[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6228357,"mediaKeyId","3475692-e81654614a1a2f523df8a969df77657c","parentId",3475692,"title","Flagstaff commissioners ask for deeper review of City Hall study, request additions on courts, protests and local masonry","audioSeconds",5374,"startMs",1341000,"endMs",6715000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3475692-e81654614a1a2f523df8a969df77657c&start=1341&end=6715","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3475692-e81654614a1a2f523df8a969df77657c/thumbnail_1341000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228357/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/Flagstaff-commissioners-ask-for-deeper-review-of-City-Hall-study-request-additions-on-courts-protests-and-local-masonry","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228357-9fa0071d406e66b0ee692024d2203b24/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212193&Signature=nzE2EZOvLxp-uPwpMHqKxUpJNweS0GzKarkJBImO43lDMVSpyfriXDi985CbJ2NOoAu98KzGHxnntXgoET1Fb2exgfxB9q4VDMWIifHwDwYvflGYgt5OaqtJqfb-GUj1LY-3c6Vf-eNmJK3WAkqv29rhoRbBWlcCwGvFEWTsii7idHH6TLhm~McVm2JWO4RD93qZmBWml6ArE3LQxgre~b10fpR5NAD3JJUVk9DcFdGWO3d09LH4olDpDXZvRCRXj9rNCn1gp2w0obmJMI5MSI97VQSrio0mJuPtUaWPSahIv0H1EQ0mOXSinBIHU~EHCXcNORjYziBNWOgI5kZaqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Flagstaff, AZ","date","2025-05-23T23:48:51.937Z","article","The Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Commission on May 21 declined to accept a phase 1 historic resources study for 19 West Birch Avenue — the former City Hall — and asked the consultant team to return with additional local research and analysis. The commission voted to request revisions and to review a revised study at a future meeting; staff and the consultants set an expected return in July.

The commission’s request centers on whether the property meets Flagstaff’s local significance tests (Flagstaff criteria B and D) even if it would not be listed nationally. “I see some missing items being a long lifelong resident. That used to be a city jail also,” Commissioner Jesse Dominguez told the consultants during public discussion, pressing the team to include court and jail use, the fire-department horn and civic events in the historical record. Several other commissioners said the report should examine midcentury civic functions and the local use of Malapai stone in construction.

Cornerstone Environmental, the consultant that prepared the report, recommended that the building was not eligible: “we found that the study building was not significant in any of the above areas,” Sam Hemsley said in the presentation. Jack (Cornerstone) and Sam walked commissioners through the building’s history, construction, and prior civic uses dating to the early 1950s, and noted the building’s interior and exterior had been substantially remodeled since its original construction.

Commissioners pressed the team to broaden sources and to sharpen local context. “I would like to say that, actually, I don't agree with your findings of the building not being significant, particularly at the local level for Flagstaff,” Commissioner Alicia Hayes said, arguing the building’s international-style elements combined with the Malapai basalt facade give it distinctive, locally meaningful character. Other commissioners requested more archival research (city council minutes, court records), oral histories, additional historic photographs (including NAU/Klein collections), and investigation of local masons and construction methods.

The motion the commission passed directed Cornerstone and staff to revise the study to: (1) re-evaluate eligibility under Flagstaff criteria B (association with persons/events) and D (architectural/engineering methods), (2) research court and jail functions and civic events (including reported protests and strikes of the 1960s), (3) look for oral histories and additional historic photographs (NAU/Klein Library, Arizona Memory Project, local newspaper files), (4) assess construction methods (clarify whether Malapai stone is veneer or structural), (5) address post–World War II development context for Flagstaff, and (6) reduce emphasis on interior changes where not relevant to exterior significance. Chair Dale moved the motion and Commissioner Duffy Westheimer seconded it; the motion carried without opposition.

Cornerstone told the commission it would pursue the requested additional research and favored returning in July, depending on timing and available records. Consultants also said some municipal records from older periods may be incomplete because of past flooding of city archives, but they agreed to attempt records requests and to perform additional oral-history interviews and photo searches.

Next steps: staff and the consultant will pursue the expanded research items and return a revised report for the commission’s review. The action does not itself alter the property or halt any unrelated permitting; it only requires the study be revised and re-presented before the HPC issues a final significance finding or any subsequent certificate determinations.

Why this matters: If a resource is found to be locally significant under Flagstaff’s criteria and retains sufficient integrity, the commission can require mitigation or recommend preservation measures during later reviews; if it is not found significant, demolition or redevelopment projects proceed without those preservation conditions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Commission - Meeting May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Commission on May 21 declined to accept a phase 1 historic resources study for 19 West Birch Avenue — the former City Hall — and asked the consultant team to return with additional local research and analysis.","taxTitle","Flagstaff City, Coconino County, Arizona","taxId",4650,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6228348,"May Hicks house moved to city property; staff to begin stabilization and condition assessment",145,8535000,8680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3475692-e81654614a1a2f523df8a969df77657c&start=8535&end=8680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3475692-e81654614a1a2f523df8a969df77657c/thumbnail_8535000.jpg","/articles/6228348/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/May-Hicks-house-moved-to-city-property-staff-to-begin-stabilization-and-condition-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228348-454d9e1fbadd2ac7e15011eb312ac528/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212193&Signature=ICPPxSMlkdKu6PAXISq35Ux6KjivsB5WGfRdZmgzvJcIf3Xg6k~3czWvSRSe88GBtTV1HbU3FFYhnT4BmE-~JrLhViU06n0sMsKJDYJhwSuQCtkY5JEGxJzDavNcYZ7Rfmwqb-Q~iTWzZLFK2eNzk-mMaGepHUR8CBy4vZ2-6diM-S8TIRUSsPGWeaQrDAekpryPAlFGL4EPcIRAQxyDcao9bo-Pavtvm9F16hCbClha18pATZRSNm~DpkAFybTlIzzl6Te9LN-pCQZADgBYBnIXdG2iHxrKjefV3LU3nFmEWUmLqkd8JJ7Moy8vii5ZRR9E7~FkudYjMbdRNR~DQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The May Hicks house — the historic structure that prompted a city‑led relocation effort — has been moved to a temporary city site and will undergo stabilization, Flagstaff heritage staff said May 21.

