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Minutes 01-13-25 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025, AT 6:30 P.M. IN CITY HALL, COMMISSION CHAMBERS 100 E. OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BACH, FLORIDA PRESENT Barbara Ready, Chair Jae Eun Kim, Principal Planner Mike Wilson Louis Bencosme, Principal Planner Robert Wilt John Stout, Planner II Victor Norfus, Alt. (Arrived 7:05 P.M.) Valentina Broglia Andrea Rodriguez ABSENT: Bradley Jackson 1 Call to Order Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. 2. Agenda Approval Chair Ready requested to add a discussion of using Girl Scout Troop 24514 to the agenda under New Business, and said that the cadets would like to start a project relative to the Downtown QR Codes. Motion Mr. Wilson moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Broglia seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of Minutes Chair Ready noted a change on page 2, Item 5 A, second sentence, the word polls should be poles. Ms. Broglia moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Wilt seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. a. Approval of Minutes Approve the minutes from the November 12, 2024 Historic Resources Preservation Board meeting. 4. Communications and Announcements Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 13, 2025 None. 5. Old Business 6. New Business Girl Scout Troop 24514 Chair Ready said that the Girl Scouts noted that the sign in front of the Magnuson House is faded and that the QR Code is not legible. She said that the Board had discussed this in the past and asked where the QR Codes and stanchions were that were removed during construction, as they were told they would be replaced when construction was complete. Ms. Kim stated that they reached out to the Public Works Director and would follow up and provide an update at the next meeting. Chair Ready suggested that the cadets participate somehow, because they are working on a badge and said that she would monitor this project. Mr. Wilson asked what the deadline was for the Girl Scouts. Chair Ready stated that she did not know. She said that GPS involved in addition to the QR Codes and that a map would be helpful. After further brief dialogue, there was agreement to work with the Girl Scouts. 7. Other a. Relocation of the Andrews House Update on the potential relocation of the Andrews House located at 306 SE 1st Avenue Rick Hoffer, Assistant Director, Public Works, reviewed a PowerPoint made at the last City Commission Meeting and reviewed three potential relocation sites for the Andrews House, as contained in the meeting materials. He commented that they originally looked at five locations. He spoke about the direction he received from the Commission. Brief discussion followed that if they used the site as a Welcome Center, it was the farthest away from the downtown. Mr. Hoffer spoke about potential site two, on E Ocean Avenue next to the Magnuson House, was reviewed. 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 13, 2025 He stated that the parcel is a CRA-owned lot and pointed out that wood structures have to be 20 feet apart, and if relocating the home to the site, the structures would be 10 feet apart. He said that it is a Fire/Life Safety Issue and that if used, they may have to upgrade the wall to improve fire-ratings and other complications with the site. Discussion followed that there is also a sidewalk and a right-of-way for a road abutting the property and that if the walkway were removed or moved over, the structure may fit. Ms. Kim explained that they do not have a survey and this is in a study stage. Mr. Hoffer commented that he did not investigate that and that the zoning at the site is R- 3. Chair Ready commented that site two would be the least costly move. Discussion ensued that if the home was moved further back, it could alleviate the setback issue, and that the vacant lot at 209 was privately owned and the owner would not sell. Chair Ready inquired if the City Commission would approve a variance and suggested Planning and Zoning review it. Ms. Kim commented that a variance may not be a good option, because the separation requirements are fire/life safety issues. She said one of the reasons the Magnuson Home location was discussed was because there was a lot of support to move it next to the home. She mentioned that the CRA has explored potential sites, but it would be more difficult to use the Magnuson House and come up with a different use for this property. She stated that staff will update the Board at the next meeting, and she was sure that there would be future discussions about it on the City Commission level. Mr. Hoffer spoke about potential location three on Seacrest on a CRA-owned lot was viewed. He advised that the zoning was R-2 and that there is some talk of the City use for this site. He added that the home is being moved for preservation purposes and that staff contacted a vendor to obtain an estimate to move the home. (Mr. Norfus arrived at 7:05 P.M.) Chair Ready opened the floor to public comments. Susan Oyer expressed her opinions and supported Option Two as the best possible location and for a light intensive use. She agreed that the home could be rotated and the City could approve a variance. She inquired about obtaining a copy of the report from the Fire and Building Officials about building regulations and commented that the area was 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 13, 2025 supposed to have a café for City Hall and they need a place to go for drinks, ice cream, gourmet sandwiches, etc. She said that the Board could make