HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/21/1999, C5 - PROPOSED REUSES OF THREE CITY-OWNED HISTORIC ADOBES council °"° °.=z -�
acEnaa Report 'C5
CITYOF SAN LUIS 0 B I S P 0
FROM. Ken Hampian,Assistant City Administrative Officer
Prepared By: Wendy George,Assistant to the City Administrative Officer W�
SUBJECT: PROPOSED REUSES OF THREE CITY-OWNED HISTORIC ADOBES
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve the recommendation of the Cultural Heritage Committee that the City's three historic
adobes be restored for use in the following manner:
• La Loma de la NoRalera Adobe - museum and display space with exhibits emphasizing the
Mexican and early American periods.
• Rodriguez Adobe-museum and display space;neighborhood community building.
• Rosa Butron de Canet de Simmler Adobe - museum and display space; meeting spaces; a
caretaker residence; and gardens for weddings,barbecues, etc.
DISCUSSION
Background
Over the years, the City has been fortunate to acquire three 19th century Mexican era adobes, with
the intention of making them available to the public as examples of an earlier lifestyle. The Friends
of Las Casas de Adobe (FOCA) have entered into a partnership with the City to restore the
buildings. As one of its first steps, FOCA contracted with architect Gil Sanchez, specialist in
historic reconstruction, to complete a "Condition Assessment and Preliminary Rehabilitation
Study" for the adobes. The study makes recommendations for the eventual public reuse of the
adobes, including addressing issues relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA).
Mr. Sanchez's recommendations have been slightly modified by FOCA and were presented to the
Cultural Heritage Committee(CHC) for its review on May 24, 1999. The CHC evaluated FOCA's
suggestions and recommended their approval to the Council. In doing so, the CHC found that
FOCA "had made sound, pragmatic use recommendations based on a technical report by Gil
Sanchez, FAIR, and that the proposed uses were appropriate for the adobes' long-term
preservation."
The three adobes are different examples of the City's housing in the Mexican era and the transition
to the American period. In the recent past, numerous adobes were "rehabilitated' throughout
California, with the unfortunate result that in restoring them to contemporary usage any value they
had as "historical records" of this type of earthen structure was lost. These adobes represent a now
rare opportunity to preserve in one City three examples of adobe construction with state wide, as
C54
Council Agenda Report-Use of Adobes
Page 2
well as community, significance.
It is the intention of the City and FOCA to take advantage of all possible opportunities to educate
the public on this heritage in each of the proposed uses. Wall displays of historical information and
photographs, as well as period furnishings, will be an integral part of the restored buildings.
Individual use agreements between the City and FOCA will be developed in the future to address
such details and define the actual administration and operation of each adobe. However, at this
time, staff is asking Council to approve broad overall use concepts so that FOCA can move forward
in developing actual construction documents for restoration of the buildings.
FOCA Proposals for Reuse of the Adobes
After evaluating the proposals made by their architect, the FOCA Board of Directors presented the
following uses for the three City-owned Mexican era adobes to the CHC:
La Loma de la Nopalera Adobe (1590 Lizzie Street) - FOCA recommends that the first floor be
rehabilitated as a museum and display space, with exhibits emphasizing the Mexican and early
American periods in California. Unlike the architect's suggestion, however, they recommend that
the restroom be placed in the reconstructed outhouse, rather than inside the building as shown on
the preliminary design plan. FOCA also differs from the architect in proposing that the second
floor of the building not be used by the general public, since the required improvements, including
ADA accessibility, would be very disruptive to the historic fabric of the building. FOCA proposes
that only basic electrical facilities be installed upstairs (a single light and outlet in each room), and
that the structural system be restored to accommodate only minimum loads, instead of creating an
upstairs caretaker's apartment and meeting rooms. The upstairs could still be visited, on a limited
basis, for research or informational purposes.
