Community development staff told the Historic Preservation Commission that a rezoning application has been filed for the parcel at 50 Tranquil Avenue, which contains the Rigby house, and asked for the commission’s feedback on possible documentation and preservation options.

"COMMDA has received an application for a zoning change on this parcel…they're looking to change the zoning, I believe it's R-10 now, to multifamily zoning for this parcel," Steve Mertes, director of community development, said during the presentation. He asked the commission whether it wanted additional documentation or outreach regarding the house's historic significance.

Commissioners discussed the building's history and condition. Members noted the Rigby house has historical associations — including reference to Elizabeth Rigby and the museum's photographic holdings — but that prior surveys and documented alterations may complicate landmark designation. Commissioners asked staff to contact the property owners to request a photo survey and access for documentation and noted the house was described in a prior 2014 survey as having significance though some changes had been noted.

Commissioners and staff said they had not yet been contacted by the property owners about specific development plans. Mertes said he had spoken with the owners briefly and that the rezoning application was intended to make the parcel more marketable; he did not describe a finalized sale or subdivision plan.

Commissioners suggested options including: documenting the house's current condition with photos, attempting to negotiate retention and adaptive reuse (for example, retaining the house within a landscaped pocket while allowing multifamily development around it), and coordinating with the museum to locate archival images. Several commissioners urged prompt follow-up because staff indicated the rezoning application could proceed to Planning & Zoning within about a month.

Commissioners also discussed past renovation dates noted in a local news article (renovations cited in 2001 and 2010) and that the property includes an enclosed front patio installed before the current owners’ tenure. Mertes said he would notify commissioners of timing for Planning & Zoning and would contact property owners to request permission for photographic documentation; commissioners asked staff to provide advance notice so they could attend relevant hearings if desired.

No zoning decision or formal preservation action was taken at the meeting; the item was presented for awareness and early input. Staff said they would keep HPC updated as the rezoning moves through review.