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Home My WebLink About02-10-09 Heritage Preservation Commission Agenda PacketCity of Saratoga HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 8:30 a.m. Place: Regular Meeting — Please meet in the parking lot in front of the Warner Hutton House at 8:30 a.m. and Staff will provide transportation to the site visit under New Business and return to Warner Hutton House by 9:15 a.m. 1. Routine Organization A. Roll Call B. Approval of minutes from January 13, 2009 meeting. C. Posting of Agenda — Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda was posted on February 5, 2009. 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. E. Oral Communications — Instruction to staff regarding actions on current Oral Communications. 2. Old Business A. Discuss National Registry & Saratoga Landmark Plaques. 3. New Business A. 8:30 a.m. Site Visit — 13991 Saratoga Avenue ( Meason House) — Review of a request by Salim Sagarchi for a new fence and entry gates, new roof, and new paint colors. The property is located on the Heritage Resources Inventory and is commonly known as the Meason House. The site is located on a designated Heritage Lane. B. 21000 Big Basin Way (Hakone Gardens) — Review application by Lon Saavedra of the Hakone Foundation to designate Hakone Gardens as a Saratoga Landmark. C. Discuss appointment of new Chair and Vice Chair for 2009. 4. Pending Items A. Update the Heritage Resources Inventory List B. National Register Applications 5. Adjournment Adjourn to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2009, Warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. Please advise the Chair if you will be absent from the next scheduled meeting 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 ctclerk @saratoga.ca.us. Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. Any recommendation made by the Heritage Preservation Commission may be appealed to the Planning Commission within ten (10) days of the date of the decision. The appeal shall be taken by filing with the Secretary of the Planning Commission a written notice and filing fee within ten (10) days of the date of the decision. In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials provided to the Historical Preservation Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the Community Development Department Director at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, 'California 95070. Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made available for public review at the office of the Director at the time they are distributed to the Planning Commission. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Christopher Riordan, Senior 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 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 5th day of February 2009, at Saratoga, California /? Christophdr Riordan Senior Planner City of Saratoga (408) 868 —1235 City of Saratoga HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 8:30 a.m. Place: Regular Meeting — Please meet in the parking lot in front of the Warner Hutton House at 8:30 a.m. and Staff will provide transportation to the site visit under New Business and return to Warner Hutton House by 9:15 a.m. 1. Routine Organization A. Roll Call PRESENT — Commissioners Koepernik, McCarty, Tai, Vice Chair Marra, and Chair Kellond STAFF — Senior Planner Christopher Riordan, Assistant Planner Cindy McCormick, and Assistant Planner Michael Fossati GUESTS — Mr. Ben Davies and Ms. Ellen Stamos B. Approval of minutes from December 9, 2008 meeting. - Approved C. Posting of Agenda — Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda was posted on January 8, 2009— Senior Planner Christopher Riordan announced this item. 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 E. Oral Communications — Instruction to staff regarding actions on current Oral Communications. - None 2. Old Business A. Discuss National Registry & Saratoga Landmark Plaques - Item Discussed. Chair Kellond said that he would like to do a slideshow of the houses prior to awarding the plaques, thanked Senior Planner Christopher Riordan for volunteering to photograph the homes and asked that he send the completed historic forms to each HPC member, and that the presentation should pull out key points from the form. Commissioner McCarty said that the HPC should be present during the presentation. 