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Minutes
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Monday, May 22, 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, May 22, 2017 at 5:33 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, Craig Kincaid, Glen Matteson, Vice-Chair
Shannon Larrabee, and Chair James Papp
Absent: Committee Members Thom Brajkovich (recused) and Damon Haydu
Staff: Senior Planner Brian Leveille, Associate Planner Kyle Bell, Associate Planner
Rachel Cohen, and Recording Secretary Monique Lomeli
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Consideration of Minutes of the Regular Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of
September 19, 2016:
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BAER, SECONDED BY VICE-
CHAIR Larrabee, CARRIED 4-0-1-2, the Cultural Heritage Committee approved the Minutes of
the Regular Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of March 27, 2017, as presented.
Committee Member Matteson abstained, having not attended the March 27th meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
1. 546 Higuera Street. ARCH-0339-2017: Review of the repositioning and rehabilitation,
including an addition to the rear of the Master List Norcross House; and review of a
proposed construction of a two-story structure behind the Norcross House, with a
categorical exemption from environmental review; C-R zone; Higuera Commons, LLC,
applicant.
Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of May 22, 2017 Page 2
Associate Planner Kyle Bell provided a power point presentation and responded to
Committee inquiries.
Chair Papp asked a series of questions to staff regarding how the project could be found
exempt from environmental review and noting that the additional information previously
requested on the additions had not been provided.
Senior Planner Leveille responded to questions regarding staff’s analysis of how the project
was eligible for a categorical exemption and that there were not changes in the project
which would result in adverse changes to the significance of the Norcross House.
Applicant John Belsher submitted written correspondence for the record, discussed the
project, and responded to Committee inquiries.
Committee Member Matteson noted that it appeared the applicant had responded to the
previous CHC directional items provided in the staff report.
Committee Member Baer stated she is uncomfortable supporting approval of the project
prior to receiving additional information on the significance of the additions at the rear of
the structure.
Committee Member Kincaid stated agreement with Committee Member Matteson’s
comments.
Vice-Chair Larrabee stated that is appeared the original construction portion of the home is
most significant and spoke in support of approving as presented.
Chair Papp stated there is insufficient study of the additions; and noted concern for the use
of a categorical exemption without having the information. He stated that without
understanding more about the additions and their possible significance the CHC cannot
make the environmental determination or make a recommendation.
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BAER, SECONDED BY
COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, CARRIED 4-1-2, WITH VICE-CHAIR LARRABEE
OPPOSED the Cultural Heritage Committee continued the item to a date uncertain, requesting
further evaluation, by an “independent” City qualified architectural historian, on the historic
significance of the additions at the rear of the Norcross House.
2. 570, 578, 590 Marsh Street & 581 Higuera Street. ARCH-2213-2015: Determination of
historic significance and review of responses to previous Cultural Heritage Committee
feedback on a project adjacent to the Historic Jack House for a new mixed-use project that
includes three four-story structures, with 19,792 square-feet of commercial space, 62
residential units, 36 hotel rooms, and a two-level underground parking garage with 136
parking spaces, with a categorical exemption from environmental review; C-D zone; The
Obispo Company, applicant.
Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of May 22, 2017 Page 3
Associate Planner Rachel Cohen presented an in-depth staff report, passed around material
boards for reference, and responded to Committee inquiries.
Chair Papp noted that he went on site to check the accuracy of the shading study, and that
the shadows on site did not correspond with what was shown in the study.
Project Manager Jenny Emrick briefly addressed the nine (9) directional items incorporated
in the San Luis Square project and responded to Committee inquiries.
Public Comment:
Bob Spector, San Luis Obispo spoke in opposition of the project.
Chuck Crotser spoke in favor of the project and encouraged the Committee to adopt the
resolutions.
Kathi Settle, Chairperson for the Jack House Committee, and voiced concerns with density,
parking, and tree preservation.
John Ashbaugh, San Luis Obispo, spoke in favor of the project.
Katchi Andrews voiced concerns regarding project massing.
Dorothy Sundbye voiced concerns regarding density and the limits the building will place
on Jack House events.
Following public comment, Chair Papp asked for Committee Member disclosure of ex-parte
communications.
Committee Member Matteson disclosed he received an email from the applicant regarding the
project.
Chair Papp disclosed his concerns over “hard lobbying”.
Vice-Chair Larrabee stated concerns with lack of remedy for potential damage to Jack House
trees and opined the applicant did address directional items from previous CHC/ARC review
except that based on Chair Papp’s concerns over the accuracy of the shading study and that
adequate evaluation was not available regarding the potential impacts of the project on the Jack
House.
Committee Member Baer stated the project is overwhelming for the location.
Committee Member Kincaid stated that he thought the applicant has addressed all previous
directional items even though they may not be to the CHC’s satisfaction.
Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of May 22, 2017 Page 4
Chair Papp stated the viewshed and lightshed of the Jack House Garden would be compromised,
the integrity of the setting association and feeling would be significantly compromised, and
could affect the Integrity and Historic Significance of the Jack House. He stated he believes it
qualifies as an exception to the exemption from environmental review due to potential adverse
impacts to the Jack House and voiced concerns with the shade study inaccurately representing
the potential impacts of shading the project would have on the Jack House gardens.
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY CHAIR PAPP, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
BAER, CARRIED 5-0-2 to find the existing structure at 570 Marsh Street is not historically
significant.
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY CHAIR PAPP, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
BAER, CARRIED 4-1-2, WITH COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID OPPOSED the Cultural
Heritage Committee continued the item to a date uncertain, finding an exception to the
exemption from environmental review based on potential adverse impacts on a historical
resource, and recommending preparation of an initial study pursuant to CEQA; and,
recommending preparation of an independent shading study prepared with a different
methodology.
COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
Senior Planner Leveille provided an agenda forecast. Committee Member Baer requested future
meetings expected to be 4 hours be divided into two meetings. Committee Member Larrabee
voiced agreement with Committee Member Baer’s comments.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m. The next Regular Cultural Heritage Committee meeting
is scheduled for Monday, June 26, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm
Street, San Luis Obispo, California.
APPROVED BY THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE: 07/24/2017