HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-18 Heritage Preservation Commission Agenda PacketPage 1 of 2
SARATOGA
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
February 13, 2018
8:30 AM REGULAR MEETING
Administrative Conference Room, City Hall | 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070
1. Site Visit(s):
a. 13865 Yerba Buena Court – Heritage Tree Application
b. 13755 Saratoga Avenue – Addition on Heritage Lane
c. Hakone Gardens Pump Structure – Follow up
2. Routine Organization:
a. Roll Call
b. Review of minutes from January 9, 2018 meeting.
c. Posting of Agenda – Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2 the agenda was
properly posted on Thursday, February 8, 2018.
d. Non-Agendized Communications - Any member of the public may address the
Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to three minutes.
e. HPC direction to staff regarding non-agendized communications - Commissioners may
not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda.
3. New Business:
a. Introduction of New Community Development Director, Debbie Pedro (Kwon)
b. 13755 Saratoga Avenue – Addition on Heritage Lane (Baily)
c. 13865 Yerba Buena Court – Heritage Tree Application (Baily)
d. Form 700 (Kwon)
4. Staff Comments:
a. Draft Landmark FAQ pamphlet. (Baily)
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b. CC/HPC workplan meeting March 5 (possible subcommittee formation) (Kwon)
5. Commissioner Comments:
a. Information Packet (Nugent)
b. Planting Trees and Tree Map (Shah)
c. Webpage
d. DPR research status by Commission and other tasks (Workplan).
Each Commissioner to provide status update. (Which projects are at 50%)
e. Events/Calendar: Blossom Festival (March 24), State of the City (March 28), Arbor Day
(April 27), Preservation Month (May), Funding. (Stransky)
6. Other Business:
a. None
7. Adjournment:
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 -1294 or npimentel@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 Heritage Preservation 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 Heritage 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 Heritage Preservation Commission.
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF AGENDA
I, Janet Costa, Administrative Assistant, for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing
agenda for the meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission was posted and available for
public review on February 8, 2018 at the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga,
CA 95070 and on the City’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us.
City of Saratoga
H ERITAGE P RESERVATION C OMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES
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Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2018 / 8:30 A.M.
Type: Regular Meeting
Place: City Hall /Administrative Conference Room - 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
1. Site Visit:
a. 19987 Moran Lane – Tree Permit on Heritage Lane (Baily)
2. Routine Organization:
a. Roll Call
Present: Stransky, Rodgers, Nugent, Shah
Absent: Marchetti (excused), Cappello (excused)
Staff: Kwon, Baily, Bear
b. Review of minutes from December 12, 2017 meeting. Nugent/Shah moved to approve
the December 12, 2017 minutes.
Ayes: Nugent, Rodgers, Stransky, Shah,
Noes: None
Absent: Marchetti, Cappello
c. Posting of Agenda – Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956, the agenda was
properly posted on January 4, 2018. Kwon reported the posting of the agenda.
d. Non-Agendized Communications - Any member of the public may address the
Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to three minutes.
None
e. HPC direction to staff regarding non-agendized communications - Commissioners may
not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda.
None
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3. New Business:
a. Tree permits on Heritage Lane – Referrals only (Kwon)
Kwon outlined the process for Tree permits on Heritage Lane.
b. 19987 Moran Lane – Tree Permit on Heritage Lane (Baily)
The Commission was glad to hear the City Arborist’s expert opinion. The
Commission also understood how the drought could impact a tree’s health. The
Commission expressed that the tree removal permit made sense and that they liked
the fact that new landscaping would be installed.
4. Staff Comments:
a. Mills Act FAQs (Baily)
The Commission had some minor edits to the FAQs brochure.
5. Commissioner Comments:
a. DPR research status by Commission and other tasks (Workplan). Annual Workplan
Each Commissioner provided a status update.
b. Events/Calendar: State of the City, Arbor Day, Preservation Month, Blossom Festival,
Funding.
