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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2017 CHC Agenda Packet City of San Luis Obispo, Council Agenda, City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Agenda Cultural Heritage Committee Monday, October 23, 2017 5:30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING Council Hearing Room 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA CALL TO ORDER: Chair Papp ROLL CALL: Committee Members Sandy Baer, Craig Kincaid, Damon Haydu, Glen Matteson, Thom Brajkovich, Vice-Chair Shannon Larrabee, and Chair James Papp. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Committee or staff may modify the order of items. MINUTES OF AUGUST 28, 2017 Approve minutes of the August 28, 2017 Cultural Heritage Committee meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT: At this time, people may address the Committee on items not on the agenda. Items raised are generally referred to staff and, if action by the Committee is necessary, may be scheduled for a future meeting. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION 1. Fiscal Health Response Plan: A presentation covering the City’s plan to respond to significant financial challenges ahead (Michael Codron, Community Development Director). TRAINING 1. California Environmental Quality Act and Historic Resources. Legal principles that underlie historic preservation, key CEQA sections, relevant caselaw, and discussion of local guidelines, historic preservation ordinance, and Secretary of Interior Standards (Chair Papp San Luis Obispo – Cultural Heritage Committee Agenda of October 23. 2017 Page 2 and presenters TBD). BUSINESS ITEMS 1. CHC Goal Implementation. Discussion of possible strategies and next steps, including possible appointment of a subcommittee, toward implementation of CHC goals including: ▪ Update of the 35-year-old Historic Resource Inventory ▪ Re-evaluate new and existing historic district boundaries ▪ Evaluate use, benefit, and cost for city-owned buildings See attached CHC FY 2017-2019 Goals submitted to the City Council for budget consideration 2. Queenie Warden Bridge Plaque. Review of plaque mockup and text with possible appointment of a subcommittee to refine final descriptive language. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION Agenda Forecast & Staff Updates ADJOURNMENT The next Regular Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 27, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such requests to the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7100 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7107. Agenda related writings or documents provided to the City Council are available for public inspection in the Community Development Department located at 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California during normal business hours, and on the City’s website http://www.slocity.org/government/advisory-bodies Minutes CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE Monday, August 28, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Cultural Heritage Committee CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Cultural Heritage Committee was called to order on Monday, August 28, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Papp. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Sandy Baer, Thom Brajkovich, Damon Haydu, Craig Kincaid, Glen Matteson, Vice-Chair Shannon Larrabee, and Chair James Papp Absent: None Staff: Senior Planner Brian Leveille, Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell, Contract Planner Emily Creel, and Recording Secretary Jennifer Hooper APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consideration of Minutes of the Regular Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 and Special Meeting of August 14, 2017: ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BEAR, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, CARRIED BY A 7-0 CONSENSUS, the Cultural Heritage Committee approved the Minutes of the Regular Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of July 24, 2017 as presented. ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BEAR, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, CARRIED BY A 7-0 CONSENSUS, the Cultural Heritage Committee approved the Minutes of the Regular Cultural Heritage Committee Special Meeting of August 14, 2017, as amended: Page 3: Clarify Committee Member who motioned Agenda Item 2, “MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER MATTESON…” PUBLIC COMMENT None. DRAFT Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of August 28, 2017 Page 2 --End of Public Comment-- PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 1. 862 ISLAY STREET. ARCH-0852-2017; Construction of a new garage and utility building to replace an existing non-historic garage (to be demolished) at the rear of property designated as a Contributing List Historic Resource in the Old Town Historic District (Exempt from environmental review); R-2-H zone; Jerry & Kim Scott, applicants. Associate Planner Walter Oetzell provided a PowerPoint presentation. Applicant Representative, Ken Haggard, Architect, made a brief presentation and provided a visual guide for Committee Members. He subsequently responded to Committee Member inquiries. Public Comment None. --End of Public Comment-- Committee Members discussed the project. ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LARRABEE, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BRAJKOVICH, CARRIED BY A 7-0 CONSENSUS, to adopt a Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the San Luis Obispo Cultural Heritage Committee finding the demolition of an accessory structure and its replacement with a new garage and utility building on a contributing list property at 862 Islay Street to be consistent with the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance and with the Secretary Of The Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (ARCH-0852-2017).” 2. 12165 AND 12393 LOS OSOS VALLEY ROAD. SPEC-0143-2017; Conceptual review of plans for the multiple structures comprising the Froom Ranch Historic Complex, in association with the Froom Ranch Specific Plan; Madonna on LOVR Specific Plan Area 3; John Madonna, applicant. Contract Planner Emily Creel provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Committee inquiries. Applicant Representatives, Pam Ricci and Victor Montgomery of RRM Design Group, and Robert Chattel of Chattel, Inc., provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Committee inquiries. Applicant, John Madonna, provided brief commentary. DRAFT Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of August 28, 2017 Page 3 Public Comment Resident, Neil Havlik commented that he appreciated the study effort that has gone into the structures, but does not support the concept. He stated the historic preservation effort is part of a much larger effort and is in the context of other policies and that the concept falls short since development is proposed above 150 feet, the Urban Reserve Line, and is inconsistent with policies to protect and enhance Froom Creek. He stated that the rural character of the historic complex would be impacted since development would be right around the complex and would be next to a busy street. Mr. Havlik stated that the applicant’s request to go above 150 feet could be justified as a public amenity if the complex were moved higher up the hill to provide a setting that is less busy and would protect the rural character while also providing access to the trailhead. He stated that the relocation of the complex should be integrated with other City policies and be informed by the EIR analysis. --End of Public Comment-- Chair Papp asked for clarification on the project alternative analysis in the EIR which includes an “actionable alternative” for keeping development below the 150 foot elevation within the existing URL. Emily Creel responded that the Council authorized initiation included direction to include the alternative to evaluate development below 150 feet. Committee Member Larrabee summarized the CHC’s purview to provide feedback and commented that the buildings are clearly in bad shape and that previously the CHC focused on the Dairy Barn and the more significant features. She commented that she appreciated the direction of the project in keeping the spacing of the structures, and that is a respectful reimagining of the structures and the plan helps ensure they will be utilized for years to come. Committee Member Baer stated that the revised plan from the previous conceptual review was much improved and progress has been made although there are still issues. She noted concerns about integrity with moving the buildings. She liked the open arbor plan for the house end of the creamery. Committee Member Brajkovich commended the applicants for the revised plan. And he stated agreement with the three most significant structures being retained. He noted the common features with other farm complexes and how changes are made to accommodate. He wanted to wait for EIR analysis and peer review to provide final comments. He stated he appreciates the proposed new location due to easy access from LOVR and proximity to trailhead. Committee Member Matteson noted he was not on the CHC during previous review but he thought that the response appeared adequate. He stated that he would not support moving the historic complex above the 150 foot elevation line and that keeping development below the DRAFT Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of August 28, 2017 Page 4 URM line is very important. He also inquired on a motion to endorse the general proposal of the historic complex but that it does not include endorsement of the overall project proposal. Chair Papp noted that the CHC’s was being asked for conceptual feedback and asked staff whether the CHC should pass a formal motion. Brian Leveille noted that based on the current discussion it would be possible to just take the CHC’s comments into account in the minutes and move forward. Committee Member Kincaid appreciated the response to previous CHC comments and noted that he thought Neil Havlik’s comments were important and should be considered in future discussions. Committee Member Haydu also said he thought Neil Havlik’s comments were important. He also stated he really wants to see the EIR, peer review, and technical studies. He brought up the importance of cumulative impact analysis of impacts to historic complexes. Committee Member Papp referenced the Long-Bonetti Ranch project which was considered significant as a ranch complex and that in this case for Froom Ranch there were individually significant buildings and significance as a complex. He noted that with Dalidio there was an issue with