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Home My WebLink About11-08-2005 HPC MinutesCity of Saratoga HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Date: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 8:30 a.m. Place: Planning Division Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Type: Regular Meeting I. Routine Organization A. Roll Call PRESENT: Commissioners Bailey, Ballingall, Brookfield, Conrado, Louden, and Wyman ABSENT: Commissioner Lowdermilk GUESTS: Ms. Jill Hunter and Ms. Nancy Anderson B. Approval o f minutes from October 11, 2005 meet ing – Approved by a 60 vote. C. Posting o f Agenda – Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda was posted on November 03, 2005 D. Oral & Written Communicat ion Any member of the public may address the Commissio n 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. § Ms. Jill Hunter spoke regarding signage in the Village and the importance of ensuring new signage is compatible with its characteristics. She also commented that the Saratoga Elementary School signage is out of character with the historic school and suggested that the HPC write a letter to the school to offset signage. E. Oral Communications – Historic Preservation Commissio n Direct ion to Staff – Instruction to staff regarding actions on current Oral Communications. § Chair Conrado responded to Ms. Hunter’s concerns by suggesting the issue regarding Saratoga Elementary School be looked at as a group and directed staff place the item on the agenda for next month’s meeting. II. Old Business A. Review addit ional content for Heritage Resources webpage § Item moved to pending items; Commissioner Ballingall offered to be an alternative HPC representative to the Village Task Force B. Update on Mustard Walk § Item discussed; At next month’s meeting the Commission will review activities and ensure everyone understands their role in coordinating the Mustard Walk C. Update on Calendar § Item moved to pending items; D. Update on Historic Resources Inventory § Commissioner Bailey gave a brief presentation of the inventory § Commissioner Conrado suggested integrating the existing draft inventory list and the list of properties with structures built in 1945 or before; § Commissioner Louden offered to look at the properties described as “can’t locate” and verify whether or not they exist; § Commissioner Bailey offered to combine the list of properties built in 1945 or before with the pending inventory list so that at next month’s meeting, the Commission can looking at the “Pending Inventory” and assess which streets should be considered first. E. Update on McWilliams House Renovation § Staff gave the following updates regarding the status of the project: (1) in accordance with grant requirements, the project will be part of the December 15 th Santa Clara County Historic Heritage Commission meeting; and (2) the plans have been submitted to the Saratoga Building Department for plan check. F. Update on National Register Applicat ions § Commissioners Bailey and Wyman updated the group, stating that additional information is required regarding the Saratoga Village Library and the Warner Hutton House. This information is due to the California State Office of Historic Preservation by midNovember for State review in February 2006. III. New Business A. Review request fro m the Saratoga Historic Foundation to have a sign placed on Saratoga Historic Orchard § Ms. Nancy Anderson gave a brief presentation on the proposal and commented that the language on the sign is proposed to read, “Saratoga Heritage Orchard A glimpse of the past preserved for the future;” § Commissioner Ballingall suggested that the financing of the sign should be explained to City Council and that the word “park” should not be on the sign § Commissioner Brookfield asked about the illumination; § Commissioner Conrado commented that the blurb may be controversial; § Ms. Hunter commented that the ultimate decision will be made by City Council; § Commission Wyman suggested leaving the language in and allowing City Council to either keep it or remove it; § Changes to the sign were discussed and the following were finalized: i. Historical Orchard Park will instead be Saratoga Heritage Orchard ii. Language reading, “A glimpse of the past preserved for the future” will be added iii. The height of sign is proposed as 4’9” instead of 3’6” iv. The illumination as prescribed on the drawing will be removed v. The lettering will be made of black cast iron; § The proposal was approved with a 60 vote with the following motion: The HPC enthusiastically approves and supports two signs as presented with recommended changes. § Commissioner Bailey, on behalf of HPC, offered to write a letter of support for the proposal. B. Bronze Plaque for 14288 Chester Avenue § The HPC approved putting a bronze plaque signifying the historic landmark at 14288 Chester Avenue with a 60 vote. Commissioner Conrado will look into the production of the sign. IV. Items to be placed on the next Agenda A. Historic Preservation Data Base B. Review list of properties with structures 50 years and over in age V. Pending Items A. Work Plan B. Adopt a Tree Program for the Heritage Orchard C. Update Heritage Ordinance D. Review Oak Street as a Heritage Lane E. Update on fo llowup for 14820 Pierce Road – Landmark and Mills Act VI. Adjournment Adjourn to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 06, 2005, Warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. Please advise the Chair if you will be absent from the next scheduled meeting In compliance with the Americans wit h Disabilit ies Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disabilit yrelated modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the Cit y Clerk’s Office at 408.868.1269 or ctclerk@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 reco mmendation made by the Heritage Preservation Co mmissio n may be appealed to the Planning Co mmissio n wit hin 10 days of the date of the decisio n. The appeal shall be taken by filing wit h the Secretary of the Planning Co mmission a written notice and filing fee wit hin 10 days of the date of the decisio n. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Shweta Bhatt, Assistant Planner for the Cit y o f Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meet ing o f the Heritage Preservation Co mmission o f the Cit y o f Saratoga was posted at the office o f the Cit y o f Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that location. The agenda is also available on the Cit y’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us. Signed this 03 th day o f November 2005 at Saratoga, California. Shweta Bhatt Assistant Planner Cit y of Saratoga Planning Divisio n 408.868.1266