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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-2014 CHC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE MINUTES October 27, 2014 ROLL CALL: Present: Committee Members Sandy Baer, Thom Brajkovich, Hugh Platt, Patti Taylor, Victoria Wood, Vice -Chair Jaime Hill, and Chair Bob Pavlik Absent: None Staff: Senior Planner Phil Dunsmore, City Administrative Analyst James David, Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell, Contract Planner Rachel Cohen, Planning Technician Kyle Bell, and Recording Secretary Diane Clement City Administrative Analyst James David presented an update on the status of artifacts found during the 1987 Chinatown excavation. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES: Minutes of September 22, 2014, were approved as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: There were no comments made from the public. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 1. 1267 Fredericks Street. USE - 0038 -2014; Review of the historic status of a potentially- contributing historic property in the Medium - Density Residential (R -2) zone; SLOCA LLC, applicant. (Kyle Bell) Planning Technician Kyle Bell presented the staff report, recommending adoption of a resolution recommending the City Council place 1267 Fredericks Street on the Contributing List of Historic Resources. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Paul Allen, SLO, stated that this house was moved in 1928 from an older neighborhood to its current location close to Cal Poly. He added that the neighborhood has evolved and now there are many student residences and "mini- dorms ". He stated that the applicant owns three other parcels within a block of this house and intends to turn the neighborhood into an area of dense student housing. He supported preserving the house and placing it on the Contributing List of Historic Resources. CHC Minutes October 27, 2014 Page 2 Kathie Walker, SLO, stated that she had researched the history of the house and its owners: the original owners of the house were Louise and James Piper; Louise emigrated from England at age 14 in 1890; her parents owned Hill's stationery store in downtown San Luis Obispo; she married a concrete contractor; they had seven children; their youngest child, now 93, still lives in the City; this son still owns the brass stamp his father used on concrete projects, including at San Luis Obispo High School. She added that this son proudly described how his father built the house and thought the foundation would still be in good condition. She noted that he had not known the house was scheduled for demolition. She stated that she would like to see the son have input on the fate of the house. She encouraged preservation and pointed out that the story of the house contributes to its importance. Linda White, SLO, stated that the existing neighborhoods surrounding Cal Poly are being systemically converted from workforce housing to student housing and she urged the Committee to not allow the remaining historical resources to be demolished or converted to mini - dorms. Steven Walker, SLO, stated he also met Gene Piper, the son of the builder, who described the interior walls as 8" redwood planks overlaid with gauze, then felt, and finally wallpaper which provided insulation. He noted that Mr. Piper also stated his father was a prominent local builder who owned the first mechanized concrete mixer in the area and that his mother moved the house to its current location. He added that Mr. Piper himself was one of two local survivors of the D -Day assault on Omaha Beach. Mr. Walker called the house an amazing building and stated it would be painful to have it bulldozed. He supported adding it to the Contributing List of Historic Resources. Camille Small, SLO, supported preservation and listing for the house. She stated that she wishes there could be a category to preserve workforce housing because there are currently 14,300 Cal Poly students who cannot be housed on campus and it would take up several city blocks just to house an increase of 200 students. Vanessa Rizzo, SLO, stated that it is disturbing raising a family in this neighborhood which is becoming a mini -dorm area. She related that she lived in a house at 1789 Santa Barbara Street, built in 1900, that her mother kept in its pristine original condition so it would be great if this landowner wanted to sell this house to someone who wanted to maintain its integrity and the health of the neighborhood. She supported preservation. Eric Meyer, stated that there is a house across from the Salvation Army that was derelict but otherwise very similar to this house which was restored and is now master - listed. He encouraged the restoration of this house which is in far better condition. There were no further comments made from the public. CHC Minutes October 27, 2014 Page 3 COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Comm. Member Platt stated that the big window on the front left of the house is extraordinary. Comm. Member Brajkovich stated that he likes the unusual fascia detail on the gables and noted that the house is in very nice shape for its age and could be easily restored. He noted that the house is historically valuable because it was moved in the old days. He referred to another house on Archer Street, built in 1868 and moved in 1898, that was restored. He added that this house could easily be incorporated into a plan for more homes because it is on a large property. Comm. Member Platt agreed with Commr. Brajkovich and noted that the pushout on the left side is an interesting detail and he likes the porch but the only thing that bothers him is that it stands out in this neighborhood for its beauty and, being extraordinary, he is afraid that it will be overlooked. Comm. Member Baer stated that if