Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2026 Fairhope Historic Preservation Work Session MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )( COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission met in a Work Session at 3:32 p.m., Fairhope Museum of History, 24 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Present were Chair Mara Hunter; Members: Amy Molyneux, Skip Jones, Dannie Mixon, Alan Samry, Susan Stein, Ginger Golson, Staff Liaison Erik Cortinas, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Council Liaison Jay Robinson was absent. There being a quorum present, Chair Hunter called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. The first item on the agenda was Chair Hunter's Report: • Chair will be on Sabbatical, frequently out of town in Summer and Fall 2026. Recommend: To reduce the meeting reduced meeting schedules for summer. Vice -President Molyneux will run necessary meetings if critical business arises such as Section 106 decisions. Working groups should meet in person or by zoom and as necessary to set goals during the months of July and August. Election of officer positions will be in October, so please think about your interest levels and time and time, and get with me if you are interested. • A Demolition Review working group can schedule online meetings with applicants over the summer (in a timeline that concurs with the regular meeting schedule or with the ordinance) if no other pressing business, such as a 106 Review, requires a regular meeting. • Commissioners can also use the summer to work through on-line training modules created by National Register of Historic Places. Note that CLG status requires all members to have minimum levels of training, and officers should ideally have some technical knowledge. The next item on the agenda was the Consultant Update by Building Official Erik Cortinas. He explained if the Commission did not use the $30,000.00 set aside for the Consultant, then he would carry over the money to next year's budget. Mr. Cortinas did mention that the Commission needs to know the $30,000.00 is not guaranteed for each budget year. City Clerk Lisa Hanks gave a CLG Update. She said the City of Fairhope finally has the Certified Local Government Certification. Attached please find the letter from the United States Department of Interior, National Park Service to Lisa Jones, Executive Director, State Historic Preservation Officer, with Alabama Historical Commission. The Discussion of Section 106 was next on the agenda. Chair Hunter said we are a new commission, working without a blueprint. If we had a CLG, then we could have had more help from the State to set up some of these processes, including a part-time staff in our first year that might have set up training and the City process for Section 106s. But things did not work out that way, and we got surprised at a busy time and muddled through our first Section 106. FHPC Work Session Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Page -2- In the absence of that CLG funded staff, over the last month I have done some research, put together a training module for us today, and am proposing a City process and welcome input from everyone here. Moving forward, Proposed Process: 1. Section 106s come to City Clerk, Chair of Historic Commission, and City Liaison, and will be forwarded by City Clerk with meeting agenda to the Commission. 2. All Section 106s go to History Commission for comment Before Action taken on them or presented to Planning Commission. i. City Liaison briefly presents a visual file to Commission (as would be presented to planning commission), clarifying: Location and potential historical impact on registered or eligible property. ii. Is the proposed project under review desired / not desired by City. iii. Zoning and Building requirements that impact FHPC discussion. 