HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-1983 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: December 14, 1983, 3:30 p.m.
PLACE: Community Center Meeting Room, 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, CA.
TYPE: Regular Meeting
w~
ROUTINE ORGANIZATION
Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Cameron, Heid, Henderson, Landsness, Voester
and Chairman Mc Arthur.
Absent: Commissioner Kvamme
MINUTES
The reading of the minutes for the meeting of November 16, 1983 was
waived and the minutes approved unanimously.
I. OLD BUSINESS
A. Follow UP on Joint Meeting
The Commission discussed their joint meeting with the Historical
Foundation and generally felt that the meeting was a success in
terms of communication. Chairman Mc Arthur mentioned that a Mr.
A.H. Brolly volunteered to take the Commissioners around town to
see historic structures he knows of and that he would be a good
resource for the Commission. She also said she might be able to
use one of the college vans for such a tour. The Commission de~
cided they wanted to follow up on Mr. Brolly's offer.
Commissioner Heid felt that the board of the foundation was pleased
with the joint meeting. He indicated that Melitta Oden had re-
viewed the Commission's inventory and had indicated that several
corrections needed to be made.
Commissioner Voester mentioned that Mrs. Jorgenson had sent in
information on her house to be added to the inventory. Mrs.
Jorgenson also volunteered to provide before and after photographs
for the home. Commissioner Voester was to give this information
Commissioner Kvamme to put into the computer inventory.
Commissioner Heid stated that he explained the nature of the
inventory to some of the members of the Historical Foundation.
Some of these members expressed concern about potential dis-
appointment if someone came forward with a request and were
not designated as a heritage resource. The Commission felt that
the distinction between the inventory and designation as a heritage
resource had been made clear. Commissioner Voester indicated
Heritage Preser,-~tion Minutes Page 2
12/14/83
that the inventory list should be inclusive rather than exclusive.
B. Discussion of Brozda Variance Application
Staff briefly explained the Brozda variance application for the
barn at the terminus of Third Street and modifications to the
exterior of the structure. Potential code problems were also
discussed. Chairman Mc Arthur asked if the State Historic Building
Code applied in this case. Staff indicated that the City had not
yet adopted that code as part of its Uniform Building Code.
Discussion then followed on what position the Commission should
take on the proposed application.
Chairman Mc Arthur felt that a general statement encouraging pre-
servation would be appropriate. Commissioner Cameron stated that
the Commission should work on getting the State Historic Building
Code adopted before trying to promote Heritage Resource designations.
Commissioner Heid indicated that the Commission should review the
State Historic Building Code then present their review to the City
Council for action. ~he Commission agreed with this approach and
decided to discuss this at their next meeting.
C. Discussi°n °f Genera! Plan andmHe~ita~e Preservation Ordinance
The Commission reviewed the relationship between the General Plan
and the Heritage Preservation Ordinance, Commissioner Cameron
indicated that the General Plan provided a good basis for the
Heritage Preservation Ordinance. He looked into the possibility
of creating a Historic District overlay zone in the zoning ordinance.
This issue was discussed with Commissioner Heid and staff prior to
this meeting and it was determined that the existing ordinance
gives the Commission all the authority and responsibility it needs
to create a Historic District. It also appeared that the City
Council would not support a new ordinance without the existing
ordinance being tried first.
The Commisssion then discussed the need for the first attempt at
creating a Historic District to be successful. Commissioner Heid
then went through the list and photographs of historic structures
on a 1949 landmark inventory when Saratoga became a State Historic
Landmark. The Commission discussed starting out in a small area
with a cluster of historic buildings. Chairman Mc Arthur briefly
described the State's criteria for a historic district and its
importance. Fifty-one percent of the structures in the district
have to be historic for a distract to qualify for tax benefits.
The Commission then discussed a possible list of small areas that
might be suitable historic districts and how best to proceed.
Chairman Mc Arthur asked if the Commission wanted to discuss
potential historic districts at its next meeting. The Commission
decided to form a Historic District study group to do research and
make suggestions to the whole Commmission. Commissioners Cameron
and Heid volunteered to be on this study group.
Heritage Preservation ¥ utes Page 3
12/14/83
Discussion then followed on how to proceed to form a district.
