Historic Preservation Commission

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 09, 2023 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was held at the Parks, Recreation & Tourism (PRT) Office at 1224 Progressive Drive on March 09, 2023. Chairperson Knight called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Reed announced the New Chesapeake Men for Progress, Inc. will hold its annual Scholarship Award breakfast on April 30, 2023. Donations are still being accepted towards the scholarship fund. Event tickets are available for sale. Commissioner Lowery provided copies of the New Journal & Guide story covering the February 18th Black History Month Program that was hosted by the New Chesapeake Men for Progress, Inc. Chairperson Knight commended Commissioners Reed and Lowery on the successful event. Commissioner Lowery announced that his artwork will be on display in The Gallery at the Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Outreach and Innovation Library. An opening reception for the show will be hosted on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Members Present: Mr. Gerald Martin; Ms. Jennifer Knight; Ms. Amelia Wallace; Dr. George Reed; Mr. James “Ervin” Young; Mr. Ernest Lowery Members Absent: Mr. Kyle Taduran Staff Present: Planner II Kevin Finn; Code Compliance Inspector I Carlos Rodriguez; PRT Director Mike Barber; Historical Services Office Specialist Kimberly Putland; Historical Services Manager Jessica Cosmas Ms. Cosmas called the roll. Attendance reflected a quorum with 6 voting members present, and 1 voting member absent. MINUTES: Approval of Meeting Minutes: Chairperson Knight asked if there were any corrections to the February minutes as presented. There were no corrections. The minutes stand approved. HEARING OF CITIZENS: None. REPORTS: A. Staff Reports: I. Historical Village at the Dismal Swamp a. Phase II archaeological work plan for Superintendent’s House has been approved by US Army Corps of Engineers staff and has been submitted to the Department of Historic Resources (DHR). Other consulting parties include the Nansemond Nation, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, and the Norfolk County Historical Society. DHR and the above stakeholders will have a 30-day period to submit their comments on the work plan. b. Architects submitted schematic plans for Cornland School rehabilitation to DHR. c. Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) staff submitted their comments regarding the bats in the Superintendent’s House to Bay Environmental, the consultant responsible for the Environmental Assessment. i. State-endangered Rafinesque’s Eastern Big-eared Bats and state-endangered Little Brown Bats have been identified by DWR ii. DWR recommends coordination on plans for site development to ensure that the “life history of any species present guides efforts to protect bats on site” iii. Although state-endangered Canebrake Rattlesnakes have been documented near the project site, based on the scope and location of the proposed work, DWR does not anticipate significant adverse impacts on this species or its habitats II. Women’s History Month City staff has organized weekly posts on the Commission’s Facebook page. This program showcases influential women with Chesapeake connections. Staff asks Commissioners to officially “Follow” the page and encourage others to do the same. Staff would like to reach 1,000 Followers. The page currently has approximately 875 Followers. III. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Presentation on Section 106 and Off-shore Wind Projects a. City staff attended a webinar on March 1 hosted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding a new Programmatic Agreement for wind energy development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. The agreement will include possible revisions to the Section 106 process that reviews how historical resources may be affected by projects. b. Roll call vote was conducted if any Commissioners want to be included as a consulting party, in addition to a staff member, as the new Programmatic Agreement is written. All Commissioners vote “no.” IV. HARB South Norfolk Design Guidelines City Staff evaluated proposals submitted by potential vendors. Two vendors have been asked to perform oral presentations. Based on the presentations, staff will select a vendor to offer the contract for executing the review of the guidelines. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A. PLN-REZ-2022-015, Proposed Rezoning at 4168 S. Military Highway (includes parcels within Sunray Agricultural Historic District) I. Chair Knight submitted a draft letter for Commissioners to review regarding this application. a. Commissioner Martin suggested that the letter should include the full name of the project. 2  b. Commissioner Reed suggested that the letter should conclude by restating the group’s opposition to the application. c. Chair Knight signed the revised letter. II. The signed letter will be submitted to Council when they review the application which is scheduled for March 15, 2023. B. May 2023 Historic Preservation Month Video Series Commissioners will select topics to highlight for a “Did You Know?” video series. They will provide a script that staff will review and available times they can meet for filming. Filming is scheduled to begin in mid-April. a. Chair Knight would like to focus on Gold Star Veterans of modern wars and suggested historic churches like Lake Drummond Baptist Church, Northwest Baptist Church, and Bethel Baptist Church on Ballahack Road as a topic for other commissioners. b. Vice Chair Wallace would like to focus on the Deep Creek Commissary. c. Commissioner Martin and Commissioner Young considered teaming up to focus on historic masonry repair. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: Commissioner Reed voiced his concern that signage entering Chesapeake is not distinct. Director Barber mentioned that with the City’s branding upgrades a “Gateway” project is underway including new signs featuring the Blue Heron City Logo. Commissioner Martin encouraged the group to attend the Citizen Information Meeting on the proposed South Norfolk Municipal Building Project that will take place on March 23, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oscar Smith Middle School. NEW BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM at PRT Office at 1224 Progressive Drive. Minutes submitted by Jessica Cosmas, Secretary 3