of a million dollars.
Commissioner Needham stated that she would discuss it further with the Chairman downtown and
see what she might think.
MOTION: Vice Chair Baughman MOVED to authorize Mr. Sinclair to fill out
and submit the application to ADOT. Commissioner Kunisch
SECONDED the motion. Motion carried (7-0)
MARCH 13, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Xl. DISCUSSION OF IDEAS FOR MAY AS HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH
Chair Sarpalius stated that one of the possibilities was setting up a display at the Farmer's Market.
Ms. Sarpalius stated that there are four Saturday's in May and she is available on May 6th and May
20th. Ms. Sarpalius stated that she feels it would be a good to have something on the first Saturday of
the month, which is the 6th of May.
Vice Chair Baughman asked if the Commission wanted to do all four Saturdays.
Chair Sarpalius stated that she would like to see something the first Saturday of the month.
Chair Sarpalius stated that it is a mission of the Commission; they need to have a table set up so they
can answer questions, because not a lot of people know about the Commission. Ms. Sarpalius stated
and she would also like to work with the Historical Society that day. Ms. Sarpalius asked if
Commissioner Kriegh could set up a display with pictures.
Commissioner Kriegh stated that he will not be able to attend on May 6th because that is the day of
the fund raiser at the White Stallion Ranch.
Chair Sarpalius inquired if there was a display that was ready that another Commissioner could take
and set up on the table.
Commissioner Kriegh stated that he could probably do something.
Chair Sarpalius stated that the other weekends would be May 13th and May 20th.
Commissioner Kunisch stated that it was also election time and that May 20th would work better for
him.
Chair Sarpalius asked the Commission if May 20th sounded good to everyone. Ms. Sarpalius inquired.
as to how the Commission would get set up for the Farmers Market:
Mr. Sinclair stated that he would get in contact with the appropriate people.
Commissioner Kunisch suggested putting something on the Town webpage.
Mr. Sinclair stated that he would talk to Bob Kovitz.
Vice Chair Baughman inquired if the Commission could have name tags made for the Farmer's
Market so that they could be identified at this event.
Vice Chair Baughman suggested that the Chair appoint a three member task force to work on the
Farmer's Market so that they can meet before the next meeting and work on ideas/plans.
Chair Sarpalius asked if there was anyone that would like to spearhead this task force.
Commissioner Needham and Commissioner Sturmon stated that they would like to help out with it.
Chair Sarpalius asked Commissioner Kriegh to be in charge of bringing a small display to the
Farmer's Market.
Chair Sarpalius stated that she would set up a meeting to meet with Mr. Sinclair and the two
Commissioners to discuss this issue.
MARCH 13, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Commissioner Kriegh mentioned that the Annual Arizona History Convention is being held in Tucson
this year, April 27th—April 30th and if anyone is interested they can go to www.arizonahistory.org.
XII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION — POSSIBLE MEETING WITH HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND BOB SHELTON
Discussion moved to Item V.
XIII. ADJOURN
MOTION: Commissioner Kunisch MOVED to adjourn the Historic Preservation
Commission at 7:13 p.m. Commissioner Kriegh SECONDED the
motion. Motion carried 6- 0.
Prepared by:
Jennifer Jones
Recording Secretary
MARCH 13, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION