041526_HPCMINUTES.PDF

City of Tempe — Historic Preservation Commission Meeting (2026-05-13)

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Minutes of the regular hearing of the Historic Preservation commission, of the City of Tempe, which was held in hybrid
format in person at City Council Chambers, 31 East 5th Street, Tempe, AZ, and virtually through Teams.

Present:
Staff:
Mariah Jones
Jeff Tamulevich, Comm Development Director
Dave Fackler
Ryan Levesque, Deputy Director, Comm Development
Reylynne Williams
Zachary Lechner, Historic Preservation Officer
Shereen Lerner
Jen Sweeney – Arts & Culture Coordinator
Kathleen Lamp
Jennifer Daniels, Administrative Assist, Comm Dev
Evan Senat

Absent: Kiyomi Kurooka and Kristie Melcher

1) Call to Order
By Chair Jones at 6:05 pm.

2) Native Land Acknowledgment Statement

3) Public Appearances -
The Tempe Historic Preservation Commission welcomes public comment at this time that fall within the
Commission’s purview, as described in City Code, Chapter 14A-3. The Commission may respond to public
comments only if the topic has been placed on the agenda and only during the corresponding agenda item.
There is a three-minute time limit per citizen.

None.

4) Consideration of Meeting Minutes

4A) Historic Preservation Commission – Regular Meeting 03/11/26

Motion by Vice Chair Fackler to approve Meeting Minutes for 03/11/26; second by Commissioner Senat.
Motion passed on 6-0 vote.
Ayes: Chair Jones, Vice Chair Fackler, Commissioners, Williams, Lamp, Senat and Lerner
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioners Kurooka and Melcher

5) Certificate of Appropriateness – None

6) Classification - None

7) Designation – None

MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
April 15, 2026

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
April 15, 2026

8) Update(s) and Presentation(s)

8A) Joint Meeting between the Tempe Historic Preservation Commission and the Tempe Historic
Preservation Foundation.

Foundation Members Present:
Chris Sar
Rob Moore
Darlene Justus
Korri Turner
Karen Adams
Amy Douglas
Peggy Maroney
Dawn Hart
Dion Romero

1) Discussion of the HPC’s purpose and duties.
Dr. Zach Lechner gave a brief overview of the HPC’s duties, according to Tempe City Code, Chapter
14A-3(a) and (k) (HP Ordinance).

A Foundation member asked if this information was available online. Dr. Lechner stated that is on the
City website. You can also Google “Tempe Preservation Ordinance” or “Tempe City Code Chapter 14A”
to find it.

Ms. Peggy Maroney, HP Foundation member, asked about #7, participating in public information
activities to increase public awareness. How restricted is it? Dr. Lechner stated that in the past the HPC
has had a table at a public event and they have spoken with the public about various projects and what
was going on at that time.

Mr. Rob Moore, HP Foundation member asked, were these updates included in the latest Historic
Preservation Plan or were the updates made in conjunction with it? Dr. Lechner stated that this section
was updated a few years ago. I don’t think it was necessarily in conjunction with the plan. We have one
upcoming update that will be needed to be made to the Violations section.

Commissioner Senat asked if there are any upcoming plans to conduct surveys of properties? We have
discussed Double Butte Cemetery pending repairs and the Petersen House patio being reconstructed.
Are there any situations where we would be able to participate in that? Dr. Lechner stated that he does
not have anything in mind at this time. We can get information on it. Chair Jones stated that we could
possibly look into a list of what was surveyed and when.

Mr. Moore asked if the HPC meeting minutes go to City Council for review? Dr. Lechner stated that
once the HPC approves the meeting minutes they go to City Council, along with all other Board and
Commission minutes, for approval.

Ms. Darlene Justus, HP Foundation member, asked does the HPC have the ability to survey or
recommend a building for designation? Dr. Lechner stated yes. Ms. Justus asked if members of the
public can come to HPC meetings. Chair Jones stated yes, and they can speak during the public call.
Dr. Lechner stated that the items discussed must be within the Commission’s purview. The Commission
can only respond to items that are on that agenda.

Vice Chair Fackler asked does the HPC make recommendations to City Council or the Development
Review Commission? Dr. Lechner stated that it depends on what it is. You are technically making a
recommendation to the Development Review Commission; then they will make a recommendation to
Council. Vice Chair Fackler stated that the HPC hears a lot of items, but we are not the approval body.
Mr. Ryan Levesque, Deputy Community Development Director—Planning, stated that the HPC

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comments are recommendations to both the DRC and City Council when the DRC is a recommending
body and the City Council is the decision-making body.