Chairman Mc Arthur indicated that when the State wishes to form
a historic district, ~1 dissenters of that action must send a
notorized letter opposing the district. The Commission also
discussed meeting with the residents of a potential Historic
District to determine their support for such a district.
Commissioner Heid felt the Commission needed to get something
now in terms of a Heritage Resource designation and then try to
set up a Historic District. He volunteered to work on the appli-
cations for Montalvo and Saratoga School on Oak Street. Commissioner
Landsness mentioned that the Foothill Club was applying to be added
to the National Register of Historic Places. Chairman Mc Arthur
suggested that a general letter be drafted to ask potential
applicants to consider filling out a heritage designation application.
A draft application partially filled out could also be sent to the
applicant. Also, a Commissioner was needed as a contact person and
coordinator of the designation process. Commissioner Henderson
was appointed as Designation Coordinator.
Staff suggested that the Commission do a trial run first with a
City intiated application before asking private individuals to apply.
Commissioner Cameron recommended that a timeline describing the
application process should be created to aid potential applicants.
IIi~ NEW BUSINESS
A. Certification of Ordinance and Potential Tax Incentives
Staff indicated that the City's Heritage Preservation Ordinance
had been certified by the Department of the Interior. Commissioner
Mc Arthur handed out some information on the tax incentives associated
with historic districts once they have been identified by the
designating body. Commissioner Landsness said thattherewasa difference
between rehabilitation and restoration as defined in tax law. A 25%
tax credit is available for work done on historic commercial structures.
Commissioner Heid indicated that the tax credit didnot apply to
structures owned and ~occupied as single family dwellings. Chairman
Mc Arthur said she would find out if there were tax incentives for
single-family dwellings.
Commissioner Henderson stated that one of the problems the Commission
has is that it does not have a simple answer for people who ask what
incentives apply. The tax incentive materials should be read and
distilled to find the core of these incentives. Chairman Mc Arthur
then briefly explained the certification process for Historic Districts
in response to a question from Commissioner Cameron. She also decided
to ask Mardi Gualtieri Bennett if she has a s~nmary on tax incentives.
B. Election of New 0ffiers
Commissioner Heid nominated Commissioner Landsness as the new Chairman
of the Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission. Chairman Mc Arthur
seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations Commissioner
Heid moved that the nominations be closed. Commissioner Cameron seconded
the motion which passed unanimously. Commissioner Landshess was then
elected as the new chairman unanimously.
Heritage Preserva~ on Minutes Page 4
12/14/83
Commissioner Hendersan nominated Commissioner Heid as the new Vice
Chairman of the Commission. Commissioner Cameron seconded the motion.
Commissioner Voester moved that the nominations be closed. Commissioner
Henderson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Commissioner
Heid was then elected unanimously as the new Vice Chairman.
Staff noted that the new officers would take office on the first
meeting in January. Also the next meeting would be held in the
meeting room of the Saratoga CoF~unity Library.
III. OTHER ITEMS
Commissioner Voester asked when the Education Committee was going to meet.
Chairman Mc Arthur answered that the meeting would be held at 3:00 p.m.
on January 11th at her house. She also indicated she would be contacting
interested people at West Valley College and other organizations.
Commissioner Heid offered to have an open house for general discussion
between Commissioners on January 8th or 15th. The Commission felt that
January 15th would be the best date.
Commissioner Landsness stressed that public relations is an important
aspect of Commission activities. She wants to get as many people involved
as possible through such means as a walking tour brochure and publication
of the City inventory. She indicated that the Village merchants have
funds for a brod~ure and interested people that have graphic skills. (She
had talked to the Vice-President of the Village Merchants Associated re-
garding this). She felt that the Commission might be able to intiate this
process.
Commissioner Landsness, said shehas many public relations ideas for the
Commission to consider. She passed out several sections of a binder containing
such ideas: for review by individual commissioners. There then follcwed questions
on how such projects could be funded. It was suggested that funding could
be provided by a service organization or perhaps in the next City budget.
The next meeting is to be held on January 18, 1984 with the following
items on the agenda:
1. Review copy of State Historic Building Code.
2. Commissioners Cameron and Heid to report back on potential
historic districts.
3. Commissioner Henderson is to report back on any progress on
Heritage Resource Designations.
4. Education Committee to report.
5. Summary of Tax Incentives.
IV. ADJOURNmeNT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Flores
Secretary