setting but because the agricultural buildings were going to be moved next to the agriculture area and would not be surrounded by development that they would be able to retain their setting. He commended the applicant for focusing on the most historically significant buildings and retaining their configuration. He noted his concern that the buildings will lose their setting as a ranch complex with their proposed location adjacent to development and that there are options to preserve the setting by relocating the complex in a location that would preserve the rural character. Chair Papp stated the granary is also important to understanding the function of the dairy. John Madonna, applicant, said the granary was for planting and is not feed for the dairy. In response to John Madonna’s question, Chair Papp explained the ranch could be moved slightly higher close to the existing location to preserve the rural character and be closer to the existing trailhead. He explained that it shouldn’t be a huge expense to also preserve the granary and that it is relevant. Chair Papp noted he thought that the proposal would impact its ability to qualify for the National Register. Committee Member Haydu noted his experience with similar projects and that loss of contributing elements may have an impact on its eligibility. Chair Papp noted that all of the things said by different Committee Members should be adequate for staff and the applicants and asked if staff could sum up the feedback or if single direction would be preferred. Brian Leveille stated he heard some helpful comments that could go into the EIR analysis for cultural resources and that there was general support for the proposal to move through the review DRAFT Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of August 28, 2017 Page 5 process and the CHC had provided some helpful suggestions for elements that could be included in the project and alternatives to explore which may be feasible. Chair Papp confirmed that he also heard from the CHC that there was general discomfort with making a commitment without the EIR. Emily Creel confirmed that it was understood the CHC’s feedback is support in moving the proposal forward into the EIR process and that there could be changes in the CHC’s evaluation based on the analysis in the EIR. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 1. Appointment of a subcommittee to assist staff in the preparation of ministerial review criteria for accessory dwelling units on historic properties and in historic districts and explore the scope of needed updates to the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines. Committee Members: Chair JAMES PAPP Committee Member DAMON HAYDU Committee Member GLEN MATTESON 2. Agenda Forecast & Staff Updates Senior Planner Leveille provided an agenda forecast. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. The next Regular Cultural Heritage Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE: XX/XX/2017 Cultural Heritage Committee Goals FY 2017-2019 The Cultural Heritage Committee requests the City Council consider the following goals: Historic Preservation and Economic Development Recent statistical research shows that urban neighborhoods comprising smaller buildings of diverse age provide • greater density of population, businesses, and creative economy jobs per commercial square foot • a significantly higher proportion of new, local, and women- and minority-owned businesses • a lower median age and greater diversity of age and race • more nightlife, walkability, and transit friendliness.1 The Cultural Heritage Committee recommends city government invest in the following projects to harness our Historic Preservation Program in support of sustainable economic development: Update Inventory 1. Update the 35-year-old Historic Resource Inventory The California Office of Historic Preservation recommends updating historic resource inventories every five years. San Luis Obispo has not done a global revision in thirty-five years, making development decisions difficult and unpredictable. The CLG grant-funded City of San Luis Obispo Citywide Historic Context Statement of 2014 logically leads to a historic resource survey. Financial Plan 2. Develop a self-funding program for City-owned historic sites and buildings. These range from the National Register Carnegie Library and Jack House and Garden to City Hall and numerous adobes. Historic Districts 3. Re-evaluate new and existing historic district boundaries. New districts may include a West End Historic District encompassing the area of Higuera and Marsh Streets southwest of the Downtown Historic District and an Anholm Addition Historic District surrounding Broad Street north of US Route 101. 