Ms. Justus asked, if the public comes to talk to the HPC, can the HPC not answer unless it is
agendized? Dr. Lechner stated that the HPC cannot in that case. Ms. Justus asked, if a Commissioner
wants to add something to an agenda that was discussed by a member of the public, how do that do
that? Dr. Lechner stated that the best thing to do would be to contact him and Chair Jones. Chair Jones
stated that at the end of the meetings she asks if a Commissioner would like to add anything to a future
agenda.

An HP Foundation member stated that during the joint meeting with HPC and City Council, there were
some comments from the audience about stalled historic properties. They have been designated but
nothing has happened to them. I see that the HPC can make recommendations and promote funding.
What is your role in that? Dr. Lechner stated that one example would be the Gonzales-Martinez House.
There is concern about its condition. That property is Historic Eligible, not designated, and is listed in
the National Registe of Historic Places. Staff has tried to keep the Commission up to date with what is
going on with it. The Commission has the ability to provide feedback or request information. Chair
Jones stated that if the Foundation has a concern, please email Dr. Lechner and her so they can
address the concern.

Mr. Moore asked, how does the Commission know which properties have easements? Is there a GIS
database available that illustrates where our easements are in the community? Dr. Lechner stated that
we have the City website that indicates if a property is locally or nationally designated. We can look into
Mr. Moore’s suggestion.

Ms. Justus asked if Commissioners can operate independently on preservation issues or only as part of
the Commission? Vice Chair Fackler stated that efforts to preserve the Watson’s Flowers building were
worked on by the Commission collectively and separately by its members before the building was
demolished. If five or more members of this Commission get together it must be advertised.
Commissioner Lerner stated that being on a Commission does not stop you from contacting City
Council or staff as individuals. Chair Jones asked staff, as long as there is not a quorum present, we
are able to act in that capacity? A quorum includes in person, emails, and all forms of communication.
Mr. Tamulevich stated that members of the Commission need to avoid speaking on behalf of the
Commission when speaking as individuals with Councilmembers. Commissioner Williams stated that
she has a dual role. She is also the travel Tribal Historic Preservation Officers for the Gila River Indian
Community. In the meetings for the Downtown Historic Core Plan, she is representing the Tribe, not the
HPC.

2) Discussion of the THPF’s goals and recent current projects.

Mr. Moore gave an overview of the Foundation’s goals and projects. The Foundation was formed in
2005 by neighbors Ms. Darlene Justus and Ms. Evelyn Hallman. The Foundation’s mission is to help
ensure that local history has a place within our community for generations to come. Two of our focal
points are the Camp Papago Park or World War II POW barracks rehabilitation and interpretive
installation at the Arizona Heritage Center, along with the Double Butte Cemetery. We also have a new
entity called Friends of Double Butte Cemetery. Our mission includes making historic neighborhood
resources available and assisting with the Downtown Historic Core initiative.

Ms. Justus gave background information on the POW barracks project.

Mr. Chris Sar, HP Foundation Member, stated that Double Butte Cemetery has many historic elements
to it. It is managed as a park. This cemetery is severed from the town by a freeway and it’s often
neglected. We have some concerned individuals that got together and while working with the
Foundation, created the Friends Group. We are working to bring some attention to the space.

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Commissioner Lerner stated that there is a lot that goes on with the Foundation that would be helpful
for the Commission to know and so it could help promote and get involved with these activities. If the
Commission has any concerns, we can use the advocacy of the Foundation to help. Ms. Korri Turner,
HP Foundation Member, stated that once a HPC Member’s term is up they can always join the
Foundation.

Chair Jones asked what is the Foundation’s relationship City Council and the City? Mr. Moore stated
as private citizens we can communicate and be active advocates. Ms. Justus is in constant
communication with Council. As a Foundation, we will come together to speak with staff or Council. But
we also have our individual advocacies.

Ms. Justus gave a background story on some of the historic homes in Tempe.

Ms. Maroney stated that the Foundation would like to find someone to write stories on the people buried
in Double Butte Cemetery.

3) Discussion of strategies to encourage owners of Historic-Eligible properties to designate their properties
in the Tempe Historic Property Register.

Mr. Moore stated that he has communicated with Neighborhood Services and they are ready to
coordinate on this topic.

Ms. Turner stated that she is going to try adding her property to the local register and then encourage
her neighbors to do the same.

An HP Foundation Member stated that she thinks it is important to have property owners understand
what it means to put their property on the local register and how it is different than the National
Register. I think some people believe it is going to put restraints on them from doing certain things.

Commissioner Senat asked, is it on the property owner to create the application for the designation?
Can they go somewhere for support during the process? Chair Jones stated that we need the property
owners’ consent to list the property. They don’t necessarily need to do the work; they just have to
consent. Mr. Moore stated that there are misconceptions within the community that if there is a
historical building, it’s safe. We need to empower the community to do something and not wait for the
City to do it.

