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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