Rodriguez Adobe (end of Brooking Drive)- FOCA recommends that this building be adapted as a
museum/community building for use by the neighborhood association and other small groups. This
proposal for use is the same as that made by FOCA's architect. The house and site would be
rehabilitated as a simple historic adobe ranch of the 1840's and 50's with a minimum of
contemporary features. Wall displays would depict ranching practices of this earlier era. The area
surrounding the building is already designated by the City as a small neighborhood park, and the
Parks and Recreation Director is comfortable with the recommendation that the landscaping and
any outbuildings remain simple and in keeping with more pastoral times.
Rosa Butron de Canet de Simmler Adobe (466 Dana Street) - FOCA recommends that this adobe
be adapted for museum/meeting space which could be used by FOCA itself, as well as other
community organizations, while still retaining its historic stature. They also suggest that a
caretaker's residence be constructed in a portion of the existing wood-framed additions to the adobe
for increased secruity. The grounds of the building contain many beautiful old trees. Once the area
is cleaned up and planted, FOCA proposes that it be use similarly to the Jack House gardens for
weddings and other social functions. The old bam behind the building could be rehabilitated to
house restrooms and a catering kitchen. These recommendations follow those made by FOCA's
architect.
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Council Agenda Report-Use of Adobes
Page 3
CONCURRENCES
The Community Development Director, Public Works Director and Parks and Recreation Director
concur with FOCA's recommendations.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to approving the conceptual reuse of the adobes. As the project develops,
funding for the actual cost of reconstruction will come from many sources such as existing and
future grants, an existing developer's contribution and gifts.
ALTERNATIVES
1. The Council may prefer to adhere to the recommendations made by the architect for the La
Loma Adobe. Staff agrees with FOCA that the architect's proposals for the second floor
would require significant changes to the historic fabric of the building, including adding an
elevator, and would also be much more expensive. FOCA's recommendation seems more
in keeping with both the adobe's integrity and the financial reality of the project.
2. The Council may wish to propose other possible uses for one or all of the buildings.
Attachments
1 -Letter of recommendations from FOCA
2 -Recommendations from Gil Sanchez,FAIR
3 - CHC Staff Report for May 24, 1999
4 - CHC minutes for May 24, 1999
C5-3
Council Agenda Report.-Use of Adobes
Page_3
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to approving the conceptual reuse of the adobes. As the project develops,
funding for the actual cost of reconstruction will come from many sources such as existing and
future grants, an existing developer's contributionand gifts.
ALTERNAT WES
1. The Council may prefer to adhere to the recommendations made by the architect for the La
Loma Adobe. Staff agrees with FOCA that the architect's proposals for the second floor
would require significant changes to-the historic fabric of the building, including adding an
elevator, and would also be much more expensive. FOCA's recommendation seems more
in keeping with both the adobe's integrity and.the financial reality of the project.
2. The Council may wish to propose other possible uses for one or all of the buildings.
Attachments
1 -Letter of recommendations from.FOCA
2 -Recommendations from Gil Sanchez,FAIR
3 -CHC Staff Report for May'24, 1999
4-CHC minutes for May 24, 1999
C5-4
ATTACHMENT 1
ty 77.
Z
COMMUNr7Y PARCNS [�
Estab7ishrd In 1995 to Pmsr,,pmts,and testort San Luis Obispo's hlstor,adobes
April 13, 1999 RECEIVED
Mr. Jeff Hook 'APR
o PR 14 1999
ci
City of San Luis Obispo SAN
990 Palm Street COMMUMjy DE�EL PMENj
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 !
RE: Uses of the La Loma, Rodriguez and Butron adobes.
Jeff,
The Board of Directors of the Friends of Las Cases de Adobe(FOCA)has agreed on recommendations for
the uses of the La Loma, Rodriguez and Butron adobes. Our recommendations are similar to what was in the
Sanchez report with a few modifications.
La Loma de la Nopalera Adobe.
FOCA recommends that the first floor be rehabilitated as a museum and display space with exhibits
emphasizing the Mexican and early American periods.We recommend that the restroom shown on the
Sanchez plan be removed from inside the building and placed in the reconstructed outhouse at the north east
comer of the house.We recommend that the second floor not be used. Because the required improvements
would be very disruptive to the historic fabric of the building,the Board agreed that minimum electrical
facilities be installed(a single light and outlet in each room)and that the structural system be restored to
accommodate only minimum loads.