Chair Jones asked, what are your thoughts on the community feelings of stewardship over our historic
places? Does something like that exist? Do people care? An HP Foundation Member stated that she
doesn’t think it’s that they don’t care; they just don’t know. It does not cross their mind. An HP
Foundation Member stated that the Tempe History Museum does a great job of keeping the City’s
historic houses open and sharing the history.

Mr. Moore stated that there are a lot of assumptions. When people look at downtown Tempe, they think
this must be a historic district and that it’s taken care of. I think people value the cultural and historic
resources, but they don’t understand the status and condition.

4) Discussion of how to engage and educate the public on historic preservation efforts.

Chair Jones asked, how do you envision your partners, being us and the City, facilitating engagement
to educate the public? Mr. Moore stated that it is a joint effort. I think you inform us and we inform you. I
think it’s easier said than done. How do we connect with people? Some of it is experimentation. We get
feedback and do it again.

Ms. Justus stated that something that has helped her was in 2023, Tempe received a designation as an
American World War II Heritage City. We put the information into a handout that we gave people at

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events. It has a map that shows you where the signs are located and a QR code that you can scan for
more information. People really liked it. If we had something like this for the historic properties that gave
a brief description of the property, it’s something we could hand to people.

Mr. Moore stated that when he was on the Arts & Culture Commission, he made an art map, and it
showed where all of the public art was in downtown. He used that map to speak to people at the Tempe
Arts Festival and asked them, do you want to see where the hidden art is?, and it worked. People
became interested.

Ms. Maroney stated that the public will often ask what is going on with the Hayden Flour Mill? Why isn’t
there information being made available to the public on what is happening there? They don’t know who
to turn to and ask. Using visual art and stories is the best way to get the information out there.

Chair Jones asked, do we have something that we provide to Historic-Eligible property owners? Dr.
Lechner stated that in the past we have sent letters letting them know their property is eligible. I don’t
think that has been successful in encouraging them to designate their properties. Some people don’t
realize they are in a historic home or district. I am open to other ways of trying to communicate the
message. Chair Jones asked, do we have a packet for realtors on how they present historic homes? Dr.
Lechner stated, no.

Ms. Maroney stated that the Arts & Culture Division could do an exhibit on historic houses in Tempe.

HP Foundation Member Ms. Karen Adams stated that neighborhood meetings would be a good
opportunity for a HPC Member to stop in and say hello and give out a map and contact info to get it on
people’s radars. Commissioner Senat stated that she went to the Neighborhood Celebration last
weekend and the HPC had pins so people could ask you about it.

An HP Foundation Member stated that another great resource is Arizona State University and their
Public History program. There is an app that ASU students put together years ago called Salt River
Stories. You can find out more about buildings and cultural resource very easily and quickly on your
device.

Chair Jones asked, have we applied for Certified Local Government (CLG) grant funding this year? Dr.
Lechner stated no. Chair Jones stated that she would like to discuss something that would be beneficial
for a future project and would be supported by CLG funding. I would like to see all of these ideas written
down in an actual implementable plan that the City can use.

An HP Foundation Member stated that some people may think historic preservation means that the
place will be turned into a museum, but we have so many examples of adaptive reuse projects in
Tempe. We need to break the thought process that these places are just there to look at—that they can
be lived in and experienced as well. Ms. Justus asked about a contest for people that have done
adaptive reuse. We could celebrate those buildings that have been used in that way. You could put a
book together with all of the adaptive reuses. We put a book together with Hugh Hallman for the Adobe
Tour. Ms. Maroney stated that Mr. Moore reached out to ASU and an instructor had his class study the
history of Danelle Plaza.

Mr. Moore stated that the Foundation is working on getting better at social media. An HP Foundation
Member stated that we need to educate the kids in school. We need people to maintain the historic
buildings.

Chair Jones stated that she saw a project where QR codes were placed on stone benches that gave
the history of and talked about the landscape you were looking at. I think we should take all of these
ideas and compile them into something.

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Mr. Moore stated that he was able to find a lot of history on Danelle Plaza but having the architecture
team there, they were able to communicate it effectively. They created a pop-up museum. They were
able to communicate and engage with the community.

HP Foundation Member Ms. Korri Turner asked if the HPC Members can join the Foundation at an
event? Chair Jones stated that they can help; they just cannot communicate together at the same time.
We can each have a task to facilitate and then communicate directly with you. You cannot do a mass
email to all members. We could all participate; there would just need to be a public meeting notice.

Commissioner Senat asked if she could reach out to ASU about their historic preservation group? Dr.
Lechner stated that as long as you are not speaking for the Commission, you can.

