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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-04 packet.... TO: City of Saratoga; Heritage Preservation Commission FROM. City of Saratoga, Public Safety Commission SUBJECT: Proposal to Modify Roadway Configuration at the Intersection of Herriman Avenue and Saratoga Avenue In response to multiple safety. related :complaints from .Saratoga residents; the.Public SafetyCommission performed a.review of the intersection. at Herriman>Avenue and . . Saratoga Avenue. Sp ecifically,.the concerns expressed to the Public Safety Commission related to the absence of safe location from which.pedestrians.wishing.to cross Saratoga , Avenue from Herriman Avenue may approach the intersection to observe oncoming traffic. Additionally, concerns Were expressed that the current location of the (stop) limit line for vehicles approaching Saratoga Avenue from Herriman Avenue prevented drivers from adequately seeing oncoming traffic (due to limited line of sight). In its review, the Public Safety Commission performed site visits to the location, analyzed traffic accident data for the intersection and requested evaluative input by the City Traffic Engineer. In conclusion, the Public Safety Commission found that the current configuration of the intersection at Herriman Avenue and Saratoga Avenue did represent a significant traffic and pedestrian safety concern. To address this public safety issue, the Public Safety Commission recommended that the curbing on North -west corner of Herriman Avenue and-Saratoga Avenue be. modified (extended) in order to: A) provide a protected area for pedestrians to observe traffic before crossing the street, and B) relocate the Herriman Avenue (stop) limit.line further (east) toward Saratoga Avenue to allow for better visibility to oncoming traffic on Saratoga Avenue. A preliminary diagram of the proposed change is attached for your perusal. It is important to note that the selected design incorporated both safety functionality as well as aesthetics. It is the Public Safety Commission's belief that the proposed modification is in the best interest of the City. Please feel free to contact the Public Safety Commission if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your consideration and support on this important issue. Sincerely, . City of Saratoga Public Safety Commission 150.0' min. transition 150.0' min. transition ) Romps Sri U- LO SARATOGA AVE Ln Asphalt Paving Gobble/ Granite Areas Asphalt Dike Curbing '� i Lo 1 LO 1 L6 N LJ > < < ill i Ld Asphalt Dike Curbing LO PROPOSED SARATOGA/HERRIMAN INTERSECTION MODIFICATION. SCALE: 1" = 40' �"CS'1'JkC-7L- L,s Q J s5 L-C S ��H tiwi S "0 9A O o O G q C� City of Saratoga --s vu— 1 �� g-tS HERITAGE PRESERVATION- COMMISSION I AGENDA Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2004 9:00 a.m. Place: Warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Type: Regular Meeting 8 ?'k L C a MAS i MNO'Z- ,A- pf- ' >(C -rML ES ,AA��Q ��W 1� T NL US V-/AN-T I. Routine Organization B L�e vS A. Roll Call B. Approval of minutes from 2/10/04 S` C. Posting of Agenda - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda was posted on Thursday March 4, 2004 D. Oral & Written Communication - Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda. II. Old Business <" 2- � 5 Esc �M aD A. Grant for Historic Park Status �SCJ 4 Decide who will attend the Historic National Conference sus pdate status of Mills Act Contract 'kS< wi 0`SL Update on Sam Cloud House e/� "- t �X C" C� � v sI�► -1 � czA- o � n b � — to 'q�. �� � � L III. N,�e Business �,� gip/ l S � (So�9 r; s c J ss LQ b� �� �. Name park trail ...R' Discuss results of joint meeting with City Council 0t&Wss v Placing brass plaques on historic houses— ti��b D. Prepare HPC Work Plan to be approved by City Council with proposed t budget ���J E. Review current budget and budget for next year S � \JJ Items to be placed on the next V. Pending Items Review list of ` B Retreat VI. C. Historic Calendar D. Adopt a Tree Prol E. Historic Preserval Adjournment 9:00 a.m. Tuesday M AL,U lA-IJOMAKl6 .,ill -�a toys 'f N-3 M Q� AQ1�►C 6G-7 AQ7c OQ f; VA. JT �OLSC ss S (Con,,.naru�0� -tLON zo coJ�ctL p1 Aw C OJ'D J Sts. CY4-(S l.