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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-1975 City Council correspondanceMarch 10, -1975 Mrs. Robert Swanson Chairman, Advisory Comittee 19616 Farwell Ave. Saratoga, Calif. 95070 Dear Mrs. Swanson: Please be advised that the City Council considered your letter concerning the creation of a Saratoga Historical Landmarks Commission and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, at its regular meeting on March 5, 1975. The City Council accepted my recommendation to schedule this for a Committee of the Whole Meeting. In response to your telephone call this morning, this item will be continued to the Council Comittee of the thole Meeting of March 25, 1975. I would appreciate it if you would notify members of the committee prior to Tuesday evening so the matter can be discussed at that time. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Very truly yours, Robert F. Beyer City Manager � s • 4 1 � GG �a,, �. - 31 S1 T i February 21, 1975 CITY OF SARATOGA To: Mayor and City Council Members From: Citizen's Advisory Committee for Historic Preservation Subject: Proposed Formation of Saratoga Historic Landmarks Commission and Amendments to Zoning Ordinance The Citizen's Advisory Committee has met seven times since our communication with you on September 25, 1974, announcing our formation to study and prepare a "plan for preservation" of historic sites and structures in the City of Saratoga. During our work sessions, we reviewed specific ordinances, amend- ments and policies from a number of California cities and counties. In conclusion, we are proposing the establishment of an Historic Landmarks Commission and Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that would allow qualifying landmarks to be covered by an "Historical" Zone, supplemental to existing zoning. We would like to have our attached pages of proposed "Concepts studied by the "Committee Of The.Whole" at its earliest convenience. The "General Plan" for Saratoga states that one of the Community Planning objectives'should be to "protect historical and archaeological values and significant geographic landmarks from destruction by developers whenever possible" and that "historical (and unique, if not historical) landmarks in the Village should be preserved, and wherever possible, continued in some use." However, unless a specific plan is submitted, applying to and iden- tifying individual landmarks, there will be no way to prevent demolition or deterioration of existing "historical" structures that relate to our City's early history. We have only to think back over what we have lost in twenty years time, by trusting others to care for OUR HERITAGE, to realize why our action is needed now. We further believe that for a community to focus only on its past would be a mistake because our "present" is the "past" to future generations. Therefore a specific Commission is needed to oversee and-regulate a "plan for preser- vation" of the "past" and the "present" with a focus to the "future" needs of the community. An objective evaluation of existing structures would be an important part of this plan because, for example, "age" alone _does not determine the value of a structure, although it may be a factor. In order not to overtax existing Departments and Commissions and to efficiently implement the specific objectives of a "preservation plan," we propose the immediate formation of the Historic Landmarks Commission: to directly advise VI . the City Council; to designate "landmarks;" to recommend to the Planning Commission that those "landmarks" be included in a special "Historical" Zone that would supplement existing zoning;' and to hold public hearings regarding work permits, demolition.and other pertinent matters. It should be noted that this Advisory Committee is made up of citizens repre- senting broad interests in the Community. All have contributed in some way to the historic interests in Saratoga, but in addition: Warren Heid repre- sents current feeling on construction and architectural interests; Miles Rankin represents the real estate broker's viewpoint and the local business community, as President of the Chamber of.Commerce; Willys Peck represents the Saratoga Historical Foundation and the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission; Kevil Smith organized a specific restoration project, (i.e. the McWilliams house), and understands the problems�,.inherent in successful preservation; and Danny Swanson (Mrs. Robert) worked through Junior League of San Jose to inventory county historic resources,.(as did Kevil), was a member of the sub - committee that proposed formation of the County Commission, (as was Willys), and is a founder of the E1 Camino Trust for Historic Preservation, a county -wide private non - profit foundation. The "concepts" listed on the following pages represent by this committee. We look forward to presenting our work -study session of the "Committee Of The Whole," as We will await notification of a scheduled time. Sincerely, �:i1� v a ✓ l l,Z � Mrs. Robert ,/Swanson Chairman, Advisory Committee 19616 Farwell Avenue Saratoga, California 95070 Tel: .867 -3254 many hours of work ideas to you at a soon as possible. CONCEPT FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE The Zoning Ordinance should be amended to establish an Historical Zone, supplemental to existing zoning. This "Historical" designation should be given: (a) to individual structures, or portion thereof, or an integrated group of structures on a single lot; (b) a site; (c) "an area; (d) a district; or a combination thereof having a special historical, cultural, architectural, archaeological, aesthetic or geographic interest. PURPOSE: Since one of the elements of a'true sense of community is an appreciation of those persons and events that have contributed to that community's identity, and since certain physical landmarks, sites and arti- facts constitute the only tangible, remaining links with such persons and events, it is found that the public health, safety and welfare require the prevention of the needless destructions of such landmarks, sites and artifacts as have a demonstrated importance in preserving these reminders of the community's development. In making such finding, recognition is given to the fact that the first settle- ment of the community that became Saratoga predated the discovery of gold in California; that during its development over a period of more than 125 years, the community has achieved prominence in the fields of manufacturing, agri- culture, resort development and the arts, and that it has been the home of men and women who have achieved statewide, national and world fame in many fields; that unless the processes of government are invoked to assist in their preservation, irreplaceable momentos of these elements that helped. shape this community will be forever lost. It is therefore the purpose of this article to promote the health, welfare and safety of the public through: 1. The protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of structures, sites, and areas that are reminders of past eras, events, and persons important to local, state, or national history which provide significant example of architectural styles of the past or are unique or irreplacable assets to the-city. 2. The development and maintenance of appropriate settings and environment for such structures and areas. 