The board’s concerns extended beyond the sign design to the broader issue of preserving Boynton Beach’s historic structures. Notably, the Andrew’s House and Magnus House were topics of concern. The lack of information on the developer’s plans for the Andrew’s House, including its potential relocation, was a point of frustration. The board cited the absence of a local registration for Andrew’s House as a loophole allowing the developer to determine the house’s future without the board’s input.

Similarly, the Magnus House’s development was shrouded in uncertainty, exacerbated by the city’s ownership of adjacent land, which could influence the house’s fate.

A development in the meeting was the board’s motion to designate the Andrew’s House as a historic local designation. Alongside this, the discussion about the Bernard Thomas mural revealed the board’s jurisdictional limitations and their determination to resolve its relocation, emphasizing the artwork’s historical importance.

The absence of a historic preservation planner within the Planning and Zoning Department was another focal point. The board members felt hindered in advancing initiatives, such as conducting new surveys or designating historic districts, without this specialist role. They also noted instances where staff reports lacked historic preservation expertise, particularly regarding building signage and approvals.

Seeking support from the Planning and Development Department for the reintroduction of this role was also on the agenda.

In the realm of board administration, there was confusion regarding the publication of the meeting’s agenda and concerns about board membership terms and attendance, including the possibility of members being removed due to unexplained absences.

The potential designation of additional properties to the local register was also debated, with considerations given to black churches, a cemetery, and a bridge. The board grappled with the historic significance of these sites, the challenges of engaging property owners, and the costs of hiring consultants to write necessary reports.