the house is put on the Contributing List, people will be drawn to it more so it will be less likely to be overlooked. Comm. Member Taylor stated that it does standout in the neighborhood and she suggested putting a plaque on it. She supported Contributing List status. Commr. Hill — very nice, strong integrity, struggles with a contrib structure not in an historic district, but thanks the neighbors for telling the story of it and how it tells the history of the city, Marsh used to be residential. Would love to see a plaque stating the details of the story and why it is where it is. Commr. Wood stated that it is powerful when people tell the stories like this, makes decisions clearer. Comm. Member Pavlik agreed and stated that he wants the neighbors to share their information with staff and then staff can work with the applicant. He also agreed that the house appears to be in good condition and noted that anything 45 -50 years old accrues the right to be considered historic. Comm. Member Baer stated that somebody allowed the neighborhood to grow up around the house but that the house should not be punished for this. It has been there a longer time than most structures in the neighborhood and is in remarkable condition. She noted she is very interested in the interior wall construction. Commr. Brajkovich noted that the house has single -wall construction without studs. There were no further comments made from the Committee. CHC Minutes October 27, 2014 Page 4 On motion by Committee Member Hill, seconded by Committee Member Baer, to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council place 1267 Fredericks Street on the Contributing List of Historic Resources with the following modifications: 1) Change Finding 1 by replacing "enough" with "a high level." 2) Addition of Finding 4 to acknowledge the importance of the relocation. AYES: Committee Members Baer, Brajkovich, Hill, Pavlik, Platt, Taylor, and Wood NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: None The motion passed on a 7:0 vote. 2. 1123 Pismo Street. ARCH - 0167 -2014; Review for construction of a one - bedroom dwelling, workshop, and garage in a new two -story structure at the rear of a Master List historic property in the Old Town Historic District; R -2 -H zone; Brian O'Kelly, applicant. jWalter Oetzell) Assistant Planner Oetzell presented the staff report, recommending adoption of the draft resolution, recommending that the Community Development Director approve the architectural review application to allow the construction of a new dwelling and workshop subject to findings and conditions. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Eric Meyer, SLO, stated that he has restored eight houses within two blocks of this property, most of which received awards. He stated that Mr. O'Kelly is doing an awesome job and should be trusted to decide what to do. He noted that many of the old Portuguese houses have added rooms with shed roofs which adds character. He added that the more goofy and creative the new structures are, the better. There were no further comments made from the public. COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Comm. Member Wood stated that she likes the project and it fits the neighborhood. She noted that it is not clear it is the Committee's job to decide every window and color. Comm. Member Baer stated she is glad this house is being taken care of and this is a great project. She agreed with Mr. Meyer that the alley is like a different world and noted that the buildings are cute. Comm. Member Hill stated that the breezeway is fine and the roof line above it should be left up to applicant as should the windows. She added that she had two things she would like to see done: 1) carry over the design of the corbels and rafter tails on the CHC Minutes October 27, 2014 Page 5 house to subtly tie the house and new structure together and to fit in with the neighborhood. 2) true the wall of the carriage house if altering the carriage house to put in sprinklers. Mr. O'Kelly responded that he does not want that tied in with this project but he plans to do it as some point. Senior Planner Dunsmore pointed out that this is on the Mills Act to do list for this property but that the Committee could add some priority to getting this done. Comm. Member Hill agreed that this does not need to be added to the Resolution. Comm. Member Brajkovich stated that this building does not need to look like the front house because it has its own character. He added that he would like to see a lower roof over the breezeway but that using a different color for this structure is fine because it is totally separate with its own street, the alley. Comm. Member Taylor stated that she is in support of the project. Comm. Member Platt stated he is concerned about the historic nature of the house and asked if it was true that, when a house is declared historic, the whole property should be included. He added that he will support the project. Comm. Member Pavlik noted that for a large property at the base of Cuesta Grade, just a part of that property was carved out for historical status. He added that here the property is big enough to gain enough distance between the two structures. He stated that the split rafter tails idea is interesting and that the applicant could do the same design but in a different size. He noted that adding sprinklers to the carriage house could be a benefit and could potentially save it from burning to the ground. He supported leaving staff to work with the applicant on possibly lowering the roofline over breezeway and on the placement of windows and doors. At this point a motion was made by Comm. Member Platt and seconded by Comm. Member Taylor. Discussion ensued. Comm. Member Hill suggested Condition 4 be replaced with this wording: "Final details and orientation of the breezeway, windows