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