� J�ft'"C�G C ith structures 0 years and over in age. ., \ J✓0 (L� for the Heritag Orchard �k d I- - R' >ata Base W S� N 9, 2004, W er Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Ave IDA y� In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability- related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 408.868.1269 or ctclerka- saratoga.ca.us Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, John F. Livingstone, Associate Planner for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission of the City of Saratoga was posted on March 4, 2004 at the office of the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that location. The agenda is also available on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us. Signed this 4h day of March 2004 at Saratoga, California. John F. Livingstone, AICP Associate Planner 868.1231 City of Saratoga HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 8:30 a.m. Place: Warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Type: Regular Meeting The HPC will meet at 8:30 for site visits for items III. A, B and C. Please meet in the front parking lot by the Warner Hutton House and staff will provide transportation to the sites. I. Routine Organization A. Roll Call: PRESENT — Ballingall, Conrado, Koepernik, Peck, Bailey. ABSENT - Lowdermilk, GUESTS — Erna Jackman, Jill Hunter, Beth Wyman. B. Approval of minutes 'from 1/13/04 — Approved 5 -0 with the correction to add Mat Novakavich as a guest. C. Posting of Agenda — Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda was posted on Thursday February 5, 2004 D. Oral & Written Communication - Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda. - None II. Old Business A. Village Historic District Update — Recommended by CC to have businesses apply for the district themselves. B. Grant for Historic Park Presentation Preparation — Item discussed and continued to a special meeting February 17`h at 9:00am. III. New Business A. Review proposed addition to potential historic structure at 14601 Aloha Avenue built in 1941. —1 ' tem cancelled by the applicant. B. Review proposed additio to' potential historic structure at 12239 Titus built in 1880. Proposed addition approved 5 -0 with the condition that the windows be double hung and the materials match existing subject to staff approval. C. Review proposed addition to potential historic structure at 20431 Williams Avenue built in 1922. Proposed addition approved 5 -0 with the condition that the materials match the existing house and the final construction plans come back to the HPC for review. D. Topics for the March 3, 2004 joint�HPC /CC meeting — Item discussed. E. National Conference — Item discussed. F. Mustard Walk Follow up — Item discussed. G. Orchard Management Calendar IV. Items to be placed on the next Agenda — Discuss joint meeting results, name of the trail as requested by the Park and Recreation Commission Chair, and placing brass plaques on historic homes. V. Pending Items A. Review list of properties with structures 50 years and over in age. B. Retreat C. Historic Calendar D. Adopt a Tree Program for the Heritage Orchard E. Mills Act Contract F. Historic Preservation Data Base VI. Adjournment 9:00 a.m. Tuesday March 9, 2004, Warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue HPC BUDGET +$1,500 FUNDED -$100 California Historic Preservation Foundation Membership -$120 Art Works, to update dates on banner and two additional dates for next time - $202.21 Mustard Walk food and supplies 464.72 Mustard Walk food and supplies Total $486.93 expended Total amount left $1,013.07 City Manager's Office 13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 945050 Tel: 408/868 -1215 fax: 408/867 -8559 Memo To: Staff Commission Liaisons Cc: City Council, City Manager From: Lorie, Cathleen and Tom Date: February 20, 2004 Re: Meeting Follow up Just so everyone is clear about the outcome from last week's meeting, here's a summary: ■ Work Plan. For this year, Commissions should put together a work plan based on their goals and provide a copy to Cathleen by April 21. If any portion of the work plan involves funding, a cost estimate should be included. She and I will package them together to take to Council at the May 5 meeting. Commission chairs and staff should plan to attend the meeting. Council will review and approve all or part of the work plans, and any approved budget requests will be incorporated into the budget for 2004 -05. Next year and going forward, Commissions should have their work plans ready by February for presentation to Council at the first meeting in March 2005. This process applies to all Commissions except the Youth Commission. • Chair Elections. Chair and Vice Chair elections can remain on the same schedule as now. (Thanks to everyone for your feedback at the meeting.) • Minutes Format. Minutes become action minutes only effective now. Refer to the sample Cathleen gave you or ask one of us for help if you are uncertain. Email the approved minutes to Council. Please keep in mind that the format may evolve over the next few months. • Commission/Council Relations. Council is working on adding material to the Commissioners' Handbook that clarifies the relationship