HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-18 HPC FINAL MinutesPage 1 of 3
City of Saratoga
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Final MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2018/ 8:30 A.M.
Type: Regular Meeting
Place: Linda Callon Conference Room - 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
1.Site Visit(s):
a.14320 Peach Hill Road
b.14630 Big Basin Way (John Henry House)
2.Call to order: Chair Marchetti called the meeting to order at 9:25 AM
3.Roll Call:
Present: Chair Marilyn Marchetti, Commissioners, Annette Stransky, Alexandra Nugent, Dr.
Jo Rodgers, and Rina Shah
Absent: Paula Cappello
Staff: Debbie Pedro, Director of Community Development, Nicole Johnson, Planner II,
Chris Riordan, Senior Planner and Sandy Baily, Special Projects Manager
4.Oral Communications:
None
5.Approval of minutes from November 13, 2018 meeting.
Shah/Stransky moved to approve the minutes. Motion passed. Ayes: Shah,
Stransky, Nugent, Marchetti, and Rodgers. Noes: None. Absent: Cappello. Abstain: None.
6.New Business:
a.14320 Peach Hill Road – HPC considered an application to relocate garage doors from
the rear of the house to the front of a house. Nugent/Stransky moved to recommend
approval. Motion passed. Ayes: Shah, Stransky, Nugent, Marchetti, and Rodgers. Noes:
None. Absent: Cappello. Abstain: None.
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14630 Big Basin Way (John Henry House) – Commissioner Marchetti recused herself from
the meeting as she lives within 150 of the property. Commissioner Rodgers acted as Chair.
The Commission considered an application to dismantle, reconstruct and relocate the John
Henry house on the same property. Christopher Riordan discussed the proposal. Tom
Sloan, architect, discussed the history of the project and the vision of the property owner.
Stacey De Shazo, Architectural Historian, reviewed the historic evaluation process and the
California Register and how it related to the John Henry house.
Jill Hunter, member of the public, commended the property owner for being sensitive in
designing a project which preserved the integrity of the John Henry house.
The HPC discussed the following items:
• Potential archeological findings during construction – Staff explained it was part of the
CEQA review process and would be addressed as a condition of approval.
• Potential visual impact to the John Henry house with the new building – important to
draw public attention to the house by providing plaquing.
• Exterior materials and colors – It was agreed that there should be a contrast between the
John Henry house and the proposed building.
Marilyn Marchetti, member of the public, reinforced the concern of archeological findings.
Marchetti expressed concern that the size of the proposed building would overshadow the John Henry
house and will change the character of the neighborhood. Marchetti commented that the location of
the entry of the house should be relocated to Sixth Street.
Paul Hernandez, property owner, informed the HPC on the current construction methods compared
to the proposed construction. Hernandez agreed that the John Henry house should be turned to face
Sixth Street if it could be permitted to do so.
De Shazo responded that changing the orientation of the John Henry house would not comply with
the Secretary of Interior Standards. If the orientation was changed it would be a “harder sell” to get
on the California Register. Her goal is to reduce the amount of impact in getting on the California
Register.
Shah/Stransky moved to recommend approval with the following conditions:
1. Wood windows with true divided lites shall be used in the John Henry house.
2. A different shade of roof color shall be used for the John Henry house and the proposed
building.
Motion passed. Ayes: Shah, Stransky, Nugent, and Rodgers. Noes: None. Absent:
Cappello. Abstain: None. Recused: Marchetti.
Marchetti returned to the meeting.
7. Staff Comments:
a. None
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8. Old Business:
a. Project status update – no discussion
9. Commission Items
a. Commissioner Marchetti discussed ideas to thank Commissioner Cappello. A potluck was
recommended.
b. The Commission was reminded that the transition of the City Council was this Thursday.
c. Commission requested to work on items at their January meeting to discuss at the joint
meeting with the City Council.
10. Adjournment
Chair Marchetti adjourned the meeting at 10:59 A.M.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Nicole Johnson, Planner II
City of Saratoga