Historical Buildings and Sites Commission

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS & SITES COMMISSION Meeting Minutes – June 11, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS: STAFF/LIAISON MEMBERS: Ward Warren, Chair Dennis Lewis – Associate Planner Nathan Miller Bradley Clark – Director Community Development - Absent Danielle Glarum Samuel March COUNCIL LIAISON: Vacant Joel King Vacant Erich Schloegl - Absent Vacant GUESTS: Joseph Johnson Andreas Blech 1. Roll Call: Chair Warren called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. and called roll. 4. Approval of Minutes: a. Meeting Minutes: April 9, 2026 MOTION Chair Warren moved, and Commissioner March seconded the motion to approve the April 9, 2026 minutes with amendments. The vote resulted as follows: “AYES”: Chair Warren, Commissioners Miller, Glarum, and March. “NAYS”: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. The motion passed. 5. Action Items: a. Public Hearing – New Awnings – 220 & 224 SW 6th Street MOTION Chair Warren moved, and Commissioner March seconded the motion to approve the new awnings at 220 & 224 SW 6th St with the condition that building ornamentation be painted to match the awnings. The vote resulted as follows: “AYES”: Chair Warren, Commissioners Miller, Glarum, and March. “NAYS”: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. The motion passed. Meeting Overview The Historic Buildings and Sites Commission (HBSC) meeting covered several topics. It began with a public comment from Joseph Johnson, who presented a proposal for an "I heart Grants Pass" public art sculpture in the historic Riverside Historical Buildings & Sites Commission 1 Meeting Minutes June 11, 2026  Park. The commission then held a public hearing and approved new, more historically appropriate awnings for a building at 220 and 224 Southwest 6th Street, owned by Andreas Blech. Following this, the commission approved the minutes from their April meeting after a detailed discussion about a previous project's awnings. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the future use of the historic Reed Cottage, with the commission favoring a proposal for historic-style cabins over previously discussed yurts. The meeting concluded with updates on a historic marker project, the return of a CLG grant, the reappointment of Chair Ward Warren, and the announcement of Commissioner Terri Collins-Bain’s resignation, which prompted a discussion on code enforcement issues. Key Points • Joseph Johnson presented a public art project, an "I heart Grants Pass" sculpture, proposed for Riverside Park. The Commission was receptive and advised him on the next steps in the approval process. • The commission approved new awnings for a building on Southwest 6th Street after a public hearing. The applicant, Andreas Blech, had installed them before approval, which concerned one commissioner, but the new design was deemed more historically appropriate as it exposed transom windows. • The Commission discussed the future of the Reed Cottage in Riverside Park. Following public opposition to a yurt proposal, the commission explored the idea of building small, historic-style cabins, which received positive feedback from members. • Chair Ward Warren announced the resignation of Vice Chair Terri Collins-Bain. Her resignation letter cited a lack of voice, unequal treatment of members, and significant frustrations with the city's complaint-based and unequally applied code enforcement. • The commission discussed the need to improve code enforcement in the historic district, with members sharing differing experiences with the City's responsiveness. Follow-Up Questions: • What is the timeline and process for the Parks Advisory Committee and Community Development department to review Joseph Johnson's public art proposal? • Now that the awnings at 220-224 SW 6th Street are approved, what is the process for reviewing and approving the applicant's proposed paint color changes for the building's fascia? • What specific steps will the Commission and City Staff take to engage with Bernie Woodard about the feasibility and design of a historic cabin concept for the Reed Cottage? • Will the City Council or Staff formally respond to the issues of unequal code enforcement and lack of Staff support raised in Terri Collins-Bain’s resignation letter? • What is the City's plan for recruiting and appointing a new member to the HBSC to fill the vacancy and ensure a consistent quorum for future meetings? Historical Buildings & Sites Commission 2 Meeting Minutes June 11, 2026  • What was the outcome of the City Council workshop on the municipal court, and how does it affect the HBSC's goal of establishing a downtown exclusion zone? 9. Adjourn: Chair Warren adjourned the meeting at 6:15 pm. Next Meeting: July 23, 2026 Historical Buildings & Sites Commission 3 Meeting Minutes June 11, 2026  CITY OF GRANTS PASS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND SITES COMMISSION NEW AWNINGS: 220 & 224 SW 6th STREET HISTORICAL BUILDING AWNINGS REVIEW FINDINGS OF FACT Type III: Historical Buildings and Sites Commission Procedure Type: Hearing (HBSC) Project Number: 303-00137-26 Project Type: Historic District Awnings Review Applicant: Andreas & Carole Blech Owner: Andreas & Carole Blech Property Address: 220 & 224 SW 6th Street Map and Tax Lot: 36-05-18-DA TL 1800 Zoning: Central Business District (CBD) Planner Assigned: Dennis Lewis Application Received: May 12, 2026 Application Complete: May 17, 2026 Date of Staff Report: June 4, 2026 Date of Hearing: June 11, 2026 Date of Findings of Fact: July 23, 2026 Note: Bold Italic Text indicates text added by the HBSC that was not contained in the staff report. Strikeout Text indicates deletions made by HBSC. I. PROPOSAL: The request is for a Historic District review of new awnings located on the front of the subject building. The subject property is zoned Central Business District. The application includes photos of the new awnings (see Exhibit 3). II. AUTHORITY: Section 2.050, 13.434 (Schedule 13-2) and 13.454 authorizes the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission to review installation of new awnings on structures within the Grants Pass Downtown Local Historic District as a Type III procedure. 