between them and Commissions, as well as Council expectations about Commission responsibilities. Council Commission liaison assignments will not continue beyond July 1, 2004. In addition, the trend is toward moving Commissions back to their mission as advisory policy bodies and away from sponsoring events, volunteering and fundraising. Right now the handbook is scheduled to go to Council for consideration on May 5 —at the same meeting as the work plans. ■ Commission Budget. Continue to submit to me a request for funds for Commission training, memberships, conferences, retreat food, business cards, office supplies, etc., for next year as we've done in past years. Any project -type funding must be included in their work plan and be specifically approved by Council. Questions? Just ask one of us. Thanks. • Page 2 City Council - HPC Joint Meeting - March 3, 2004 March 2003 — February 2004 Accomplishments: Site Visits & Review of 15 Historic Home Projects Heritage Orchard Oversight & Recommendations Heritage Resource & Mills Act Criteria Review with City Council Historic Criteria Training Session with Planning Commission Austin Way Heritage Lane - Design & Installation of Sign McWilliams House & Book -Go -Round Restoration Recommendations Historic Park Master Plan Development & Review Historic Park Grant Application & Presentation to County Joint Meeting with Historic Foundation regarding Village Historic District Boundary Recommendations for Village Heritage Orchard Information Booth at Library Grand Reopening Historic Calendar Design & Sales 3rd Annual Mustard Walk March 2004 — February 2005 On -Going Activities: Heritage Resource Project Reviews Heritage Resource List Management Historic Park Restoration (McWilliams House & Surrounding Site) Heritage Orchard Oversight Mills Act Contract Approval Historic Homes Plaques Qualify up to 3 homes for Mills Act On -Going Community Education Programs: Adopt -a -Tree Program Mustard Walk Historic Calendars Requested Support: HPC Training Fill Commission Vacancies Summary of the Joint meeting with the HPC and City Council March 3, 2004. Investigate the significance of State Historic Landmark #435 for the City of Saratoga. Designate more landmarks and Historic lanes such as Oak Street and Horseshoe Lane. Investigate Landmark status of Heritage Orchard and it's renaming. Investigate standards for historic signs. Received confirmation regarding HPC ability to maintain and update Heritage Resource Inventory. The HPC was commended for promoting the preservation of the City of Saratoga's historic recourses through the annual Mustard Walk with the recommendation to continue the annual Mustard Walk next year. Kant Part Drane Wilkinson, NAPC Program Coordinator Local preservation commissions throughout the United States are, or soon will be, grap- pling with how to deal with significant resources that do not meet the fifty -year rule. These resources may be 1950s and 1960s era infill scattered throughout an existing district, largely extant collections of post -war residential developments, "landmark" buildings by renowned architects, or some combination of the three. While a local government's ten- dency may be to ignore these resources, to not designate them or to not subject them to the same stringent design review as older properties, there is also a growing recognition that they are representative of their time in history and worthy of protection. But how should commissions deal with the challenge of recent past resources? If a commission does not prevent the "earliering -up" of post -war buildings and allows an owner to make a resource more architecturally compatible with the older buildings around it, the commission may be opening itself to accusations of helping create a false sense of history. Conversely, if a commission does not allow these alterations and protects the buildings distinctive nature, it may be opening itself to accusations of failing.to protect and enhance the districts' historic character. Increasingly, commissions are also faced with questions of how or whether to protect extant districts of post -war resources like 1950s subdivisions. These districts may not fit the common notion of "historic," but they do have their own distinct feel. The time imme- diately after World War II represents one of the largest building booms in the history of the United States, during which time new styles, construction methods and materials were being utilized. If designated, these districts present the commission with the standard raft of questions- where to draw district boundaries, when to permit demolition, how to deter- mine infill compatibility, what treatments are appropriate, etc. Post -war building materials also