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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-06-16 CHC Correspondence (Price)1'l1� QMemorandum J DATE: June 2, 2016 TO: Cultural Heritage Committee FROM: Lee Price, Interim- City Clerk Meeting:2Lb1 - )� o Item: ins-I&�,ipr� 1W Mkt RECEIVED CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO JUN 0 2 2w COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUBJECT: Agenda Correspondence regarding draft minutes of March 28, 2016 Staff has identified minor typographical and formatting revisions in the previously distributed draft minutes of the March 28, 2016 Cultural Heritage Committee meeting. Please consider the attached draft minutes, including corrections. Cultural Heritage Committee Minutes i+a DRAFT SAN LUIS OBISPO CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE MINUTES March 28, 2016 CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Cultural Heritage Committee was called to order on Monday, March 28th, 2016 at 5:33 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Hill. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Shannon Larrabee, James Papp (arrived 5:35), Sandy Baer, Craig Kincaid, Leah Walthert and Chair Jaime Hill Absent: Vice -Chair Thom Brajkovich Staff: Senior Planner Brian Leveille, Associate Planner Rachel Cohen, Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell, Assistant City Clerk John Paul Maier and Recording Secretary Brad T. Opstad CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER PAPP, CARRIED 6-0, to approve the Minutes of the Cultural Heritage Committee meeting of February 22, 2016, as amended: Page 3, third paragraph revised to read: "...Project Architect Duffy described the of the intent to create..." PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS None. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 71 Palomar Place. ARCH -2193-2015; Review of proposed rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, and repositioning of the Master List Historic Sandford House property as part of a 41 -unit multi -family residential project, and review of a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact; R-4 Zone; LR Development Group, applicant. Chair Hill noted that substantial correspondence had been received regarding this item. Committee Members indicated they had had the opportunity to review them. Draft CHC Minutes March 28, 2016 Page 2 Senior Planner Leveille and Associate Planner Cohen provided an in-depth staff report and responded to Committee questions. Representing the applicant, architect Thom Jess presented the conceptual design, landscape plan and overview of the demolition and re -build plans. He emphasized that the Sandford House will remain the tallest building on the site. Truitt Vance, structural engineer, described the preliminary civil and structural engineering plan and the process anticipated for re -locating the century -old structure. Committee questions to the applicant's representatives followed regarding the property's ownership, the status of the adjacent lot, building height, land grade, space design and occupancy projections. Thom Jess reported that the applicant had consulted with the City and had been informed that the highest demand in affordable housing was for studio units. Barry Price, Applied Earthworks, explained that his firm prepared the project's historical inventory and evaluation, complimented the architect and property owner for adjusting the plans and design several times to comply with the Historic Preservation Standards and summarized key findings. PUBLIC COMMENT The following residents of San Luis Obispo spoke in favor of the project: Bob Nastase, President of Delta Tau Foundation Kirk Lemon, President of Alumni Victor Johnson, President of Delta Tau House Corporation The following residents of San Luis Obispo voiced opposition to the project, sharing a variety of concerns including the number of units planned, neighborhood compatibility, plans to relocate the Sandford House, removal of trees, traffic, noise and plans to re -open Luneta Drive: Lydia Mourenza Tom Norwood Bob Mourenza Cheryl McLean Linda White Carol Florence, representing neighborhood collective "Save Luneta" Ed Benson Mila Vujovich-La Barre Elizabeth De Haan Barbara Remillard Peter Crough ---End of Public Comment--- Draft CHC Minutes March 28, 2016 Page 3 Committee Members Larrabee, Baer and Walthert expressed concerns about the number of housing units proposed for the site. Committee Member Papp observed that the Sandford House is on the Master List of Historic Resources because of its own characteristics as a structure, not because of its surroundings and asserted that repositioning the house would not compromise its historic nature. Committee Member Kincaid noted that the Commission's purview is the historical element of the proposed project and not density, streets or City