Appellant Appendix_A_Kriegl_Email_June_10_2025_Redacted

APPENDIX A
Email from the City of Mesa Historic Preservation Officer, June 10, 2025, with the 2002 National Register
nomination photograph
Property
260 N. Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201 (APN 138-59-045)
Appellant
Alicia Rodriguez, owner
Appeal of
Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness, Case ADM26-00657, dated August 10,
2026
Related permit
PMT26-01976
Prior approval
Certificate of Appropriateness, Case ADM25-00154, issued June 11, 2025
Hearing
Historic Preservation Board, Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 5:00 p.m., Mesa City
Hall, 20 E. Main Street
Document reproduced
Email from Matthew Kriegl, Historic Preservation Officer, City of Mesa, to the property owner's
representative, sent Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 5:15 p.m., copying Kellie Rorex, subject line "RE: 260 N
Center St (Project Description)." The message was sent one day before the Certificate of Appropriateness in
Case ADM25-00154 was issued on June 11, 2025, and it includes the photograph of the property that the
Historic Preservation Officer identifies as coming from the 2002 National Register nomination.
Why this document is offered
1. The City's own reading of in-kind replacement permits a more durable substitute material. The
Historic Preservation Officer states:
"Based on staff's interpretation of in-kind, other (sometimes more durable) materials are allowed to
be used if the look is essentially the same as what is being replaced. This will ensure that, at a
minimum, the historical look/feel of the building is retained, despite any loss of historic material."
The Certificate of Appropriateness issued the following day carried that reading into its own project
description, which authorizes the gable elements to be "retained or replaced in-kind or with a similar more
durable material" (Appendix B, Attachment 1).
2. Staff accepted in this same message that the material was damaged beyond repair. The Historic
Preservation Officer writes:
"You have asserted that the material is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced, and after
our site visit, staff agrees."
The condition of the wood is therefore not in dispute. Staff confirmed it on site in June 2025 and confirmed
it again in the letter of August 5, 2026, which states that certain elements, including the dog-ear gable trim,
were determined to require replacement.
3. The photograph the City relies on is a 2002 image, not evidence of 1945 construction. The Historic
Preservation Officer introduces the photograph in his own words:

"Below is a photo of the home from the National Register nomination (2002); the decorative gable
feature is present and even with the other previous alterations, the building was still determined to
contribute to the overall historic district."
This establishes that the gable treatment was present in 2002. It does not establish that the treatment was
original to the 1945 construction. The same sentence also confirms that the property was determined to
contribute to the district notwithstanding earlier alterations.
4. The approval contemplated that unforeseen conditions would arise during construction. The
message closes:
"Staff understands that during the renovation/remodel of a historic building, unforeseen issues may
arise. If there are questions about the details of the COA and/or the materials, please let me know
and I would be happy to help you find a solution that is both historically appropriate and
compatible as we work through this project."
The same language appears in the Certificate of Appropriateness itself (Appendix B, Attachment 1, closing
note).
Note on scope: this Appendix reproduces the June 10, 2025 message and the photograph attached to it. That message is part of
a longer email thread held in the City's own records and available to the Board on request.

Your project will be administratively approved on the stipulations outlined within the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).  Staff
understands that during the renovation/remodel of a historic building, unforeseen issues may arise.  If there are questions about the
details of the COA and/or the materials, please let me know and I would be happy to help you find a solution that is both historically
appropriate and compatible as we work through this project.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
Thanks,
Matt           
 
    
 
 
Matthew Kriegl
Historic Preservation Officer
City of Mesa  |  480-644-2214
 
8/12/26, 3:02 PM
Gmail - Fwd: 260 N Center St (Project Description)
https //mail google com/mail/u/0/?ik 6a9c2854e5&view pt&search all&permthid thread f 1873356646491837484&simpl msg f 1873356646491837484
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