3. New Business A. 8:30 a.m. Site Visit — 14103 Saratoga Road (Immanuel Lutheran Church of Saratoga) — Review of a request by T- Mobile for a 75 foot tall "mono- pine" wireless facility and underground equipment vault with an above ground electrical panel. The site is located on a designated Heritage Lane. — Site visit completed. Item discussed. Mr. Davis described the project. Commissioner Marra questioned why the applicant had chosen the location and why it could not be moved away from Saratoga Avenue. Mr. Davies stated that the desired location would provide the best coverage. Commissioner Marra said that a better visual location for the antenna would be in the grove of trees on the north side of the parking lot. Chair Kellond questioned what other alternative sites had been considered. Mr. Davies replied that alternatives sites are considered but that the choice is made when a willing landlord is found in the area that needs increased coverage. Commissioner Marra asked if other carriers would also use the pole for their own antennas. Senior Planner Chris Riordan said that other carriers could use the pole for their antennas but they would first need to obtain city approval. Commissioner Tai asked about the radiation that could be emitted from the antennas. Mr. Davies said that the FCC has established radiation levels and that the carriers cannot exceed that rate and that the height of the antenna would reduce the effect. Commissioner Koepernik said it was his opinion that the pole would be too close to the Heritage Lane and that it would be a different texture to the surrounding trees and would appear like a imitation Christmas tree and the pole should be moved. Chair Kellond stated that he agreed with Commissioner Koepernik and that he too cannot support the requested location and that it should be relocated to reduce the visual impact as viewed from Saratoga Avenue. Commissioner Koepernik commented on the suggested location on the other side of the parking lot and asked if a taller pole would improve the coverage. Mr. Davies replied that it would. Chair Kellond asked if the antennas were directional. Mr. Davies said that it could be a possibility. Ms. Stamos asked if the applicant could co- locate the antennas somewhere else. Mr. Davies said co- locating was commonly done but those opportunities are elsewhere and that there was a need for coverage in the requested location. Chair Kellond commented that co- locating would be optimal. Commissioner Koepernik that the pole cannot be supported in its suggested location so close to Saratoga Avenue and that he was open to discussing alternative locations for the pole because it would be better if it was moved. Chair Kellond asked if the applicant had explored placing the antennas in the cross of the church. Mr. Davies replied that T- Mobile had considered it but that the cross location would not offer the height that they need for the desired coverage. Commissioner Koepernik said that he did not want to see the pole from the Heritage Lane and said again that he would not support the location. Mr. Davies asked if the HPC would consider a location elsewhere on the site. Chair Kellond said that he agreed with Commissioner Koepernik in that the desired location of the pole cannot be supported but that he would be open to considering alternative locations on the site for the pole. Commissioner Koepernik said that an alternative location would be OK but that he does not want to see the pole from the Heritage Lane or anywhere else on the church site. Commissioner Marra said that the pole would have to be taller if it was moved back on the site. Motion by Chair Kellond and seconded by Commissioner Marra to support Option #2 from the staff report that the applicant revisit a revised location on the property for the pole and that it should be closer to the northwest corner near Sea Graves Way and that it should come back with details such as coverage diagrams and material samples. Motion carried on a 5 -0 vote. B. 8:50 a.m. Site Visit — 13361 Argonne Avenue — Review plans to replace existing stairs and construct a wood handrail. The residence is located on the Heritage Resources Inventory and is commonly known as the Johnson -Kerr House (circa 1900). — Site visit completed. Item discussed. Commissioner Koepernik said that, the proposed design of the proposed steps was not correct and that he prefers the "boxiness" of the existing platform and it adds to the character of the house and that he does not support the proposed design. Commissioner Marra said he would support adding a railing to the steps with a reconstructed boxy appearance. Chair Kellond said he would have no problem with the railing. Ms. Stamos said that the steps were being replaced because the existing risers were worn out and that a rail is need for safety, the siding on the new steps would match the house, and that she had done research on the design and platform and that her proposed changes would be consistent with the design of the house. Chair Kellond said he liked the idea of a "wrought iron" rail and that he would like to maintain the box design of the steps. Commissioner McCarty said that she liked the proposed design and that the applicant should be allowed to move forward. Commissioner Tai said that