present challenges. Many construction materials used in these resources have proved to be unstable, like some kinds of fiberglass, or potentially hazardous like asbestos. To what degree is it acceptable (or even feasible) for a commis- sion to require a property owner to replace them with like or visually similar materials? Awareness of the importance /value of recent past resources is growing. Recent years have seen the formation of the Recent Past Preservation .Network (RPPN) and Documentation and Conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the Modern Movement (DOCOMOMO). Recent past districts and individual buildings are increasingly being added to the National Register of Historic Places; and some cities have begun to include post -war resources in their architectural surveys. Whether for good or ill, local preservation commissions are next in line to address the issue and should be ready to consider the recent past. NAPC produced an issue of the Alliance Review on the recent past in 2001, however pro- fessionals are still learning how to deal with these issues. The National Park Service recently published a brochure on the subject and has added a page to their Web site vcusing on preservation of recent resources. We view this as a positive step toward stan- .ardization of the vocabulary and the practices of preserving the recent past. This issue of the Alliance Review asks three preservationists to discuss their views on the subject. In additon, Cory Jensen's typology of post -war residential buildings answers many ques- tions surrounding these often confusing house types. Enjoy! TAR Jan /Fab 2004 3 Rcmrt Part Arapahoe Acres on tour, October, 2003 National Preservation Conference, Denver, CO. "Maybe if people started to listen, history would stop repeating itself." -Lily Tomlin A. 1957 building plan "New Trends in Selected Homes," Home Building Plan Service, 1957 [Portland, OR] LISTENING TO LILY WHY WE SHOULD PRESERVE THE RECENT PAST NOW George Kramer, Kramer & Company, Ashland, Oregon "You want to preserve what ?" "You think that is historic ?" Both are questions that most commissions and review boards have heard at some point. The nature of the designation of historically significant properties often involves decisions that those unfamiliar with preservation find, shall we say, puzzling. This isn't new. It wasn't that long ago that efforts to save Queen Annes or bungalows were met with exasperation and eye- rolling by developers, a response that was all- too - frequently shared by the public. This was especially true when preservation moved beyond Colonial and pioneer -era structures. Today, though, preservation has proven itself an important economic revitalization tool and more and more cities and neighborhoods realize that their history, physical appear- ance, and character are important elements in their success. There remains little dispute about the general value of preserving pre -WWII structures. Designation battles, while still an issue, are less frequent and most Americans view preservation as worthwhile, or at least worth sed- �q rte" ously considering. rx That can't always be said, however, for post -WWII architecture, particu- larly residential buildings, and that bias is unfortunately often reflected in the opinions of historic commissioners. Sure, there are a few examples of "modernism" that because of design or association with a particular architect, are recognized as signif- icant. Arapahoe Acres, an exceptional post -war subdivision in Colorado, has been listed on the National Register and Levittown, Pennsylvania, arguably the "first" post -war subdi- vision, has been determined eligible for such listing. Several other communities, most notably Phoenix, Arizona, have taken great strides in documenting post -war subdivisions as historically significant but this is hardly typical. By and large post -war dwellings, par- ticularly when located within a designated historic district of predominantly earlier designs, are at best viewed as unfortunate intrusions. Commissions, and bungalow- or Victorian - dwelling neighbors, when confronted with planning actions concerning such buildings, may have difficulty considering them historic. In review they may encourage solutions that destroy original character in favor of "compatibility." Such situations ignore the fact that the post -war buildings themselves are more than 50 years old. And then there are entire post -war subdivisions that can easily have hundreds of essentially identical resources. No matter how intact, such areas don't readily mesh with the image the public, and `'t � M many commissions, have of historic districts. - Subdivisions? But they're just ranch houses and "builder specials!" They're fly ugly and plain and they represent the beginnings of sprawl, the sworn enemy ' of historic preservation and vibrant downtowns! Have you even read James �,. Kunstler? These subdivisions are just cookie - cutter architecture, devoid of 4 F9, - individuality or design, and they were spewed out by the thousands! How can any self- respecting Historic Review Board consider them historic? We'd be . the laughingstocks of (fill in your community here)! First, of course, preservation isn't about "pretty" architecture, although often what we work to save is in fact phenomenally well designed. It is our job to remember and educate the public that there are four criterion for listing on the National Register, criterion that most local ordinances mimic, and that only one, Criterion "C," con- cerns itself with the way a building looks. Criterion "A" recognizes significance through 4 NEWS from the NATIONAL ALLIANCE of PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS i� association with the broad themes of our history. I always take a certain glee in pointing out that it is the first criterion. Whatever you may think of post -war architecture in general, and of , ranch houses or subdivisions in particular, it is hard to deny that they are associated with highly significant themes in our history. In many ways xt" they're synonymous with the post -war period, when a two -car garage, green lawn, and sectional sofa represented "success." Ranch houses permeated the popular culture. It was a ranch house that Dick and Laura Partridge came home to, where Dick could trip down the step into v the living room. Ward Cleaver may have opened the door on a two -story Colonial knock -off but Master and Jeannie were ranch house denizens.��' So were Darrin and Samantha on Bewitched, complete with nosy neighbors, and the Brady Bunch (remember, Mike Brady was an architect!) Hundreds of other television shows, motion pictures, and novels have used ranch homes and suburbia as important elements. Ranch houses and the architecture of the 1950s and 1960s were "cool," and are becoming so again, if they aren't already. There is a strong market in "retro appli- ances"' both newly built in colors like "Harvest Gold" and "Avocado" as well as restored 40 -year old units.2 Companies that specialize in reproduction lighting are rushing 1950s and 1960s "Atomic Age" fixtures into production as more and more people begin to restore and rehabilitate post -war homes. In recent years Hollywood has exploited the sameness of subdivision living in movies from Edward Scissorhands and Pleasantville to Blast From the Past. The snobbish dismissal of whole classes of resources based on date or style is hardly new. In the 1950s a Victorian was what you lived in if you couldn't afford a place in the suburbs with a barbeque. Victorians had stairs, for goodness sake, and we're not talking a single step into a sunken living room. They had incredibly tall ceilings (expensive to heat), narrow windows (too dark), and all that outdated fussy trim (who will do the dust- ing?). Twenty years later once -dreary Victorians were back in fashion but Craftsmans and bungalows were still "squat," plain and lacking 'historic' detail. This pattern of serial dis- missal, followed by appreciation, continued as Art Deco and Streamlined Modern designs have come to be recognized. Aided by This Old House and cable television an entire industry has been built around Craftsman and bungalow architecture, including upscale "neo- C rafts man" subdivisions. In each case, be they Victorians, bungalows or Art Deco, some of the best examples of each type were razed or remuddled before decision - makers and the public cared enough to save them. We may not like the fact that people tore down wonderful nineteenth century buildings to build split - levels 50 years ago but the fact of the matter is that they did. And they were usually congratu- lated for it, just as were those who tore down vernacular dwellings to built the Queen Annes and bungalows we now celebrate. In reality, post -war architecture, well -done, is just as interesting from a design standpoint as anything else. It's just newer. The comedian Lily Tomlin once quipped that "Maybe if people started to listen, history would stop repeating itself." Preservation's history includes the loss of countless exam- ples of particular architectural styles or types because few recognized their value until it was too late. As a result, much of preservation can be cynically viewed as "saving the best of what is left." Historic review bodies across the nation are now in a position to allow that cycle to repeat or to listen, and learn from our history by pro - actively