Heritage Preservation Commission

7.A.

Meeting Date:	05/17/2023
Co-Submitter:	Mark Reavis	From:	Sara Dechter, AICP, Comprehensive Planning Manager

TITLE:

Review of FY 2024 Updates Historic Signs and Facades Grant Guidelines and new HPC applications

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Review and provide final comments on the grant guidelines and applications. Staff will post them to the website by May 24th and send notices and a press release to announce the change.

Executive Summary:

Starting in December 2022, the Heritage Preservation Commission and staff began working on updating and revising the Historic Sign and Facades grant guidelines. The Commission gave their desired changes to staff at Commission meetings between December 2022 and March 2023. Staff has made the desired changes and is presenting the final draft for endorsement. The current grant guidelines can be found on the City's website: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/59247/HFS-Grant-Guidlines

Parallel to this process, staff has been working to revise the HPC Master application to provide applications that are better tailored to the types of decisions being requested. The purpose of these updates is to reflect the new grant guidelines and to allow staff to more easily determine application completeness. These changes will also allow staff to better communicate with applicants about what to include in their application and what the process is for each type of decision that may be brought before the Commission. This will also allow better tracking of grant applications in the permit tracking software used by the City. While the format and content of Community Development applications usually is the purview of City staff, staff would appreciate comments to ensure that applications brought before the commission have the information necessary for HPC decision-making. The current combined application can be found on the City's website: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/59249/HeritagePreservation_App_Final

Financial Impact:

There will be no impact on the fees collected for HPC applications at this time. The Community Development front counter will collect the $65 fee for the first HPC application and then will not collect an additional fee for other types of HPC applications. This fee will be reevaluated when the City next conducts a Fee Study per State requirements.

Policy Impact:

Separating applications will allow for more accurate and clear applications and reduce the back and forth between staff and applicants to ensure completeness.

Connection to PBB Priorities/Objectives, Carbon Neutrality Plan & Regional Plan:

Goal ED.1. Create a healthy environment for business by ensuring transparent, expeditious, and predictable government processes.

Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:

The Commission has been informed that staff was working on new applications and has previously reviewed the Grant Guidelines and provided their desired direction.

Attachments
Proposed Grant Guidelines
Grant Guidelines with 2022 to 2023 Track Changes
Proposed Application for Certificates
Proposed Application for Cultural Resources Studies
Proposed Application for Historic Facades and Signs Grants