she too would support the proposed design and Commissioner Marra agreed. Motion by Commissioner Marra and seconded by Commissioner McCarty to approve the proposed design of the steps as long as the siding will match. Motion carried on a 3 -2 vote. 4. Pending Items A. Update the Heritage Resources Inventory List — Senior Planner Christopher Riordan said that the City Council would be reviewing the issue of hiring a consultant to update the Inventory at the February 21, 2009 Council meeting B. National Register Applications — Item Discussed. Chair Kellond said that the applications for the Museum and McWilliams house had been rejected for lack of information. It was agreed that Commissioner's Marra and Koepernik would work on the McWilliams House application and that Commissioner McCarty and Joan Gomersall would work on the application for the Museum. 5. Adjournment Adjourn to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2009, Warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. Community Development Department City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, California 95070 M E M O R A N D U M DATE: February 10, 2009 TO: Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) FROM: Michael Fossati, Assistant Planner SUBJECT: Determination of whether or not the proposed fence, repainting and reroofing will affect existing historic resource. Property Location: 13991 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, California Property APN: 397 -25 -040 Project Applicants: Salim Sagarchi Property Owners: Salim Sagarchi Project Summary The applicant is requesting HPC approval of modifications to an existing residence at 13991 Saratoga Avenue. These modifications include: Construct a three foot fence /wall and five foot gate and pilasters in the front. setback. The fence would preferably be constructed of wrought iron, yet the applicant will also be willing to use wood (as shown on Attachment 3). The gate would be of wrought iron and the wall of finish stucco. The pilasters would also be constructed of finish stucco with a finished stone cap. The applicant is requesting light fixtures to be installed on the gate pilasters. Repainting of the existing farmhouse with approximately the same color (Body: Silver Cloud and Trim: Quartz Stone). Repairing the existing roof with a similar composite shingle. The following are two options available in reviewing this proposal: 1. Determine that the proposed project is in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards and that it will not have an impact on the historic character of the structure: If the HPC determines that the new fence /wall, new paint, and new roofing will not have an impact on the historic character of the home, the applicant may apply for required permits. 2. Request changes to proposed project: Require the applicant to revise the plans and ask the applicant to return to the Heritage Preservation Commission for additional review. Attachments (1) Conceptual plan of the proposed fence /wall (2) Paint swatches of the proposed color (3) Photos of the existing structure U. A V/ . cl i S o'Y? 7—o o'� T pwd X4,0 nA.- c o►ps s'4vcco . 1 Body: Canyon View ECC -20 -11 2 Trim: Ranch Acres ECC -20 -2" 3 Accent: Hickory Grove ECC -20 -30 1 Body: Desert Dusk ECC -61 -11 2 Trim: Stonewashed Pink ECC -61 -2" 3 Accent: Evening Fog ECC -61 -3A 1 CW2- , 1 Body: Scenic Path ECC -14 -1u 2 Trim: Great Frontier ECC -14 -2A 3 Accent: Otter Creek ECC -14 -3° Feature: Brick Path a 3 1 Body: Mission Stone ECC -55 -10 2 Trim: Adobe White ECC -55 -2" 3 Accent: Olive Sprig ECC -55 -3A 2/T S 2 1 3 1 Body: Silver Clouds ECC -35 -1P 1 Body: Pacific Mist ECC -34 -1u 2 Trim: Quartz Stone ECC -35 -2" 2 Trim: Boulder Creek ECC -34 -2P 3 Accent: Thunder Bay ECC -35 -3° 3 Accent: Terra Cotta Sun ECC -34 -3A Feature: Charcoal Composite Roof 1 2 1 Body: Quail Ridge ECC -18 -1P 2 Trim: Pebbled Shore ECC -18 -2" 3 Accent: Blooming Wisteria ECC -18 -3A 1 Body: Beach Cabana ECC -56 -11 2 Trim: White Feather ECC -56 -2u 3 Accent: Lake View ECC -56 -31 2 1 3 � 1 Body: Pelican Bay ECC -30 -11 2 Trim: ULTRA PURE WHITE' 3 Accent: Night Tide ECC -30 -30 1 1 Body: Sierra Madre ECC -46 -11 2 Trim: Eagle Ridge ECC -46 -2A 3 Accent: Red Hawkt ECC -46 -30 2 1 3 2 a tk fl-i'OPMENT lf� Community Development Department City of Saratoga 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, California 95070 M E M O R A N D U M DATE: February 10, 2009 TO: Heritage Preservation Commission FROM: Christopher Riordan, AICP viv SUBJECT: Landmarks Designation Review for 21000 Big Basin Way Property Location: Hakone Gardens - 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, California Property APN: 503 -48- 030,31,32 517 -07 -026 Project Applicant: Lon Saavedra Property Owner: City of Saratoga Project Description, Background, Analysis and Designation