Rodriguez Adobe.
FOCA recommends that this building be adapted as a community building for use by the neighborhood
association and other small groups.The house and site should be rehabilitated as a simple adobe ranch of
the 184tYs and 5tYs with a minimum of contemporary features.With carefully planned utilities,the.building
can be functional and still depict the time when agriculture shaped the economic development of the area.
Rosa Butron de Canet de Simrrder Adobe.
It is recommended that this building be adapted for meeting space by FOCA and possibly other community
organizations and that a caretaker residence should be constructed in a portion of the existing wood framed
additions to the adobe. In addition,the surrounding property should be adapted for weddings, barbecues and
similar functions with restmoms and a catering kitchen in the rehabilitated barn behind the adobe.
We understand that these used need to be reviewed and approved by City staff,the Cultural Heritage
Committee and the City Council and we ask that this process be started.We are proceeding with our contract
with Gil Sanchez for detailed analysis and final design of the rehabilitation of the three buildings. If we can
offer any further information or assistance, please don't hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
Robert S.V y,Treasurer
CADosesIndobeuse.atx
C5-5
Po'st Office Box 15114, San Luis Obispo, California 93406
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�-�. _' 120DRIGU2.� ADOBE
determine its age. In the ceiling on the north side, there is an opening in the ceiling
which should be studied to determine its function(an earlier stove?).The enameled
sink and faucet are newer, but the cabinet is quite old and should be preserved.
Shingles on the north wall are a 1960s addition and may be removed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The residence is wired for electricity but no fixtures remain. Flectrical wiring in
the main part of the residence is a combination of knob and tube and modem con-
duit. Electrical systems and plumbing will require upgrading for a new use.
OUTBUILDINGS
The barn,tack room, and garage north of the residence are no longer there, but
were typical of simple ranch structures. According to the 1967 sketch, there was a
wire fence surrounding the house and bam.
RECOMMENDED NEW USE PLAN
It is recommended that the Rodriguez Adobe be adapted as a community build-
ing to serve the surrounding neighborhood and be operated by the City of San Luis
Obispo in conjunction with a neighborhood association.The hillside can be used as
park land but should not be"improved"by introducing so many contemporary fea-
tures that it loses its feeling and setting of a ranch The residence will be rehabilitated,
retaining the simplicity of the original ranch house while adapting it on the interior
with contemporary amenities.
The considerable amount of historic fabric which remains(walls and roof fram-
ing) can be preserved while the building continues to provide a place for people to
come together for activities.The residence is a link to the days when great ranches
spread across the hills and agriculture was the economic base; the building can be
used as a backdrop to tell the stories of the Californios and other early families who
shaped the history of San Luis Obispo.
Since all parts of the adobe residence appear to be from the ranching era (late
1840s and 1850s), all the rooms should be preserved except for the board partition
walls on the porches built with post-World War 11 lumber and wire nails.The adapta-
tion of the building interior for the new use should function well so that it will be used
often by small groups, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or garden clubs, etc A new
d
separate toilet/catering building should be constructed away from the residence tc
•'• ' ''' handle the heavy-use functions which generate a lot of foot traffic
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ake� t and Pneliminary Rehabilitation Study
RODRIk JEZ ADOBE11K. • 0R
ADOBE RESIDENCE
It is recommended the two center rooms be used as Meeting and Recreation Rooms
with outlets in the wooden floor to provide electricity for audiovisual equipment.The
kitchen will be kept with its historic sink cabinet and perhaps a wood-burning stove,
but will not be a functioning kitchen.The west room will be adapted with a kitchen-
ette unit for serving coffee and cold drinks,and a toilet will be placed in the southerly
portion of the room near the front porch.The east room will be left open for now as
a possible future office space,should an environmental group or other organization
need an office.Interpretive panels for the walls can be designed which tell about the
families that resided in the house. The wooden porches will be reconstructed, their
design guided by the historic details which remain. Doors and windows can be de-
signed and manufactured based on the existing photograph and evidence remain-
ing at the door and window jambs.
