West Central Reporter

City of Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission met Jan. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Members present: Jeremy Coumbes, Cheryl Kelly, Judy Tighe, Aaron Scott, Nick Little, Will Barnhart, Brett Haney

Members by phone: Colleen Flinn

Members absent: Steve Hardin, Bill Scott, Rick Stevens, Jim Stollard

Meeting called to order at 5:30pm in Mayor’s Conference Room by acting chair Jeremy Coumbes. Motion to approve December minutes made by Aaron Scott, second by Will Barnhart. Motion carries. Brian Nyberg reports no COAs currently pending.

Amberly Kane introduces herself as possible new member to HPC.

Steve Hardin (through message to Jeremy Coumbes) & Jeremy Coumbes reminds all members to email their HPC resumes to Sarah Bergschneider (Sarah Poore?) in mayor’s office.

Discussion of three properties on W. College Ave. (413, 421, & 423) slated for demolition by Rabbi Rob Thomas’s group. Opinion given by two structural engineers, site engineer, and project manager regard 413 & 421 as being unsalvageable but group representatives maintain wanting to work with HPC to redevelop properties appropriately. Further discussion mainly concerns property at 421, environmental mitigation efforts, architectural salvage, etc.

Motion to perform a site visit of 421 W. College Ave. made by Colleen Flinn, second by Judy Tighe. Site visit will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 3pm. Motion carries.

Motion giving HPC approval for demolition of 413 W. College Ave. to be forwarded to City Council made by Aaron Scott, second by Colleen Flinn. Motion carries. (City Council will have final vote)

Motion giving HPC approval for demolition of 423 W. College Ave. to be forwarded to City Council made by Colleen Flinn, second by Aaron Scott. Motion carries. (City Council will have final vote)

Representatives of Rabbi Rob Thomas’s group depart and normal HPC meeting resumes.

Under Old Business: Officer selection, Board member vacancies, & Review/Update of ordinance all tabled to next meeting scheduled for February 4.

Motion to reapprove proposed 2025 meeting schedule, meetings to be held the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm in the Mayor’s Conference Room, made by Judy Tighe, second by Will Barnhart. Motion passes. (Originally approved at previous meeting in December)

Under New Business: Historic District property maintenance/vacancies & Recognition of Historic District homeowners tabled to next meeting scheduled for February 4.

Brian Nyberg discussed several properties in Historic District including 603 N. Fayette, 332 S. Diamond, 1040 N. Church, & 509 S. Kosciusko. Options for properties include private sale & renovation, Land Bank acquisition, or future demolition.

Site visits. Between Christmas and New Years’, Brian Nyberg & Jeremy Coumbes visited the property at 332 S. Diamond. Fresh evidence of squatting was noticed immediately that included food scraps, waste, and drug needles. Brian and Jeremy wanted to remind everyone to be cautious during any site visit. Brian also mentioned having local police clear any abandoned property before a visit.

An attorney representing Rabbi Rob Thomas’s group returned and informed HPC that any members wishing to do a walkthrough of the property at 421 W. College Ave. would need to sign a liability waiver before being allowed access during the site visit. The attorney will be in contact with Jeremy Coumbes and at least one other representative from Rabbi Rob Thomas’s group will be present for the visit.

Motion to hold a HPC special meeting regarding 421 W. College Ave. to be held on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 5:30pm in the Mayor’s Conference Room made by Judy Tighe, second by Will Barnhart. Motion carries. Purpose of the special meeting is for HPC members to discuss their opinion of the property following the site visit held the previous day and vote yes or no on demolition to coincide with the properties at 413 & 423. HPC recommendation will be forwarded to City Council which is meeting at 6pm the same evening. (City Council will have final vote)

Lance Perkins introduces himself as possible new member to HPC.

Motion to adjourn made by Aaron Scott, second by Cheryl Kelly. Motion carries. Meeting adjourns at 6:54pm.

https://cms6.revize.com/revize/jacksonville/Boards%20Commissions%20&%20Committees/Historic%20Preservation%20Commission/2025%20HPC%20Minutes/HPC%20minutes%201.7.25.pdf