The Commission discussed some of the events.
c. Information Packet (Nugent)
Continued to February.
d. Planting Trees and Tree Map
Continued to February.
e. Webpage
Continued to February.
6. Other Business:
None
7. Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned
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Community Development Department
City of Saratoga
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, California 95070
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: February 6, 2018
TO: Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)
FROM: Sandy L. Baily, Special Projects Manager
SUBJECT: HPC18-0001: House addition and modification
13755 Saratoga Avenue (Heritage Lane)
Property Location: 13755 Saratoga Avenue
Property APN: 393-45-045
Project Applicant: Jon Freel
Project Description:
The applicant is proposing to add onto the existing house and modify the elevations. The
structure itself is not listed on the heritage inventory, but requires HPC review pursuant to
Section 13.20.010 of Saratoga’s Municipal Code, due to the site’s proximity along a heritage
lane. County records indicate that the house was built in 1941. The subject property is located
on a corner lot and the house fronts onto Saratoga Avenue.
Following is a summary of the proposed changes:
Add onto the front and incorporate gable ends with cedar shakes.
Add onto the rear and convert crawl space to habitable area.
Add balcony at rear.
Remove the horizontal siding on the main level and replace with smooth tan stucco.
Incorporate smooth stucco siding for rear addition. Maintain existing horizontal siding
for side elevations lower level.
Replace garage door.
Remove trellis above garage door.
Replace brick at front elevation with gray cultured stone and carry stone along the garage
wall on the east elevation.
Eliminate balcony along west elevation.
New composition shingle roof.
Eliminate chimney.
Staff Comment:
Staff is requesting input from the HPC regarding the following comments for the work proposed:
Is the combination of the proposed smooth stucco and the existing horizontal siding
compatible?
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Should the elongated windows proposed at the rear be compatible with the elongated
windows on the west elevation? The windows on all the other elevations have divided
lites.
The plans do not indicate that changes are proposed to the brick wall and wood fence at
the front elevation. Assuming there are no changes, will the existing brick wall (which
matches the existing brick elements on the front façade) conflict in appearance with the
proposed cultured stone?
Permit Criteria: The Planning Department, on recommendation of the Heritage Preservation
Commission, shall authorize a permit if it is determined that:
(a) The proposed work is consistent with the purposes and objectives of Chapter 13 of
Saratoga’s Municipal Code;
(b) The proposed work does not adversely affect the character of the designated heritage
lane;
(c) In the case of construction of a new building, structure or other improvement upon or
within a designated heritage lane, the exterior of such improvements will not adversely affect
and will be compatible with the external appearance of the existing lane.
Attachment:
1. Photo of front of house
2. Spec sheet
3. Development Plans
What is a Historic Landmark?
A Historic Landmark is a building,
improvement, structure, natural feature, site
or area of land under single or common
ownership that is officially recognized by the
City of Saratoga for its outstanding historic
significance.
Who decides whether or not a property
should be designated as a Saratoga historic
landmark?
As designated by City Code, the City Council
determines which properties should be
designated through a public hearing process.
Designations are officiated by a City Council
ordinance. The Heritage Preservation
Commission (HPC) recommends to the City
Council which properties should be
designated as a historic landmark.
What criteria is used to designate a
Historic Landmark?
The HPC must find that the resource satisfies
any two or more of the criteria listed below
and the City Council must find that the
resource satisfies any one or more of the
criteria listed below. The property must also
retain a substantial degree of architectural
and structural integrity with respect to the
original design, as determined by the HPC
and the City Council .
(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; or
(b) It is identified with persons or events
significant in local, county, state or
national history; or
(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; or
(d) It is representative o f the notable
design or craft of a builder, designer, or
architect; or
(e) It embodies or contributes to unique
physical characteristics representing an
established and familiar visual feature of
a neighborhood or district within the
City; or
(f) It repres ents a significant
concentration or continuity of site,
buildings, structures or objects, unified
by past events or aesthetically by plan or
physical or natural development; or
(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.