SITE
The southeast portion of the site will be adapted for barbecue/picric functions.
The parking lot will be placed at the bottom of the hill with a walking path through
the trees to the picric tables and barbecue which are southeast of the building under
the eucalyptus tree. Paving in the immediate area around the house will be decom-
posed granite for a natural appearance. Except for a drop off parking space for the
disabled and delivery trucks on the north side, the grassy slope will be left as open
space and the view down the hill will remain unobstructed.
Near the parking lot on the southeast, a new board and batten structure will
house accessible toilets and a catering kitchen/table storage area.This new building
will serve the large group functions which require durable construction materials.
Should there not be public interest in large group activities (barbecues, weddings,
corporate picnics, family reunions), this building could be kept smaller with only
toilets.If an interest in community gardens arises from the community,garden areas
could be placed at the bottom of the hill with access from the parking lot.This activ-
ity would be in keeping with the ranch atmosphere and tradition.
REFER TO SECTION 1
STRUCTURAL SKETCH SECTIONS
PAGES 15, 17 i
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Bumt ADOBE
RECOMMENDED NEW USE,
RATIONALE AND WORK TASKS
USE RECOMMENDATION
i. It is recommended that the Rosa ButrGn de Canet residence can preserve th
significant amount of historic fabric it contains while functioning as a Communit
Meeting Room. A group of approximately fifteen persons could meet in the mai
room while side rooms can accommodate small committees and storage of audi
visual equipment,etc.The surrounding grounds provide a park-like setting for we(
dings, family reunions and corporate or institutional barbecues and picnics. Th
story of the long use of the property can be told through interpretive panels on th
walls.
To determine an appropriate new use,the character-defining spaces,finishes an
features of the historic building and site must be identified(Secretary of the Interior
Standards for Rehabilitation 1997).Spaces or finishes designated as"primary cha)
acterdefining spaces" must be preserved and protected. Slight alterations deeme
necessary to return the building to a new use are allowable in primary spaces, br
character-defining spaces,finishes,and architectural features must be preserved."Se(
ondary character-defining spaces" are of less importance to the building and ca
accept greater changes.Because secondary spaces are more utilitarian in nature,it i
recommended to place the necessary contemporary amenities in the secondary-cha;
' ° acterdefining spaces (Jandl, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Servi(
Preservation Briefs 18. Rehabilitating Interiors in Historic Buildings).
a
PRIMARY CHARACTER
Nortk 5 DEFINING SPACES
m�fi c nA � Three rooms--the adobe main roor
S �G and front meeting rooms on the east an
west sides---are the primary characte
Toilets defining rooms as they remain close t
D;5&W their appearance during the years Butrn
de Canet and Simmler lived there (s(
Proposed Use Plan, left). These roon
kf ?)Am E � should not be altered, and existing fec
F Catering tures such as the fireplace and exdstm
Kitth , finishes should be retained. This is sc
plaster with white wash for the mai
room and wallpaper for the adjoinir
ri. rooms.For the present,keep all layers
wallpaper until a close examination
CWeWg^'s the layers can be made for each roof
Wbeelehelr Rocessi ble fah I Quar'fers and a course of action determined.It me
be decided to keep portions of origin,
wallpaper where possible and,where o
oa ! eas are damaged,to replace it with a r
r To k+ production type of manufactured pap
P40►n }Citchen to match the original.It is recommends
( � to involve a wallpaper expert in this plc
nin
PArw"9 1" Mae In the main room, FOCA shou
keep the exacting flooring for now as itairs
ter re
or M serviceable,making short term rep
Mcerfir� R=M hazardous holes. For future rehabilit
! m " tion,the areas in each room below exi:
ing flooring will need to be studied to d
ter inn exactly what type of flooring e
0 o a e ists or existed below the present floor.
C5-9
38 1998 Condition Assessment and Preliminary Rehabilitation Study
BL A0W ADOBE
SECONDARY CHARACTER DEFINING SPACES
The kitchen and bathroom to the northwest are later alterations and are consid-
ered secondary character-defining spaces.The kitchen is serviceable as it is,but should
revisions become necessary,they can be made within this room.The northwest toilet
room can be adapted to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities
Act.The bedroom and bathroom to the northeast have been altered since the inter-
pretive period. Likewise, should a studio apartment within the building be needed,
the bedroom area in the northeast corner could be adapted for a small living quar-
ters without altering the building exterior.