and door openings, and architectural details, such as door decorations, rafter tails and trim shall be reviewed by the Community Development Director." Mr. O'Kelly noted that altering the breezeway roof would alter the privacy issue he has with a neighboring property which he called "dueling windows." Comm. Members Platt and Taylor agreed to replace Condition 4 with Comm. Member Hill's wording and the elimination of Conditions 1 -3. There were no further comments made from the Committee. CHC Minutes October 27, 2014 Page 6 On motion by Committee Member Platt, seconded by Committee Member Taylor, to adopt the draft resolution, recommending that the Community Development Director approve the architectural review application to allow the construction of a new dwelling and workshop subject to findings and conditions including the deletion of Conditions 1 -3 and the addition a condition stating that "Final details and orientation of the breezeway, windows and door openings, and architectural details, such as door decorations, rafter tails and trim shall be reviewed by the Community Development Director." AYES: Committee Members Baer, Brajkovich, Hill, Pavlik, Platt, Taylor, and Wood NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: None The motion passed on a 7:0 vote. 3. 549 Buchon Street. HIST- 0089 -2014; Request to remove 549 Buchon Street from the City's List of contributing Historic Resources; R -2 -H zone; John Cutter, applicant. (Rachel Cohen) Contract Planner Cohen presented the staff report, recommending the City Council adopt a resolution removing 549 Buchon Street from the City's list of contributing historic structures, finding the the de- listing is not considered a project under CEQA. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Eric Meyer, SLO, stated that this house needs to be "put down" because it is not worth saving. He added that the house is sagging and soggy from leaks, and the wiring is "haywire." He supported the staff recommendation. There were no further comments made from the public. COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Comm. Members Platt and Taylor supported demolition. Comm. Member Brajkovich stated that the house does not have much integrity and he is sure that whatever the applicant builds in its place will be much better. He supported delisting. At this point a motion was made by Comm. Member Taylor and seconded by Comm. Member Baer. Discussion ensued. Comm. Member Hill stated she wanted to make sure the findings are whatever is necessary and specific enough to justify delisting. CHC Minutes October 27, 2014 Page 7 Comm. Member Pavlik stated that he thinks there has been due diligence based on all the changes that have been made to the house, such as the chimney addition, the gable over the side door and other extensive alterations. There were no further comments made from the Committee. On motion by Committee Member Taylor, seconded by Committee Member Baer recommending the City Council adopt a resolution removing 549 Buchon Street from the City's list of contributing historic structures, finding the project exempt from environmental review. AYES: Committee Members Baer, Brajkovich, Hill, Pavlik, Platt, Taylor, and Wood NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: None The motion passed on a 7:0 vote. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 4. Staff Report by Senior Planner Dunsmore a. 2015 -17 Financial Plan Goal Setting Process - -two important dates: January 13, 2015, Goal Setting Workshop, and January 24, 2015, City Council hearing and adoption of goals. He noted it is very important to attend these meetings. b. Adoption of 2015 -2017 goals —new goals due November 18, 2014, review of new goals on November 24, 2014. c. Agenda Forecast: November 24, 2014, meeting - -goal setting and standard conditions.. d. Senior Planner Dunsmore updated the Comm. Members on various projects that have come before the Committee. 5. Committee a. Discussion of new goals: • Comm. Member Hill proposed a preamble to goals. • Comm. Member Brajkovich stated that Historic Resource Surveys, Goal 2 for 2013 -2015 are important and there is a need to speed up the surveys. • Comm. Member Pavlik noted that the Committee can have a long list of goals or a really focused shorter list and indicate that a lot of effort will be devoted to those goals. • Comm. Member Brajkovich stated that the current goals cover the essentials and he does not see anything to add. • Comm. Member Wood suggested a goal to have the Committee become a Commission. She noted that the Committee has done a lot to preserve the City's historic resources. • Comm. Member Hill noted that this could streamline work for staff and cut costs because projects would no longer go to both the CHC and ARC. CHC Minutes October 27, 2014 Page 8 • All agreed that this would be a good goal. • Comm. Member Brajkovich stated that the author of The New Urbanism told him that the City has remained a town and evolved while preserving the character of a downtown in an era when suburbia has expanded and is now dying. He noted the importance of continuing to maintain character and history to keep the City growing in an organic fashion. • Comm. Member Wood noted that this does not mean everything has to look alike and be historical. • Comm. Member Hill stated that if the CHC was a Commission it might be able to attract more architects. • Comm. Member Pavlik suggested deleting "...as time and resources are available...." from Goal 1 Historic Context Statement for 2013 -2015. • Comm. Member Platt suggested naming the other adobes in addition to the La Loma Adobe in a bulleted list in Goal 4. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Clement Recording Secretary Approved by the Cultural Heritage Committee on November 24, 2014. LauO Thomas Administrative Assistant III