3. FHPC Q&A, comment, then decision Adverse Effect or No Adverse Effect 4. If Adverse Effect, proceed to MOA with Federal Agency 5. FHPC decision (Adverse or not Adverse) shared in Planning Commission Packet and back to SHPO by Liaison or City Clerk 6. Section 106 decisions preserved somewhere in an easily consultable file RESOURCE NPS Citizen Guide Section 106 Chair Hunter presented a Power Point Presentation titled "Section 106 Review Fairhope Training and Discussion" on June 3, 2026. (See attached Presentation) She said the Close Encounter House and Field could have been saved. Chair Hunter said Commissioner Mixon prepared the letter for our Section 106 response on the Minnich Rental Cottage #1 located at 84 South Section Street. Commissioner Jones moved to put Section 106s on the formal agenda if these have an adverse effect on the property. Seconded by Commissioner Molyneux, motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Building Official Cortinas brought up a home that has a shed on it to be demolished; and demolition review was questioned. Mr. Cortinas said the homeowner wants to build a pool house. Commissioner Jones moved to put Section 106s on the formal agenda if these have an adverse effect on the property. Seconded by Commissioner Molyneux, motion passed unanimously by voice vote. FHPC Work Session Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Page -3- Building Official Cortinas brought up a home that has a shed on it to be demolished; and demolition review was questioned. Mr. Cortinas said the homeowner wants to build a pool house. Commissioner Jones moved to allow the removal of the shed. Seconded by Commissioner Stein, motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Chair Hunter discussed the Commission's Working Groups: Clarify group members and set a provisional strategy after meeting. a) Demolition Review: This group will assess incoming requests and deliver our slide show by zoom during the summer. Ideally, all members should rotate through this group. b) Historical Grants and historic property registration: VFW; Anna T. Jeans; Tolstoy House; Christian Valley Baptist Church; Quaker Church, other • We have received direct and indirect requests for assistance from the above non- profits. We need to develop a strategy to help them. o Leader and members? c) Fairhope Certificates/Fairhope Historic Property List: led by Amy Molyneux. Members? d) History Day: led by Ginger Golson. Members? Also attached is the data from the State on Section 106s. Commissioner Golson moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Stein, motion passed unanimously by voice vote. There being no further business to come before the Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission, the meeting was duly adjourned at 4:48 p.m. Mara Hunter, Chair ,a a4�Hk.ans MMC City Clerk aPP��EKT of o� m United States Department of the Interior ti NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 1849 C Street, NW �gACH 3,�p0 Washington, DC 20240 H36 (2256) Via Email June 5, 2026 Lisa D. Jones Executive Director, State Historic Preservation Officer Alabama Historical Commission 468 South Perry St. P.O. Box 300900 Montgomery, AL 36130-0900 Dear Lisa Jones: Thank you for forwarding the necessary documentation concerning Fairhope, AL's application for participation in the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program. We have reviewed your submission and are pleased to concur in your recommendation that Fairhope be certified as provided for in the National Historic Preservation Act (54 USC Chapter 3025). The date of certification will be recorded as the date of this letter. We are also providing a copy of this letter to Fairhope. We welcome Fairhope as a local partner in the Federal Preservation Program and look forward to working with them to preserve what makes their community special and significant. They have been added to our CLG database and can find their listing there as well as more information on the CLG program by going to: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/clg/index.htm. If you have any questions about this letter, please feel free to contact us by email at CLG—info@nps.gov. Sincerely, Megan J. Brown Chief State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants/Acting Certified Local Government Coordinator cc: Mary Hunter, CLG Contact City of Fairhope P.O. Drawer 429 Fairhope, AL 36533 mkozelsky@southalabama.edu Paige Thomas, CLG Coordinator Alabama Historical Commission 468 South Perry Street Montgomery, AL 36130 paige.thomas@ahc.alabama.gov Section 106 Review Fairhope Training and discussion June 3, 2026 Module created by: Mara Hunter National Historic Preservation Act Established in 1966, the NHPA provides the legal framework for Historic Preservation, including Section 106. Located: 36 CFR PART 800 -- PROTECTION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES (incorporating amendments effective August 5, 2004) *CFR = Code of Federal Regulations* Parts of the Law: A. Purposes B. Processes C. Alternatives Section 106 Purposes Consider impact of activity on historical resources and consult with local agencies before spending any federal money, including private organizations using federal loans or grants. • Applies to registered and non -registered historical properties (i.e. properties eligible for a state or national register) - goal.