Historic Preservation Commission

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes June 8, 2023 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was held at the Parks, Recreation & Tourism (PRT) Office at 1224 Progressive Drive on June 8, 2023. Chairperson Knight called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairperson Knight announced a volunteer training opportunity at the Great Dismal Swamp to lead fourth-grade school groups in the fall and spring. The training session would take place on June 30, 2023. Interested participants should contact Chris Lowie, the Refuge Manager of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge at chris_lowie@fws.gov. Commissioner Ernest Lowery announced the 2023 Chesapeake Juneteenth Luncheon on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at noon, scheduled to take place at the Greenbrier Country Club. Members Present: Ms. Jennifer Knight; Dr. George Reed; Mr. Ernest Lowery; Mr. Kyle Taduran; Mr. James “Ervin” Young. Members Absent: Mr. Gerald Martin; Ms. Amelia Wallace. Staff Present: Planner II Kevin Finn; Zoning Plans Examiner I Joseph Gardner; City Attorney Joshua Johnson (attended virtually); PRT Planning Administrator Ana Elezovic; 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 5 voting members present, and 3 voting members absent. MINUTES: Approval of Meeting Minutes: Chairperson Knight asked if there were any corrections to the May 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. Plans to regrade approximately one acre around the Cornland School and begin the parking lot and stormwater pond have been approved by the City. Bid documents for this work need to be finalized by the Procurement Office. b. Additional site plans have been submitted to the City. The internal review is scheduled for completion by June 22, 2023.  c. Plans to execute the bat survey were reviewed by Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) staff. The consultant is currently working on incorporating DWR comments into procedures. II. HARB South Norfolk Design Guidelines a. Staff and consultants conducting the review of the design guidelines are scheduled to meet in late June. b. Staff will be available to discuss the project with residents on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the Annual South Norfolk 4th of July Parade and Picnic. 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 July 18, 2023. B. Arboretum Overlay/Williamson Farmhouse Text Amendment a. Kevin Finn announced that the Planning Commission would discuss the text amendment at their meeting on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, and that staff would be present to address potential questions. b. Chairperson Knight said she would sign an updated letter in support of the amendment. C. Preservation Video Series a. Chairperson Knight’s Gold Star Memorial video premiered via the City’s and HPC’s Facebook pages on May 31, 2023. b. Chairperson Knight discussed her ongoing research on historic churches of Ballahack Road for an additional installment of this project. c. Commissioner Kyle Taduran inquired what City resources, like GIS access, could be made available if he were to discuss historic maps and boundaries that defined Norfolk County and Chesapeake. PRT Planning Administrator Ana Elezovic answered that she would send him the appropriate contact information to request City access. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: Chairperson Knight recommended everyone listen to a recent episode of Virginia Public Radio’s podcast Tribal Truths that focused on the Nansemond Nation and their ancestral and cultural connections to the Great Dismal Swamp. Commissioner Reed announced that he is working with the non-profit group the New Chesapeake Men for Progress to organize a public safety, health and wellness, and job fair event at the Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center on Thursday, August 17, 2023. NEW BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 PM. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 5:00 PM at PRT Office at 1224 Progressive Drive. Minutes submitted by Jessica Cosmas, Secretary. 2