HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-1990 HPC Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA
Hh~ITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1990 - 3:00 p.m.
PLACE: Saratoga Community Library
TYPE: Regular Meeting
I. Routine Organization
A. Roll Call
Present: Ansnes, Benzing, Davis, Koepernick, Peck
Absent: Cameron, Mitchell
Staff: Emslie, Walgren, White
B. Approval of Minutes of 1/17/90
M/S Koepernick/Benzing to approve the minutes of 1/17/90.
Motion passed unanimously.
C. Posting of Agenda
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda was posted at
City Hall on 2/2/90.
D. Oral and Written Communications
Planning Director Emslie was in attendance and introduced new
assistant planner George White to the commissioners.
George's undergraduate studies were in geography and environ-
mental studies and he has a great interest history and his-
toric preservation.
Staff mentioned that the California Preservation Foundation's
annual conference will be held in San Francisco in late April
and that registration information should be arriving soon.
This information will be presented to the commissioners once
it is available.
Staff also distributed a background packet from Northwestern
Arizona University's pilot heritage education program. There
is no curriculum developed yet for this pilot program, but
the packet did provide information on how to initiate a
similar program
II. Old Business
A. Certified Local Government Training Seminar
The commission accepted this information with the following
comments and suggestions:
1. The commission should review the neighborhood character-
istic study currently in progress once the planning staff has
this completea. This study is not specifically intented to
address historic buildings, but the style and era of existing
structures is an integral part of understanding a specific
neighborhood's character.
2. The commissioners felt that providing historic preserva-
tion incentive information to the public would be a good way
to promote the Heritage Commission as a public service.
3. Staff and the commission agreed to set aside time at the
next meeting to discuss additional forms of out-reach to help
introduce residents to the existence and function of the
commission.
III.NEW BUSINESS
A. Review Subdivision/Demolition Request
The commission reviewed plans to demolish five aging struc-
tures, located at 19171 Oahu Lane, built between the late
1800's and the mid 1900's. The demolition is requested in
order to subdivide the existing parcel to create two new
building sites (SD-89-018). This application for a lot-split
was forwarded to the Heritage Commission for their review due
to the age of the existing buildings, though none of these
structures are on either the Heritage Preservation Inventory
or Preview List.
Staff presented photographs of the structures to the commis-
sion, who agreed that these particular buildings were out of
context with their current surroundings and were not histori-
cally significant enough to warrant their preservation. The
commission did appreciate having the opportunity to review
the proposed demolition, however, and hoped this practice
would continue.
B. Request to Alter Historic Retaining Wall
John DiManto had requested staff to have the commission
review proposed earthquake repairs at his 23 acre, five lot
subdivision at Madrone Hill/Peach Hill Roads. A condition of
tentative map approval was that the owner would enter into an
agreement to preserve and maintain the historic rock retain-
ing walls, bridges, and other decorative rock features on the
property.
The proposed repairs were limited to reinforcing one particu-
lar retaining wall, which ranges from approximately five feet
to twelve feet in height, and removing a lower retaining
wall which has already fallen away (per Exhibit "A"). All of
the removed rock will be stored on site for future repairs.
The commission concurred that the repairs were sensitive to
the character of the original structures and appreciated Mr.
DiManto's efforts in preserving the walls.
IV. Items Initiated by the Commission
The commission agreed to spend the next meeting discussing
potential Heritage Preservation Commission out-reach
projects. One topic for discussion will be some type of
possible annual preservation event.
V. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
J~ames Walgren
Assistant Planner