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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-20-1990 HPC Minutes CITY OF S~RATOGA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, June 20, 1990, 8:00 a.m. PLACE: Saratoga City Hall TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION A. Roll Call Present: Ansnes, Davis, Koepernik, Mitchell, Cameron, Sabin Absent: Peck Staff: Adar B. Approval of Minutes of 5/16/90 M/S Davis/Koepernik to approve the minutes of 5/16/90. Motion passed unanimously. C. Posting the Agenda Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda was posted at City Hall on 5/11/90. D. Oral and Written Communications Commissioner Davis informed the Commission that Joan Skillman expressed her interest to serve on the Heritage Preservation Commission when a position becomes available. Ms. Skillman is a graphic artist who has been involved in preservation projects and is very interested in historic preservation. II. OLD BUSINESS A. Warner Hutton House Staff informed the Commission that the relocation of the house was rescheduled to June 28, 1990. There are still some problems to be solved after the house has been relocated, regarding connecting the house to existing utility lines. The Heritage Preservation Commission reviewed the draft of the concept statements for the use and functions of Warner Hutton House. Except for a few changes, the Commission concurred with the statements included in the draft. The only revisions were regarding the attic. The attic should be reinforced for storage purposes to ensure safe use for storage of full and heavy load. The option for office use of the attic was found impractical and was eliminated. Commissioner Sabin prepared and presented a revised floor plan for the house. The plan included proposed uses and minor changes to the existing floor plan. The changes include widening of a door way, elimination of a bath room and modification of the second bathroom. The staircase to the basement was also eliminated. The Commission directed staff to prepare a report to the City Council with the Commission's recommendations. The Commission seeks Council direction regarding acceptable repairs, functions and revenues which can be allocated for the rehabilitation of the house. IIIo NEW BUSINESB A. Designation of Saratoga Avenue Staff reported that a formal application was submitted by Mr. Larry Fine, requesting designation of Saratoga Avenue as heritage lane. The application was scheduled on the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting for a preliminary review and discussion of the appropriate procedure. Staff emphasized the traffic issues involved with Saratoga Avenue mainly after highway 85 will be opened. Commissioner Davis inquired if the main purpose of the designation application is traffic control, and if Saratoga Avenue meets other criteria for designation. Mr. Fine explained that the designation will mainly control traffic, will prevent widening of Saratoga Avenue, reduce impact on trees and improve the hazardous conditions for pedestrians. Mr. Fine felt that since the City has no plans for widening Saratoga Avenue, it is the appropriate time for the designation. Commissioner Cameron said that the designation of Saratoga Avenue was discussed by the Commission in the past. The old trees still exist along the street which provide the lane its special character. Traffic control and restriction of the width is also important in order to maintain the street character. Cameron also emphasized the importance of Saratoga Avenue as the main entrance to the City. The Commission was concerned with issues raised by the application which should be addressed prior to designation. The main concerns were regarding the following issues: 1. Traffic issues including sufficient width of the lane for existing and future increase of traffic after the completion of highway 85 and the impact on other areas of the City. Other issues to be considered are, appropriate and enforceable speed limit and restrictions on trucks, improvements of sidewalks and bike lane. Existing traffic studies should be checked and additional studies may be considered. 2. Conditions of street trees should be evaluated. Responsibility for the trees' treatment, replacement and maintenance should be determined. 3. Acceptance or abandonment of the right-of-way easement for the widening of Saratoga Avenue, and the advantages and disadvantages of private versus public easement, should be evaluated. 4. A number of homes along Saratoga avenue are designated or are on the heritage resource list. Other homes which contribute to the character of the lane may be considered and added to the list. 5. Type and height of front yard fences should be studied to provide protection to the residences and be compatible with the character of the lane. 6. The Commission was concerned with the regulation as proposed in the application and felt that some of the proposed restrictions are not enforceable, and should be changed. The Commission found,however, that Saratoga Avenue meets the criteria for designation as heritage lane. The lane specifically meets criteria (a), (e), (f) and (g) of section 13-15.010 to the City Code. Consequently the Commission felt that recommendation for designation can be made. Commissioner Mitchell suggested a motion, recommending the Planning Commission to approve the designation of Saratoga Avenue as heritage lane per the City Code criteria Section 13- 15.010 (a), (e), (f) and (g). The recommendations include the designation only without the proposed regulations. Ansnes/Sabin moved to recommend that the Planning Commission approve the designation of Saratoga Avenue as heritage lane and the regulations and restrictions should be considered separately. Motion passed unanimously. The Commission directed staff to prepare a draft report to the Planning Commission regarding the designation, for review by the HP Commission on July's meeting. IV. CLG GRANT The Commission directed staff to check the additional information needed to complete the requirements for the grant. V · ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Tsvia Adar Associate Planner