The Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Palacios at 5:31 p.m. 

Ms. Dinah Gonzales of the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department called roll and a quorum was present.  

Those present were:

Oscar Palacios

Paul Figueroa

Marika Choma

Also present were:

Dinah Gonzales, Planner I

Louis Fineberg, Director

Those absent/excused:

David Henry

William Christmas

Commissioner Choma made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.

Commissioner Figueroa seconded the motion. The motion was Passed. Those voting AYE were: Commissioners: Palacios, Figueroa, Choma 

Commissioner Choma stated she would like to clarify section 8 Approval of Minutes A Case No. HPC2015-5 Certificate of Appropriateness, fourth paragraph of the April 8, 2015 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes.  The minutes state Commissioner Choma read a section from the letter from SHPO. Commissioner Choma would like to amend it for clarification to say Commissioner Choma read the section from the letter from SHPO suggesting denial of approval of demolition.

Commissioner Choma made a motion to approve the April 8, 2015 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes as amended.

Commissioner Figueroa seconded the motion. The motion was Passed. Those voting AYE were: Commissioners: Palacios, Figueroa, Choma

Mr. Douglas Patterson gave a presentation on the remodel, demolition, change in use and rehabilitation of the property located at 121 Civic Plaza Drive. Mr. Patterson gave a brief history on the buildings.  Prior to 1989 the buildings on the subject property were two distinct buildings.  The first building which is along Camino de la Placita was a stand alone concrete block building.  It was the old National Guard Armory Building and it was a garage.  Mr. Patterson does not have an origin date for the old Armory Building.  The second building they are dealing with is Bataan Hall.  They believe Bataan Hall is a 1930's adobe building.  The renovations that were completed in 1989 tied both buildings together with a series of portals and elements that made it look like one distinct building.  Prior to 1989 there was no court yard or Pueblo Style elements that tied it all together as one distinct building. 

Mr. Patterson explained in detail the changes they are proposing to make to the exterior of the buildings on the subject property to include the removal of a small piece of concrete that is a drainage fix, doors along Camino de la Placita, three windows and the entry doors along Civic Plaza Drive, all the planter walls and everything in the court yard like the portals, trees and an existing sculpture that is located on site.  They will also clean up the side walk in front of the buildings on Civic Plaza Drive. The sculpture will be removed and salvaged and will possibly be relocated to the University of New Mexico Klauer Campus.  They are proposing to renovate Rio Grande Hall and the hall that connects the two buildings.  There will be no changes to the interior or exterior of Bataan Hall.

Commissioners would like to see the apple tree relocated if possible.  The University of New Mexico will need to inform the Town of Taos what their intentions are for the sculpture.

Mr. Patterson showed the Commissioners some of the materials they are proposing to use.

Commissioner Choma made a motion to approve Case No. HPC2015-24 for a Certificate of Appropriateness with a follow through with the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department on the following recommendations.

1. UNM gives due diligence to saving the existing apple tree and keeping it part of their design.
2. UNM abides by their agreement with the Town of Taos that the sculpture remains on UNM property.
3. UNM gives due diligence to placing an appropriate plaque on [the UNM Building located at 121 Civic Plaza Drive].
4. UNM gives due diligence to considering a trellis on the Southwest door of the building to expose more of the existing building.

Commissioner Figueroa seconded the motion. The motion was Passed. Those voting AYE were: Commissioners: Palacios, Figueroa, Choma

Chairman Palacios stated he wanted to follow up with the letter to Mr. Tarleton concerning the maintenance of the buildings located at 402 and 404 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.

Staff will do research to see what can be done to make property owners accountable for the maintenance of their buildings in the Historic Overlay Zone.  Mr. Fineberg will meet with the Town Attorney and update the Historic Preservation Commission at the next meeting.

Chairman Palacios asked what the status is on the Sign Code Ordinance.  He mentioned there are a lot of violators and wants to know what happened to the committee that was going to look into the revision of the sign code ordinance.

Mr. Fineberg will speak to the Town Attorney and the Town Manager concerning the enforcement of the sign code ordinance.

A motion was made by Commissioner Figueroa and seconded by Commissioner Choma to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.