Loading...
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