Is there a cost to nominate a property as a
historic landmark?
No. The status is honorary and there are no
costs to nominate a property.
What are the advantages to property
owners for having a historic property?
Owners of historic properties enjoy a number
of advantages:
State Historic Building Code - Owners of
identified historic buildings can utilize the
State Historic Building Code in lieu of the
Uniform Building Code. Use of the Historic
Code allows some flexibility and can result
in cost savings. Please contact the Building
Division of the Community Development
Department for more information.
Federal Income Tax Credits - From time
to time, historic buildings may be eligible
for federal income tax credits based on their
rehabilitation costs. At the present time,
income producing buildings listed on the
National Register of Historic Places may be
eligible. Single-family residences may
become eligible in the future. For more
information, please consult the State Office
of Historic Preservation or your tax advisor.
Technical Assistance - Routine
maintenance, extensive restoration or
rehabilitation and additions must be done
carefully to ensure that the architectural
character and the historic value of the
building is not diminished. The Community
Development Department and the Heritage
Preservation Commission can assist you
with historic preservation design guidelines
and technical assistance.
Nonconforming Rebuild – Depending on
the scope of work, proposed construction
or alteration work to an existing
nonconforming structure, that is a
designated historic resource, may be
exempt from the repair or alteration
requirements to bring the structure into
conformance with current City Code.
Property Values - Historic status carries
with it a certain amount of prestige which
can lead to an increase in property value.
Neighborhood Protection Plan - Historic
designation generally controls the size,
quality and neighborhood.
Official Recognition - A historic
designation means that your property or
neighborhood is recognized by the City as a
key component of the community’s
architectural heritage.
My property is on the Heritage Resource
Inventory. What are the additional
advantages of it becoming a Historic
Landmark?
Once a house has been listed on the Heritage
Resource Inventory and designated as a
Historic Landmark, it may be eligible to enter
into a Mills Act contract which is a property
tax relief program. See Mills Act FAQ’s
(insert link)
What is the difference between being listed
only as a Heritage Resource vs. being
designated a Historic Landmark in regards
to what I can do with my property?
In addition to any requirements of the City’s
Planning, Building, and Public Works
Departments, a permit is needed from the
Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)
prior to any alteration, demolition, removal,
relocation or exterior architectural changes to
a designated Historic Landmark.
Any work that is done must be consistent with
City Code and must not adversely affect the
character of the designated Historic
Landmark. Additionally, the exterior of any
new building/structure or improvement must
be compatible with the external appearance of
an existing Landmark on the same property.
Properties that are on the Heritage Resource
Inventory that are not a designated Historic
Landmark do not require a permit by the HPC
however, the HPC can review and comment
upon any application or permit pertaining to
or significantly affecting any historic
resource.
What about ordinary maintenance?
Painting or repair of exterior features that
does not involve a change in design, material
or the external appearance of a heritage
resource does not need review by the Heritage
Preservation Commission. Please check with
the City’s Planning, Building, and Public
Works Departments for any required permits.
Can my property be designated as a
Historic Landmark without my approval?
No. Property owner consent is required for a
landmark designation which must be
approved by City Council.
Will the designation continue if the
property is sold?
Yes. The designation stays with the property.
Can the landmark status be removed?
It may be possible to rescind the designation
if the status is no longer warranted.
Where can I get additional information
regarding Saratoga’s Heritage
Preservation process?
For further information go to Saratoga’s
website
http://www.saratoga.ca.us/285/Heritage-
Preservation-Commission
Further Questions?
Contact Sung Kwon, Senior Planner, at (408)
868-1212 skwon@saratoga.ca.us
January 2018
City of Saratoga
Community
Development
Department
HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
HISTORIC LANDMARK
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, CA, 95070
408-868-1222
planning@saratoga.ca.us