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