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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-2001 HPC Minutes Date: Place: Type: City of Saratoga HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, February 132001,9:15 a.m. Warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Regular Meeting I. Present: Absent: Staff: Guests: Routine Organization A. RollCall B. Hunter, King, Koepernik, Peck, Peepari, Wyman None Heather Bradley, Dave Anderson Scott Kelly, Wendell Roscoe, Venkat Kalkunte Approval of minutes from 1/9/01 and 2/6/01 Minutes were approved 6-0 C. Posting of the Agenda Pursuant to Government Code Section 94954.2, the agenda was posted on Thursday February 8, 2001 E. Oral Communications Mr. Scott Kelly discussed the Mitchell Residence property at 13089 Quito Road. His company has plans to purchase the property and develop six single-family residences on a cul-de-sac with access off Martha Avenue. He wanted to get feedback from the Commission as to their opinion on demolition of the existing residence, relocation off site or relocation on site. The Commission was strongly in favor of retaining the house on site and moving it onto a newly created lot if necessary. Mr. Scott stated that the lot sizes would all be over 12,000 square feet where 10,000 is the standard for the neighborhood. Commissioner Koepernik stated that house looked fairly sound beyond typical problems of dry rot and termite damage, and the house could be nicely renovated. The Commission would like Mr. Kelly to bring more information to them as he moves through the planning process. Commissioner Peck states that he would really like to se the house saved and moved on site. Commissioner Wyman agrees and would also like to see some of the trees saved. Commissioner Hunter states that the house is very distinctive and should be kept on site. Mr. Kelly asks if the Commission would have any problem letting the appurtenant structures, be removed. The Commission stated that the other structures could be removed. F. Written Communications The Secretary passed around an invitation to CPF awards on February 24 at the Cantor Arts Center, Stanford. Commissioners Hunter, Koepernik and Wyman expressed a desire to attend. II. Old Business A. Orchard Restoration/Library Expansion phase II - The Commission should come to some conclusion on the questions put to them at the meeting of January 9, 20011:Jy City Manager Dave Anderson. In response to questions raised by City Manager Dave Anderson the Commission concluded the following. They would like to see moveable irrigation, they would like to see the trees all replaced at one time (Comm. Hunter is opposed as she would like to see them phased in so that the change is not too abrupt), they would like to see the larger oak trees with in the orchard stay (Comm. Koepernik is opposed), they would like to leave the row of oak trees along Saratoga Avenue in place, they would like to see a permanent path installed along Saratoga Avenue and the one along Fruitvale Avenue maintained. They would like to see only use maintained paths on the other sides and within the orchard (Comm. Hunter opposed as she would like to see a permanent path along the creek side), they would like to see mowed and rolled paths only for special occasions held within the orchard. III. New Business A. 14625 Fruitvale Avenue - Design Review-OO-059. Request to demolish the Saso Herb Garden and structures (including house which is on the Heritage Resource Inventory) to construct a new two-story residence. Commissioner Koepernik said that he would have liked to see the footprint of the house staked at their site visit so they could have a cleared idea of where the house will be. Mr. Roscoe stated that they spent a great deal of time talking with the Saso's about the property and they wanted to see much of the landscape retained. He said he worked with that in mind and took care to design the house to be completely out of the dripline of the large oak tree. He said that the bulk of the new house is in the same location as the existing residence. He said they have also spent time talking to the neighbors about the new design. Mr. Kalkunte said that a lot of care went into the design, to work around the oak, to minimize the view of the house from Farwell and the neighbors and that the house would be hidden behind the large oak tree. Commissioner Koepernik said that there are primarily two issues at hand, first the house and second the gardens. The gardens are very well known around the Valley. He likes the design of the new house with the copper roof. Mr. Roscoe said that it is not a copper roof, but a standing seem roof which they chose because to the proximity of the house to the oak tree. This type of roof is the most fire resistant and will not collect debris from the oak tree. Commissioner Koepernik said that the Commission walked through the house and thinks that he could support the project. However he would like to see the gardens maintained and would also like to see letters of support from the neighbors. He would also like to see the fence maintained even if it is in the public right-of-way. Mr. Kalkunte said that this is something the neighbors would also like to see and they plan to keep it. Comm. Koepernik would also like to see the trees and landscape adjacent to the fence saved. Comm. Hunter asked where construction access would be. Mr. Kalkunte said it will be from Fruitvale Avenue and once construction is complete they would take out that driveway. Comm. Wyman asked how large and how tall would the new house be. Mr. Kalkunte said the house would be 26 feet tall and 5,704 square feet. The detached garage would be 768 sq. ft. and the pool house would be 137 sq. ft. Comm. Hunter