recommendations. Mike Fitzpatrick commented that the meeting is a positive sign that the City Commission and staff are taking action to move the historic Andrews House. He questioned why the Board was not notified that a demolition permit was submitted. Ms. Kim said that she did not know enough about the timeline and that she will take notes and send him a follow up email, because she did not want to deliver incorrect information. Mr. Fitzpatrick was concerned that the presentation was the fox guarding the hen house and it seemed like the City wanted the Andrews House bulldozed. He agreed that the home can be moved back or rotated and they can open up the sidewalk to meet the separation requirements. He stated that he is in favor of Option Two. Tom Warnke commented that the project is a feel-good project and the Andrews House is the oldest house in Boynton Beach and it is in excellent condition. He reviewed his history with the City and knowledge of renovations made to the home 20 years ago, which also included using Dade County Pine. He said that the development going in is huge and it will help revitalize the downtown and that in November they formed a citizen committee to save the home. He said that at one time it was a museum, and the home has a history. Mr. Warnke requested the following: • Recommend that the City Commission make immediate arrangements to have ownership of the house go to the CRA or the City Commission. • Commit to move the home next to the Magnuson House on Ocean Avenue as Option Two, rotate the home by 90 degrees or move it slightly east and take part of the easement and move it back a bit. He said that with a variance and proper maintenance by the City, the separation requirements can be addressed. • Recommend the home be repurposed for a public use and not residential or City offices. He said the public should have access to the building. He noted that the walls can be decorated with Boynton Beach History. Mr. Warnke spoke about the historic buildings in Delray Beach. He thought people would love to go into the Andrews House. Dr. Ben Lowe, Professional Historian and Professor of History at FAU, stated that he has been in the City since 1997, and he has seen more historical buildings destroyed than he cared to say. He said the last survey was conducted in 1996, and the Andrews House is the last remaining building. He agreed with Mr. Fitzpatrick's comments and stated that 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 13, 2025 many of the issues with this building can be fixed by hiring a historic planner. He agreed with the suggestions made by Ms. Oyer, and supported Option Two, and stated that relocation can be accomplished. Mr. Norfus agreed with the suggestions and did not think they had a welcome center near Ocean Avenue. He said that they do not have anything for adults to be welcomed into the City. The members supported Option Two and explained why. Mr. Wilson spoke about potential uses and said that his recommendation to the City Commission would be along the lines of using the building as a museum or light commercial and not a full restaurant. Chair Ready stated that when the City held charettes to obtain public input, the public indicated that it wanted a quaint fishing village, where one can stroll down the Avenue and partake of the small shops. She said that it is unfortunate the advice residents gave over the years, was ignored. She commented that if they can save this house and put it next to another historic house, it could create a place for them to stroll down to and spend money. She announced that this was their last grasp to get what they wanted. Motion Mr. Wilson moved to request the City Commission chose Location Two, adjacent to the Magnuson House on Ocean Avenue, to preserve the historic character of the downtown area. Ms. Broglia seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion Mr. Wilson moved to request the City Commission pursue ownership of the Andrews house to control of the City or the CRA. Mr. Wilt seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion Mr. Wilson moved to approve the City Commission moved to repurpose the Andrews home for public use. Ms. Rodriguez seconded the motion. Mr. Norfus proposed a public use that would include a welcome center, museum information, and not a restaurant or a place where the rangers can come. He stated that he wants to make it a public use for the public to come in and interact with. Mr. Wilson agreed that he did not want the use to only be a City use. 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 13, 2025 Chair Ready pointed out that a Welcome Center is in City Hall, across from the Information Desk. Vote Mr. Wilson rescinded his prior motion about repurposing the home for public use. Motion Ms. Broglia moved to repurpose the Andrews House for a public use where it falls under commercial use in the zoning code. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Kim commented that this is not a voting matter, it is a recommendation. Chair Ready stated that they will be making a recommendation and urging the City and CRA to move in one direction. She said that if it emerges as three motions of this Board being in favor of Option Two and saving it, that is what is going to happen. Ms. Kim reiterated for the record, this is not a voting matter. Chair Ready stated the Board just voted and she asked for a vote on the third motion. Vote The motion unanimously passed. 8. Adjournment There being no further business before the Board, Chair Ready adjourned the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 P.M. (UMJ.,tt Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 6