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Home My WebLink About02-27-2017 CHC Minutes Minutes CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE Monday, February 27, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Cultural Heritage Committee CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Cultural Heritage Committee was called to order on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Hill. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Sandy Baer, Craig Kincaid, Shannon Larrabee, James Papp, Leah Walthert, Vice-Chair Thom Brajkovich, and Chair Jaime Hill Absent: None Staff: Senior Planner Brian Leveille and Recording Secretary Monique Lomeli. Other staff members presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None. --End of Public Comment-- APPROVAL OF MINUTES ACTION: MOTION BY VICE CHAIR BRAJKOVICH, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, CARRIED BY CONSENSUS 7-0 to approve the minutes of the Cultural Heritage Committee meeting of January 23, 2017 as amended: Page 1: Correct Roll Call section to reflect Committee Member Baer’s absence. Page 2: Add Committee Member Kincaid’s question on review of the tree removals PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Mission Plaza Concept Plan. OTHR-0172-2017: Conceptual review and discussion of the Mission Plaza Concept Plan within the Downtown Historic District; discussion of this item is not subject to CEQA; C-D-H zone; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of February 27, 2017 Page 2 Debbie Rudd, RRM Design Group, narrated a PowerPoint presentation providing background information and an overview of the Mission Plaza Concept Plan. Senior Planner Leveille provided information on the next steps for review of the Mission Plaza Concept Plan. Ms. Rudd responded to Committee inquiries and requests for clarification. In response to inquiry by Chair Hill, Manny Guzman, Senior Civil Engineer, stated the conceptual nature of the Mission Plaza Concept Plan does not currently include design detail, noting that once funding is obtained, design details will be developed and reviewed. In response to inquiry by Committee Member Papp, Ms. Rudd clarified the two existing pedestrian bridges are not accessible to the handicapped and clarified the intent and accessibility of the proposed new bridge. Public Comments: Chair Hill opened the public comment. Saro Rizzo, suggested incorporation of a simple play area to offer an amenity for children and parents using the area. --End of Public Comment-- Committee Member Larrabee voiced support for the concept and stated she especially appreciated the effort put into making the area handicap accessible. Committee Member Baer stated she enjoys the amphitheater and is unsure of whether she would like to see it changed but is otherwise pleased with the concept. Chair Hill stated the current design is not functional for families with small children and stated she would like to see more turf in southeast portion of the plan and voiced concern regarding the splash pad at the entrance of the plaza dissuading locals from doing business in the area. Committee Member Papp stated he admires the outreach efforts extended to the community; commented on the historical importance of the area and asked that its rich history be incorporated into the plans for signage, sculpture, and other placemaking efforts. Committee Member Brajkovich stated he thought the concept was thorough and incorporated the feedback from the community. He suggested the plan include a play area for children and recommended closing off Broad Street to accommodate the increase in pedestrian traffic. Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of February 27, 2017 Page 3 2. 116 Chorro Street. HIST 4114-2016: Review of a Historical Preservation Agreement (Mills Act Contract) for the Master List Historic Michael C. Halpin House, with a categorical exemption from environmental review; R-1 zone; Robert and Shawn Harper, applicants. Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell presented the staff report with use of a PowerPoint presentation. Public Comments: Chair Hill opened the public hearing. Buzz Kalkowski, inquired about the process monitoring maintenance of Mills Act properties. In response to Mr. Kalkowski, Chair Hill and Senior Planner Leveille provided information on the City’s process to review Mills Act improvements. Shawn Harper, applicant, inquired about the City’s purview for improvements or renovations to historical homes. --End of Public Comment-- Chair Hill responded to the home owner’s question, stating each property has a unique agreement but generally, for private residences, the City’s concern is related to the exterior design. In response to Committee Member Papp, Senior Planner Leveille stated the intent of the Mills Act contract is to enhance and present the historic character of the property. Committee Member Papp requested staff consider reducing the Mills Act application fees. Senior Planner Leveille stated that such consideration is underway. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER PAPP, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LARRABEE, CARRIED BY CONSENSUS 7-0 to forward a recommendation to City Council to approve the applicant’s request to be a part of the Mills Act Preservation Program. 3. 1020 Railroad Avenue. ARCH 2769-2016 & USE-2770-2016: Review of the installation of a new wireless telecommunications facility, including two new “chimney cupola” screening elements to be constructed on a Contributing List Resource within the Railroad Historic District with a categorical exemption from environmental review; C-R- S-H zone; Verizon Wireless, applicant. Chair Hill acknowledged receipt of correspondence from John Grady prior to the meeting. Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of February 27, 2017 Page 4 Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell presented the staff report with use of a PowerPoint presentation. In response to inquiry by Committee Member Papp, Assistant Planner Oetzell stated the City does not allow uncovered wireless telecommunications facilities. Public Comments: Chair Hill opened the public hearing. Applicant Representative, Robert McCormick, explained the current proposed design and responded to Committee inquiries regarding the necessity of the design, location and size of the antennas. Saro Rizzo, Building Owner, provided background information for the building and requested constructive feedback if a redesign is required. Chair Hill closed the Public Comment Period. --End of Public Comment-- Vice-Chair Brajkovich suggested an architectural redesign. Chair Hill requested staff provide information on the building height, particularly from Church Street. Committee Member Papp commented on the design and stated the building does not fit in with the essence of the railroad district and the design guidelines for the district cannot be elegantly applied to this building. Committee discussion ensued regarding the project’s consistency with historic preservation guidelines. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER PAPP, SECOND BY CHAIR HILL, CARRIED BY CONSENSUS 7-0 to continue the item to a date uncertain with direction to simplify the screening enclosure. Chair Hill left the room at 7:22 p.m. and returned at 7:24 p.m. LIAISON REPORTS Senior Planner Leveille presented a Memorandum of Understanding (included in the agenda packet) between the City and the Friends of the La Loma Adobe and responded to Committee inquiries. Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of February 27, 2017 Page 5 Chair Hill provided information regarding the potential uses of the space and invited Buzz Kalkowski to provide input on behalf of Friends of La Loma. Mr. Kalkowski provided background information on the property. Senior Planner Leveille provided an agenda forecast and information regarding training opportunities. Committee Member Papp requested the Committee agendize discussion regarding community outreach and cultural heritage education. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Cultural Heritage Committee is scheduled for Monday, March 27, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE: 03/27/2017