HP Foundation Member Dion Romero stated that each city has their own perspective on how they view
history. It depends on what their goals are. I think the public in Tempe want to learn and be engaged.
It’s about making history as accessible as possible. We need to use our strengths, one being ASU.

5) Discussion of Downton Historic Core Plan draft guidelines.

Chair Jones asked the Foundation, what are your priorities that you envision for the draft guidelines?
What aren’t you seeing that you would like to see?

Vice Chair asked the Foundation, what do you think this historic core plan is? This plan is an outgrowth
of the 2050 General Plan. This is just like the General Plan; it’s a policy document. I used to think if a
building was on the Register, it was safe, and it is not. I would like to know what you think this plan is
going to do or hope it will do? What needs to change to make it stronger?

Ms. Justus stated that she learned the importance of having something go to the voters. We had a
developer that wanted to put homes in Papago Park. We were able to get a petition with many
signatures to save the park. It was voted on and stayed a preserve. Any changes in the future will need
another vote by the public. Tempe Butte was also saved by proclamation and remains a preserve. Any
Mayor and Council can undo a proclamation. I have a concern for the Butte.

An HP Foundation Member stated that if we set up a policy and 2050 comes, the policy can be
changed. Vice Chair Fackler stated that the City is required by state law to redo the General Plan every
10 years and take it to a vote. We have identified all properties that are formally on the Register. We
also have 10 that are Register-eligible. I put together a list of another 15 that are either eligible now or
will be in the next 10-15 years.

Mr. Moore stated that with the Urban Core Master Plan there wasn’t any centralized solution for
preservation. It was a solution for the downtown without a historic preservation component. That is
when our organization got involved. That Urban Core Master Plan concept was dissolved. We worked
with staff to help establish what is now the historic preservation element of General Plan 2050.

Vice Chair Fackler stated that the City cannot put in the General Plan any codes that affects a person’s
personal property rights without getting their approval [HPO note: General Plan 2050 is not a regulatory
document and did not alter any City codes]. The City needs approval from every owner in downtown.
Vice Chair Fackler explained to the Foundation how the voting for the General Plan works. Vice Chair
Fackler stated that the chapter of the draft Historic Core Plan detailing high-rises is very concerning.
The Core is a low-rise development. That word needs to be changed in the draft. We need the plan to
state that height goes from alley to alley on either side of Mill Ave.

Chair Jones asked if the HPC will get an in-person meeting with the consultants again with preservation
people and non-preservation people? Dr. Lechner stated yes, at the joint meeting with Council, Council
made it clear they wanted the consultants to meet with staff, stakeholder groups, developers and
others.

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Mr. Moore asked how do we negotiate with the consultants for the one-story concept? Is that possible?
Vice Chair Fackler stated that it is possible and the document is being written in that direction. Unless
you are willing to buy the property you can’t keep a developer from building what zoning says they can
build.

Ms. Maroney asked, how was the deal made with the developer for the Hayden House? Vice Chair
Fackler stated that City put out a request for a proposal because the City owned the land. He
responded with his proposal. If selected, they do a development and disposition agreement. It is an
agreement between the City and the developer regarding who is going to do what, who will pay for
what, and how much the City is willing to give up in incentives. Real estate is one thing City Council can
discuss behind closed doors in an Executive Session.

Mr. Moore asked Vice Chair Fackler to send his notes to the Foundation. Vice Chair Fackler stated he
would send the same notes to them that he sent to Dr. Lechner.

9) Chair/Staff Updates and Announcements

Chair Announcements: None

City Staff Announcements - Dr. Lechner stated that the end of the timeline for the Downtown Historic Core
Plan has been extended to early fall. This will provide more opportunities for input. The consults will meet
with the HPC and DRC one more time. City staff had a meeting with the development team from First and
Farmer regarding the Gonzales-Martinez House. We discussed moving forward with the development
agreement benchmarks. That includes rehabilitation moving forward.

Vice Chair Fackler asked who will pay for the home to be stabilized? Dr. Lechner stated it could be the City
or the developer. The City does have funds available. Vice Chair Fackler asked for a timeline. Dr. Lechner
stated that he does not have a timeline at this point. Vice Chair Fackler asked where does the developer
stand on the larger project? Dr. Lechner stated that is still pending at this point.

Dr. Lechner stated that the next HPC meeting is scheduled for May 13.

Vice Chair Fackler asked where Dr. Lechner is with the CIP? Dr. Lechner stated that staff has provided
recommendations and will bring to Council for approval in May. Vice Chair Fackler asked Dr. Lechner to
give an update to the HPC next month on what was requested for Historic Preservation. Dr. Lechner agreed
to do so.

10) Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm.

Prepared by: Jennifer Daniels, Administrative Assistant
Reviewed by: Zachary Lechner, Historic Preservation Officer