3. The enrichment of community identity in its educational and cultural dimensions by serving aesthetic as well as material .needs of the .community while fostering knowledge of the city's past heritage. 4. The enhancement of property values and the promotion and encourage- ment of continued private ownership and utilization of such structures now so owned and used, to the extent that the objectives listed above can be attained under such policy. Page 1 of 3 r CONCEPT FOR CREATION OF THE SARATOGA HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION PURPOSE: The Saratoga Historic Landmarks Commission should be established to protect, preserve and promote the Historical and cultural heritage of our City so that this and future generations may know and appreciate the signifi- cant historical places, people and events that have been a part of this area of our state and nation. MEMBERSHIP: The Commission should consist of five (S) members, appointed by the City Council. All appointments should be of persons whose activity and interest in matters pertaining to the history and heritage of Saratoga shall have previously been demonstrated. DUTIES: The Commission should hold public meetings monthly, when called by the Chairman or Landmarks Administrator, and should be an independent body, advisory to the City Council. It should investigate, study and make recom- mendations to the City Council and appropriate City Departments, such as the Planning Commission, Planning Department, Building Department and Public Works, in the following areas: a. On all matters pertaining to the recognition, inventorying, acquisition and preservation of sites, buildings, events, documents and artifacts pertaining to the historical and cultural heritage of Saratoga. b. On nominations to the County Board of Supervisors for state points of historic interest and the nomination for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. c. On all matters included in the accompanying Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, including holding public hearings where stipulated. d. On such other matters as are referred to it by the City Council. The Commission should have access to and use of City facilities and services necessary for the performance of its tasks. Page 2 of 3 • S. To permit owners of.such historical buildings to incur an economic benefit through tax reductions under.state laws. 6. To allow benefits to owners of historical buildings through a relaxing of both zoning requirements of the City Zoning Ordinance, such as setbacks, parking, and other similar elements, and relaxing of the Uniform Building Code as administered by the City Building Inspector. INITIATION: Initiation of "landmark" designation should be by the Landmarks Commission, the City Council, the Planning Commission, the Landmarks Admin- istrator or any interested person and should be accompanied by all data necessary for that designation. The Landmarks Commission should then review that application and refer the recommended matter to the Planning Commission, who would in turn refer it to the City Council. (It should be noted that if there is a possibility of legally avoiding the middle step, which is referral to the Planning Commission, we would be happy to recommend that it be eliminated.') The City Council should also retain the right to rescind such designations. DESIGNATION: The designation "H" Zone to a landmark should only be considered when the following information is in hand: a. A description of the characteristics.and category of the landmark which justifies its designation. b. A description of any particular features of the landmark to be preserved if the whole'of such landmark is not to be preserved. c. A specific description of the location and boundaries of the landmark. d. Any other criteria which the Landmarks Commission may deem necessary to supplement the above. PUBLIC HEARINGS: public Hearings, with specific time limits for action, should be held beginning on the Landmarks Commission'level and continuing through Plahning Commission and City Council levels, for designation of a "landmark. PERMITS: The consideration of work application permits, as pertains to designated "landmarks" should be the business of the Landmarks Commission and should require public hearings and be subject to time limits for its action. Permits should not be required when: the application is for interior work not affecting the exterior; or when 'ordinary maintenance and repair," such as, painting or other necessities to - prevent deterioration, decay or damage. SUSPEND ACTION: The Landmarks Commission should also have the power to "suspend action" when work applications are requested to permit construction, alteration or demolition or removal, to allow time for necessary action to preserve the structure or site concerned. We recommend a period of 180 days, with allow- ances for extension by the City Council. Page 3 of 3 • HARDSHIP: The Landmarks Commission should be able to set aside the standards if the owner of a designated "landmark" can show that failure to grant a permit for alteration, demolition or construction would present a particular hardship, or if the Building Inspector can show that unsafe or dangerous conditions exist. In the event of natural calamity (e.g. fire, flood, earth - quake), where destruction is such that repair is unreasonable, an owner should not be required to rebuild. OWNERS DUTIES AND ENFORCEMENTS: A designated "landmark" should be protected by a "Duty to Keep in Good Repair" clause and this, as well as other pro - visions of this Amendment,. should be enforced by.the Landmarks Administrator, with assistance from the Building Inspector, if necessary. These officials should also have reasonable inspection rights.