The barn is considered a secondary space but should retain its earliest exterior
appearance. It is recommended that additions to the Barn be removed, leaving the
Bom detached from the residence. likewise, the northwest wing (probably not yet
fifty years old)and covered patio do not contain noteworthy architectural fabric and
somewhat detract from the integrity of the house during the years it served as Butron
de CaneVs and Simmler's home. The adobe portion with wood additions and the
north bedroom contain early historic fabric and can best interpret the important
years when traditions from Mexican California overlapped and blended with the
traditions of immigrants from the New England States.It is recommended to preserve
the shed near the creek,but it is probably not from the interpretive period and is not
considered character-defining.
WORK TASKS REQUIRED FOR NEW USE
Costs for the following items are not included in the Rehabilitation Budget '
1. Design and construct n Designate g parking area to the west of the residence. Desi ate n
parking space for the disabled.Using portable wood rumps, provide access into
the main room through the back °
door.This door will also be the _ ——
main door for those parking in the E K
west parking area.
2. Rehabilitate the Barn, adapting it , �5 E N 2 N
for use as a catering kitchen and
�1
storage for outdoor events.
Construct two ADA-compliant °T'
restrooms at one end of the Bain.
3. Retain a landscape architect ��1
sympathetic to historic landscape I CMW
areas and identify historic plants I 3 . .... PMO 1
0121
and trees to retain.Adapt area to 1
function for weddings and large LM as1
gatherings, adding what is needed I 11
for the area to function well while I
retaining its traditional historic 1 P " 1
ambience.Do not attach new I 1
structures such as trellises to the 1 4a 18 1
historic buildings.Keep newly I 1
added features, if they are
absolutely necessary for the new I 1
use, in areas away from the historic 1 14Q
buildings so as not to confuse the I pis '="P"O'' P13 1
1
historic appearance. If fountains, I
WAN
6 Fc �%12 1
trellises, paving, etc are needed, 1 WMrOak c2Wo-e 1
locate in an area which will be I 6 4* °9�- 1
"understood"as new. Repair front 1 9
brick walkway so that it provides a I 10"L
flat surface. 12„
4. Finish rehabilitation of shed near _creek by adapting it for storage of
tools and equipment in support of I _AM_——
outdoor functions. C5-10
Gil Sanchez,FAIR,and Daryl Allen-Sanchez Architect Inc.-:Santa Cruz 39
ADOBE
I.
RECOMMENDED USE PLAN
The residence would make a fine�allLO�R
Mexican and nce American g ery area with exhibits emphasizing ti.
I tterns in th
area Could be told by exhibits off th early farThe o ies whof o inhabited tent his house fror
Quintana and Maria ConcepdtSn Borondn and her families to later American owr
ers.If it can be documented, the information about the weddings of Boronda's chi;
dren held at the house would supply information about early Mexican families rr
maining in the fabric of the newer American California For this use to be a success
however, there must be a museum organization with staff in place to operate th,
museum on a daily basis. possibilities may be the following:
• An existing museum which wishes to expand and move into the building; or
• A new non-profit group which organizes for the purposes of operating the
museum and arranges for changing exhibits, gathers a permanent collec-
tion, and offers programs such as lectures, living history events and outdoor
early crafts activities, etc.
FOCA should conduct a study to identify an appropriate user group with the staff
and resources to operate and maintain the building.If there are no museum organ.
zations who find the building appropriate for their objectives, it is recommend ed to
1111 Ike LJYJF. rehabilitate the first floor as small offices for non-profit cultural
' ' ` Offices and toilet facilities could fit within the first floor. groups. Four small
FIRST FLOOR
MUSEUM/GALLERY
furl.IG i
Ile
ThLBT Fri F�C.✓r E�411�� QSI aT
ll �
H H
M
¢g '�
B4f1BIl�✓ N
Note:Medoni_
cal ducts,
registers and
electrical
conduits will be
located under
wood Floor.
