MINUTES
ORO VALLEY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
October 12, 2009
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
 
CALL TO ORDER AT OR AFTER 5:00 P.M.

Chairman Zwiener called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Daniel Zwiener, Chair
Lois Nagy, Vice-Chair
Ed Hannon, Commissioner
Sam McClung, Commissioner
Valerie Pullara, Commissioner
Pat Spoerl, Commissioner

EXCUSED: Bob Baughman, Commissioner
 
CALL TO THE AUDIENCE

Opened and closed without comment.

1.

Review and/or approval of the September 14, 2009, HPC minutes.


MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair Nagy and seconded by Commissioner McClung to accept the September 14, 2009, HPC minutes as amended.
 
MOTION carried, 6-0
 
2.

Historic Designation of Steam Pump Ranch.


Chairman Zwiener announced that Steam Pump Ranch has received designation as a National Historic place and congratulated all who were involved.
 
Commissioner Spoerl asked that the final version of the application be sent to the HPC.

3.

Discussion and possible action regarding Cultural Resources Inventory.


A.

Update from William Self and Associates.


John Ravesloot, William Self and Associates, reviewed the following:
- Open House
- Seven most promising neighborhoods
- Presentation of draft document on November 9th.

Chairman Zwiener requested the document be received on November 9th and put on the HPC December agenda for possible action.  Commissioner Nagy suggested Commissioners forward any comments to Mr. Popelka in advance of the December meeting.

Scott O’Mack of WSA reviewed the following:
- Factors to consider a neighborhood historic
- National Register criteria
- Subdivisions in Oro Valley
- Gentlemen citrus orchards
- 7 possible historic neighborhoods
- Photos, plats and maps
- Items that will be at the Open House

Mary Davis, Communications Administrator, informed the HPC that the Town has started having meetings with the media in advance of the Open House.

Chairman Zwiener asked what the historic context for Oro Valley would be.  Mr. O’Mack explained that it is clear there is a post and pre-war era that developed from a rural grazing area to a suburban development over a short period of time. 

Commissioner Nagy asked if it was possible to identify individual homeowners to ask if their home is original or has been altered.  Mr. O’Mack responded that the Assessor’s office is used for information about the original house and any alterations made and because of the benefits of becoming a historic neighborhood most people are willing to talk.

Chairman Zwiener asked if any of the neighborhoods have Home Owners Association (HOA).  Mr. O’Mack responded that many of the neighborhoods have HOA’s and the Presidents of Oro Valley Estates and Shadow Mountain Estates led the push to have Oro Valley incorporated years ago.

Paul Popelka asked if there is a required number of older houses in a neighborhood that would establish it as historic.  Mr. O’Mack responded that it is usually 50 % but other circumstances can be considered if the 50% is not met.  Mr. O’Mack explained the process of submitting for a historic neighborhood.

Commissioner Spoerl commented that historic consideration is based on the exterior of a house, not the interior.  Interior modifications are considered if the property is open to the public.  Mr. O’Mack confirmed.

B.

Public Open House Monday, October 26, 2009.


Mary Davis, Communications Administrator, updated the HPC on the upcoming Open House.

4.

Discussion regarding Draft Criteria of Significance for Cultural Resources.


Chairman Zwiener gave a synopsis of the Criteria of Cultural Resources.  Changes were made and noted.

Commissioner McClung asked that the Criteria of Cultural Resources be forwarded to consultants to gather opinions before a final draft is made.

5.

Discussion regarding Steam Pump Ranch.


A.

Site Access Protocol.


Chairman Zwiener gave an update of the Site Protocol. 

Commissioner McClung asked that HPC make the protocol language broad enough to allow Town staff to make sound decisions and be able to react to day to day activities.

Chairman Zwiener said the HPC would be involved if a proposed activity would compromise the historic integrity of the site.

B.

Building Demolition Work.


Paul Popelka gave an update on "exploratory removal" that is taking place at Steam Pump Ranch.

C.

Ranch Truck Update.


Paul Popelka said the truck is now running, registered and licensed and may appear at the Holiday Parade.  The work on the truck will continue at Canyon Del Oro High School.

6.

Appointment of an HPC Sub-committee to review the 2010-2012 HPC Work Plan.


Paul Popelka requested a HPC sub-committee to work with Town staff to develop a work plan that would then be brought to the entire HPC for approval.  Commissioners, Pullara, Hannon and Nagy volunteered to serve on the sub-committee.  Mr. Popelka said a meeting location has not been determined.

Chairman Zwiener will try to locate a "draft" HPC workplan from some time ago.

Commissioner McClung recommended the HPC use some proven ideas that other cities and towns use as workplans.

7.

Discussion and possible action regarding Staff Report.


A.

Certified Local Government (CLG). 


Paul Popelka said Bob Frankenberger from State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will come to Town to do some training on CLG after the first of the year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Spoerl said the Oro Valley Historical Society has accepted a donation of 57 rolls of player piano music from Mr. Lesil Bomar.  The Town has agreed to store the music rolls and a piano tuner has been located in Tucson that will give an estimate on repair/restoration of the piano at Steam Pump Ranch (SPR).

Commissioner McClung said he attended the open house at Kentucky Camp and suggested the HPC use this as a resource for SPR.

Mr. Popelka suggested the HPC use Canoa Ranch/Kentucky Camp as a possible "field trip" for training.

Chairman Zwiener noted that the Historic Preservation Partnership Conference is in Flagstaff in May.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair Nagy and seconded by Commissioner Spoerl to adjourn the HPC meeting at 6:48 p.m.
 
MOTION carried, 6-0