• minimize, mitigate" impact on historic properties. Key parties Federal Agency Official or Designated Professional Contractor by law, must consult with the following: • SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) • Native American groups (wide array) • Representatives of Local Government "with jurisdiction over the area." Historic Commissions are that entity with jurisdiction if municipalities have them. The Public — individual citizens are able to demand a voice in Section 106 if a federally funded project impacts their property or a potentially significant and eligible property • Other groups or entities impacted by the development Results of 106 Review • NO ADVERSE EFFECT = Project proceeds • ADVERSE EFFECT = Project modified or mitigated in consultation with local and impacted parties 106 Reviews in Baldwin County Total 106 Reviews 2020-2026= 707: Projects range from cell towers, to wetlands work, to HUD, to Highways and Bridges, etc. Examples 2024-2025 FY2024 • DHS — FEMA: 2 • DOC — NOAA: 3 • DOD — Navy: 1 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 21 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 16 • Department of Agriculture: 1 • Department of Housing & Urban Development: 2 • Department of Transportation: 9 • Federal Communications Commission: 28 FY2025 • DHS — FEMA: 3 • DOC — NOAA: 3 • DOD — Navy: 1 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 18 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 16 • DOI — National Park Service: 1 • Department of Housing & Urban Development: 7 • Department of Transportation: 3 • Environmental Protection Agency: 1 • Federal Communications Commission: 31 1-10 Bridge Projec- Examples of Mitigation • Input on location and aesthetic aspects of project • Light pollution mititgation on Historic Properties • Noise and vibration studies for Historic Properties • $50,000 for tree canopy, as well as, additional landscaping mitigation in historic areas impacted by the bridge • BIG INVESTMENT in museum exhibits, historical writing and research, Historical Surveys, archaeological research, and cultural resources development • Direct Impact: City Improvements; Expansion of Museum capacities, artifacts, staff; more development of Historical Record • Indirect Impact: Job Creation '" AIABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION I-10 MOBILE RIVER BRIDGE ° m° ��'� AND BAYWAY PROJECT % .,,, M t�� w� e ° ]�ma'Ademuu MOBILE AND BALOWIN COUNTIES, AtABAMA f�Z Impage Source: https://mobiledverbridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2019-07-11_MRB-Section-106-MOA-FINAL-SIGNED_Redacted-for-Website-1.pdf Example of Consultation With FHPC Note paragraph 3, emphasis on consulting on historic properties, not other department. May Zts, ZuZ6 Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission Mara Kozelsky, Chair 161 North Section St. Fairhope, AL 36532 251-460-7377 mkozelsky@southalabama.edu Subject: Invite to Comment Downtown Fairhope SC 6 108 N Section St, Fairhope, Baldwin County, Alabama 36532 EBI Project No.: 260064512PR Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the regulations promulgated thereunder and interagency agreements developed thereto, EBI Consulting, Inc., on behalf of Celico Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless), provides this notice of a proposed telecommunications facility installation at the address listed above. EBI would like to inquire if you would be interested in commenting on this proposed project. Verizon Wireless proposes to install a 38-foot Light Pole. Please refer to the attached plans for additional details. Please note that we are requesting your review of the attached information as part of the Section 106 process only and not as part of the local zoning process. We are only seeking comments related to the proposed project's potential effect to historic properties. Please submit your comments regarding the proposed project's potential effect on historic properties to EBI Consulting, to my attention at 21 B Street, Burlington, MA 01803, or contact me via telephone at the number listed below. Please reference the EBI project number. We would appreciate your comments as soon as possible within the next 30 days. Note that this project will be entered into the Federal Communication Commission's e106 System, which will