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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-2019- Heritage Preservation Commission Agenda PacketPage 1 of 2 HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING August 13, 2019 8:30 AM REGULAR MEETING Linda Callon Conference Room, City Hall | 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 1.Site Visit(s): a.None 2.Call to Order: 3.Roll Call- Alexandra Nugent, Annette Stransky, Dr. Jo Rodgers, Marilyn Marchetti and Rina Shah 4.Oral 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. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda. 5.Approval of the July 9th and July 23rd, 2019 minutes 6.New Business: a.Heritage Orchard Master Plan 7.Staff Comments: a.Minutes Page 2 of 2 8. Old Business: a. None 9. Commission Items a. Quarry Park Inventory Item-Commissioner Nugent 10. 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) 868-1216 or dbretschneider@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, Nicole Johnson, Planner II, 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 August 7, 2019, 2019 at the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and on the City’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us. Page 1 of 3 HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES July 9, 2019 8:30 AM REGULAR MEETING Linda Callon Conference Room, City Hall | 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 1.Site Visit(s): a.None 2.Call to Order: Chair Marchetti called the meeting to order at 8:31 AM. 3.Roll Call: Present: Chair Marilyn Marchetti, Alexandra Nugent and Rina Shah Absent: Annette Stransky (excused) and Vice Chair Dr. Jo Rodgers (excused) Staff: Nicole Johnson, Planner II 4.Oral Communications None 5. Approval of the June 11, 2019 minutes Shah/Nugent moved to approve the minutes of June 11th with amendments proposed by Vice Chair Jo Rodgers. Ayes: Marchetti, Shah, and Nugent. Noes: None. Absent: Rodgers and Stransky. 6.New Business: a.Media Inquires (Lauren Pettipiece, Public Information Officer)-Lauren presented the City’s media inquiry policy. All the inquires are processed through the City Managers Office. Social media outlets are available for the HPC to use to reach the City residents for informational purposes. The HPC asked questions about public outreach for preservation purposes. Page 2 of 3 b.19461 DeHavilland-Shah/Nugent moved to adopt resolution HP19-07 adding the entry planters to the Heritage Resource Inventory. Ayes: Marchetti, Shah, and Nugent. Noes: None. Absent: Rodgers and Stransky. c.19152 DeHavilland - Shah/Nugent moved to adopt resolution HP19-06 adding the entry planters to the Heritage Resource Inventory. Ayes: Marchetti, Shah, and Nugent. Noes: None. Absent: Rodgers and Stransky. d.20390 Park Place- Shah/Nugent moved to adopt resolution HP19-03 adding the church bell to the Heritage Resource Inventory. Ayes: Marchetti, Shah, and Nugent. Noes: None. Absent: Rodgers and Stransky. e.19201 Shubert- Shah/Nugent moved to adopt resolution HP19-04 adding the entry planters to the Heritage Resource Inventory. Ayes: Marchetti, Shah, and Nugent. Noes: None. Absent: Rodgers and Stransky. f.19401 Shubert- Shah/Nugent moved to adopt resolution HP19-05 adding the entry planters to the Heritage Resource Inventory. Ayes: Marchetti, Shah, and Nugent. Noes: None. Absent: Rodgers and Stransky. 7.Staff Comments: a.July 23rd Special Meeting-Nicole Johnson informed the HPC that three commissioners have responded that they can attend the special meeting. Commissioners Nugent and Shah confirmed that they can attend the special meeting. 8.Old Business: a.Inventory Letters-The HPC discussed the proposed changes presented by Chair Marchetti and agreed with the recommendations. Staff will forward the proposal to the City Attorney for final review. b. Project Status update-The HPC discussed updates on the project list. 9.Commission Items Commissioner Nugent asked that the Quarry Park inventory item be placed on the August meeting for discussion. Page 3 of 3 10. Adjournment Chair Marilyn Marchetti adjourned the meeting at 9:35 AM. Minutes respectfully submitted: Nicole Johnson, Planner II City of Saratoga Page 1 of 2 HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES July 23, 2019 8:30 AM SPECIAL MEETING Linda Callon Conference Room, City Hall | 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 1.Site Visit(s): a.None 2.Call to Order: Chair Marchetti called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM 3.Roll Call- Present: Chair Marilyn Marchetti, Vice Chair Dr. Jo Rodgers, Alexandra Nugent, Annette Stransky and Rina Shah Absent: None Staff: Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director, John Cherbone, Public Works Director, and Nicole Johnson, Planner II 4.Oral Communications None 5.New Business: a.Heritage Orchard Master Plan (study session)-The HPC members reviewed the existing document and discussed with staff and a member of the public, Norman Koepernik, about what should be maintained, removed, modified and/or updated in the document. Page 2 of 2 6. Staff Comments: a. None 7. Old Business: a. None 8. Commission Items a. None 9. Adjournment Chair Marilyn Marchetti adjourned the meeting at 10:32 AM. Minutes respectfully submitted: Nicole Johnson, Planner II City of Saratoga Page 1 of 1 MEMORANDUM MEETING DATE: August 13, 2019 TO: Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) FROM: Nicole Johnson, Planner II SUBJECT: Item 6b - MISC19-0037-Heritage Orchard Master Plan Update 13650 Saratoga Avenue (APN 397-30-053) Please see the attached suggested language for the Heritage Orchard Master Plan Update prepared by Commissioner’s Nugent and Stansky for the Executive Summary, Introduction, History of the Orchard, Vision, and Objectives. Heritage Preservation Commission Heritage Orchard Master Plan Update Work Plan August 13, 2019 April 2019 •Kick off meeting •Consider a subcommittee for specific tasks May 14-June 11 2019 •Review existing Master Plan and context of the Heritage Orchard •Research similar city orchards •i.e. Los Altos, Santa Clara County, Sunnyvale •Heritage Orchard tour with Matt, Kate and John (completed 4/29/19) July 8 - August 13 2019 •Review and update goals and recommendations for the orchard. •Consider the function of the orchard -working orchard, educational and/or historic center. •Update implementation measures of the plan with phasing schedule September 10- November 12 2019 •Update site inventory and master plan maps •Consider update of photographs and illustrations for Master Plan •Staff to begin processing draft Master Plan December 10- January 14 2019 •Staff finalizes first draft plan and presents to HPC for final review February 11- March 10 2020 •Staff completes final draft Master Plan for reivew by HPC April-May 2020 •Staff prepares report to the City Council •project exempt per CEQA Section 15331 •Presentation of Master Plan to City Council 1 Heritage Orchard Master Plan July 2019- Draft Executive Summary- Annette In March of 2019, City Manager James Lindsay and the City Council asked the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to update the 2001 Master Plan for the Heritage Orchard with a completion date of 2020. The Heritage Orchard was placed on the heritage inventory list in 1984❶❷and the HPC has always been assigned as the stewards of the plan. The HPC began to immediately researching information including site visits to Heritage Orchards in surrounding cities; touring the Saratoga Heritage Orchard with Manager Matt Novakovich and Community Development Director Debbie Pedro; and meetings with Public Works Director John Cherbone and Heritage Orchard Manager Matt Novakovich regarding orchard production and maintenance. The information contained in this report includes the history, vision, objectives, accomplishments of the last Master Plan, key issues faced today, and recommendations for updating the Master Plan for the continued success of the Heritage Orchard. Introduction- Annette The Heritage Orchard is recognized by the residents of Saratoga as a living jewel and community landmark. The orchard is located on 13650 Saratoga Avenue and is formally called the Central Park.❸ The land is bordered by Wildcat Creek, Fruitvale Avenue and Saratoga Avenue. Saratoga Avenue is also a designated Heritage Lane. The land was purchased in 1972 to construct the Saratoga Library and parking lot which faces Saratoga Avenue. When the addition to the library was added the total land for the library became 4.3 acres. 2 The working orchard was established and protected because it was one of the last remaining orchards in Saratoga and preserves the agricultural heritage of Saratoga. Central Park consists of 13.9 acres of apricots, cherries and prunes. The site was originally part of Quito Rancho and later owned in the 1880s by the Marian family; in the 1920s the property was owned by FC Cox who farmed apricots and prunes for 30 years; and in the 1950s the land was owned and farmed by three generations of the Seagrave family. The Heritage Preservation Commission created a Master Plan in 2001 covering the areas of preserving the orchard; educational opportunities; maximizing the views of the orchard; minimizing intrusion of site improvements; maintaining the orchard and implementing a tree adoption program. History of the Orchard- Annette Santa Clara Valley consists of most of Santa Clara County, including San Jose as well as a small portion of San Benito County. The valley, named after Mission Santa Clara, was known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight during the period of 1890 to the 1950’s for its high concentration of fruit orchards. Until the 1960s it was the largest fruit producing and packing region in the world with 39 canneries. Innovations in the areas of planting, drying, canning, and care of fruit blossomed. At one time the Santa Clara Valley produced 1/3 of the world’s consumption of prunes. After WWII as men and women returned from the war and during the 1950s high tech firms were attracted to California. Orchards were pulled to make room for homes as well as land to build factories and the Valley of Heart’s Delight became known as Silicon Valley. Saratoga had it’s share of contributions during this time including the largest prune ranch, Glen Una; the Blossom Festival which ran for 41 successive years; inventions of the prune dipper by Luther Cunningham whose company became FMC and many more. The Heritage Orchard site was originally part of Quito Rancho and later owned in the 1880s by the Marian family; in the 1920s the property was owned by FC Cox who farmed apricots and prunes for 30 years; and in the 1950s the land was owned and farmed by three generations of the Seagrave family. In 1972 the City of Saratoga bought 11.3 acres to build the Saratoga Library. In 1973 the city bought 4.2 acres and in 1977 an additional 2.6 acres were purchased. In 1978 the Novakovich family became the managers of the Heritage Orchard for the city. ❺In 1984 the city approved the DPR written by the HPC and placed the orchard on the heritage resource inventory. Note the DPR referred to the property as Central Park Orchard. In 1986 a sign was placed calling the land Central Park /Heritage Orchard. As land began to be developed, developers looked to use the Heritage Orchard for other purposes including soccer fields, gymnasium and more. The public complained and was in favor of keeping the orchard as a piece of living history. In October 4, the City Council released a resolution 00-049❼ 3 blocking changes to the orchard with the expectation that the orchard would be “maintained in perpetuity.” In 2001 the Master Plan was written by the HPC and approved by the City Council. A Point of Interest application concerning the Heritage Orchard was sent but rejected by the Office of Historic Preservation. In 2002, the City Council issued resolution 02-021❽ to remove specific trees in the orchard. In 2005 a gravel trail was added to the orchard connecting the City Hall with the library and used extensively by Redwood Middle School. The orchard was also the site for the Mustard Faire in 2000-2007 and later 2013-2019 for the Blossom Festival. Both events were highly successful and drew many people. Vision- Alex and Annette The vision for the Heritage Orchard is to preserve the rich agricultural history of Saratoga in perpetuity for the education and enjoyment of the community. The vision builds upon the achievements of the previous Master Plan for preserving this scenic symbol of history as well as continues to involve the residents of Saratoga in the unique life of a working orchard. Objectives (formerly labeled goals)- Alex and Annette 1. preserve the orchard as a working, productive orchard on the current 13.9 acres 2. protect the orchard in perpetuity by taking the appropriate legal conservation easement steps 3. provide guidelines for the proper stewardship and best practices of the orchard 4. maximize views of the orchard from the surrounding area to ensure the orchard is an important part of the community image 5. minimize intrusion of site improvements into the orchard that may disrupt orchard maintenance operations or impact the natural appearance of the orchard 6. maintain the orchard’s optimum health by implementing necessary orchard maintenance and tree replacement programs 7. provide educational opportunities to learn about agricultural history of the area, orchard management and operations including film documentaries, events, farm structures and signage. Overview of last Master Plan/Previous accomplishments- Jo Rodgers Key Issues/Existing Conditions- Rina Shah Orchard Maintenance written after John and Matt provide discussion/information Recommendation/Implementing the Plan written after the above completed Summary written after the above completed Acknowledgements City Council Mayor Manny Cappello 4 Vice Mayor Howard Miller Councilmember Mary-Lynne Bernald Councilmember Rishi Kumar Councilmember Yan Zhao Heritage Preservation Commission Chair Marilyn Marchetti Vice Chair Dr. Jo Rodgers Alexandra Nugent Rina Shah Annette Stransky City Staff City Manager James Lindsay Public Works Director John Cherbone Community Development Director Debbie Pedro Planning Liaison Nicole Johnson Citizen Norm Koepernick Footnotes, Notes, Reference ❶ Saratoga News Clipping 8/15/84 ❷ Saratoga news clipping 8/84 ❸ Note: difficult to find Heritage Park or Central Park also if Google/ Central Park Orchard or Heritage Orchard no listing on https://www.saratoga.ca.us/Facilities ❹ Note: Is the land covered by the Williamson Act? The Williamson Act of the US state of California (officially, the California Land Conservation Act of 1965) is a California law that provides relief of property tax to owners of farmland and open-space land in exchange for a ten-year agreement that the land will not be developed or otherwise converted to another use. The motivation for the Williamson Act is to promote voluntary land conservation, particularly farmland conservation. Someone said the city does not pay property tax so it does not pertain—but has anyone checked lately? ❺ DPR (note DPR calls the property Central Park Orchard. Signage calls it Central Park. ❻SN article 8/86 ❼ Resolution 00-049 ❽ Resolution 02-021 Page 1 of 1 MEMORANDUM MEETING DATE: August 13, 2019 TO: Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) FROM: Nicole Johnson, Planner II SUBJECT: Item 7a - Minutes Per the Commissioners Handbook, the City’s Policy is to provide action minutes. Going forward the HPC minutes will be action minutes. Please see attached email from the City Clerk dated July 23, 2019.