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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-1984 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISS ION MINUTES D~B: Wednesday, August 1, 1984, 3:30 p.m. P~: Saratoga Community Library, 13650 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga TYPE: Regular M~eiting ROUTINE ORGANIZATION Roll Call Present: Commissioners Cameron, Held, Henderson, McArthur, and Chairman Landsness Absent: Commissioner Kvamme Minutes The Commission waived ~he reading of the minutes for the meeting of May 23, 1984 and 9pproved the minutes unanimously. The Commission also waived the reading of the minutes for the meeting of June 6, 1984 and approved the minutes with Commissioner Voester abstain- ing since she was not at the meeting. I. OLD BUSINESS A. Town Meeting Staff indicated that Mr. Eoepernik had replied to the Com- mission's invitation to speak at the October 11, 1984 Town Meeting. He requested information on the topics of the other speakers. Chairmam Landshess stated she needed help to co- ordinate the meeting and that it was too important to leave to one persQn. There is alneed ~or a positive, upbeat approach. Commissioner McArthur stated that the Chair should introduce the speakers. B. Historic District Commissioner Cameron indicated that arrangements have been made to meet Mr. Gallup, from the State's Office of Historic Preservation, at Commissioner Heid's office in the Village. Maps will be there to assist in determining the Boundaries of the Historic District. The purpose of the meeting was to dis- cuss the criteria to be used in establishing the District's boundaries. Commissioner Mc~thur indicated she would make reservations at the Village Rendezvous for lunch. The Commission decided that the District Boundary be extended and then it could be reduced as the criteria are known and information is gathered in the tour of the Village. C. Status of Histgrica!iBuilding'Code S~aff indicated that the review of the States's Historical Building Code requested by the City Manager would be delayed sin~F~ the Senior Inspector who was to review the code has re- signed. The Conmnission sogges~edl ~hat staff check with other cities to determine which of them had adopted this code. Com- missioner McArthur suggested that a meeting be set up with the City Manager to talk about this since it is important for the Town Meeting. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Informal Review of A~dition at 14199 Saratoga Avenue Staff indicated that the designer had not been informed of this meet- ing so the item was not discussed. B. Critique of CitY'S Heritage Preservation Ordinance Chairman Landsness stated there are portions of the :ordinance that are vague. She suggested that a couple of the Ckmmissioners should get together to review the ordinance and prepare suggestions for its revision The C~mdssion then discussed Nancy Shanahan's letter (National Trust for Historic Preservation) critiquing the ordinance. ~ne primary focus of the critique was on the owner consent provisions of the ordinance. Cc~- missioner Cameron indicated that Ms. Shanaban would be willing to talk to the City Attorney about amending the ord/nance. C. Clarification of E~ritaqe Preservation Inventory Oh,~,issior~r Cameron indicates that the informal inventory used by the City should have more status. It can be adopted by the City Gouncil but it would not be the same thing as a designation. He also indicated there is a problem with calling this list an inventory since in the ordinance the term inventory is used only for the list of Adopted Heritage Resources in the City. This could create sQne confusion. Com- missioner Vcester suggested that we call it a survey - The Historic Building Survey, Saratoga, CA. flmmissioner Henderson asked if there was a need for a set of standards to allow a property to be placed on this list. There is a need for more thought as to what will qualify for this list. Oat~,Jssioner Cameron com- n~nted that the criteria used should be close to the ordinance's. The C~,,,ission then discussed the problems associated with structures that are moved. III. OTHER ITf~ The Cfa,~f, ission discussed the process for am~ending the Heritage Preservation Ordinance. C~,¢issioner Cameron suggested that the criteria used in Historic Preservation Element Guidlines for the state be incorporated in the ordi~ since they are clearer and more stringent. The Omm~ssic~ then discussed the need for a n~Drator£~ in order to modify the ordinance to eliminate owner consent and give the City control over demolition and alteration of structures. ammissioner McArthur suggested that the Oommission have a ~rk session to draft changes to the ordinance and spend some time on it. Cc~missioner Held stated he would be against a broad Historic District making all strucures comply with all standards. Discussion then followed on how to help applicants conform to the criteria of the ordinance. The Commission decided to devote its September 5th meeting to discussing amend- ments to the Ordinance. At its meeting of September 19, 1984 the Omnnission wanted to put its changes into Final Form and have the City Attorney and the City Oouncil review them. (kmm~ssio~ ~_Arthur suggested that a thank you letter be sent to Ms. Shanahan for her response. She also indicated that she had additional background on certain properties proposed for addition to the City's survey list. R~e (lannission decided to discuss additions to the survey at its meeting of September 19, 1984. fkmnissioner Voester stated she had met with M~litta Oden to research certain properties. She indicated they had discussed the Historic eras of Saratoga including the followting eras used in the 1962 county inventory: Hide and tallow Pre-1850 Hay, grain, and vineyard 1850-1870 Orchard 1870-1940 Electronics 1940+ Oommissioner McArthur caNnented that these eras may be too general for SaratDga. She also suggested that ~litta Oden review the possible new ~itions to the survey. ADJ~ The meet/ng was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully suhnitted, Mic~ e~ Secretary