City Hall has received 13 applications from people who want to be appointed to the Historic Preservation Board, an unexpectedly high number for a panel that typically draws just a handful of people seeking a seat when one is available.

The 13 were filed by people who live in several Park City neighborhoods as well as by people who are Snyderville Basin residents. They are vying to fill the seat vacated by Adam Opalek, who left the panel after scheduling conflicts interfered with his service, the Planning Department said. The term ends in July. The person who is appointed to the partial term would need to reapply before being appointed to a full term.

Mayor Dana Williams and the Park City Council are tentatively scheduled to interview the candidates on March 3 and March 10. It is not clear when the elected officials will appoint someone to the position.

The Historic Preservation Board holds some influence in Old Town issues, but there has been long-simmering debate about whether the powers they hold are adequate to protect the historic district, home to numerous houses and buildings dating to the late 19th century and early 20th century.

The panel typically becomes involved when disputes about designs cannot be resolved between City Hall staffers and property owners wanting to build or redevelop existing structures. The Historic Preservation Board also is involved as the municipal government revises the guidelines for house and building designs in Old Town.

Sometimes years go by without widespread public interest in business in front of the Historic Preservation Board, but in recent months there have been renewed calls for protections for old buildings in the aftermath of a high-profile teardown. The razing of an old building at 657 Park Ave. in November spurred an outcry from the influential preservation community, and the Historic Preservation Board has been especially interested in the process that led to City Hall staffers approving the teardown.

“It tells me there is a committed and interested group of people who care about where this town is going,” Roger Durst, the chairman of the Historic Preservation Board, said about the number of applications.

Durst and the other members of the panel do not have a role in the upcoming appointment.

He said the teardown on Park Avenue was a “great catalyst” in drawing attention to the work of the Historic Preservation Board and wider interest in Old Town issues.

City Councilwoman Liza Simpson, who sits in on Historic Preservation Board meetings on behalf of the elected officials, said the teardown as well as the introduction of new guidelines for building designs spurred interest in the panel.

“It’s been a little higher profile board than it’s been in the past,” Simpson said.

The people who submitted applications are:

  • Puggy Holmgren, who lives in Old Town
  • Casey Bailey, who lives in Thaynes Canyon
  • Debi Scoggan, who lives in the Old Ranch Road neighborhood of the Snyderville Basin
  • James Tedford, who lives in the Sun Peak neighborhood of the Snyderville Basin
  • Jay Lieberman, who lives in Old Town
  • Jeff Love, who lives in Old Town
  • Judy McKie, who lives in Old Town
  • Judy Scipione, who lives in Old Town
  • Katherine Quinlan, who lives in the Old Ranch Road neighborhood of the Snyderville Basin
  • Kathleen Imdahl, who lives in Old Town
  • Lauren Clark, whose application does not list a physical address
  • M. Alex Natt, who lives in the Snyders Mill neighborhood of the Snyderville Basin
  • Michael Lee, who lives off Mellow Mountain Road