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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-2001 HPC MinutesDate: Place: City of Saratoga HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, January 9, 2001, 9:00 a.m. warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Regular Meeting Routine Organization A. Roll Call Present: Absent: Staff: Guests: Hunter, King, Koepernik, Peck, Peepari, Wyman Anderson (resigned) Heather G. Bradley, acting HPC Secretary Dave Anderson-City Manager, Ann Waltonsmith-councilwoman, Novakovich, John Cherbone Linda Gates, B. Approval of minutes from 12/12/00 The minutes were approved (6-0) with the correction of the spelling of Novakovich C. Posting of the Agenda Pursuant to Government Code Section 94954.2, the agenda was posted on Thursday January 4, 2000 E. Oral Communications Commissioner Wyman brought the Commission up to date on the Point of Interest application. The Office of Historic Preservation has informed her that the application is not strong enough. Beth will try to beef up the application by providing more historical information on the orchard. Commissioner Wyman also brought up the issue of adding the study of orchards in the 4th grade curriculum. She said Ms. Michelle Rugo, a teacher in Cupertino getting her masters degree from Stanford is working on a curriculum as her thesis project for the Sunnyvale City Heritage Orchard and will share the project with us to use in Saratoga Schools for the Saratoga Heritage Orchard. Commissioner Wyman also informed the Commission that she'd be working with KSAR to do a Context video for Saratoga to be used in classrooms and shown on KSAR. The Commission discussed the proposed demolition of Saso Herb Garden. They felt strongly that the house and garden should not be demolished, but rather remodeled and maintained. The Saso Herb garden has been a highlight of the community, a spot that people from all over the Valley come to visit, and it is a resource that should not be lost. They requested that the application and plans be brought to them at their next meeting of February 13 with a site visit prior to the meeting F. Written Communications UP-00-017 - 14395 Big Basin Way. The Commission discussed plans for a proposed car wash at the gas station on the corner of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Big Basin Way. They were upset that the service II. bays were gone and felt that a car wash was inappropriate for the Village and would be unattractive at the highly visible corner. They also felt it was unnecessary as there is already a car wash on Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road at Prospect. Some commissioners also felt that the in and out traffic would cause a problem. Commissioner Koepernik felt it would not be a problem and abstained from voting. Motion to recommend denial (5-0- I) Old Business Phase II - Orchard Restoration The City Manager, Dave Anderson led the discussion about Phase I and Phase II of the Heritage Orchard Restoration and Library Expansion project. Landscape Architect Linda Gates showed the Commission the Library Plan, which trees would be transplanted and which would be new. Commissioner Peepari suggested a small redesign to the proposed parking lot in order to continue a row of fruit trees on the perimeter of the Saratoga Avenue side. The Commission discussed how the lost spaced could be possibly be picked up at the rear of the parking lot. Ms. Gates asked the Commission how they felt about two sycamore trees located off the rear of protx~sed Library. Jill Hunter stated that she would like to see at least one retained. Councilwoman Waltonsmith mentions that there are more sycamores located along the creek. The majority of the Commission is in favor of removing the sycamores to allow more fruit trees to be planted. Motion to recommend approval of plan with modification to parking lot to allow more fruit trees and removal of sycamores to allow more fruit trees. (6-0). City Manager Dave Anderson began discussion of Phase II restoration of the rest of the orchard. Linda Gates stated that she would be working with Matt Novakovich to prepare an inventory of what is there what needs to be replaced and how they should approach irrigation. The Commission discussed irrigation and felt that maintaining the blanket of mustard grass was very important and must be a priority when trying to determine the most feasibly irrigation method. Matt Novakovich discussed the possibility of building a well and the potential cost savings, which will depend on energy prices. He said that if you want to maintain a blanket of mustard grass they will have to have above ground irrigation pipes, which are moved when they have to disk the soil. Councilwoman Waltonsmith suggests a possible cistern or windmill on the property. Commissioner Koepernik suggests moving an old barn on site to provide storage, a classroom for orchard education, but is concerned that allowing these buildings may pave the way for future demand to put buildings on the site. He doesn't want to see more pavement either. Dave Anderson brought up the point that bringing more people into the orchard does intensify its City Manager Dave Anderson suggests the Commission walk through the Orchard before meeting again to discuss the Master Plan. Commissioner Koepernik does not want to see paths going through the orchard but around the perimeter. Commissioner Hunter disagrees and would like to see something like rolled dirt paths and benches to make the orchard open for children and the public. Commissioner Koepernik would rather see naturally created paths formed by the users, not maintained by the City. Commissioner Peepari agrees that a permanent path would destroy the orchard. Commissioner Pecks feels that a rolled dirt path wouldn't make a difference to children, as they'll go their own way. City Manager Dave Anderson asks the Commission if they want to locate interpretive markers for children to find as they walk through the orchard? Commissioner Wyman says that the orchard should not be a park, as people will damage the trees. She is in favor of scheduled events to educate kids and allowing the Mr. Novakovich to mow pathways when those events occur. Matt Novakovich says the permanent or semi-permanent pathways will be more difficult for him to work around. Dave Anderson asks the Commission for input on the perimeter pathways. Commissioner Koepernik would like to see a softer material like asphalt used rather than concrete with paths along the Saratoga and Fruitvale Avenue sides, but not along the creek. Commissioner Hunter is opposed and would like to see a path along the creek. The Commission decides to take a walk through the orchard on February (;, 2001 before deciding on pathway issues. Dave Anderson asks what type of fruit trees will be planted are their any varieties that have historic value? Matt Novakovich says that the Blenheim apricot is the varietal that has been planted here in the past and is the best for drying and canning, also the French prune and the Sutter Butte which is a cross between the French and Sugar varieties. The Commission votes in favor of recommending that Linda Gates bee retained to continue with Phase II of the project. (Approved 4~0 with Commissioners King and Wyman absen0 III. New Business 14499 Oak Street - Design Review~00~050. The Commission discussed the proposed new single~family residence (original residence already demolished) and felt that the design was appropriate for the neighborhood. They wanted the construction drawings to be approved by them before Building Permits are issued and want to approve the colors and materials used. The Commission was disappointed that the structure was demolished without their review. They asked if they could review all buildings prior to demolition. Staff informed them that that would be very time consuming and that is was better to let staff continue with the current policy of bringing only older buildings and all structures in the Village and on the Heritage Lane to them for-review prior to demolition permit. IV. Items Initiated by the Commission None Items Initiated by the Secretary None Vie Adjournment 9:00 a.m. Tuesday February (;, 2001 ~ Warner Hutton House - Special meeting ~ Heritage Orchard walk 9:00 a.m. Tuesday February 1:3, 2001 ~ Warner Hutton House - regular meeting Respectfully submitted, Heather Bradley, Heritage Preservation Commission Secretary