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Commission urges caution on Pine Hills RFP, recommends addendum and quicker preservation review
Summary
Commissioners warned that a county RFP due July 15 for redevelopment in the Pine Hills / Saint Rose area could allow broad demolition of potentially eligible historic properties; they discussed asking the county for an addendum or delaying the deadline while staff and commissioners pursue determinations of historic eligibility and local designation steps.
Members of the Historic Resources Commission raised concerns about a July 15 county RFP for Pine Hills / Saint Rose property redevelopment that, in its draft form, contains no explicit historic‑preservation language and could allow extensive demolition within a historically significant area.
A commissioner urged the commission and staff to approach the county executive and the Pine Hills authority to request either an RFP addendum identifying potentially eligible historic properties or a postponement of the deadline to allow a light eligibility review. "If the whole thing is handled and given carte blanche, you'll have lawsuits and all kinds of unnecessary operation which we don't need," the commissioner said, urging proactive measures.
Staff explained local designation or determinations of eligibility require research, mapping and documentation; an intensive‑level survey for a National Register‑level nomination could take up to two years, while a lighter eligibility determination and targeted documentation could be prepared more quickly. Commissioners discussed interim steps: notifying the county, preparing an addendum to the RFP that flags potential historic assets, and coordinating with the county and preservation partners to protect structures during the procurement process.
The commission agreed to pursue outreach to the county and preservation partners and to explore short‑term options such as RFP addenda or moving the submission deadline to provide space for preservation review. Staff cautioned about open‑meeting limitations: no more than three commissioners should collaborate outside public meetings when preparing research or outreach to avoid violating local open‑meeting rules.
Next steps: commissioners said they will contact the county executive’s office, reach out to preservation partners, and bring a status update to the next HRC meeting. Staff offered to help coordinate survey work and to evaluate options for a determination of eligibility.
