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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-1984 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Date: Wednesday, May 23, 1984, 3:30 P.M. Place: Saratoga Community Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga Type: Regular Meeting ROUTINE ORGANIZATION Roll Call Present: Commissioners Cameron, Heid, Henderson, Kvamme, McArthur, Voester and Chairman Landshess. Absent: None MINUTES The Commission waived the reading of the minutes for the meeting of May 2, 1984 and approved the minutes unanimously. I. OLD BUSINESS A. Application for Designation - Judge Foster House Staff indicated that the subject application was incomplete in that an adequate written description of the changes to the building has not been made part of the application. The Commission then discussed the issues of restoration and re- location of the structure versus maintaining the structure at its original location. What percentage of the original structure has to be there to qualify? The Commission dis- cussed how the criteria of the Heritage Preservation Ordinance apply in this case. Commissioner Henderson asked if the Commission should require that 2 or more criterion apply to a structure before it can be designated. The Commission concluded that the criteria for inclusion in the Heritage Inventory should be the same as those used to determine if a structure should be designated as a Heritage Resource. Commissioner Held suggested that the City's in- ventory should be referred to the Historic Foundation to check its accuracy. He also suggested that he loan his inventory binder to Melitta Oden to look over. Staff indicated it should be made clear to the Historic Foundation that the Commission has the final say on the contents of the inventory. Heritage Preservati Commission May 23, 1984 Page 2. Commissioner Heid recommended that the application for the Judge Foster House be returned to the applicant to be completed and that he submit written reasoning as to why this structure qualifies. This application was then continued indefinitely. B. Revisions to Ordinance No. 66 Commissioner Cameron indicated that the Commission was in something of a quandry at their last meeting and that the ordinance should be clarified and more specific. Chairman Landsness stated she had spoken with the State Officer of Historic Preservation which supports the City's efforts to tighten up its ordinance. These changes should not change the certification of the City's Ordinance. Chairman Landsness indicated that State Representatives will be in Saratoga in July to review the City's proposed Historic District. Commissioner Cameron stated it was important to listen to the input from the State. Commissioner McArthur suggester that a committee be formed to suggest revisions to the ordinance. She felt it would be hard to do with the full Commission. Commissioner Cameron stated he wanted to have feedback from the National Trust for Historic Preservation prior to making any revision to the ordinance. He also agreed to head the committee suggested by Commissioner McArthur. The Commission then discussed its future meetings and agreed to meet June 6th, July llth and August 1st. The meeting in July will be from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. C. Applicationfor Designation - Central Park Commissioner Voester indicated she got mor information from Commissioner Heid as to the previous owners of this site. Discussion then followed on designating this site as an example of the orchards that are an important part of Saratoga°s History. Commissioner Voester noted that this designation is need to implement General Plan policy O.S.1.4. The Commission directed Staff to include the information from Commissioner Voester in the application and write up the necessary findings for the City Council. Commissioner McArthur moved to recommend approval of the designation of Central Park as a Heritage Re- source to the City Council. Commissioner Voester seconded the motion which passed unanimously (with Commissioner Heid temporarily absent). Heritage Preservation Commission May 23, 1984 Page 3. D. Plans for Town Meeting Chairman Landsness indicated she would be contacting potential speakers recommended by the State for the up- coming town meeting. Commissioner Cameron stated that the Commission should give some guidance to the speakers as to the subject matter and the purpose of the meeting. There should be experts present such as those with infor- mation on Preservation Tax Laws. Commissioner Kvamme stated a primary purpose of the meeting should be to get people excited. The Commission briefly discussed AB 3957 (FARR) which would allow some tax benefits for owners of Historic Homes and act as an incentive for Historic Desig- nations. The Commission then discussed using the Foothill Club for the town meeting including possible rental costs. Chairman indicated she would reserve the library as a back up. Commissioner Voester indicated that San Jose gives construc- tion tax breaks for historic structures and that this sort of incentive might work in Saratoga. The Commission then discussed what sort of changes would be allowed in a designated Heritage Resource. The Commission directed Staff to bring back information on what the City charges for construction tax. Commissioner McArthur indicated she would work on this issue. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Demolition Permits Staff stated that a list has been prepared of structures on the City's inventory by address. This list has been passed out to those people in the City that issue building permits so they can contact staff if a demolition permit is being requested under the provisions of CEQA prior to allowing such a permit to be issued. B. Verif~in9~ Inventory Commissioner Voester moved that Commissioner Held take a copy of the Heritage Inventory to the Historic Foundation to review andverify the accuracy of the inventory. Commissioner Heid seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Commissioner Kvamme asked if the former Village Library and Saratoga School should be designated as Heritage Resources in separate applications. The Commission decided that both should be included as part of the proposed Historic District. C. Distribution of Inventory Commissioner Voester expressed concern that the distribution of the Heritage Inventory miqht dilute the Commission's ability Heritage Preservation Commission May 23, 1984 Page 4. to publish and sell a completed inventory in the future. She also expressed concern about distributing the inven- tory because of corrections that might be necessary. Gen- eral discussion then followed on how the inventory should be used. III.OTHER ITEMS Chariman Landsneess indicated that a meeting of the Homes Tour Committee was coming up. Commissioner Voester also indicated that volunteers were work- ing up a series of 5 history classes for 5th graders in the Saratoga School District. These classes would involve both tours and presentations which would cost about $3000 to do properly. The volunteers would be requesting this money at an upcoming school board meeting. Commissioner Voester asked if the commission would support this request. The consensus of the commission was that it would support this request. IV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Michael Flores Secretary