Criteria The applicant proposes to designate the subject property located at 21000 Big Basin Way and known as Hakone Gardens as a landmark. Hakone Gardens is a traditional Japanese garden. Established in 1917 by Oliver and Isabel Stine and landscaped by an Imperial gardener, the City of Saratoga purchased the property in 1966 to assure preservation for future generations. The Hakone Foundation was created in 1984 in part to insure that preservation and enhancement of the garden would occur in the most authentic methods feasible. Hakone Gardens is located in the Saratoga Hills, southwest of the Central Business District and east of Sanborn - Skyline Park. The 15 acre site features several structures with a Japanese architectural style. These structures include a moon - viewing house and teahouse. According to information obtained from City records, the upper house was constructed in 1917 in an authentic Japanese manner. The site also contains picturesque Japanese gardens and pond. The property is currently listed on the City's Heritage Resources Inventory. The gardens are accessible via a driveway of Big Basin Way. The garden was developed within the sloping terrain inherent to the area, with some features cut into the hillside. On -site facilities include four distinct gardens and several structures, including the lower house remodeled by the City in 1980 to serve as a community meeting room, a Cultural Exchange Center completed in 1991, and a recently constructed Visitor Center near the front entrance. A paved parking lot is located below the gardens. The property was originally placed on the Heritage Resources Inventory (HRI) in 1988. At the time of placement on the HRI, it was determined that it met criteria five (5) of the seven criteria set forth in SMC Article 13- 15.010 (criterion a, c, d, e, g): Landmark Designation Review of 21000 Big Basin Way February 10.2009 a) It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history of the City, the County, the State or the nation; b) It is identified with persons or events significant in local, county, state or national history; c) It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials; d) It is representative of the notable design or craft of a builder, designer, or architect; e) It embodies or contributes to unique physical characteristics representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or district within the City; f) It represents a significant concentration or continuity of site,. buildings, structures or objects, unified by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical or natural development; g) It embodies or contributes to a unique natural setting or environment constituting a distinct area or district within the City having special character or special historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or value. Article 13- 15.010 of the Saratoga Municipal Code (SMC) states that designation of a property as a historic landmark requires recommendation from the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to the City Council. To make a recommendation for designation, two (2) or more of the criteria listed above must be met. Additionally, the HPC must determine that the structure retains a substantial degree of architectural and structural integrity with respect to the original design. A public hearing is not required, but any person with an interest in the designation may submit written or verbal comments on the proposal. Attachments (1) Historic Resources Inventory Form, prepared in April 1988. (2) 1987 article from Sunset magazine. Memorandum to the Saratoga Historic Preservation Commission Page 2 HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #15) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: Hakone Gardens 2. Historic name: Hakone Gardens 3. Street or rural address: 21000 Big Basin Way City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 503 -48 -030, 31, 32; 517 -7 -026. 5. Present Owner: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave. City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Ownership is: Public: X Private: 6. Present Use: City park since 1966 Original Use: Residence & gardens DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Japanese 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: this is a 15 -acre Japanese hill and water garden park. It features several Japanese structures, including a moon - viewing house and teahouse. The Upper House was built in 1917 in the authentic Japanese manner by Mr. T. Shintani. All of the buildings and structures on th4 s site are in excellent condition. The gardens are situated around the _ouse and there is a beautiful pond stocked with carp. All of the buildings and garden are in the authentic Japanese style. Great attention has been paid to making any changes conform to the authenticity of Hakone's Japanese derivation, including the planting of a bamboo garden. 