M5q$NCPI�R H VMTCIe
P Note:Furnace,ducts and water heater
�C{ZPt�je shall be placed in attic
f
56 1998 Condition Assessment and
Preliminary Rehabilitation Study
LA LvMA ADOBE
SECOND FLOOR
If the museum or gallery needs to use the rooms upstairs, it will be necessary to
construct an elevator for accessibility for the disabled.It is possible to install an eleva-
tor for wheelchairs, but it would have a considerable impact on the appearance of
the building as well as being finely costly. Should it become necessary to place
offices or exhibits upstairs,then the elevator should be placed at the northeast comer
alongside the reconstructed toilet building.
It is recommended to adapt the upstairs as an apartment as it is always desirable
to have someone living on site for security reasons.A kitchenette, a bathroom and
new flooring would have to be added for a comfortable living space,but this could be
done without a major impact on the residence.The stairway would have to be rebuilt
for a safer access,but this could be done in the same location.Planners should check
the requirements for handicapped accessibility at the time of the rehabilitation and
work toward a design which satisfies all accessibility requirements while protecting
historic fabric to the greatest degree possible.The Historic Building Code allows some
leeway when accessibility requirements might conflict with preservation of historic
fabric
SITE
The public would enter from a park-
ing area to the west on a paved(soil/ce-
ment)path to the building.The exhibits
��
would be located in the main rooms and
the historic kitchen. The south room
would have to be accessed from the east. r The kitchen could be set up as a 1920s
era kitchen if more information can be .
located about it It is recommended to
reconstruct the outhouse, the chicken y
coop, and other site amenities that can i
be verified in historic photographs.
®
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PpRKIN6
C5-12
Gil Son�hPf
- ATTACHMENT 3
�IIIIIIII I u IIIIIII II I I MEMORANDUM
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TO: Cultural Heritage Committee
VIA: John Mandeville, Long-Range 'ng Manager
FROM: Jeff Hook, Associate Pl
MEETING DATE:. May 24, 1999
SUBJECT: Iterrt #2: Request from the Friends of Las Casas De Adobe to review possible
adaptive reuses of three City-owned.historic resources: La Loma de la Nopalera
Adobe, Rodriguez Adobe, and the Rosa Butron de Canet de Simmler Adobe.
The Friends of Las Casas•de Adobe have entered into an agreement with the City to restore, manage
and help preserve three City-owned adobes. With the technical assistance of Gil Sanchez, AIA, the
Friends have completed a "Condition Assessment and Preliminary Rehabilitation Study" for the
adobes. The Study includes recommendations for adaptive reuse which have been considered by the
Friends and which are now being presented to the CHC with a few modifications.
Reuse recommendations, once approved by the City Council, will become the basis for detailed
analysis and final restoration design for the adobes. Since the CHC advises the City Council on.
matters related to historic preservation and historic resources, the Friends have requested CHC
review and support for the proposed "reuses", as described in the attached letter. Also attached are
use recommendations and conceptual floor plans from the 1998 Sanchez report (Committee
members received.the complete report when it first came out).
Committee members should consider the use recommendations in terms of: 1) physical/structural
adaptability of the historic resources (grounds and building) for the proposed uses; 2)
historical/cultural suitability of the historic.resources for the proposed uses; and 3) the types and
range of building/landscape changes necessary to accommodate.the proposed uses, and then forward
a recommendation to the City Council based on the Action Alternatives below.
Action Alternatives
The Cultural Heritage Committee should consider the following alternatives for addressing the
proposed uses of the City-owned adobes and forward a recommendation to the City Council;
1. Recommend that City Council approve the proposed reuses, based on the following:
(Committee should list findings which explain why the proposed uses are appropriate from a
historic preservation perspective), or
C5-13
CHC Staff Report
Page.2
2. Recommend that the City Council modify the proposed reuses as described below and based
on the following findings:
(Committee members should describe the range or types of uses which would be appropriate
where different from those proposed by the Friends of Las Casas de Adobe, and list findings
why these uses are appropriate and other uses are not appropriate):
3. Continue the item for additional discussion or with direction. to provide additional
information.
