Los Alamos County Historic Preservation Advisory Board Meeting - April 17, 2026

The Los Alamos County Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) met on April 17, 2026, beginning at 5:15 p.m. UTC, to approve its work plan, review homestead interpretive signage, consider public-art collaboration, and prepare for the historic master plan discovery visit. The raw transcript states the meeting date as “February 4th of 2026,” but the date supplied for this summary is April 17, 2026. No written agenda or minutes were attached; the board is recorded as approving both. Participants included Chair Patrick Cruz, Vice Chair Gary Gregory, members Liz Marno and Anna Buckforward, Assistant Public Information Officer Leslie Buckland, Planning Manager Danielle Valdez, and Council Liaison Teresa Cole.

Consent Calendar and Administrative Approvals

• The agenda and meeting minutes were approved by separate motions.
• No public commenters joined online.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No oral public comment was received.
• A citizen emailed about the homestead sign removals and asked whether the county planned to remove other historical markers, specifically the Lawrence Hitchcock headstone tied to the Los Alamos Ranch School. Leslie Buckland responded that only the remaining homestead tour signs and an old sign on the USPS building are slated for removal; she advised the citizen to contact Open Space and Trails Specialist Eric Peterson about the proper process for trail-adjacent memorials.

Discussion Items

• Work Plan: Danielle Valdez explained that the “2.0 special projects/assignments” are shared board responsibilities; the department will coordinate trainings on advisory-board roles and CLG/state/federal justifications for a cultural-resource specialist position. After fixing a missing period in item 1.13 and changing “hour” to “how” in item 3.1, the board approved the work plan as amended.
• Homestead Interpretive Signage Update: Leslie Buckland said the homestead tour and signage came from a settlement agreement between LANL and homestead families; 17 signs around town covered 36 families. Most signs were sun-damaged, not ADA-compliant, and some were removed for the urban trail. LANL has indicated it has met its online interpretive needs, freeing the county to proceed. Funding was approved in the previous budget, and quotes have been obtained for four new signs: two downtown near the Romero Cabin, one on North Mesa near the posse shack and stables cabins, and one at the Quaking Mesa Trailhead. The 18-by-24-inch signs will include four photos, concise text, a QR code/short link, and follow the National Park Service “45-second rule.” The vendor, Fossil, offers a 10-year guarantee. The old driving-tour brochure had low uptake—an order of 500 lasted through several years—compared with 33,000 Oppenheimer film-location tour brochures distributed in one year. The county also plans to remove an old sign on the USPS building, but the vacant state historic preservation officer position has stalled approval, so a formal request letter with a deadline will be sent. Target timeline: content to the board in April, printing in May, installation in summer.
• Public Art Collaboration: Anna Buckforward described the Art in Public Places Board’s interest in placing period-appropriate, functional art integrated with the new signs. Survey feedback showed support for representational and traditional art; larger abstract pieces and a proposed Barranca Mesa location were less supported. She recommended small, focused pieces such as period-style seats near signs and cautioned against inaccurate details like the pitching-post bench in historic downtown. Board members supported collaborative, historically accurate art, noting that an inaccurate object can make an interpretive sign lose credibility. Leslie Buckland suggested assessing each location carefully and considering historical walking tour, discovery spot, and wildlife interpretation signs as additional opportunities.
• Historic Master Plan Discovery Visit: Danielle Valdez reported that historic master plan consultants will be in town the following week for a discovery visit. The stakeholder list is about 50 people and growing, with 30 identified so far, including all board members, Georgia Strickfaden, Todd Nichols, Kristen, and National Park Service representatives. The Tuesday schedule includes a 12:00–2:00 p.m. working lunch, a 2:00–4:00 p.m. tour, and an evening presentation at the historical society. A notice of quorum will be posted because three HPAB members may attend the evening presentation without discussion or decisions.
• Council and Board Reports: Council Liaison Teresa Cole reported that the comprehensive plan update will occur this year and includes updates to the remaining four sections of Chapter 16; board and commission members were identified as stakeholders, and HPAB should participate. Council voted down a proposed MRA commission by a 5–2 vote, with business owners saying they did not need the added step. She also reported council approval of the North Mesa recreation plan and noted that an open space plan may follow in early 2027.
• Historic Trails: Chair Patrick Cruz asked about the Bayo Canyon trailhead improvement project. Teresa Cole had heard concerns about parking and the sledding hill. The board discussed the importance of historic trails, including ranch-school-built sections and wagon ruts on Luhan Road, and the need to balance historic integrity with ADA access and community needs.
• Subcommittee and Member Reports: A subcommittee met on the homestead sign revamp. Recruitment for an open board seat was discussed, including brochures, a QR-code flyer, and encouraging early-career applicants. Loretta’s term ends April 30, and she was asked to reapply. The board also noted that the Fuller Lodge Historic District water-damage concern was addressed by moving sprinklers away from signage and the lodge.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda, minutes, and 2026 work plan as amended.
• Directed staff to continue developing the four interpretive signs, vet content with experts, bring drafts back for the April agenda, remove remaining old homestead signs, and send the formal letter regarding the USPS sign.
• The citizen inquiry about the Hitchcock headstone will be referred to Eric Peterson and the county’s trail-memorial process.
• HPAB and the Art in Public Places Board will continue collaborating on art near interpretive signs; the working group will socialize concepts, with emphasis on period accuracy and community support.
• A notice of quorum will be posted for the Tuesday evening historical society presentation.
• The board discussed, but did not finalize, whether to cancel/postpone the next regular meeting; upcoming agenda items include historic preservation month planning, a historic master plan overview, and public engagement ideas.