Members of the Historic Resources Commission raised concerns about incomplete notifications and missing engineering reports for emergency actions affecting historic properties, and requested clearer procedures so the commission can track emergency demolitions and stabilization work.

Commission members recited language from the city zoning code requiring the commissioner of buildings to notify the historic commission and provide a structural engineering report, a statement of work, photographs and other documentation when emergency actions are proposed for landmarks or historic-district properties. Several members said the commission has not consistently received the full set of materials listed in chapter 133, sections e and f (amendments referenced in 2021).

Staff said the commission still receives notices of emergency actions but that structural-engineering reports and other bullet-pointed materials are sometimes delayed or absent from the packet that goes to the commission. Planning staff told members they will work to improve distribution and to recirculate reports the commission already has received. The commission discussed whether to compile a central archive of available reports and to identify specific incidents where expected documentation was not delivered.

Commissioners referenced recent demolitions and emergency work across multiple properties; members said the commission’s ability to review those actions depends on receiving timely engineering assessments and fuller documentation so the commission can consider stabilization versus demolition and preserve salvageable historic material where feasible.

Staff committed to drafting a short guidance memo for the commission’s next meeting that summarizes the code obligations and the current notification process, and to resending an engineering report the commission requested earlier in the year. Commissioners suggested a small working group could review past reports and identify gaps in the archive.

No formal action was taken; commissioners asked staff to follow up and report back at a future meeting.