MINUTES
ORO VALLEY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STUDY SESSION/REGULAR SESSION
June 14, 2010
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
 
CALL TO ORDER AT OR AFTER 5:00 P.M.

Chairman Zwiener called the Regular Session to order at 5:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Daniel Zwiener, Chairman
Lois Nagy, Vice-Chair
Bob Baughman, Commissioner
Ellen Guyer, Commissioner
Sam McClung, Commissioner
Valerie Pullara, Commissioner

ABSENT: Ed Hannon, Commissioner

REGULAR SESSION

Chairman Zwiener moved item 8 to be heard as item 1 of the Regular Session.

*8.  Discussion and possible action regarding the Steam Pump Ranch pump house reconstruction plans.

Drew Gorsky of Poster, Frost & Mirto, provided 6 pages of documentation (Exhibit 1) showing the existing conditions of the Steam Pump Ranch Pump House.  Mr. Gorsky said a proposal would be submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) regarding the work to be completed at the Ranch House.

Commissioner Baughman affirmed that the presentation does not deviate from what was submitted during the Steam Pump Ranch Master Plan.

Chairman Zwiener requested that each page be reviewed.

Mr. Gorsky reviewed the Pump House Historic Photos document and said the restoration efforts are trying to stay in the early twentieth century.
Chairman Zwiener said the biggest issue will be the metal roof and trying to use as much of the original material as feasible. 
Mr. Gorsky said they collected 1,400 sq. ft. of the roof, but some of the metal panels are damaged.  The panels are bent, but if cost allows they would like to reuse them.

Mr. Gorsky said part of the letter that will be sent to SHPO will include the intention that they are not going to proceed with any work on the interior.

Mr. Gorsky reviewed the existing and proposed floor plans and said the slab from the 1970’s will be left in place as a protective covering.  The Blacksmith’s floor will be protected and the blacksmith hood will be incorporated back into the building when it is restored.

Mr. Gorsky reviewed the elevation plans and said the adobe has always been exposed but will now be protected with a sacrificial plaster coat.  This will allow us to preserve the most historic fabric.

Mr. Gorsky reviewed the phased archeological plan.  Chairman Zwiener said the plan would be to conduct the restoration of the building in phases, as follows:

1.  Site preparation
2.  Monitoring Pump House restoration
3.  Finish grading and preparing the area around the building for visitors

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Baughman and seconded by Vice-Chair Nagy to approve the Restoration concept and plan on the Steam Pump Ranch Pump House as presented by Poster, Frost & Mirto. 
 
MOTION carried, 6-0
 
The Regular Session was recessed at 5:28 p.m.

STUDY SESSION

CALL TO ORDER AT OR AFTER 5:00 P.M.

Chairman Zwiener called the Study Session to order at 5:28 p.m.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Daniel Zwiener, Chair
Lois Nagy, Vice-Chair
Bob Baughman, Commissioner
Ellen Guyer, Commissioner
Sam McClung, Commissioner
Valerie Pullara, Commissioner

ABSENT: Ed Hannon, Commissioner

1.

Review and discussion regarding the following cultural resources components of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands ordinance: Section 21.9, Historic Preservation Commission, Section 27, Cultural Resources, and Chapter 31, Definitions.


Bayer Vella, OV Conservation and Sustainability Manager, presented the staff report and reviewed the purpose of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO).

Commissioner Baughman asked if the ESLO project included Arroyo Grande as a part of Oro Valley.  Mr. Vella said when working with zoning, state law states that we are only able to impact areas within our boundaries.  Mr. Vella said if the Town were to annex Arroyo Grande, these ordinances would apply.

Mr. Vella continued his presentation and reviewed the following:
- ESL Project  
- General Plan & Cultural Resources
- Cultural Resources Code Development
- Standard Process
- Proposed Town Requirements

Chairman Zwiener asked if the Town would be using an approved list of cultural resources professionals and if the rotation would be similar to what the county uses.  Mr. Vella said yes and they would be working with HPC to develop requests for proposals.

Commissioner Pullara noticed the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan was mentioned and asked if the town had adopted it.  Mr. Vella said the previous Town Councils’ have adopted resolutions supporting and possibly implementing the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.

Mr. Vella continued his presentation on:
- Proposed OV Requirements
- Synergy of Resources
- Cultural Resources Review Process
- ESL Next Steps

Mr. Vella said on July 2, 2010, the entire ESLO would be published for public review.

Commissioner Pullara said she noticed different timelines set forth and asked how it would be incorporated in the development plan process.  Mr. Vella said the Public Advisory Committee (PAC) were concerned that we not add any more time to the development review process.
Commissioner Pullara said on page 9 of the draft, under "Discoveries", it stated work shall cease in the vicinity and asked who determines what the vicinity is.  Mr. Vella said the decision would be made by the Planning Manager with the assistance of the cultural resources professional.

Commissioner Pullara requested clarification on Item 7d regarding HPC reviewing treatment plan approvals.
Mr. Vella said due to the concern of respecting the opinion of the cultural resources professional and to not slow the development review process, HPC would be allowed to review them, if appropriate. 

Commissioner Pullara said it also stated HPC is required to find an abuse of discretion on the part of the Planning Manager and asked what that process would involve.  Mr. Vella said HPC would be apprised, and if there is a concern, it could be placed on their next agenda.  The findings HPC would need to make would be to evaluate if the Planning Manager acted outside the process of the review criteria.

