Historic board okays outreach forum, amends annual agenda to seek greater purview over local register nominations

The Historic and Architectural Preservation Board approved several administrative actions and outreach steps at its meeting, including designating a board representative for a public local‑register forum, amending the board’s annual agenda to pursue broader purview over local register nominations outside Nolen areas, and approving the board’s annual report for presentation to City Council.

Senior planner Nicole Tremblay outlined staff plans for a public “local register forum” aimed at explaining the difference between the city’s Local Register and the National Register, answering questions about costs and historic‑property requirements, and helping potential applicants. Staff proposed an early‑evening session at the public library in April or May; Venice Heritage offered to provide refreshments. The board voted to designate board member John Barrack to attend and represent the board at the forum as a single board representative to avoid Sunshine Law issues. The motion passed by voice vote.

Board members discussed outreach logistics: staff will issue press releases rather than a formal legal public notice, will target a mailing two weeks before the event, and will invite contractors who have completed successful local projects to be available to answer practical questions about costs and approvals.

On policy work, the board voted to amend its proposed annual agenda and add a general goal to research and pursue text amendments that would transfer review authority for some local register nominations and alterations (specifically nominations outside the Nolen area) from the Historical Resources Manager to the HAPB. Board members said the intent was to place the matter on the board’s priorities and then pursue legislative referral and code changes through the city’s process; staff cautioned that changing board authority would require code amendments and legislative steps. The board agreed to place the item on the annual agenda so Chair Mark Beebe could report the board’s interest to City Council at the next council meeting.

The board also approved its annual report to City Council and authorized staff to present it on the council’s February 25 meeting, with the agreed amendment about pursuing the board’s expanded purview included. The vote to approve the annual report and forward it to council carried by voice vote.

Separately, the board voted to allow Chair Mark Beebe to meet with Sherwin‑Williams representative Beth Martin to work on an updated color palette for historic properties and return recommendations to the board. The motion passed by voice vote.

In conversation with staff, Planning and Zoning Director Roger Clark and staff noted ongoing file items: a recently sold property at 219 West Venice Avenue has approvals that could expire, and staff reported code‑enforcement contact with the new owner to make them aware of an expiring site‑development plan. Staff also reported work on a circus‑related tent proposal and on roofing and materials guidance for Nolan‑era properties.

All administrative motions above were approved by the board either by roll call or by unanimous voice vote; where required, the board instructed staff to pursue next steps such as drafting language for legislative referral and returning with draft code language for future meetings.