identifying and, where appropriate, designating our best post -war architecture as significant. ReaW Part Brady Bunch house http://www. seeing - stars. com/ ImagePages/BradyBunchHouse Photo. shtml Harvest Gold Kitchen American Olean tile catalog TAR JaxlFcb 2004 5 Decent Part This will not be easy. Many commissions have worked hard to establish credibility and are finally integrated into local land use planning process, shedding the mantle of "hys- terical commissions" that so plagued preservation only a short while ago. I've sat on a commission and I know the uncomfortable feeling of leading a charge to save a building that few others value. Planting our flag in a 1960s subdivision of ranch houses or an early concrete block and glass auto dealership won't be easy but it is clear that these resources will, as have all other resource types before them, eventually gain general acceptance as significant resources of their time. That is, at least, if they survive. Few eras in American history have so changed the way our nation lived, traveled, and worked as the years following World War ll. Buildings and neighborhoods that effective- ly relate the styles and character of that period are tied to that change, and in many cases will be significant and worth preserving simply because of that association. In a recent - National Register Bulletin, David Ames and Linda McClelland wrote "As the post -war suburbs approach 50 years of age, they are being included in local sur- veys .... The number eligible for listing in the National Register is likely to increase dramatically, presenting 1= a major challenge to decision makers and preserva- tion planners." 3 So. Does your town have neighborhoods or buildings that remain substantially intact from the post -WWII period? Are you ignoring them or worse? Historic - y ` commissions that have such structures should begin � ti jr ♦. �i�f�t A i _ =mil t_� _ the process of evaluating and yes, even designating 9 – them as historic now, while as many examples as —�� possible remain. This will require substantial public -� education about why they are worthy of designation, - µ ' :N wh the can and should be mentioned in the same / Y Y breath as a Queen Anne or Craftsman and, yes, why they should be valued. Preserving the recent past e offers a huge opportunity to teach the preservation ethic and educate a whole new segment of the com- From: Better Homes and Gardens munity. This time, let's listen to Lily and save the best Guide to Home Repair, 1957 that we have, rather than the best of what's left. 1 See Silverman, Rachel Emma. Built to Last: Why Retro Fridges Are Hot Among Appliance Buffs. (Wall Street Journal), 20- Sep -2002. 2 It is interesting to me that generally valued old things are called "vintage" where old things that are valued by a minority, or are from the grey area that separates historic from old, are dubbed as "retro." 3 Ames, David L. and McClelland, Linda Flint. National Register Bulletin - Historic Residential Suburbs. (USDI /NPS, September 20023, pg. 3. 6 NEWS from the NATIONAL ALLIANCE of PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS John Livingstone From: baileywick @att.net lent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 11:37 PM To: willys peck; thomas lowdermilk; paul conrado; phylis ballingall Cc: beth wyman; ann waltonsmith; bob louden; John Livingstone; april halperstand; stan bogosian Subject: Grant Presentation Dear HPCers: I wish to add my thanks to everyone for attending tonight's session with the County. Paul's presentation was first rate and appeared to be very well received by the Commission. Added comments by Wilys struck just the right note. And having all of us there, including the Mayor (thanks Ann!) was a big plus. The biggest thanks goes to Phylis. She wrote the qualifying application and worked hard on getting all the background info we needed to best position ourselves. Well done! For those not able to attend, here's the competition in order of tonight's presentations. The organization requesting grant dollars is not listed, just their locations. Sunnyvale:build Murphy House replica at Orchard Park San Jose:restore two statutes in St. James Park Saratoga:restoration work at Hakone Gardens San Jose:restore interior of Andrew P. Hill House San Jose:install windmill & water tank at Emma Prusch Farm Mountain View:build water tank at Rengstorff House Saratoga:repair pergola at Montalvo San Jose:construct trolley barn Campbell:repair roof of Ainsley House museum SC County:restore barn at Bernal Ranch Palo Alto:restore garden at William's House Available funds total $511,132. We'll know the outcome when it's announced at their next meeting March 18th. Pat Bailey r" Z,-A 1\.)LZ " CnAy