planning. He indicated he had been compelled by Earthworks' presentation to vote for allowing the project to move forward. Chair Hill indicated she was not concerned about shifting the House if it enhances its status in historic listings. She expressed concern about the "cultural landscape" and how the project might disrupts that landscape; and voiced her opinion that the project is more appropriately discussed under the Committee's purview in terms of massing rather than density. Chair Hill noted that the House is currently overwhelmed in scale by the large -block nature of the planned multi -unit structures; addressed comments pertaining to both interior of the private residence and requested exceptions; suggested new construction should take some detailing cues from historic structure; and questioned the height of retaining walls and the lack of long-term bicycle parking availability. The Committee discussed at length the appropriateness of the relocation of the House and the proposed multi -unit addition. ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR HILL, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BAER, the Commission continued the item to a date uncertain with the following direction: 1. Maintain aspects of the cultural landscape of the Sandford House by reducing the extent to which it is relocated and increase the distance between the historic house and the right-of-way and the new development. 2. Re-evaluate ways in which to reduce the scale and massing and detailing of the new development to ensure that the new construction does not overwhelm the prominence of the historic residence. a. New construction should not mimic the historic house, but elements such as fenestration, window patterns and other detailing should be considered that highlight the historic elements of the Sandford House. Draft CHC Minutes March 28, 2016 Page 4 Motion passed 4:2:1 on the following vote: AYES: Hill, Baer, Kincaid, Walthert NOES: Larrabee, Papp ABSENT: Brajkovich 2. 1516 Broad Street. ARCH -2225-2015; Review of proposed new two-bedroom dwelling behind the Renetzky House, a Master List Historic Resource in the Old Town Historic District; Exempt from environmental review per CEQA Guidelines § 15301 (Existing Facilities); R -2-H Zone; Gary Bagnall, applicant. Chair Hill noted that the Committee was in receipt of one piece of correspondence regarding this item. Assistant Planner Oetzell provided the staff report and recommendation, and responded to Committee questions. Applicant Representative and Architect, Jon McAlpin, read for the record a neighbor's letter expressing support for the revised proposal and provided a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the plan in context with adjacent properties and the revised floor plan. PUBLIC COMMENT Peg Pinard, San Luis Obispo, (speaking as the owner of the property next door to project) expressed appreciation for revisions proposed to the project so far but singled out remaining issues including the height of the structure, slope of the roof (which infringes on her solar access), and access to underground electrical wiring. Chair Hill interjected with brief commentary regarding requirements for electrical connections being completely outside the purview of CHC. Applicant Shane Bagnall, San Luis Obispo, addressed the issues of garage roof pitch and access to the power pole, as referenced by Ms. Pinard. Committee Members Kincaid and Baer shared that it was evident that the Applicant listened to Committee's suggestions. Committee Member Larrabee concurred and added that the project is appropriate and a nice upgrade to the site. Committee Member Papp agreed with the Applicant's position that the lower pitch roof would be inferior aesthetically and expressed gratitude to the architect for mitigations that designed the subordinate structure to not compete with the master list building. ACTION: MOTION BY CHAIR HILL, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER PAPP, the Commission adopted a Resolution recommending that the Community Development Director find the proposed construction of a two-bedroom dwelling behind the Renetzky House, at 1516 Broad Street, a Master List Historic Resource in the Old Town Historic District, consistent with the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines and with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Draft CHC Minutes March 28, 2016 Page 5 Historical Properties, as modified (Finding #1 of the resolution to read as follows: "Provide more specific support for finding that there is architectural consistency between the proposed new accessory dwelling and primary residence, including the consistency of architectural details and the appropriateness of the roof form and pitch".) Motion passed 6:0:1 on the following vote: AYES: Hill, Papp, Baer, Kincaid, Walthert, Larrabee NOES: None ABSENT: Brajkovich 3. 