Attachments
jh/ .aiC-5-99b.rpt
C5-14
ATTACHMENT 4
MINUTES
SAN LUIS OBISPO CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting of Monday,May 24, 1999.
The meeting convened at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room (Room 9), San Luis Obispo City
Hall, 990 Palm Street.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Steve McMasters, Paula Carr, Margot McDonald, Bob Pavlik, Bob
Schrage, and Matt Whittlesey.
Absent: Amy Kardel (arrived late).
Staff: Jeff Hook, Associate Planner.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of April 26, 1999 were approved as submitted, on a
motion by Committee member Whittlesey, seconded by Committee member McDonald, on a
6-0 vote (Committee member Kardel absent).
Committee member Kardel arrived at the meeting.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:Elect a Chair and Vice-Chair to serve one-year terms.
This item was moved to the end of the agenda to allow the Committee to consider the public
hearing item first.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
1. Consider nominating the following properties to the Contributing Properties List: 501
(formerly 610), 644, 654, and 676 Mountain View; 249. Mission Lane; 728, 734, and 752
Mission Street; 764, 807, 814, 815, 822, and 823 Murray Avenue.
Jeff Hook introduced the item and presented slides of the candidate historic properties. He also
reviewed the categories of historic properties (Contributing and Master List) and explained property
owner benefits and responsibilities of historic listing.
Chairperson McMasters opened the public hearing.
Ernest Rhode, 654 Mountain View, asked that his property not be included on the Contributing
Properties list.
Chairperson McMasters explained that it was the CHC's policy to abide by property owners' wishes
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CHC Minutes, Regular Meeting of May 24, 1999
Page 2
regarding listing of contributing properties, and that the minutes should reflect that this property,
while eligible for listing, was being removed from further consideration at the property owner's
request.
Mr. Rhode thanked the Committee and left the meeting.
Mr. and Mrs. Keif, 501 Mountain View, observed that their property appeared to be the "mystery
house" since there was no current photo of the property available to the CHC. They stated that the
house appearance had not changed from the older photo included in the CRC's agenda packet.
They did not object to Contributing Property listing and invited CHC members to come to their
home to see it and take a photo for the June CHC meeting.
Chairperson McMasters closed the public hearing.
On a motion by Committee member Schrage, seconded by Committee member Carr, the Committee
nominated the following properties to the Contributing Properties List: 644 and 676 Mountain
View; 728, 734, and 752 Mission Street; and 764, 807, 814, 815, 822, and 823 Murray Avenue.
Consideration of properties located at 501 Mountain View and 249 Mission Lane was continued to
the June CHC meeting to allow subcommittee members to revisit and photograph the homes.
The motion carried, 7-0. Committee members noted that property located 654 Mountain View,
while potentially eligible for the Contributing Properties List, was being removed from
consideration at the owner's request.
2. Request from the Friends of Las Casas De Adobe to review possible adaptive reuses of
three City-owned historic resources: La Loma de la Nopalera Adobe, Rodriguez Adobe,
and the Rosa Butron de Canet de Simmler Adobe.
Bob Vessely of the Friends of Las Casas De Adobe (FOCA) asked the CHC members to review and
comment on FOCA's proposed adaptive reuses of the three City-owned adobes. He noted that the
use proposals were based on work done initially by Gil Sanchez, an architectural historian and
architect who evaluated the adobes, but that the recommendations were modified by FOCA
members to reduce the intensity of uses which might require significant architectural changes to the
adobe, e.g. use of the Bowden-La Loma Adobe upstairs as a caretaker's quarters due to the
stairway/exiting requirements. They wanted to reduce the need for modernization or "mechanical
improvements" to the adobes, as much as possible, at least initially.
Committee member Carr supported the idea of doing the least improvements necessary to preserve
the adobes and make them useful and safe. She noted that the Rodriguez adobe's site has been the
most altered, so more change is reasonable there than with the Butron and Bowden-La Loma
Adobes.
