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