1 Preservation Green Lab, Impresa, Basemap, Gehl Studio, State of Place, Older, Smaller, Better: Measuring How the Character of Buildings and Blocks Influences Urban Vitality , National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2014. City of San Luis Obispo, Community Development, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3218, 805.781.7170, slocity.org October 23, 2017 TO: Cultural Heritage Committee FROM: Brian Leveille, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Queenie Warden Bridge Plaque Discussion: At the CHC meeting of July 24, 2017, the committee briefly discussed the proposal for a plaque commemorating Queenie Warden at the location of the Warden Bridge in Mission Plaza (see attached memo). The CHC endorsed the direction of the project and there was consensus that further details should be refined so the plaque could return for final review. A mockup of the plaque has been completed for final review. Staff anticipates there may still be some minor modifications to the final proposed text language . The CHC may elect to form a subcommittee to complete final details of text review and plaque installation details. Alternatively, at the time of the meeting staff may be able to provide final details with updates at the time of the meeting which the CHC would be comfortable with final endorsement. Attached: Queenie Warden Bridge plaque mockup July 24, 2017 CHC memorandum QUEENIE WARDEN BRIDGE ,1927 HIS BRIDGE is dedicated to Queenie Warden (1861-1944) in recognition of her civic and social leadership in San Luis Obispo during its formative years. Queenie came to San Luis Obispo after marrying a pioneer rancher and banker Horatio M. Warden (1828-1912). The construction of this bridge provided access to the back of the Warden building across the creek. In addition to raising their family, she became a succ- essful businesswoman and champion of progressive movements for suffrage and temperance. In 1896, she joined the Political Equality Club, and two years later began managing the Warden family businesses which included several downtownbuildings and the family’s 3,000 acre Highland Ranch. Queenie co- founded the Women’s Civic Club in 1915, and in 1917, she became the first woman to run for mayor, losing by a slim margin to incumbent Dr. W.M. Stover. Queenie was instrumental in working with the City Council for various civic improvements including a small park near the rail station (now Triangle Park).In the early 1940s, she was the proprietor of the Rexall store downtown known as “The People’s Pharmacy”. She was recognized by the San Francisco Chronical in 1918 as one of a dozen of “California’s Disting- uished Women” for suc- cess in business, profes- sions and the arts. Scale: 18” wide T City of San Luis Obispo, Community Development, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3218, 805.781.7170, slocity.org MEMORANDUM July 24, 2017 TO: Cultural Heritage Committee FROM: Brian Leveille, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Queenie Warden Bridge Plaque (Mission Plaza) Discussion: City Volunteer Historian, Joseph Carotenuti, has expressed interest in recognizing Queenie Warden as an important figure in the City’s history through a plaque installation on the bridge crossing San Luis Creek. The bridge crosses San Luis Creek in Mission Plaza behind the historic Warden Block building at 762 Higuera Street. Please see the attached Journal Plus Magazine article on Queenie Warden by Joseph Carotenuti. A few options of varying lengths for plaque verbiage are also attached. Provided the CHC is supportive and recommends pursuing the project further, staff will work to further refine the details and wil l bring back more refined concepts for further discussion including design, location, mounting options, etc. Attached: Journal Plus article on Queenie Warden, by Joseph Carotenuti Plaque verbiage options Queenie Warden Joseph A. Carotenuti Tens of thousands have walked over the bridge; there are even vehicles using it to access the backs of businesses facing Higuera Street. Built in 1927 linking the Warden Building to Monterey Street, few travelers know it was built by Queenie Warden and not by her husband, the civic legend, Horatio M. Warden. When his wife of 25 years, Maria, died in 1881, Horatio returned to an ongoing friendship to marry again. Warden born in 1828 in Granville, Ohio married Queenie Parr on November 30, 1882 in Grass Valley at the home of her mother Loraine Page Parr. While Horatio had left his home in 1850 for the gold fields of California, he maintained a friendship with his neighbors, the Parr family. For the 21 year old woman, the new life with the successful Warden could have been one devoted to family duties and attendant responsibilities. For Queenie, however, the next 62 years were ones of increasing maturity as both an adult and a prominent resident on the central coast. Moving to the Warden ranch in Los Osos, Queenie found her new home on the 3000 acre ranch filled with “every convenience and luxury any reasonable man can desire” according to a contemporary account. Complete with family memorabilia, it burned to the ground in 1930. While many might be content with the safety and security of wealth and privilege, Queenie excelled in maintaining the stature of her life but was most willing to share advantages with others. Here’s the story. Little is known of Queenie’s early years. The Page ancestors had arrived in America in 1630 with the family motto “Spe Labor Levis” (Hope Lightens Labor) that became especially appropriate for Queenie in her later years as a progressive resident and enabler locally. Educated in a convent school in Davenport, Iowa (her home state), the new bride also assumed the care of two adopted Warden children, Rosa Louisa and Joseph Wilkinson. Family life on the Warden ranch grew rapidly with the birth of three children: Queenie Moore (1884), Horatio, Jr. (1886) and Mary Loraine (1888). The latter child survived to 14. The eldest daughter would eventually marry Thomas A. Norton, the Superior Court