HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-1984 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MI NUTES
DATE: Wednesday, November 7, 1984, 3:30 p.m.
PLACE: Saratoga Community Library, 13650 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga
TYPE: Regular Meeting
ROUTINE ORGANIZATION
Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Cameron, Heid, McArthur and Chairman Landshess
Absent: Commissioners Henderson, Kvamme, and Voester
Minutes
The Commission waived the reading of the minutes for the meeting of October
24, 1984 and approved these minutes with Commissioner Heid abstaining since
he was not at the meeting.
I. OLD BUSINESS
No old business was considered by the Commission.
II. NEW BUSINESS
A. Library Parking Plan
The Commission reviewed the parking plan for the Saratoga Community
Library and unanimously approved the plan as consistent with the
Heritage Resource Designation of the site.
B. Historical Overlay Zone
Chairman Landsness indicated she would be speaking to the City Council
at its next meeting regarding an Historic Overlay Zone as part of the
Village Master Plan the Council was initiating. One of the members
of the committee that will work on this plan would be from the
Heritage Preservation Commission. General discussion then followed
on this committee.
Ccmmissionar Cameron stated that the Commission's ability to draft
guidelines for the overlay district is limited. He suggested that
the Commission should engage a professional to develop these guide-
lines. Commissioner Heid expressed concern that people will not
tolerate forced preservation or the inability to change their
properties.
Heritage Preservation Co-mission Minutes Page 2
Nov. 7, 1984
Staff indicated that it would be difficult and would require a good deal of
research to develop Historic District guidelines. Commissioner Heid stated
it was difficult to put a finger on the character of the Village. Chairman
Landsness indicated that there are design themes in the Village such as
building mass, roof, etc. Commissioner Heid expressed concern about hearing
that buildings could not be torn down if the owner so desired. He felt that
owners of historic buildings should have the same rights as other property
owners.
Chairman Landsness indicated that historic buildings have been lost because
of high land costs. Commissioner Heid stated that the Commission should
stick with the approach of creating incentives. Commissioner Mc Arthur
stated that the Commission was not proceeding with concrete proposals because
of the concerns of a few people who may want to remodel. She mentioned other
communities that stand out and have preserved their character. There is
some value to architectural control. There was general discussion regarding
the purposes of the guidelines.
Commissioner Heid commented that, in his opinion, the Comnissiondoes not have the right to
make demands of people at this time and the guidelines need to benefit the
property owners. Discussion then followed on potential incentives. Chairman
Landsness stated that all she was doing tonight is to encourage a Historic
Overlay Zone as part of the Village Plan. Commissioner Heid commented that
he wanted to make sure that the direction the Commission was headed in was
not too restrictive. He indicated that preservation came from the property
owners that wish to preserve something. Commissioner Cameron asked why
do anything if that were the case. What incentives could be used?
Chairman Landsness mentioned comments from people favoring controls in the
Village. Commissioner Held commented that he did not want complete restrictions
in the overlay zone. Staff gave the example of the Design Review Ordinance
and how it worked. It was staff's opinion that the Historic Overlay District
would not be any more restrictive than the Design Review Ordinance.
Chairman Landsness indicated that the Planning Commission needed help in
performing it's design review function. She also stated that the Commission
needed Commissioner Heid's help to set up design review standards. Commissioner
Heid did not want to demand that a property owner save something. Chairman
Landsness asked what can the Commission do considering that they have been
trying for about 3 years. She stated that everything did not have to look
"old" but they need to be compatible. There was then a discussion of general
guidelines. Commissioner Heid commented that good design was a matter of
opinion. Commissioner Mc Arthur stated that the Commission was dealing only
with general design guidelines.
Commissioner Heid stated that if you go through Saratoga you will not find
a theme. Chairman Landsness commented that they could determine what the
theme is not as a start. Commissioner Heid said he did not want to see a
Historic District in name only without historic quality. He indicated there
were only about a dozen historic buildings in the Village. The owners of
these building should be given an incentive and not overly restricted.
Commissioner Mc Arthur said the Commission needed to spend time to develop
the guidelines. Commissioner Heid suggested the Commission should develop
the guidelines before the overlay district is created.
Heritage Preservation C¢ ission Minutes Page 3
Nov. 7, 1984
Chairman Landsness reiterated that the Village Plan was being developed at
the City Council's initiative. Commissioner Heid said the City tried to
do the same thing 15 years ago but it did not work. Chairman Landshess
defined the theme as Twentieth Century eclectic architecture and that the
Commission wanted to help and not be an adversary.
The advantages and disadvantages of being associated with the City government,
what might revitalize the Village, and public input were all discussed.
Commissioner Heid stated he was not opposed to the Commission and Chairman
Landsness stated the Commission wanted to work with the people affected.
III. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Flores
Secretary
MF/bjc