asked why they chose a metal roof rather than slate. Mr. Roscoe said it was because a metal roof would not hold any debris from the oak tree. Comm. Peck said that the house itself doesn't have enough historical integrity as it has been compromised with additions over the years. Comm. King agrees. Comm. Peepari said that he has difficulty with the concept of the design of the new residence and with demolition of the house which is on the City's Inventory. He feels is should be replaced with something more similar to what is there. He feels this design is a Taj Majal and would like to see something more compatible with the homes in the existing neighborhood. He would like to see something with a more uniform architectural design. He sees elements of French Chateau, Modern with the metal roof, Romanesque with the stone, grand entry and quoins, and Greek Revival with the stone columns. Mr. Roscoe said that he disagrees and the columns are very simple. Comm. Peepari would like to see a Craftsman style with a more uniform design. Mr. Roscoe said that he has been designing houses for 50 years and has spent hundreds of hours on this design. The rendering is exact to the plan. He has done many homes in Saratoga and Los Altos Hills. He said we are no longer driving model T's or horse and buggies. He also said that there aren't Craftsman homes in the neighborhood. Comm. Peepari said he would like a more conservative design. Mr. Roscoe doesn't feel it is important to replicate the existing residence, but it is more important to save the grounds. Comm. Koepernik said that he respects Comm. Peepari's ideas and agrees with what he has said. Comm. Hunter said that Comm. Peepari's statements are very meaningful to her. She said that this property is dearly loved in Saratoga, that she has toured it more times than she can count, that she has brought tours of school children there and even has plant growing in her own garden from the grounds. She said that she had heard from the Saso's that they accepted the idea of demolition and that made her pull back. The Saso's are very well know in Saratoga and she doesn't know what to do, she doesn't have and answer to this project. She can't visualize the gardens being maintained with a 6,000 sq. ft. house on the property. Mr. Roscoe says that the same basic footprint of the existing residence will be utilized, and the neighbors have approved of the second story. He said that the neighborhood is constantly changing and homes all around are being enlarged. He said the house may be old, but its many additions have been cobbled together over the years. Comm. Wyman said she agrees with Comm. Hunter, and she is not sure what to do either. She likes how the house has been designed around the large oak tree, that the original house isn't in great shape, but doesn't want to see it torn down, would like to see if it could be moved. Mr. Roscoe said that he does not think it is in good enough condition to be moved. Comm. Koepernik disagrees. Comm. Koepernik would like to see input from the neighbors in writing, and would like the Commission to review this again. He believes that the Commission can't make the owners keep the gardens, but the property is on the Inventory. He does like the design of the new house. Comm. Wyman asks about the status of the Planning Commission review and would further HPC review hold up the project? Staff Bradley says that yes, further review could delay the project. Mr. Kalkunt said that they have reached consensus with the Planning Staff and their issues have been resolved. Staff Bradley cannot confirm this. Comm. Hunter said that the community would be up in arms once they learn of the demolition of this property. Comm. Peepari would like to see the project started over from scratch. Mr. Roscoe and Mr. Kalkunte feel that is irrational. Comm. Koepernik said that it might seem unreasonable but that the Planning Commission may make them do exactly that. Mr. Roscoe said that the Commission must consider the feelings of the man and his family who will be living in the house. He said that most of the landscape would be retained. Comm. Hunter asks Mr. Kalkunte if he was aware of the distinctive nature of the property when he bought it. He said yes, he spent a lot of time talking with the Saso's and was made to believe that although the home was on the Inventory that did not prevent its demolition. He said that he has a letter from the City to that effect. Comm. Hunter makes a motion that the HPC review the project at their next meeting and walk the property again. They want the applicant to have the footprint staked, to provide letters from the neighbors, to show the existing residence superimposed on the site plans and elevation drawings. She would also like the Planning Commissioners invited to come along to the site visit. Comm. Wyman thinks the HPC should make a decision now. Comm. Peck seconds Comm. Hunter's motion. Motion is approved 4-2 with Commissioners Peepari and Wyman opposed. Mr. Kalkunte said that he would comply with any reasonable requests made and make changes to accommodate reasonable concerns. B. 14499 Oak Street - Approval of color and material board Staff Bradley did not bring the color board. This will be reviewed at the next meeting IV. Items Initiated by the Commission Discussion of Joint City Council/HPC meeting The Commission asked that this be discussed at their next meeting along with the possibility of a future joint Planning Commission/Heritage Preservation Commission meeting. V. Items Initiated by the Secretary Change of meeting date - March 6, 2001 rather than March 13,2001 The change of meeting date was approved. VI. Adjournment 9:00 a.m. Tuesday March G, ZOOI - Warner Hutton House Respectfully Submitted by,