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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-1984 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, February' 15, 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, McArthur, and Chairman Landsness Absent: None MINUTES The reading of the minutes for the meeting ~of January 18, 1984 was waived and the minutes approved unanimously. I. OLD BUSINESS A. Summary of Tax Incentives Commissioner McArthur indicated that she had read through the materials she had, summarized them and handed out copies of the best reports. She indicated that the tax benefits shown were for income producing properties only. She stated that someone was needed to keep a file on all forms of incentives for pre- servation including taxes and rehabilitation monies. She then went through the points listed on her cover sheet for tax incentives. She also passed out copies of Gilroy's zoning ordinance that dealt with demolition procedures. It is important to take the time to read the handouts. She indicated that page 8 of one of the handouts had an excellent example explaining the step-by-step procedure for determining incentives. Commissioner Cameron asked if individual structures had to be reviewed by the State or if City review was sufficient to deter- mine eligibility. It was determined that if the structure was in a qualified historic district it would be acceptable. Commissioner McArthur stated that affected individuals would need to contact a tax specialist. Chairman Landsness indicated there were not many incentives to preserve single-family dwellings. The possibility of using rehabilitation money for historic preservation was then discussed. Staff indicated the City's Housing and Community Development Coordinator might be able to explain how rehabilitation monies could be used for preservation. B. Update on Status of Historic District Commissioner Heid indicated there was a need to determine the ownership of the Madronia Cemetery and a smaller parcel surrounded by the cemetery. Commissioner McArthur then referred to the Department of the Interior's letter dated November 4, 1983 and its concern with Section 6(c) (3) of Ordinance No. 66. Discussion then followed on the relationship of this letter to the proposed boundary of the historic district. Staff indicated that the Commission was under the impression that 51% of the structures in a district must be considered historic. Commissioner McArthur thought the structures that contributed to the historic environment or feeling could be counted as well. She was concerned that using the previous definition would exclude the Village Area. Commissioner Voester suggested that the Commission start with the smaller Oak Street district and then go from there. Commissioner Cameron indicated that they started with the pro- posed district discussed at the last meeting because it had bona fide historic structures. Commissioner Voester indicated there may be a problem with getting the property owners to accept being part of the district. Commissioner Held commented that the Commission should establish the district for the City first and then seek the support of the State. Thepurpose of the district is to preserve our heritage first for ourselves. Commissioner McArthur stated she had visited some of the sites in the proposed historic district along with volunteer students. She indicated they had talked to some of the property owners of the buildings where more information was needed to determine their historic status. The students will be researching other buildings as well. Commissioner McArthur stated that the pro- gress beinq made on the ~district was qood but she was concerned with the broader aspect of the district and mentioned her desire to create a larger boundary to include buildings that contribute ~o the character of the district. Commissioner Heid commented that if character were the primary concern of the district then Orchard Road would be a better focus than Oak Street. Commissioner McArthur stated there could be a variety of districts. Discussion then followed on the threat of change in the areas to be preserved. Commissioner Voester said there was a need to look at other properties as well. Commissioner Cameron said a district is more than clusters of individual buildings. Commissioner McArthur made a motion to expand the boundaries of the proposed district along Oak Street from Highway 9 to the Madronia Cemetery. Commissioner Voester seconded the motion. Considerable discussion then followed on the motion especially regarding the number of historic structures that had to be in the district and district criteria. Commissioner Henderson indicated that a smaller district was initially proposed to have a better chance of approval. Heritage Preservation Committee Minutes wage J 2/15/84 Commissioner McArthur agreed to modify the motion to have the Committee consider extending the boundaries for the proposed Oak Street Historic District from Highway 9 along Oak Street to the Madronia Cemetary. The motion was approved on a vote of 6-0-1 with Commissioner Henderson abstaining. She indicated she was concerned about wasting time. Commissioner Cameron stated that the Commission needed to determine the contributing issue and that the Commission should ask the State for guidelines defining historic districts. C. Progress on Heritage Resource Designations ¢ Commissioner Henderson indicatedthere was a need to know more on the process. Commissioner Voester stated that the appli- cation for Heritage Resource Designation had been completed by the Saratoga Foothill Club. She then went through the application with the COlm~ission and indicated that she and Peggy Corr had worked together to complete the application. The Commission extended its congratulations to Commissioner Voester. After making some ~minor corrections the Commission made the findings indicating that the Saratoga Foothill Club meets the criteria of the Heritage Preservation Ordinance. The Commission also added the comment that: ~The Saratoga Foothill Club should go down in the History of Saratoga as the first heritage resource designation.~" Commissioner Heid moved that the Saratoga Foothill Club be designated as a Heritage Resource of the City of Saratoga. Commissioner Voester seconded the motion which was approved unanimously. Chairman Landsness stated that a photo should be prepared for the newspaper. Conm~issioner Mc Arthur that a Certificate of Appreciation should be created for Heritage Resource Designees. The Commission requested that staff collect samples of such certificates for the Commission. The Commission discussed presenting the certificate to the Saratoga Foothill Club at one of its meetings. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Review of Cover Letter Chariman Landsness briefly went over a proposed letter which would act as a cover letter for the Heritage Resource Appli- cation. III. OTHER ITEMS Commissioner Henderson stated that the Commission should reimburse Commissioner Kvamme for the cost of the inventory binders. Com- missioner Henderson moved that each commissioner pay $10.00 to Commissioner Kvamme to defray the cost of the binders. The mo- tion was seconded by Commissioner Heid. This motion was tabled until staff could determine if Commissioner Kvamme could be reim- bursed through City funds. Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes Page 4 2/15/84 Discussion then follcm~d on the need for a budget for the Commission. Staff indicated that it would submit budget materials to aid the Commission in preparing its request. The Commission decided that its next meeting should be on February 29, 1984 at which time the Commission would discuss the budget, committee assignments and other items. Chairman Landshess requested that the applications be reorganized to create a more positive application. Commissioner McArthur suggested that a file be created for each inventory item. IV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Michael Flores Secretary MF/bjc