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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-1983 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, February 3, 1983- 4:00 P.M. PLACE: Community Center Meeting Room, 19655 Allendale Ave., Saratoga TYPE: Regular Meeting ROUTINE ORGANIZATION Roll Call Present: Commissioners Heid, Landsness, Voester, Chairman McAr thur Absent: None Minutes The reading of the minutes of January 25, 1983, was waived and the minutes apprdved unanimously. I. CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION The Chairman introduced those people attending the meeting that answered her invitation to participate in Commission activities as ex-officio members, Those present included: George Whalen, R. V. Weebner, Monday Walsh, Maxine McGinnis, Louise Wagner, Peggy Corr, and Mr. BUrgess. Judith Pierce of the Saratoga News was also present. There was a brief disGussion of the presentation the Commission will make to the City Council at its March 2, 1983, meeting and the modification to the Heritage Preservation Ordinance to create a 7 member Commission rather than a 5 member one. The Commission wanted Staff to check with the State on how the proposed ordinance amendments would affect certification of the ordinance. There was also discussion on focusing the Commission's attention on buildings, tax breaks to encourage property owners to support heritage districts, possible earthquake rehabilitation funds for historic structures and architectural controls. II. COMPLETION TIMETABLE Chairman McArthur suggested that the Commission develop some back- ground information on their values and the priority these values should have before a completion timetable for their activities is adopted. She noted that the Commission needed to reach agreement on these matters so that they could pull together to accomplish their goals. Page 2 Chairman McArthur briefly outlined the "Public Service Scope" of the Commission's activities which encompasses their values and the environment they will operate within. Values and environment are tied to: 1. "Opporthreats" - opportunities and problems (obstacles) the Co~ission will have 2. Mission (linked to the following) a. Who is to be served b. What the Commission's abilities are c. Values d. Environment 3. Goals 4. Objectives As a first step to determining the Commission's scope, their most important values were listed: 1. Preserving historic environment 2. Create public interest (community conscience or awareness) 3. Respecting the individual property owner 4. Community pride 5. Aesthetics/Education The Commission then listed the following environmental factors they needed to be aware of: 1. Economic times (constraints) 2. Private property rights 3. Earthquake problems 4. Building codes - local government restrictions (hinderance to restoration) Under the heading of "Who We Serve", the Commission listed: 1. Citizens of Saratoga (people specifically connected with historical property) 2. Cultural institutions (e.g. Montalvo) 3. City Council/Planning Commission 4. Future generations 5. Predecessors Page 3 The Chairman then asked the Commission, including the ex-officio (unofficial) members, to think about: 1. What talents the Commission has. 2. Specific overall goals. 3. Priority of these goals. 4. Deadlines for the completion of Commission activities. III. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. ' Michael Flores, Secretary 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE · SARATOGA CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867-3438 TO: Heritage Preservation Commission DATE= February 14, 1983 FROM: R.S. Robinson, Planning Director SUBJECT: HISTORICAL SKETCH BOOK Several weeks ago at a meeting, the Commission indicated a desire to complete a sketch book of several of the historical buildings within the City of Saratoga. With that direction, Staff immediately went out and contacted a volunteer who was interested in doing the sketches. At this time, I have had an opportunity to sit down and discuss the sketch book and also to review some of the sketches of the individual interested in completing the work. Before going any further with the project, Staff needs to know exactly what the Commission intends to do with such a book. Do you wish to have a recipe book, as has been indicated, or would it be strictly just the sketches with an historical description of each one of the pictures. Does the Commission wish to sell these, with the proceeds going to the brass name plates? Is the Commission willing to seek donations from various organizations throughout the City in order to publish this document? Staff is asking these questions at this time because of the interest of the individual who wants to complete the book. I have asked this person to attend your meeting of March 1 to discuss the book with you. I would hope that each of the Commissioners would sit down and define precisely what they are looking at in the terms of a booklet, as well as the schedule that they hope to meet. Staff is enthusiastic about the project and feel that it would be an excellent undertaking for the Commission, providing the other needed activities can be completed along with it. As has been stated before, it would require some "knocking on doors" in order to get some funding for publication of the document. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 867-3438, me this week, or Mike in the future. .~S. Robinson, Jr. Director of Planning and Policy Analysis RSR:mlh