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