judge and the son is remembered with his own building in town. Yet, amid the demands of family, when the various Warden interests were incorporated in 1898, Queenie became the president of the enterprise. One observer praised her “splendid executive and business ability.” Possibly for Queenie, managing a large household or business utilized the same skill set. Queenie’s interests outside the home had already shown themselves as she joined the Political Equality Club in 1896 and undoubtedly was in the audience that year to listen to the legendary Susan B. Anthony extoll the necessity of allowing women to vote. It was not to be until 1911. The nascent suffrage movement would be a constant theme in many of the female leaders’ issues at the time. For Queenie, however, talking about change was not enough. Words needed to be translated into deeds. Essential to an understanding of both the suffrage and temperance movements is the momentum provided by the women’s clubs. Quite often designated as “civic improvement” clubs, the ladies were not content in having meetings designed as merely social but also addressed what a community needed to do to become “progressive” as well. Thus, Queenie Warden became one of the five founding members in 1915 of the San Luis Obispo Women’s Civic Club. With the right to vote attained in 1911 in California, attention shifted to reminding those elected or wanting to be elected that the newly enfranchised intended on using their right. Quite often, political issues were part of the women’s monthly agendas. This was not sufficient for Queenie as she decided to take the next step in the political process and run for mayor in 1917. Losing to incumbent Dr. W. M. Stover by 76 votes (791-715), Queenie was quick to thank her supporters and reminded all she was not retiring from progressive causes. “Beware, I’m coming sure,” she ended her note of appreciation. Nonetheless, it would be some 50 years later before the mayor of the community was a female. Nor did the right to vote diminish temperance as the major agenda item on the social agenda. An important project locally was a small plot of ground near the railway station “El Triangulo Park” named after its shape. For ground donated to the club, Queenie appeared at City Council meetings enlisting their support. Obligingly, the City provided for a caretaker and free water to the site’s fountain. In an era of numerous saloons, a major temperance cause was providing water in public places in contrast to spirits. A nondescript pocket park today, Triangle Park remains as a reminder of the women’s (along with many men) efforts to challenge Demon Rum. Women’s clubs were also federated to promote a stronger presence on a local, state and national level. It was not long before San Luis Obispo’s chapter was federated and active in both social and political issues. Not all was well, however, and the Women’s Club disincorporated in 1926 amid a financial crisis. It seems Queenie spent a great deal of her own money in promoting various causes including expenses to bring the annual Los Angeles District Federated Women’s Club convention to the city. Some members objected to the amount of the treasury being spent and went so far as to refuse reimbursing Queenie who promptly filed suit for $10,000 against the Club. The resolution of the dispute was the deeding of the Women’s Club building to Queenie who eventually sold it. There is much more to be related about this energetic lady who was described by Annie Morrison in 1917 as: “an intelligent, understanding, sympathetic companion and guide; she controlled with a strong, but tender hand; she has been sympathetic without being weak, kind without condescension - an earnest, wise and unostentatious benefactor, whose benefactions have left no string; and in all good works she has modestly taken an important place.” Queenie Warden died in 1944. There should at least be a plaque identifying her bridge connecting more than two sides of a creek. For Queenie, progress meant connecting the present with a better future. Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com Visit: www.joefromslo.com Journal Plus Magazine June 2015 July 13, 2017 To: Brian Leveille; members of the CHC From: J. A. Carotenuti Several factors are to be considered for any verbiage on a plaque. The most important (other than accuracy) is the size of the plaque and its location for easy reading. Thus, the following are simply beginning suggestions. QUEENIE WARDEN BRIDGE (1927) QUEENIE PARR WARDEN (1861-1944) married civic pioneer, Horatio A. Warden, in 1882. Surviving her husband, she raised their three children and was a champion of social issues. During her long life, she was a business women and suffragette. She was the first woman to run for mayor in 1917 being narrowly defeated. To connect the then-Monterey Street to the back of her property, she constructed the first bridge across the San Luis Creek. 73 words QUEENIE PARR WARDEN (1861-1944) had a bridge constructed to connect her property with the then- Monterey Street. Mother of three, business woman and civic leader, she was the first woman to run (unsuccessfully) for mayor in 1917. 36 words QUEENIE PARR WARDEN (1861-1944), community leader, business woman and a widow with three children, she constructed the bridge to reach her property. She was the first woman to run (unsuccessfully) for mayor in 1917. 34 words