HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-1984 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: January 18, 1984, 3:30 P.M.
PLACE: Saratoga Community Library, 13650 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga
TYPE: Regular Meeting
ROUTINE ORGANIZATION
Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Cameron, Heid, Henderson, Kvamme, and Chairman
Landsness
Absent: Commissioners McArthur and Voester
MINUTES
The reading of the minutes for the meeting of December 14, 1983 was
waived and the minutes approved unanimously.
I. OLD BUSINESS
A. Re~ort on Potential Historic District
Commissioner Heid submitted a draft report and map for a
potential historic district entitled the Oak/St. Charles/
Aloha Historical District. This district would include 11
structures with potential historic significance. Commissioner
Held indicated that three of the residences with potential
were not on the City's inventory and neither was the Oak St.
Elementary School. He also stated that Building L (Hanna
McCarthy's House) might have to be eliminated from the dis-
trict due to its isolated location relative to the other
potentially historic structures in the district.
Discussion then followed on where the Commission should go
from here on this matter. Commissioner Heid felt that
Melitta Oden should review the potential district. He
indicated that research was needed to determine who the
property owners in the District are and more information on
Building C and Dwas needed to determine their eligibility.
The age of the buildings also needed to be determined.
The Commission then discussed additional buildings that might
qualify within the district. Chairman Landsness indicated
that non-historic structures within the 30-39 year age range
located in the Historic District may be eligible for some
tax benefits. She also stated that we need to protect the
remaining structures we have which have become more valuable
since so many structures have been lost.
Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes Page 2
Discussion then followed on what qualifies as historic for
the purposes of the district. Age was considered an important
factor and it was indicated that 50 years was an age limit
initially used by the Commission. Commissioner Heid commented
that we needed good reasons to convince the State of the
value of any proposed historic district. Staff then reviewed
the letter from the Department of the Interior describing how
they would closely review any historic districts proposed by
the City. The criteria for heritage resources in the Heritage
Preservation Ordinance were also reviewed. Commissioner Heid
thought that most of the structures listed in his report
would qualify under the criteria of the ordinance but that
others needed further study. The structures not on the list
were also discussed in terms of how they would fit in the
district.
The problem of the proposed district's boundaries that jog
in and out to include all the potential historic properties
was discussed in terms of how the State would review it. The
Commission decided to go forward with the boundary that in-
cluded all the structures. A strong desire was expressed to
preserve the Hanna McCarthy building.
B. Report on Progress on Heritage Resource Designations
Commissioner Henderson asked Commissioner Heid what progress
he was making on the Heritage Resource Designation Application
for Montalvo. Commissioner Heid indicated that the board
must approve the application which it will consider at its
next meeting. He then described how the application was put
together.
Commissioner Henderson commented that there was need to learn
the fundamentals and techniques of the application process in
order for the Commisssion to assist interested property owners.
She also indicated that Commissioner Voester was making progress
with the Foothill Club application. There was general discussion
on using the incentives approach to encourage applications.
C. Summar~ of Tax Incentives
Since Commissioner McArthur was not present to report, this
item was continued to the next Commission meeting.
II. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review State Historic Building Code
Staff briefly explained that there were provisions in the
Uniform Building Code (UBC) that allow the building official
some leeway to vary from code requirements when a structure
is designated as a historic resource. There were no specific
questions on the State Historic Building Code so discussion
then turned to more general matters.
Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes Page 3
Chairman Landsness indicated she wanted to get some action
going through the Heritage Designation process. Commissioner
Heid suggested that the Commission get what it could now and
build support. Chairman Landsness felt that a town meeting
for potential applicants would be appropriate. Commissioner
Heid felt a more personal approach would be needed.
Commissioner Henderson indicated that steps should be outlined
for the application procedure. Chairman Landsness stated that
the tentative historic district and the structures within it
should be verified. Discussion followed on creating an
application packet for property owners including the application,
description of potential tax benefits, and other supplemental
information. The Commission also discussed assisting a potential
applicant by filling out or partially completing the application
forms.
Commissioner Cameron suggested that the Commission draft a
letter explaining what the Commission wanted to do to the
properly owner/potential applicant. Commissioner Held felt
a personal phone call to the property owner would be more
effective. A Commissioner could make an appointment with the
owner and review the purposes of the Commission and the
ordinance with that person. Commissioner Heid expressed
the need for more publicity on Commission activities as the
process of forming the district gets started. Discussion
then followed on getting articles in both the Saratoga News
and the San Jose ~rcury.
Commission Kvamme described her meeting with the owner of
the Luther Cunningham house and his interest in heritage
resources. She indicated that he offered to give the Commission
a tour of his house.
Chairman Landsness spoke about getting funds f~om other
organizations to suDport Commission activities. She asked
Commissioner Heid z~ the Rotary Club would be interested.
He responsed that April would be the right time to approach
the club but the Commission would need to be specific with
its request.
B. Report from Education Committee
Chairm~n Landsness indicated that there is a need to do a
walking brochure to create more public interest. These
brochures could be taken to different shops to be distributed.
Commissioner Held mentioned that a color brochure was now
being distributed by merchants in Saratoga. Chairman Landshess
stated that the existing heritage brochure needed to be updated.
Commissioner Henderson asked if the brochure should be a
priority of the Commission considering the other activities,
including the creation of a historic district, the Commission
was involved in. She was concerned with the time involved in
all these activities. Commissioner Heid stated that the
Commission should be primarily concerned with preservation
activities rather than the brochure or advertising. Chairman
Landsness suggested that perhaps the district should be formed
first and then the brochure could be worked on.
Heritage Preservation Minutes Page 4
1/18/84
Commissioner Henderson asked where does the duty of the
Commission ~ie. Education of the public would come through
what the Commission does. Chairman Landsness stated there
was a need to educate the affected property owners first but
there was also a need to educate the general public in Saratoga.
Commissioner Heid suggested that the best vehicle for achieving
that goal would be the City's inventory. Discussion then
followed on publishing a booklet such as the Palo Alto
example shown by Chairman Landsness.
Commissioner Cameron indicated that the general public would
be interested in the inventory as a description of the City's
history. The Convission discussed the need to get the in-
ventory finalized and checked for accuracy. Commissioner
Henderson indicated that the Commission should review its
previously adopted goals.
Chairman Landsness stated that the Con~ission should focus
on preservation as its major goal. Commissioner Heid said
that the Commission should concentrate first on forming the
historic district and then work on publicity. Commissioner
Henderson indicated that a process should be established for
adding items to the City's inventory.
III. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Flores
Secretary
MF/b j c