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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-07-1988 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, December 7, 1988 - 3:00 p.m. PLACE: Warner Hutton House, 13495 Sousa Lane, Saratoga TYPE: Regular Meeting I. Routine Organization A. Roll Call Present: Commissioners Koepernik, Ansnes, Mitchell, Cameron, Voester, and Landsness Absent: Heid Staff: S. Emslie, V. Young B. Approval of minutes of 11/16/88 M/S Voester/Landsness to approve the minutes of 11/16/88 as submitted. Passed unanimously. C. Posting of Agenda Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda was posted at City Hall. D. Oral and Written Communications Commissioner Ansnes reported on some cost estimates for printing the Inventory; costs were very similar to those for the Sunnyvale book. Secretary Young reported that the Boy Scouts were again looking for community service projects; the Commission will keep this mind. II. Old Business A. Heritage Preservation Ordinance Revisions Secretary Young briefed the Commission on the changes that had been made since the last meeting. After a brief discussion and Commission expression of satisfaction with the revisions, there was a M/S Cameron/Voester to recommend approval of the ordinance to the City Council. Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes -%~/88 Page 2 Under discussion, it was agreed that the ordinance should be scheduled for Council hearing after the joint meeting of the Commission and the Council on January 10, 1989; this would allow time for discussion before the Council public hearing. Motion passed unanimously. B. Redwood tree at Marsh-Metzger property Planning Director Emslie reported that the developers of the parcel had submitted an application to amend the subdivision project to allow them to remove the redwood tree. It would be heard by the Planning Commission on December 14. He said that there were three options: remove and replace in situ with another redwood, remove and replace with an equivalent value of landscaping on the site and in the Village, preserve the tree in place. He said that the City Horticulturalist report indicated that there a 50% chance that the tree could survive in place with appropriate treatment. The Commission expressed support for preservation of the tree, but felt that if it had to come down, mature replacement landscaping should be installed on the west property line to buffer the development from the historic King House. Additional landscaping or funds should be contributed to the Village street tree planting program. C. Approval of CLG application Secretary Young referred to the letter in the agenda packet regarding approval of the CLG application. She stated that grant materials would be available in a few weeks, with a filing deadline at the end of January. Commissioners expressed interest at the other states and cities that were participating in the program. III. New Business A. Review Subdivision Application for 20600 Lomita Avenue Secretary Young reviewed the project for the Commission. There was general agreement that the house is one of the oldest and most important historic structures in Saratoga, and that the site needs to be treated sensitively. Commissioners Mitchell and Cameron felt that both the structure and the environmental setting should be preserved. Commissioner Voester felt that a new residence at the rear could be accommodated, but only if it was sensitively designed. Commissioner Koepernik concurred, and felt the Commission should suggest appropriate design constraints in the case that the project is approved. Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes - 12/7/88 Page 3 After further discussion, the Commission formulated their comments as follows: · The Heritage Commission supports the continued preservation of the historic residence. Demolition of the small cottage at the rear is acceptable because it was built at a later date and does not exhibit the same architectural and historic value as the main house. · However, because the property is historically associated with an early agricultural use, the Heritage Commission believes that preservation of the natural environment surrounding the residence is equally as important as preserving the house iteself. The creation of a new lot upon which a new house will be built behind the historic residence may significantly impact both the residence and the environmental setting. · The Heritage Commission acknowledges that the application does not involve design review of the potential adjacent dwelling. However, if the subdivision is approved, the Commission recommends that the new residence be sensitively design to not overwhelm the historic house, i.e. single-story, low- pitched roofline, similar in size to the historic house, and use of wood siding rather than stucco. The Heritage Commission would appreciate the opportunity to review the new residence design. M/S Landsness to forward these comments to the Planning Commission for consideration. Passed unanimously. B. CDBG Project Proposal Solicitation - FY89-90 There was consensus not to forward any projects for consideration this year; after the Warner Hutton House is moved next year, there may be potential projects for funding in the FY90-91 cycle. C. Topics for discussion at joint meeting with the City Council There was consensus on the following discussion topics: - completion and publication of Inventory - heritage ordinance revisions - appreciation to Council for support of preservation activities - increased professionalism of Commission Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes - 12/7/88 Page 4 Secretary Young will explore the possibility of holding the joint meeting at the Warner Hutton House, and having it be a dinner meeting. IV. Items Initiated By The Commission Commissioner Voester brought up the designation application form; she recommended adding the applicant "statement" section back in. Secretary Young will follow-up. V. Adjournment A. Discuss December 21st meeting Secretary Young suggested having a small open house instead of a regular agenda at the next meeting, since the house will be decorated for the City employees holiday party. There was concurrence from the Commission. Meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary to Commission