Committee member Kardel found the proposed uses to be appropriate and observed that the issue of
whether the uses are economically feasible was beyond the CHC's purview. Other possible uses for
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CHC Minutes, Regular Meeting of May 24, 1999
Page 3
the adobes.could include as a historic archives for non-profit groups, offices or library. She
suggested that FOCA develop a press release asking for community ideas about possible uses for the
adobes.
On a motion by Committee member Pavlik, seconded by Committee member Carr, the Committee
recommended that the City Council approve the Friends of Las Casas de Adobe's (FOCA) proposed
adaptive reuses for the City-owned adobes, finding that FOCA had made sound, pragmatic use
recommendations based on a technical report by Gil Sanchez, AIA, and that the proposed uses were
appropriate for the adobes' long-term preservation.
The motion carried on a 6-0-1 vote (Committee member Whittlesey abstained because he is a
member of FOCA).
DISCUSSION ITEM
3. Consideration of scheduling a CAC Retreat. Chairperson McMasters asked for Committee
member ideas about the retreat. Most committee members felt '/2 day would be good, with the
meeting time split before and after mid-day lunch. Committee members also liked the idea of
holding the meeting at the Butron Adobe for four or five hours on either Saturday, July 17'h or
Saturday, July 3151, and suggested the following retreat topics:
• Designing a public workshop/seminar on San Luis Obispo's "Sense of Place."
• Chinatown
• How to make historic preservation programs effective.
Committee members wanted to invite City Council Subcommittee members (Settle and Ewan) to the
retreat for lunch and discussion, and decided not to invite a speaker this time to allow more time for
Committee member discussion and "brainstorming." In the future, Committee members wanted to
invite two speakers to a CHC meeting to discuss Cultural Geography (sense of place); and a
technical expert on historic preservation tools.
After a brief discussion, the Committee tentatively scheduled a CHC retreat for Saturday, July 17'
(July 3151 back-up date), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Butron Adobe. Committee members agreed
that the City Council subcommittee to the CHC should be invited to join the Committee for lunch
and discussion, and that tentatively, discussion would focus on ways to make City historic
preservation programs more effective. Additional discussion items would be identified at the June
CHC meeting.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Elect a Chair and Vice-Chair to serve one-year terms.
On a motion by Committee member Schrage, seconded by Committee member Carr,
Chairperson McMasters was re-elected to serve another year as Chairperson. The motion
carried on a 7-0 vote. On a motion by Committee member McDonald, seconded by
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CHC Minutes, Regular Meeting of May 24, 1999
Page 4
Committee member Carr, Committee member Kardel was elected Vice-Chairperson on a 7-0
vote.
INFORMATION ITEMS
• Response to CHC inquiry on reuse of construction materials at the Soda Works Project.
Staff reviewed the applicant's letter on reuse of construction materials for the Soda Works Project.
CHC members thanked staff for the follow-up and noted that in the future, conditions of approval
for similar types of project may need to be more carefully worded to provide clear direction to the
applicant and staff regarding reuse of historic building materials.
• Annual California Preservation Conference in Palm Springs.
Committee member Pavlik briefed the Committee on the conference, which he had attended.
• ICBO Workshop on Seismic Strengthening and Historic Preservation.
Committee member Schrage described an International Conference of Building Officials Workshop
he attended on April 9, 1999 at the San Luis Obispo City/County Library. He said the workshop
was informative and useful for the CHC's upcoming consideration of Post-Disaster Preservation
Guidelines.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE JUNE 28, 1999 CHC MEETING:
• Final batch of historic survey properties from the Mt. Pleasanton Square/Anholm neighborhood.
• CHC retreat topics
• Consideration of a request by Heritage Shared to sponsor a Historic Homes Open House.
• Status updates on Urban Futures' study identifying "blighted buildings", and the Palm Street II
project.
On a motion by Committee member Kardel, seconded by Committee member Carr, the Committee
adjourned at 7:45 p.m. to the regular CHC meeting to be held on Monday, June 28, 1999 in the
Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
These minutes were approved by the Cultural Heritage Committee at its June 28, 1999 meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeff Hook, Recording Secretary
JWL:chc5-99.min
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