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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.06.2021 HISTORICAL COMMISSION ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Regular Meeting April 6, 2021 Convened: 4:02 pm Adjourned: 4:35 pm 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:02 pm by Chair McAfoos. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair McAfoos. 3. ROLL CALL Commission Secretary. Present Chair Richard McAfoos, Vice Chair Melanie Trewyn (arrived at 4:07pm) Commission Member Betty Starke, Commission Member Mike Middlebrook, Commission Member Krissta King, Commission Member Judy Biglin, Excused Commission Member Mike Menard Others Present Heather Young, Asst. County Attorney (virtual), Caroline Valentin, Asst. County Attorney, Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, Nadege Pierre, Acting Staff Secretary, Jeremiah Johnson, Fort Pierce City Commissioner, Wendy Browning. 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair McAfoos announced that the official name of the commission remains the St. Lucie County Historical Commission. Historical Commission Tuesday, April 6, 2021 4:00 PM 2 | Page 5. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 6. MINUTES A. Approval of the February 2, 2021 Historical Commission Meeting. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commission Member Judy Biglin SECONDER: Commission Member Mike Middlebrook AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Commission Member Betty Starke, Commission Member Mike Middlebrook, Commission Member Krissta King, Commission Member Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None 7. ITEMS FOR ACTION / CONSIDERATION A. OLD BUSINESS None B. NEW BUSINESS 1. Review application to rename the St. Lucie County Lawnwood Softball Complex @ Quincy Avenue & 13th Street STAFF PRESENTATION Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, SLC gave a presentation. The request is to rename the St. Lucie County Lawnwood Softball Complex, at the northeast corner of the John B. Park Sporting Complex adjacent to Quincy Ave & 13th St., as the “Layne Chesney Softball Complex”. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved Resolution 15-098 to establish a Public Facilities Naming Policy that updated and consolidated prior naming policies for County facilities. The Resolution provides criteria for St. Lucie County to use when it desires to confer a specific name on a County owned property. This policy affects County Historical Commission Tuesday, April 6, 2021 4:00 PM 3 | Page owned property including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, and real property, including open space, parks, and recreational facilities. This policy does not apply to the naming of streets, historically registered properties with a recognized name on a nomination form, or public art installations that have been commissioned with a title, and is not applicable to federal, state, or municipal facilities. In October 2019, the BOCC adopted Resolution 19-201 to include referral of applications to Name Public Facilities to the St. Lucie County Historical Commission for review and recommendation. Criteria includes the following: Context and geographical location: Sites and facilities should be given names that directly reflect or are contextually related to the history of the site. Common usage names that have developed over time shall be favored. Natural or geological features: Names may be based on distinctive, predominant, and defining natural features of an area. Historical significance: The name may be one associated with a historically significant event or for events reflecting broad patterns of County history. The name may be one associated with the lives of persons of countywide significance in St. Lucie County's past. The name may reflect a distinctive architectural, engineering, or technological achievement. The name may be related to an existing or proposed registered historic property or district. The proposed namesake, Layne Chesney, 16, attended Lincoln Park Academy and is recognized as a softball standout. Layne was severely injured in a horrific accident in 2017, and unfortunately succumbed to her injuries in May 2019. Layne is displayed as being the epitome of strength and determination, taking pride in being an outstanding athlete, working tirelessly to pursue a dream of becoming a middle infielder for the Florida Gators, and beyond including becoming an environmental scientist. She graduated from Fairlawn Elementary and attended Lincoln Park Academy. She played softball for TCAA Wildcats and for Lincoln Park Academy. Not only was she a great ball player, and a dedicated scholar. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommend the St. Lucie County Historical Commission find a position of no objection to the naming request based upon the criteria and the history. PUBLIC COMMENT Jeremiah Johnson, Fort Pierce City Commissioner presented. He described Layne Chesley as a student athlete and was her coach in elementary school. She had goals of becoming an environmental scientist. Her coach, Roger Matthews from Lincoln Park Academy, requested that something be done in recognition of Layne. 2021 would have been her senior year in high school which makes the request even more momentous. Wendy Browning, lifelong Fort Pierce resident in support of renaming after Layne. She had strength, courage bravery and perseverance, all qualities of a great ball player. She touched Historical Commission Tuesday, April 6, 2021 4:00 PM 4 | Page the lives of family, friends, teammates, community, and country that heard her story. Her story brought awareness to the dangers of gasoline and fire. Her story should continue so that it is not forgotten. The community came together for her and now requesting come together again in remembrance of her. COMMISSION DISCUSSION Commission Member King inquired on the difference between finding of no objection and an approval recommendation. Mr. Benton responded that it is based upon the criteria. The BOCC is requesting recommendation from Historical Commission. COMMISSION MOTION Chair McAfoos recommendation to motion of no objection as per staff recommendation, presentation, and the speaker’s testimonies. Motion was made by Commission Member Starke and seconded by Vice-Chair Trewyn. Comment made by Vice-Chair Trewyn regarding her son being in the same school and her tragedy was used to remind her son of those dangers. RESULT: NO OBJECT MOVER: Commission Member Member Betty Starke SECONDER: Commission Member Melanie Trewyn AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Middlebrook, Melanie Trewyn, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None 8. MEMBER MATTERS Mr. Benton announced an agenda item for the next meeting which is a demolition or partial demolition along Midway Rd and the structure may be a Historic Resource, but it is to be determined at the moment. Staff have separate text amendment to the Board of County Commissioners for Historical Commission. 9. DISCUSSION 10. ADJOURNMENT Historical Commission Tuesday, April 6, 2021 4:00 PM 5 | Page Motion to adjourn: RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commission Member Krissta King SECONDER: Commission Member Mike Middlebrook AYES: Chair Richard McAfoos, Betty Starke, Mike Middlebrook, Vice-Chair Melanie Trewyn, Krissta King, Judy Biglin NAYS: None EXCUSED: None Meeting Adjourned at 4:35 pm.