Commissioner Guyer said regarding item VI, there are funding implications under the treatment plan and asked if it would be appropriate for that to be a part of the draft.  Mr. Vella said the intent is to keep it open ended for flexibility.  Mr. Vella said the treatment plan is the requirement of the developer and the divisions of the responsibilities would be broken up.
Vice Chair Nagy requested clarification on item 6b.  Mr. Vella said with a development application, the survey process will be orchestrated by the Town through a Town approved cultural resource professional.  Mr. Vella said every grading permit that is issued is conditioned that work is to stop if any cultural resources are found. 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Baughman and seconded by Chair Zwiener to adjourn the HPC Study session at 6:25 p.m. by acclamation.
 
The HPC Regular Session reconvened at 6:25 p.m. 

CALL TO THE AUDIENCE

Bill Adler, OV resident, said he is willing to trust the cultural resources professional, except in public access because they might be overprotective.  Access to any resource is HPC’s responsibility to set forth the access guidelines so they can be incorporated into the ordinance.  Mr. Adler said he is impressed but nervous with the responsibility given to the Planning Manager, and feels this person should be trained by HPC.  Mr. Adler said three words with different meanings are used and we need to be consistent in the language, because we would not want people to get contradictory meanings. 

1.

Review and/or approval of the May 17, 2010, HPC minutes.


Commissioner Pullara requested a correction to page 4, to change Commissioner Valerie to Commissioner Pullara.

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Baughman and seconded by Commissioner Guyer to approve the May 17, 2010, HPC minutes as amended.
 
MOTION carried, 6-0
 
2.

Discussion and possible action regarding transition to Parks and Recreation Department.


Ainsley Legner, OV Parks and Recreation Director introduced herself along with Danielle Tanner, Senior Office Specialist.  Ms. Legner said the department will be transitioning to Parks, Recreation, Library and Cultural Resources Department on July 1st.  The intent of this consolidation is to take the stewardship of cultural resources and historic preservation issues and make one department accountable and responsible.  Ms. Legner said we will still have the separate departments working to accomplish the tasks that need to be completed.  She expressed her appreciation to Scott Nelson, Matt Michels, Bayer Vella and Chairman Zwiener in acclimating them in preparation to serve as HPC’s liaison.  
Danielle Tanner said she will be the recording secretary and administrative support for HPC and looks forward to working with them next month.

3.

Discussion and possible action regarding a formal recommendation regarding the following cultural resources components of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands ordinance: Section 21.9, Historic Preservation Commission, Section 27, Cultural Resources, and Chapter 31, Definitions.


Chairman Zwiener said his experience of being overprotective to cultural resources has a big price to it and creates more problems than it typically solves.  The idea is to cooperate with developers and other parties to come up with a plan everyone can live with.  

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Baughman and seconded by Commissioner McClung to recommend approval regarding the following cultural resources components of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands ordinance: Section 21.9, Historic Preservation Commission, Section 27, Cultural Resources, and Chapter 31, Definitions.
 
MOTION carried, 6-0
 
4.

Discussion and possible action regarding Steam Pump Ranch document scanning.


Vice Chair Nagy updated the commission on the document scanning at the Oro Valley Library.

Chairman Zwiener reviewed the scheduled days and times with the commissioners.

Commissioner Baughman asked if Vice Chair Nagy could email the schedule to all the commissioners.

Vice Chair Nagy said yes, but would like to remind them of limiting it to three commissioners so that a quorum does not form.

5.

Discussion and possible action regarding cultural resources inventory.


Matt Michels, OV Senior Planner, updated the commission on receiving the $10,000 Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from SHPO.  Mr. Michels said SHPO sent them a participation agreement and a list of the guidelines which has been forwarded to the legal department.  Mr. Michels said since we are using $4,000 of the remaining $10,000 Phase II budget, we will approach Town Council on July 7, 2010, for authorization. 

Commissioner Baughman asked if Mr. Michels had located any other funding at the CLG.  Mr. Michels said he is not aware of any other funding opportunities.  Commissioner Baughman asked Mr. Michels to check into it. 

6.

Discussion and possible action regarding HPC meeting schedule.


Chairman Zwiener said HPC will not have a meeting in August and was advised that some of the commissioners would be gone for most of July.  Chairman Zwiener said he would like the commission to consider having a special session meeting on July 26, 2010. 

Ms. Legner said in anticipation of the July 12th meeting, she scheduled her leave and will be out that day, but could send James Gardner in her place.

Vice Chair Nagy said she also may be out of town.  Chairman Zwiener suggested the meeting take place on July 12, 2010, and have the vice chair conduct the meeting.  All commissioners were in agreement.

7.

Discussion and possible action regarding future agenda items.


Commissioner Baughman said his term ends with this meeting, but has applied for reappointment, with the condition that he would defer to Pat Spoerl if she was interested in returning to the HPC.  
Commissioner Pullara said her term also ends and would also like to continue to serve the commission.
Ms. Legner said she will discuss this with Mr. Michels and contact those commissioners whose terms are up, and let them know their status this week. 

Vice Chair Nagy said she would like clarification on the completion of the Honey Bee project for a future agenda item.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Michels said he received an update on the commissioners training hours, but needs to take into consideration the recent conference attended by some commissioners.  Mr. Michels thanked the commissioners for their patience and understanding while he served as staff liaison. 

Mr. McClung said that Mr. Michels has done a good job and asked if Scott Nelson, OV Special Projects Coordinator, would continue to meet with the commission.
Mr. Nelson said that would be up to Ms. Legner and her division.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Baughman and seconded by Vice-Chair Nagy to adjourn the HPC meeting at 7:07 p.m.
 
MOTION carried, 6-0