Staff reported the house was slid onto a city Public Works parcel (the material recycling facility) during a coordinated move earlier in the month. “The big 1 is the house has moved. So there's no longer under threat of the wrecking ball,” staff told commissioners, and the city has posted drone footage and move documentation on a project webpage (flagstaff.az.gov/hickshouse).

Staff outlined next steps: immediate stabilization to protect the building fabric while it sits on the temporary parcel, and a follow‑on condition assessment to scope rehabilitation work. The city will use an on‑call contractor (Lehi In Contracting) to perform initial stabilization and is scheduling a kickoff meeting with the contractor. Staff said they have secured funding commitments for a condition assessment and short‑term stabilization from the Arizona Community Foundation and the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, and they are working through other fundraising and budget steps.

Commissioners and staff discussed technical questions about the building fabric and what repairs might be required. Staff said much of the original siding may be missing or in poor condition and that the condition assessment will help determine if original siding elements can be retained or must be replaced. The stabilization work and condition assessment will produce a scope and cost estimate for next steps and inform any long‑term plan for reuse or relocation to a permanent site.

Why this matters: Moving the building removed it from immediate demolition risk. The stabilization and condition assessment will determine what work is required to preserve the structure and will guide funding and reuse planning; the city’s actions also have generated statewide and national attention for the house’s relocation and preservation.","After a high‑profile relocation on May 18–21, the May Hicks house is now on city property. Staff said stabilization and a condition assessment are next steps; initial funding sources include Arizona Community Foundation and a Route 66 association grant and staff plan to use an on‑call contractor for immediate stabilization work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6228352,"HPC approves Phase 1 study for 418 E. Birch with conditions: calls second‑story a major impact, requires siding mitigation",928,384000,1312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3475692-e81654614a1a2f523df8a969df77657c&start=384&end=1312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3475692-e81654614a1a2f523df8a969df77657c/thumbnail_384000.jpg","/articles/6228352/Flagstaff-City/Coconino-County/Arizona/HPC-approves-Phase-1-study-for-418-E-Birch-with-conditions-calls-secondstory-a-major-impact-requires-siding-mitigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228352-02535605ffa6f0b8118d6e1fb298d0b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212193&Signature=RbHkLmATkgThckuP4Xg1AvP6yhLa4LcRPjaFcMLtHMalZdNJDoW136gGJMQdFTDzXk6HSzo2YjDVlTIrCv9L85Y9kVkMjRiC~CvlLU~5MZHtuKOiTLMPCTGYnKWVCQ~93RPSNLxyG5NQ358nOD8Mx2KGPJKkWGjgr1PET47kPUJNrMwIoFXB1nLXEHLPaOZdyO0693WiRg5FhbgcFBH6DzdMepRX1BuenvZhTcRSR-BEkqCBlCSi6ZLuAG~ui3An2S3Rxxo9Ws2N0PzM-GM4VEz5AljSbEXkyazvcmfiV0vhgAFLTDUjqjLSvW~0G6j-5H-MBq-Jf4e13M~hshJFyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Commission voted May 21 to approve the phase 1 cultural resource study for 418 East Birch Avenue, attaching conditions that change the project’s impact classification and specifying mitigation. The commission authorized Heritage staff to administratively approve a revised study reflecting the changes.

Staff recommended accepting the study’s significance findings but asked the commission to treat the second‑story/addition as a “major impact” under city code and to list restoration or like‑for‑like replacement of the original clapboard siding as mitigation. “My recommended action…is to approve the significance finding outlined in the phase 1 culture resource study, and to accept a revised study identifying that the second story addition is a major impact under our code,” staff member Lauren told the commission.

Historic‑preservation commissioners discussed the project’s visual impact and the owners’ efforts to limit intrusion by using dormers and a half‑story configuration. Commissioner Duffy Westheimer moved the commission’s action: “I will move to approve the significance findings as outlined in the 418 East Birch Avenue phase 1 cultural resource study with the conditions of changes of using 1 and a half story as opposed to 2 story and identifying the source of the word town site for clarity,” she said; Commissioner Jesse Dominguez seconded the motion. The motion also instructed staff to administratively confirm the revised wording and to record that the siding restoration (salvage or replace in kind) is mitigation for the added height impact.

The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposed votes and one abstention. The approval covers only the study and the significance and impact findings; it does not itself authorize construction. Commissioners also asked that the study cite the source for the phrase “townsite” where used and incorporate minor language edits clarifying the half‑story description.

Why this matters: By classifying the addition as a major impact and specifying siding restoration as mitigation, the commission set the terms under which future permit or certificate reviews will evaluate the proposed rehabilitation and clarified the mitigation applicants must carry out to reduce adverse effects on the property’s historic character.","The commission approved the Phase 1 cultural resource study for 418 East Birch Avenue but amended the staff-recommended language to characterize the proposed second‑story addition as a major impact and to require restoration or in‑kind replacement of original clapboard siding as mitigation; administrative sign‑off by staff was authorized.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Flagstaff commissioners ask for deeper review of City Hall study, request additions on courts, protests and local masonry

May Hicks house moved to city property; staff to begin stabilization and condition assessment

HPC approves Phase 1 study for 418 E. Birch with conditions: calls second‑story a major impact, requires siding mitigation