send notifications of the project throughout the Section 106 process. Sincerely, Makenzie Bandstra Senior Architectural Historian 717.417.8339 Section 106s in Fairhope from March 2026 May 12, 2026 = EBI Project No.: 260063114PR 84 South Section Street, Fairhope Discussed in FHPC • Dannie Mixon Drafted Letter • MH, reviewed and adjusted • Lisa Hanks Reviewed and adjusted • City Lawyer read and adjusted as needed Source: Planning Commission Agenda June 1, 2026 SECTION 106 FINDING DOCUMENT PIN EBI Project No.: 260063114PR Fairb,Qpe, Alabama, Baldwin County 1. Project Description 2. Steps Taken to Identify Historic Properties 3. Evaluation of Project Impacts on Identified Historic Properties The FaulaQpe Historic Preservation Commission has applied the Criteria of Adverse Effect (36 CFR 800.5(a)) to the historic core of downtown F.*bQpg, Alabama which comprises I I I historic properties on portions of 10 blocks in the present commercial heart of the city. The majority of the buildings within ;Fairhope'$ Downtown Historic and Central Business Districts are one- and two-story commercial buildings located within the Project's APE. Based on the information provided in this Section 106 Finding Document, City of Fajritppe Historic Preservation Commission in coordination with the Alabama SHPO, fords that this undertaking will have an Adverse Effect on Site No. 110.01, MWA1gh Rental Cottage 81, 84 South Section Street,1,.WttLQAg, Alabama, Baldwin County, The Minnich Rental Cottage #1, located at 84 South Section Street, F'airhQp% Baldwin County, Alabama is part of a unique collection of five total early Colony cottages in stucco built by O.K. Cummings, who came to Faithope from Michigan in 1920 and was a founder of Baldwin County Savings and Loan Association and a building entrepreneur. Munich Rental Cottage #1 is part of five small gabled cottages arranged around a larger central house. They are characteristically side -gabled, stuccoed on Dyson block foundations, with various small entry porches. The property features a central partial-fagade gabled porch, 3V- over-1 wood sash windows; metal roof, interior brick chimney near rg9fl?ea11b exposed rafter tails. No Response Implicit Agreement This 106 did not come to FHPC, and no one from Fairhope Responded. Consultants did not due diligence and look for a commission, and instead sent to the wrong departments; when I later contacted them to ask FHPC to be consulted, they looped us in as they are required to do so rrom: towernvtiry_inTo�rcc.go_vow�rnottiryiniorcc.gvv> Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 2:47 PM To: Hunter Simmons <hunter.simmons@fairhopeal.Qov> Subject: Section 106 Notification of Applicant/Consultant Recording SHPO/THPO's Offline Response- Emai This is to notify you that the Applicant/Consultant has recorded the SHPO/THPO's offline response for the following filing: Date of Action: 05/12/2026 Response: Concur Direct Effect: No Adverse Effect on Historic Properties in APE Visual Effect: No Adverse Effect on Historic Properties in APE Comment Text: SHPO Response Received 3.18.26 File Number: 0011945374 TCNS Number: 307527 Purpose: New Tower Submission Packet Notification Date: 7AM EST 03/16/2026 Applicant: Verizon Wireless Consultant: EnviroBusiness Inc. d/b/a EBI Consulting (EBI 260061232PR) Positive Train Control Filing Subject to Expedited Treatment Under Program Comment: No Site Name: Downtown Fairhope SC 1 Site Address: 5 N Church St Detailed Description of Project: Proposed installation of a new small cell wireless facility resulting in minimal ground distur Attachment 4 of this filing for project design details. (260061232PR) [6174722961 Site Coordinates: 30-31-23.6 N, 87-54-17.5 W City: Fairhope Section 106s in Fairhope [Unknown prior to March 2026] March 13, 2026 = EBI Project No.: 260061232PR 5 N Church St, Fairhope Source: Planning Commission Agenda June 1, 2026 UR 26.05-5 N. Church St Junel,2026 verizoW 0 PHOTO BIIdULAT10N 5OF14 STAFF COMMENTS The City of Fairhope adopted Ordinance No. 1679 on April 131°, 2020, regulations for small cell technology farilitine Thr+site shall nmmDly with all annlirahle nmvlcinnc of this nrr innn— Section 106s in Fairhope May 28, 2026 = EBI Project No.: 260064512PR 108 N Section St, Fairhope, Baldwin County, Alabama 36532 Source: Plannina Commission Agenda June 1. 2026 IX.IING NPV Section 106s in Fairhope Number and Type of Section 1O6s prior to March 2026 in Fairhope: Unknown Moving forward, Proposed Process: 1. 