Historic Preservation Commission

TYBEE ISLAND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes Date & Time: 3/8/21; 6:00 PM Present: Fidelia Fowler, Holly Grell-Lawe, Sarah Jones, Michelle Owens, Anthony Turpin, Marty Harrell Absent: Spec Hosti Guests: Rev. June Johnson, Forever Tybee; Mary Anne Butler, Tybee resident, Bob Ciucevich, Quatrefoil Consulting Location: Zoom Call Call to order Meeting was called to order by Fidelia Fowler at 6:00 PM. Minutes for Consideration – February 8, 2021 Fidelia Fowler moved to approve minutes. Marty Harrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Old Business Central District Designation – Bob Ciucevich gave an update on his work to apply for historic designation for the mid-island area. He is finalizing the application. The tentative boundaries for the new Central District will be: South of 6th Street; North of 11th / 12th Streets’ East of Strand; West side of Jones Avenue. This district presently does not include Memorial Park. Bob needs to supply more documentation to the State preservation office about the history of Memorial Park to try to get it included. The area near Venetian Terrace is not included due to too many intrusions. The new district will include nearly all of the raised Tybee Cottages, the Fresh Air Home and the former railroad station. Bob also shared that the City Hall is in the final stages of review for historic status. Story Board Signage Project – Michelle has applied for an $8,500 grant to help install all the story boards at once. If the grant is not received, we will revert to the original plan to do approx. 5 to 6 boards per year. Sarah has started the historical research for each story board. Equity/Inclusion Initiative - Michelle met with TYbeeMLK members Julia Pearce and Pat Leiby at the pier with a county representative. The county agreed to erect a historical sign at the pier denoting the civil rights wade-ins that occurred on Tybee. Michelle is working with the Tybee MLK organization to finalize Juneteenth Banners. The city IT staff is working on an equity and inclusion web page for the city’s web site. Special Districts – The commission agreed to hold a work session to examine pros and cons of various special districts that could help preserve local neighborhoods such as the North Campbell Subdivision. The meeting will be held March 22, 6 p.m. on Zoom. Historic Property Maintenance – Fidelia Fowler updated that the guardhouse was being landscaped and prepped for painting by the City. The city was waiting for the weather to improve before painting. Fidelia will visit the site to see if the painting has started. Board Member Application – Mary Anne Butler has applied to be on the commission. The board reviewed her application. Mary Anne was in attendance and introduced herself. Marty Harrell moved to approve Mary Anne’s application. Fidelia Fowler seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The application will be forwarded to city council for final approval. New Business Historic Preservation Month – Fidelia Fowler suggested we begin planning for Historic Preservation Month, which occurs in May. Sarah Jones will offer free admission to the lighthouse for locals and resident tours of the battery. The commission discussed sharing before and after photos of historic buildings on social media. Fidelia recommended also sharing stories of what happened in history on certain days in May. Fidelia will review old city council minutes to get content. Michelle will look into getting a commemorative magnet or other promotional item that can be given away during the month. Permit Reviews 3 Jones Avenue approved to replace a sliding glass door. Adjournment Fidelia Fowler moved to adjourn. Holly Grell-Lawe seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m.