Prescott Preservation Commission elects new chair, welcomes new members and reviews orientation materials

The Prescott Preservation Commission on May 8, 2026 elected Diane Travis to serve as chair and Jim Macarver as vice chair, heard short self-introductions from newly seated members and received a full orientation on the commission’s materials and responsibilities.

Planning manager Alex Bramble led the orientation, walking commissioners through their binders (meeting schedules, city code Chapter 1-22, land development code Appendix F with the commission bylaws, the board handbook, and the 1998 historic preservation master plan). Bramble explained the difference between national and local historic districts, described Prescott’s Certified Local Government (CLG) status and said the city recently received CLG grant money to support a master-plan update. He summarized the Secretary of the Interior Standards and the four treatment approaches (preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction) and described how staff leans on those standards where local guidelines are not specific enough.

New commissioners offered brief backgrounds: N Lynn said she is COO of Depiana LLC with graduate training in architectural preservation; Rick Kimmery said he owns JRK Architecture Studio and will provide professional design advice; Connie Caneli described prior service on city council and a long career in historic rehabilitation; Jim Macarver and Jeff Miller gave personal and professional introductions about ties to local history and architecture. Bramble said staff will provide redline or comparison versions where practical during the master plan update and noted two training opportunities: a May 30 design-review session and a possible June 12 Secretary of the Interior Standards overview for commissioners.

The commission concluded orientation and proceeded to regular agenda items. Outgoing chair Richard Sprain was thanked for his service; the meeting adjourned after staff announcements.