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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-8 Historic MIN HPAC Committee Minutes Note: Anyone who wishesto speak at any HPACmeeting is encouraged to do so. If you wish to speak, please rise and, after you have been recognized by the Chair, give your name and complete address for the record. You will then be allowed to speak. Please note the public testimony may be limited by the Chair. October8,2025 Minutes CALLTOORDER:ChairScharen called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Scharen, Whitford, Emery, Prest and Delaunay were presentin person. Reppand Skibby were absent. READINGOFLANDACKNOWLEDGEMENT Scharen read the land acknowledgement. APPROVALOFAGENDA It was agreed that discussion of the Butler Perozzi Fountain Revisions would be heard before other business given that Mike Gardiner and Dale Shostrom were present via Zoom to discuss the matter. APPROVALOFMINUTES Whitford/Emerym/stoapprovetheminutesofAugust6,2025,aspresented.Voicevote:AllAYES. Motionpassed. PUBLICFORUM There was no one in the audience wishing to speak. DISCUSSIONITEMS ButlerPerozziFountainRevisions(MikeGardinerandDaleShostrom)Gardinerand Shostrom generally summarized the status of the fountain restoration project, explaining that in moving ahead with the restoration is not feasible, and they are looking at fully reconstructing the fountain and creating an interpretive displayfrom 1915-2026. George Kramer has prepared and submitted an application to SHPO. HPAC members noted that they had met with Parks staff and Parks Foundation members on site at the fountain early on in the process and expressed concerns with the condition of the fountain and the feasibility of restoration. There are five or six elements of different kinds of marble; only one, the pedestal is original, and it is not suited for outdoor use. All have deteriorated, and the replacement will be a perfect replica of the original. The project will include the fountain as well as walls, lightposts, stairs, etc., and the goal is to complete the replacement using the funds already raised. It is anticipated that construction could begin in spring or early summer of 2026. In light of the findings, HPAC members generally concurred that reconstruction with an interpretive display was the only appropriate path. Page 1of 3 HPACCommittee Minutes DRAFT HPAC members discussed whether changes were necessary to distinguish new from historic and avoid sought a clear distinction, in Ashland the approach has been to seek a closer match between new and old. HPAC members generally indicated that they believed it was important to match the historic whether restoring or reconstructing, noting that new material provided sufficient distinction. Gardiner clarified that the Ashland Parks Foundation will serve as the client for thisproject, will inform donors and the citizenry at largeof the direction the project is taking, will seek to use local artisans and contractors, and emphasized that public funds will not be used. Whitford/Prestm/stoapprovetherevisionsdescribed.Voicevote:AllAYES. LIASONREPORTS CouncilLiaisonJeff Dahlewas absentso no report was given. CommunityDevelopmentStaffLiaisonDerek Seversonprovided a brief staff update. SERJACLiaisonVictoria Sagewas absent so no report was given. ReviewBoardAssignmentsMembers volunteered for Review Board assignments in October and November. WorkplanDiscussionSeverson provided a brief introduction and summarized the staff memo in the packet, noting: PreservationPlanIn recent years, the workplan has included an aspirational item to update the adopted Preservation Plan, which was prepared more than a decade ago by a grant- funded consultant. In recent workplans, this was to be a back-burner item as time allowed between other projects and priorities. Given that staff time and resources available to HPAC are adequate time or energy to move this forward while also addressing Preservation Week activities, land use and permit reviews by HPAC and the Review Board, and the other items that arise sporadically throughout the year. Members generally concurred with removing the Preservation Plan update from the workplan. . QuarterlyMeetingSeverson discussed the potential of shifting to a quarterly scheduleif there were not time sensitive items to be considered, noting that three meetings in the last nine now meeting quarterly. Page 2of 3 HPACCommittee Minutes DRAFT FocusonRecruitmentEffortsSeverson noted that HPAC may also wish to consider if there are as yet unexplored means to promote the committee and recruit new members. promote Preservation Week, with any changes to the schedule considered to accommodate event planning, and continuing to be available as an on-call resource through the Review Board. There was discussion of focusing more on education and advocacy when there are fewer land use items on the agenda, with the possibility to promote preservation through brown bag lunches or other more frequent workshops or walking tours. There was also discussion of again doing a mailing to new property owners in the historic districts. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:54p.m. Page 3of 3