HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-1983 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, January 25, 1983 - 3:30 P.M.
PLACE: Community Center Meeting Room, 19655 Allendale Ave., Saratoga
TYPE: Regular Meeting
ROUTINE ORGANIZATION
Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Landshess, McArthur, Chairman Voester
Absent: Commissioner Heid
(Staff informed the Con~nission that Commissioner
Bolger has resigned from the Heritage Preservation
Commission.)
Minutes
The reading of the minutes of December 7, 1982, was waived and
the minutes approved unanimously.
I. ELECTION OF NEW CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
Chairman Voester turned the meeting over to the Secretary who then
requested nominations for Chairman of the Heritage Preservation
Commission. Commissioner Voester nominated Commissioner McArthur
for Chairman. This motion was seconde~ by Commissioner Landsness.
There being no further nominations, the nominations were closed.
Commissioner McArthur was elected to the office of Chairman un-
animously.
Chairman McArthur then opened the nominations for the office of Vice-
Chairman by nominating Commissioner Landshess. Commissioner Voester
seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations, the
nominations were closed. Commissioner Landsness was elected to the
office of Vice-Chairman unanimously.
Chairman McArthur thanked Commissioner Voester for her work in
getting the Commission started and her past efforts as Chairman.
II. DISCUSSION ON USE OF VOLUNTEER AS HERITAGE COMMISSION
SECRETARY
Staff explained the proposal to have a volunteer act as secretary
to the Heritage Preservation Commission primarily to save staff
time and to give the Commission greater support. The advantages
and disadvantages of this proposal were then discussed.
Chairman McArthur suggested that there should be more people on
the Commission to provide greater support. With more commissioners,
one of them could act as secretary. Discussion then followed on
adding two new members to the Commission. Rob Robinson, Director
of Planning and Policy Analysis, then suggested that the Commission
forward to the City Council its request to add new Commissioners.
The Commission also discussed suggesting theelimination of the
Planning Commission Representative on the Heritage Preservation
Commission since they found it difficult to attend Commission meetings.
This representative could be replaced by another commissioner at-
large.
Commissioner Voester asked whether there was money available to
hire an historic preservation consultant to help the Commission
identify what needs to be done so that the Commission is headed in
the right direction. Mr. Robinson said he would look into the
possibility of providing some funds for the Commission.
The Commission then discussed preparing a book of some sort on
Saratoga's Historic structures, somewhat like the cookbook brought
in by Commissioner Landsness prepared for Sonoma. Commissioner
Landsness indicated the need for something to inform the residents
of Saratoga about what the Commission is doing. Mr. Robinson sug-
gested that other local clubs or organizations, such as Rotary or
Kiwanis, could be involved with Commission activities. He also sug-
gested that the Commission could prepare a presentation for the
City Council to let them know what the Commission is doing and what
needs it has. The February 16th Council meeting was suggested for
the presentation.
III. REPORT ON ORDINANCE CERTIFICATION PROCESS
Staff reported that the Mayor had sent a letter formally requesting
certification of Saratoga's Heritage Preservation Ordinance from
the State's Office of Historic Preservation. The State had indicated
after an informal review of the ordinance that there was a good
chance that the ordinance would be certified. The Commission asked
staff to follow up on the certification request and to make copies
for the Commission of the tax incentive information provided by the
State. The Commission also discussed writing an article for the
newspaper on tax incentives.
IV. ADDITIONS TO SANTA CLARA COUNTY HERITAGE RESOURCE INVENTORY
Staff informed the Commission of the County's proposal to add two
more structures in Saratoga to their historic inventory list and of
the July 1983 deadline for requests to add to the list. Commissioner
Voester suggested that the Commission go over Saratoga's inventory
to determine if other structures in Saratoga should be suggested
for the County inventory. Chairman McArthur assigned this task to
Commissioner Voester. Chairman McArthur and Commissioner Landsness
decided to work on the presentation to the City Council.
The Commission decided to meet on February 8 at 4:00 P.M. and on
March 1 at 3:30 P.M. The presentation to the City Council is to be
reviewed at the meeting of February 8, and the suggested list of
historic structures to be added to the County inventory is to be
completed by March 1.
The Commission then discussed contacting those people who had
applied to be members of the Commission to act as "ex officio"
members of the Commission until the Heritage Preservation Ordinance
can be modified to add more official members to the Commission.
Chairman McArthur indicated she would write a letter requesting
the attendance of the former applicants at the next Commission
meetings to generate some support and involvement in Commission
activities.
V. DIRECTION OF COMMISSION ACTIVITIES
Commissioner Voester went over the following items she discussed
with staff at a recent meeting in an effort to give the Commission
a positive direction:
1. Completion of the Inventory of Historic Resources.
2. Prioritize tke significance of particular structures.
3. Process Heritage Resource applications for the
historic structures owned by the City in the Historic
Park.
4. Process Mr. Z~mbetti's application for a structure
to be moved to the Village.
5. Complete the list of structures proposed to be added
to the County's inventory.
The Commission then further discussed these items. Chairman McArthur
suggested that the Village inventory be done first. Staff suggested
deadlines for completion of the tasks listed. Chairman McArthur
suggested that the deadlines be discussed further at the meeting of
February 8.
Commissioner Landsness suggested that the Heritage Preservation Or-
dinance be modified to contain a 180 day delay in the issuance of
demolition permits for designated heritage resource structures.
Commissioner Voester reported on the letter she received from the
Los Gatos Historical Society offering their assistance to the Commission.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:20 P.M.
Michaelv Flores,
Secretary