106s come to city clerk, chair of historic commission and city liaison 2. All Section 106s go to History Commission for comment Before Action taken on them or presentation to Planning Commission 3. City liaison briefly present visual file to commission (as would be presented to planning commission), clarifying: • Location and potential historical impact on registered or eligible property • Is the proposed project under review desired I not desired by city • Zoning and Building requirements that impact FHPC discussion 5. FHPC Q&A, comment, then decision Adverse Effect or No Adverse Effect 6. If Adverse Effect, proceed to MOA with Federal Agency (who drafts that letter?) 7. FHPC decision (Adverse or not Adverse) shared in Planning Commission Packet and back to SHPO by liaison or city clerk 6. Section 106 decisions preserved somewhere in an easily consultable file Sources • Section 106 Regulation, 36CFR Part 800 • Advisory Council on Historic Preservation "Citizen's Guide to Section 106 Review' • Mobile River Bridge, MOA 2019 • Gregory A. Waselkov, "Historic Buildina Survev on Government Street and South Water Street for the Proposed Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridae, and Bavwav Widenina Proiect, ALDOT Project „No. DPI-0030(005), Mobi le and Baldwin Counties, Alabama (2016) Data from State on Section 106s from Eric Sipes at Alabama Historic Commission: Here is the breakdown [of Section's 106 per year] for Baldwin County by Fiscal Year and Federal Agency for the last five years, with to -date numbers for FY26. The vast majority have come from the US Army Corps of Engineers (wetlands permitting) and US Fish and Wildlife (mostly incidental take permits).: FY2020 • DHS — FEMA: 1 • DOC — NOAA: 2 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 50 • DOI — Bureau of Land Management: 1 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 7 • DOI — National Park Service: 1 • DOT — Federal Highway Administration: 3 • Department of Commerce: 1 • Department of Defense: 2 • Department of Transportation: 2 • Environmental Protection Agency: 1 • Federal Communications Commission: 8 • USDA — Farm Service Agency: 2 • USDA — Rural Business — Cooperative Service: 1 • USDA — Rural Utilities Service: 2 FY2021 • DOC — NOAA: 4 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 45 • DOI — Bureau of Land Management: 1 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 23 • Department of Commerce: 1 • Department of Defense: 1 • Department of Housing & Urban Development: 6 • Department of Transportation: 2 • Federal Communications Commission: 5 • USDA — Rural Business — Cooperative Service: 1 • USDA — Rural Utilities Service: 1 FY2022 • DHS — FEMA: 2 • DOC — NOAA: 5 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 34 • DOI — Bureau of Land Management: 1 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 35 • DOT — Federal Aviation Administration: 2 • DOT — Federal Highway Administration: 1 • Department of Agriculture: 1 • Department of Housing & Urban Development: 3 • Department of Transportation: 4 • Department of Veterans Affairs: 1 • Department of the Treasury: 1 • Federal Communications Commission: 6 FY2023 • DHS — FEMA: 3 • DOC — NOAA: 2 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 39 • DOI — Bureau of Land Management: 1 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 23 • DOI —National Park Service: 1 • Department of Defense: 2 • Department of Housing & Urban Development: 3 • Department of Transportation: 5 • Department of the Interior: 1 • Federal Communications Commission: 7 • USDA — Rural Housing Service: 1 • USDA — Rural Utilities Service: 1 FY2024 • DHS — FEMA: 2 • DOC — NOAA: 3 • DOD —Navy: 1 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 21 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 16 • Department of Agriculture: 1 • Department of Housing & Urban Development: 2 • Department of Transportation: 9 • Federal Communications Commission: 28 FY2025 • DHS — FEMA: 3 • DOC — NOAA: 3 • DOD — Navy: 1 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 18 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 16 • DOI — National Park Service: 1 • Department of Housing & Urban Development: 7 • Department of Transportation: 3 • Environmental Protection Agency: 1 • Federal Communications Commission: 31 FY2026 • DOC — NOAA: 7 • DOD — US Army Corps of Engineers: 10 • DOI — Fish & Wildlife Service: 8 • Department of Transportation: 4 • Department of the Interior: 1 • Environmental Protection Agency: 2 • Federal Communications Commission: 16 Total 106 Reviews = 707