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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-06-1988 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, July 6, 1988 3:00 p.m. PLACE: Warner Hutton House, 13495 Sousa Lane, Saratoga TYPE: Regular Meeting I. Routine Organization A. Roll Call Present: Commissioners Voester, Ansnes, Cameron, Mitchell, Koepernik Absent: Heid, Landsness Staff: V. Young Public: G. Zambetti B. Approval of minutes of 6/15/88 M/S Voester/Cameron to approve the minutes of 6/15/88 as submitted. Passed unanimously. C. Posting of Agenda Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda was posted at City Hall on Friday, July 1, 1988. D.Oral and Written Communications None. II. New Business A. Discussion on adobe wall at Casa Tierra, 15231 Quito Road. V. Young gave a brief staff report, stating that the Planning Commission was asking the Heritage Commission for input on the historic value of the adobe wall surrounding the house. One of the conditions of the subdivision approval was that no structures and fences be located in the scenic easement; the wall is located partially in the easement and in the surrounding newly-created lots. The Planning Commission was concerned about removing the wall without input from the Heritage Commission. Gene Zambetti, representative for the applicant, gave a brief presentation, showing a map and photos of the wall. He stated the applicant wanted to preserve the wall and that he was willing to move it so that it would be located entirely within the easement. He stated he had hired an adobe specialist to work on the house and the wall. Heritage Preservation Minutes - 7/6/88 Commissioner Voester asked if the original adobe bricks would be used in the reconstruction. Mr. Zambetti replied in the affirmative, noting that it would be costly to move the wall but that it was important to retain that feature of the property. Commissioner Mitchell favored preserving the wall and placing it in the scenic easement. Commissioner Cameron concurred, noting that it was important to preserve it because it was part of the historic fabric of the property. Mr. Zambetti noted that the wall had been built at the same time as the house, by the same women and using the same adobe contruction techniques. M/S Cameron/Voester that the Heritage Commission recommend to the Planning Commission that the adobe wall at Casa Tierra be preserved because it is an integral part of the historic value of the property; to aid in the preservation, the Commission supports moving portions of the wall to the scenic easement and amending the subdivision condition to allow the wall to remain in the easement. Motion passed unanimously. B. Review and adoption of Heritage Commission bylaws V. Young presented the staff report, noting the City Attorney's assistance in preparation of the bylaws and their similarity to the Planning Commission bylaws. Commissioner Ansnes noted one typographical error on page 1, and asked for clarification on the "advisory only" wording on page 2. Commissioner Koepernik expressed a desire to see the Commission's authority expanded in the future to more than just an advisory role. Other Commissioners felt that the Heritage Commission had come a long way in establishing a good relationship with the Planning Commission and City Council during the past year, and this could continue to be built on through good communication and the annual joint meetings with these two bodies. M/S Cameron/Koepernik to adopt the Heritage Commission bylaws, with the correction on page one. Passed unanimously. III. Old Business A. Heritage Resource Inventory - follow up V. Young distributed the corrected resolution adopting the Inventory and noted the letters to property owners were currently being signed by Chairman Held. She also distributed a draft news article prepared by Chairman Heritage Preservation Minutes, 7/6/88 Heid. Commissioner Ansnes suggested some re-writing to give the article a more journalistic feeling. Commissioner Mitchell felt the historical synopsis on the Commission and the Inventory was important; he also asked where the article would be published. Commissioners Voester and Cameron felt there needed to be a greater emphasis on the Inventory at the beginning of the article. Commissioner Ansnes offered to work with Chairman Heid and staff to edit the article and get it ready for publication. Commissioner Voester shared information about the house on Argonne which she had received in an interview with Nick Miljevich, and some information about the Maclay Cottage on Big Basin Way. In relation to historical research, Commissioner Mitchell asked if the services of a title company or the assessor's office had been solicited. He suggested starting with a small request then expanding from there if the response was favorable. Secretary Young will do follow-up on this. Commissioner Ansnes suggested the "informal" list of potential Inventory properties be more formalized and distributed to the Commission. Secretary Young emphasized that it was important for the Commission to continue working on these properties and update the Inventory on an annual basis. IV. Items Initiated by the Commission Commissioner Ansnes shared a brochure on the CEQA process. Commissioner Voester asked about the status of the Warner Hutton House move. V. Young stated that Caltrans was having problems obtaining bids for the project and that the P.G.& E. service line at the City parcel needs to be relocated; these two items might delay the move. She also noted that the Commission's request for a sign at the City site was on the Council's agenda this evening. She would report back to the Commission at the next meeting. V. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20 at the Warner Hutton House. Respectfully submitted, Valerie You~- () Secretary to CommisSion