Historic Preservation Commission

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes April 13, 2023 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was held at the Parks, Recreation & Tourism (PRT) Office at 1224 Progressive Drive on April 13, 2023. Chairperson Knight called the meeting to order at 5:01 PM. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. George Bailey introduced himself to the group as a City intern with the SkillBridge program. He has been observing several different staff and learning more about various job positions within the City as he transitions from active military duty to civilian life. Community Design Manager Mr. Nat McCormick introduced himself to the group. Mr. McCormick was recently hired by the City Planning Department. He will serve as project manager for the HARB South Norfolk Design Guidelines Review. Mr. McCormick is serving as the Planning staff liaison as the regular liaison Planner II Kevin Finn could not attend the April meeting. Members Present: Ms. Jennifer Knight; Ms. Amelia Wallace; Dr. George Reed; Mr. James “Ervin” Young. Members Absent: Mr. Kyle Taduran; Mr. Gerald Martin; Mr. Ernest Lowery Staff Present: Community Design Manager Nat McCormick; Code Compliance Inspector I Carlos Rodriguez; PRT Planning Administrator Ana Elezovic; Historical Services Office Specialist Kimberly Putland; Historical Services Manager Jessica Cosmas Ms. Cosmas called the roll. Attendance reflected a quorum with 4 voting members present, and 3 voting members absent. MINUTES: Approval of Meeting Minutes: Chairperson Knight asked if there were any corrections to the March 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. On April 11, 2023, staff attended “The Moses Grandy/ Underground Railroad Experience” tour led by Grandy descendant Eric Sheppard of Mubita LLC. Tour participants included staff from The Wilderness Society who are working towards the Dismal Swamp being named a National Heritage site.  b. Phase II archaeological work at the Superintendent’s House is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 17, 2023. c. In accordance with Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) comments regarding bats in the Superintendent’s House, staff have begun talking to consultants about executing a survey of the bat population in the building and writing a mitigation plan subject to DWR’s approval. d. Architects submitted design documents for Cornland School rehabilitation to Department of Historic Resources (DHR) for their review on April 7, 2023. DHR will have 30 days to submit comments on this second set of drawings. (i) Chair Knight asked about plans for the agricultural and farming exhibit within the Village. Staff answered that draft plans include incorporating the soybean field that is currently leased as farmland on the southern end of the project site and a demonstration garden near the Native People exhibition. Chair Knight expressed a wish to see more opportunities for the history of farming in Southern Chesapeake. Staff stated that there will be time to discuss exhibition details further along the process. The priority now is completing the rehabilitation of the Cornland School. (ii) Vice Chair Wallace asked about ensuring equity with future staffing and employment opportunities at the Village site. Staff answered that in accordance with Federal HUD funding requirements, the City is responsible for attracting Section 3 workers for the project. Staff explained that a worker may be considered Section 3 if they qualify as Low- Income or if they are a YouthBuild participant. II. Earthwork Fort near Jolliff Road On March 10, 2023, Staff received paperwork outlining the transfer of fort property from the Virginia Department of Transportation to the City. The City will be responsible for coordination with DHR to conduct a full archaeological Phase I survey of the parcel, submit a draft National Register of Historic Places nomination, review interpretive signage, and create a management plan for the site. III. Sunray School Building Joseph Freeman of RRMM Architects is completing the condition assessment of the building. He will produce drawings and a written report detailing his findings and his recommendations for rehabilitating the building. IV. Williamson Farmhouse at the Chesapeake Arboretum The bid period closed. Only one vendor submitted a bid, and their quote is approximately $400,000 over budget. A meeting is scheduled on April 19, 2023, to discuss the next steps for this project. V. City-wide Burial site Ordinance Staff have prepared a memorandum to City Council and hope to have the ordinance placed on Council’s agenda in May. VI. Chesapeake 60th Anniversary Oral History Project a. Historical Services Office Specialist Kimberly Putland will be spearheading an oral history project throughout the city to fulfill a requirement towards her master’s degree at Old Dominion University. Former HPC Chair Patti McCambridge has volunteered to assist. b. The project will first focus on the Chesapeake Arboretum. As this year is the 60th anniversary of the City’s formation, the project will be expanded to include additional sites and areas across the City. (i) Commissioner Reed suggested that the oral history project consider how the City has developed over time. Chair Knight echoed this sentiment and offered to provide contacts who may be interested in speaking about Southern Chesapeake. (ii) Vice-Chair Wallace offered to provide resources regarding participants’ emotional safety during the oral history process. Staff stated that some procedures were established during the Cornland School Oral History project that could be a model for this project. 2  VII. Upcoming Events a) Historic Tree Tour, departing from 1224 Progressive Drive at 9:30 am on Saturday, April 29, 2023. b) Bike Fest at Dismal Swamp Canal Trail on May 7, 2023, 1 pm – 4 pm. Bring your own bike and pick up free gear by visiting stations along the trail. c) Spring Bus Tour, departing from 1224 Progressive Drive at 8:30 am on Friday, May 12, 2023, and Saturday, May 13, 2023. The historical Services Manager will be leading the Saturday tour. If interested, reserve a spot by calling 757-382-6411. d) Bike Ride through Historic South Norfolk, departing from South Norfolk Memorial Library at 801 Poindexter Street on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The ride begins at 10 am. Bikes can be rented for this event by calling 757-382-1360. VIII. HARB South Norfolk Design Guidelines Community Design Manager Nat McCormick reported that Norfolk-based firm Commonwealth Preservation Group has been offered the contract to execute the review of the current guidelines. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A. PLN-REZ-2022-015, Proposed Rezoning at 4168 S. Military Highway (includes parcels within Sunray Agricultural Historic District) The City Council’s review of this application has been delayed to May 16, 2023. B. May 2023 Historic Preservation Month Video Series Filming is scheduled to begin with Chair Knight on April 22, 2023. Chair Knight will be discussing Gold Star Veterans of modern wars. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: Chair Knight encouraged the group to attend The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Public Meeting on the Columbia Gas Virginia Reliability Project on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 5 pm – 8 pm at the Chesapeake Conference Center, 700 Conference Center Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Commissioner Reed reminded the group of the New Chesapeake Men for Progress, Inc. annual Scholarship Award breakfast on April 30, 2023. Over $26,000 of scholarship funds have been raised for local students. Event tickets are available for sale. NEW BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:09 PM. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Thursday, June 08, 2023, at 5:00 PM at PRT Office at 1224 Progressive Drive. Minutes submitted by Jessica Cosmas, Secretary 3