Historic Preservation Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 18, 2023 The Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission met and considered the following items at a public meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was held at 120 W. Dougherty Street, Athens, Georgia. MEMBERS PRESENT: Joanna Beckman, Heather Fletcher (Chair) Lindsey Roper, Worth Van Linden, Ellen Walker, Thomas White MEMBERS ABSENT: Bobbie Epting STAFF PRESENT: Amber Eskew, Austin Jackson (ACC Attorney’s Office,) Maddie Markle (HP intern,) John Rogeberg CALL TO ORDER: 1. Determination of Quorum: Quorum present 2. Introduction of staff reports and all other documents submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission at this meeting into the official record: Motion to receive all documents into the official record passed unanimously. 3. Adoption of the minutes of the September 20, 2023 agenda review: Motion to adopt the minutes of the September 20, 2023 agenda review passed unanimously. 4. Adoption of the minutes of the September 20, 2023 meeting: Motion to adopt the minutes of the September 20, 2023 meeting passed unanimously. 5. Ex-Partee communications: none OLD BUSINESS: none NEW BUSINESS: none CONCEPTUAL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW: 1. 227 Woodlawn Avenue COA-2023-10-1990 Petitioner: David Matheny / AMT for Jason & Melissa Eisele Request: Concept of a Breezeway Connection Information: 124B2 F005, Woodlawn, RS-15 Ms. Eskew presented the staff report. As this is a conceptual review, there will be discussion only. No decisions will be made at this meeting. Agent / Owner: David Matheny In Favor: none Opposed: Kevin O’Neil, Rich McCormack Discussion: • Reduced to 12’ breezeway length. 1  • An aerial of the property would be helpful. • Breezeways are not addressed in the guidelines. • Ms. Walker noted that we are not setting precedent. • We should not consider what is visible as much as what fits the character. Action Taken: comments only TRAINING: 1. Understanding Appeals and Making Defensible Decisions • Guided by Mr. Jackson and Ms. Eskew, there was an in-depth discussion regarding Section 8-5-5(o) of the ordinance and of the Guidelines. o Mr. Jackson stressed that because an appeal is filed does not mean that the HPC did something wrong or abused discretion. 2. Understanding Period Appropriate Materials and Historic Precedent • Ms. Eskew described in detail the differences between period appropriate and historic precedent which led to a lengthy discussion. • She also added that if the HPC disagrees with the way the guidelines are written and interpreted, especially if a certain guideline is not allowing something that you think is appropriate, the Commission should look at changing the guidelines. 3. Discussion of Recent Training Opportunities a. NAPC Summer Short Course Session • Brief explanation and discussion of the session topics from this multi- session two-day training on August 23 and 24. b. NAPC Creating a Realtor Program • Discussed the lessons from this training held October 12th and how they might be applied with a local realtor program. OTHER BUSINESS: • Growth Concept Plan Public Input Exercise: An explanation of the exercise and the upcoming public input opportunities was given by staff with HPC members encouraged to attend a session. • Strategic Plan Update: • The updated format of the general set of Design Guidelines is ready. • The printing has been done of the Districts and Landmarks book. Distribution to follow. • Creating a realtor program is part of the strategic plan. • Designation Committee Report • No meeting held this month. • Research is ongoing with the Boyles Drive property. • No status update regarding the Mack-Burney House as a potential designation. • Education Committee Report • No meeting held this month. • 2023 Annual Report is underway and to be ready in January. • Miscellaneous Announcements • Two COA items on the November agenda. Ms. Fletcher to be absent from the November hearing. With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. 2