Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting - July 15, 2026

The City of Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Commission held a meeting on July 15, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing and approving a certificate of appropriateness for the design of a new hotel and parking garage at 19 West Birch Avenue. The discussion centered on compliance with the downtown historic overlay zone design guidelines, particularly regarding building mass, scale, and materials such as Malpai stone and brick. The commission considered detailed presentations from staff and the applicant, including design modifications, pedestrian activation plans with micro retail spaces, and potential murals to enhance the streetscape. After extensive deliberation, the commission voted to approve the certificate of appropriateness with conditions requiring updated renderings showing material swaps to address massing concerns and informational renderings of micro retail and mural concepts. Additionally, the commission received a presentation on a grant program for environmental assessments of historic properties, highlighting opportunities for funding hazardous material surveys and site assessments to support preservation and redevelopment efforts. The meeting concluded with discussions on future agenda items related to updating preservation guidelines and grant applications.