1127 George Street. ARCH -2085-2015; Review of proposed addition of three dormers to the roof of a single-family residence that is a Contributing List Historic Resource; Exempt from environmental review per CEQA Guidelines § 15301 (Existing Facilities); R-2 Zone; Alan Marten, applicant. Chair Hill introduced Assistant Planner Oetzell to render Staff Report. Assistant Planner Oetzell introduced Application for Architectural Review of dormer addition. Richard Breska, Applicant Representative and Architect, displayed PowerPoint images of the dwelling and discussed the intention to access light into the office -use (permitted 25 years ago) and to remove aluminum skylights, which are out -of - character with the building. Applicant Breska responded to Committee questions regarding the design of the dormer. In response to Committee Papp's further inquiry, Planner Oetzell stated that since a Contributing Listing building enriches historic nature of an area rather than being an exemplar of itself, the level of scrutiny allows for more latitude in alterations than in case of Master Listed buildings; Chair Hill elaborated that the level of threshold in applying standards in the case of a Contributing Listing building is considering whether contributing alterations are still identifiable in a particular style. Committee Member Papp voiced his opinion that the plan to place three dormers front -and -center radically changes the roof that is integral to structure; suggested alternative placement concepts that are not visible to streetview. He added that he'd be more comfortable with an Application to remove the house from the Contributing List in order to change the fagade. Committee Members Walthert, Baer and Kincaid shared respective opinions that proposed dormers positively enhance look of the home, make it more distinctive and more fitting with architectural genre, and that it doesn't interfere with historic components of house. Committee Member Papp retorted that plain hipped roof is defining characteristic of the house. Draft CHC Minutes March 28, 2016 Page 6 Chair Hill indicated she tends to agree with Committee Member Papp about the dormer being placed in front, but also stated that doing so is not inconsistent with historic preservation guidelines which allows for alterations such as this to make these properties viable and going forward into future as living spaces. ACTION: UPON A MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LARRABEE, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, the Committee adopted a Resolution recommending that the Community Development Director find the proposed Dormer additions at 1127 George Street consistent with the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines and with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historical Properties. Motion passed 5:1:0:1 on the following consensus vote: AYES: Larrabee, Kincaid, Baer, Walthert, Hill NOES: Papp RECUSED: None ABSENT: Brajkovich COMMENT AND DISCUSSION Staff Updates: Senior Planner Leveille shared updated amendments to the Railroad Historic District's boardwalk design standard, a longstanding issue that the CHC first reviewed in October 2015 and that Public Works is actively pursuing to resolution; requested Committee feedback on brick paver installation -as -replacement option. In response to Committee Member Baer's inquiry, Planner Leveille indicated that the images shown in presentation material of various brick paver layout patterns were options to consider as preferred design on which CHC is asked to make an improvement recommendation. Chair Hill reminded that any amendment to the Specific Plan would ultimately be subject to CHC review at future date. The Committee recommended its preference to be more "distressed brick" in appearance than "concrete" or "tile". In response to Chair Hill's inquiry, Planner Reveille affirmed that the Railroad Historic District's is the only historic district Specific Plan that gets down to this Advisory Body level of detail. Chair Hill stipulated for the record that the CHC strongly endorses and encourages any unique or unusual public improvements in historic districts be standards -reviewed by the CHC. Senior Planner Leveille updated on following: Historic District sign installation now fully completed by Public Works; Chinatown coming up on last few weeks of archaeological work & CHC Member tours being scheduled beginning this Friday; April 11th CHC Special Hearing has been removed from calendar. Draft CHC Minutes March 28, 2016 Page 7 Agenda Forecast: Senior Planner Leveille provided an agenda forecast for the April 25th, 2016 meeting: Oath of Office for returning Committee Member Brajkovich; Garden Street fagade re- model; Historic Resources Master List applications for 535 Higuera & 1214 Mill; CEQA Study Session. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Brad T. Opstad Recording Secretary