8. Construction date: Estimated: Factual: 1917 -18 9. Architect: T. Shintani/ N. Aihara landscape architect 10. Builder: same 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: approx. acreage: 13.548 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: Restoration completed by City in April 1981. 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: Scattered buildings: X Densely built -up: Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other: 16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Vandalism: Public Works project: Other: 17. Is-the structure: On its original site? X Moved? 18. Related features: Zoning: Unknown? SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). Hakone Gardens was originally owned by Mr. & Mrs. Oliver C. Stine. The name Hakone comes from the Fuji Hakone National Park which had mineral springs similar to Saratoga's Congress Springs. The Garden was completed in 1918 by N. Aihara, a relation of the Court gardeners of the Emperor of Japan. It is a hill and water garden (Tsukiyama- Sansui) in the strolling pond style typical of the Zen garden of the middle 17th century. Hakone is considered the only truly authentic Japanese garden in the U.S. because of Mr. Aihara's attention to detail as governed by the rules of Japanese garden art. Mrs. Stine also had stables and a tennis court on the property. Hakone was sold in 1932 to Major & Mrs. Chas. Lee Tilden ilden Park, Berkeley, CA) who spent the next 28 years making changes and improvements which included the arched wooden trestle bridge. Mr. Aihara continued on in Mr. Tilden's service. Sold again in 1960, then threatened by subdivision, Hakone was purchased by the City of Saratoga for a park. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: 1 Arts /Leisure: 2 Economic /Industrial: Exploration /Settlement: Government: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 3 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Hakone pamphlet; Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory,1975, 1979; F. Cunningham, Saratoga's First Hundred Years, 1967. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name): SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Phone: 867 -3438 Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): NORTH i5 Central West Travel ,.::.�.......�� .:........... ......r. r: -. .:,.....�..;,..,. ,. .;:,..;__ "�. -x::,y �:: -::�f }: ". `:.° '•- -a .:. �, - 3-'+r - ., I-'°�AB;m•".'i�rr.Y.h:, tidw{SI; \j's�: ...: "'..:i... �... :err. Take a holiday respite at a Japanese garden hideaway Hakone Gardens. sequestered on a steep 1- le above Saratoga. 10 miles south - %\, -. of San Jose. offers ideal sanctuary for gathering your reserves before plung- ing into the holiday whirl. Faithfully pat- terned after a typical 17th - century Zen garden. it has been called one of the most authentically Japanese gardens in this country. though redwoods and other na- tive flora contribute to its serene beauty. In 1918. an Imperial gardener landscaped Hakone for Isabel Stine, a San Francisco arts patron. Mrs. Stine also hired a Japa- nese architect to design two houses on the estate for weekend stays and entertaining. The upper house was built in the tradi- tional Japanese manner, using mortise - and -tenon joints and Nvooden pegs instead of nails. A few years ago. Western fix- tures were removed from the lower house (the Stines' residence). and two tea cere- mony rooms were added. The lower house and gardens can be reserved for recep- tions or weddings; call (408) 867 -3438. Garden paths wind around sculptured shrubs and Japanese maples.. over a koi pond, and under a wisteria- covered trellis. Pavilions with benches provide views of the Santa Clara Valley, or offer places simply to sit quietly and enjoy the sooth- ing sound of falling water. A newly completed 2 -acre bamboo garden represents the first phase of expansion plans at Hakone. Designed by landscape architects from Muko -shi (Saratoga's sis- ter city in Japan), the garden displays many varieties of bamboo —some import- ed from Japan — ranging in size from ground cover to tree height. Ornate bam- boo fences and stone lanterns. also im- ported, will grace the garden, too. Hakone Gardens, now maintained by the Cite of Saratoga. is open from 10 to 5 weekdays, 11 to 5 weekends (closed on legal holidays). Look for the sign marking the road up to the gardens near the west- ern edge of Saratoga on Big Basin W'av (State Highway 9). Admission is 2D cents. GLENN CHRISTIANSEN Pond- sidepwilion�,,/Y,ts aI(rir- tt:r :HIli, ih' GLtrilrn.I'.�ui&,u,cd.4hrubbery and upper /wage. K 11WIl u.r tltr A9uutr I''tr r �� Huu.,c, it's laid ,.,ut in the ttadiliunal Japanese tttudulursti-le, usiti; ILtlallII ttrats a., Ili I' b«.sic tutil� Ul nied.Atn('Itnvtt