303-00137-26 ~ Historic District Awnings Review 1 220 & 224 SW 6th St. ~ Type III, Findings of Fact III. CRITERIA: The decision must be based upon the criteria contained in Section 13.452 and Section 13.454 of the Grants Pass Development Code. IV. APPEAL PROCEDURE: Section 10.050, City of Grants Pass Development Code, provides for an appeal of the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission’s decision to the City Council. Based on Section 10.051, an appeal must be filed within twelve (12) calendar days from the date the written decision is mailed. V. DISCUSSION: The application is for approval of awnings which has already been installed. The applicant states the work done was to replace deteriorated canvas on previo8usly installed metal framework. This report treats the application as a new installation. VI. SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE: A. The basic facts and criteria regarding this application are contained in the Staff Report, which is attached as Exhibit 2 and incorporated herein. B. The minutes of the public hearing held by the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission on June 11, 2026, attached as Exhibit 3, summarize the oral testimony presented and are hereby incorporated herein. C. The presentation given by staff at the June 11, 2026, hearing is attached as Exhibit 4 and incorporated herein. VII. FINDINGS OF FACT: The Historical Buildings and Sites Commission found that based upon the testimony given at the public hearing and the staff report, the proposal meets the criteria in Section 13.452 of the Development Code based on the reasons stated in the findings included below. VIII. CONFORMANCE WITH CRITERIA: A. Criteria for Approval are Contained in ~ Section 13.452 Criteria for Approval/Historic Review of the City of Grants Pass Development Code states that in reviewing the appropriateness of this application, the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission shall consider the following: Criterion (1): Complies with the applicable development standards of this section. HBSC Response: Satisfied. The applicable for awnings are found in Section 13.453. Subsection 5. The awnings are directly mounted to the building, canvas is used for the 303-00137-26 ~ Historic District Awnings Review 2 220 & 224 SW 6th St. ~ Type III, Findings of Fact  awning covering, no vinyl or plastic is used. Proper maintenance should be a condition of a[approval. Criterion (2): Complies with the purpose of Section 13.411 (Historic Resources: Districts and Landmarks). HBSC Response: Satisfied. The awnings comply with the five purpose statements of this section of the code. Criterion (3): The general compatibility of the signage, exterior design, arrangement, proportion, detail, scale, color, texture, and materials proposed to be used in the construction of the new building or structure. HBSC Response: Satisfied. The striped pattern and colors of the canvas shosen for the awnings covering are compatible with other awnings in the area. The horizontal design of the awnings is compatible with canopies in the area. Criterion (4): The effect of the proposed new structure on the historic value of the district. HBSC Response: Not applicable. No new structure is proposed. Criterion (5): The economic effect of the new structure on the value of the historic district. HBSC Response: Not applicable. No new structure is proposed under this review. Criterion (6): Complies with required applicable state and federal design guidelines. HBSC Response: Satisfied. No new structure is proposed under this review. IX. DECISION AND SUMMARY: The Historic Buildings and Sites Commission APPROVED the new awnings at 220 & 224 SW 6th Street with the condition that building ornamentation be painted to match the awnings. The vote was unanimous, 4-0, Chair Warren moved, and Commissioner March seconded the motion to approve. The vote resulted as follows: “AYES”: Chair Warren, Commissioners March, Glarum, and Miller. “NAYS”: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. X. FINDINGS APPROVED BY THE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND SITES COMMISSION this 23rd day of July 2026. Ward Warren, Chair 303-00137-26 ~ Historic District Awnings Review 3 220 & 224 SW 6th St. ~ Type III, Findings of Fact XI. INDEX TO ATTACHMENTS: 1. Application 2. Staff Report 3. HBSC Meeting Minutes 4. Staff PowerPoint Presentation 303-00137-26 ~ Historic District Awnings Review 4 220 & 224 SW 6th St. ~ Type III, Findings of Fact  Staff Response: Not applicable. No new structure is proposed under this review. Criterion (6): Complies with required applicable state and federal design guidelines. Staff Response: Not applicable. No new structure is proposed under this review. VII. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission APPROVE the application for Historic District review for awnings installed on the building located at 220 & 224 SW 6th Street, with the condition that the awnings shall be maintained in good condition. VIII. HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND SITES COMMISSION ACTION: A. Approval of the request as submitted B. Approval of the request as modified (list): C. Deny the request - criteria must be listed: D. Continue item until a certain date and time. Note: Law requires that final action be taken within 120 days of the date the application was deemed complete, including resolution of all appeals. The 120-day deadline for this proposal is September 17, 2026. IX. INDEX TO EXHIBITS: 1. Location Map 2. Aerial Photo 3. Application with photos 303-00137-26 ~ Historic District Awnings Review 3 Awnings, 220 & 224 SW 6th St. ~ Type Ill, HBSC Review