HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-1991 HPC Minutes CITY OF BAR~,TOGA
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DATE: Wednesday, September 25, 1991, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: Saratoga City Hall
TYPE: Regular Meeting
I. ROUTZNE ORQANIZATION
a. Roll Call
Present: Peck, Davis, Koepernik, Ansnes, Sabin, Psepari
Absent: Mitchell (resigned)
Staff: Tsvia Adar
Guest: Mr. and Mrs. Sinsley, Mr. and Mrs. Boyle,
Gene Zambetti
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B. Approved with correction to "Items Initiated by the
Commission" Section IV. M/S Peck/Davis to approve the
minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Posting the Agenda
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda was posted at
City Hall on 9/20/91.
D. Oral and Written Communications
Secretary Adar informed the Commission that Commissioner
Mitchell has submitted his resignation from the Commission due
to his job reiDcation to Southern California.
Commissioner Davis presented a flysr prepared by the City of
Los Gatos for a walking tour of historic buildings, as an
example for a similar publication to be prepared for Saratoga.
II. OLD BUBZIllSB
a. Incentive Program
The Commission discussed the possible incentives which may be
implementsd to encaUrage owners of historic homes to preserve
their homes.
The Commission agrsed that economical incentives which may
save the owners time and/or money are the most effective in
increasing owners' interest in prsservation. The Commission
agreed to investigate the possible implementation of the
following incentives:
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1. Prioritize review of applications for additions or
remodeling of historic homes. The Commission will
request direction from the Planning Commission and the
City Council in developing short review procedures for
historic homes. The option for administrative review for
additions to historic homes should also be explored.
2. Waiver of permit fees - City Council approval is required
for changes in the fee schedule.
3. Flexibility in regulations in order to allow preservation
of historic homes. Require the City Council to adopt
related policy statements and/or zoning regulations.
4. Technical support including written guidelines,
publications and instructions for remodeling and
expansion of historic homes.
5. Tax breaks and benefits for new buyers - related
publication should be made available to the public.
6. Educational program should also be developed to increase
public awareness and appreciation of historic structures.
The Commission directed staff to study the proposed incentives
and prepare a report to be referred to the Planning Commission
and the City Council. Staff will also investigate programs
used by other cities.
B. San Francisco Preservation Conference
Four of the CommiSsioners will attend the conference on
different conferen0e days.
c. Inventory Book - Work Program
The item was contirfiAed to the next available meeting.
III. N!W BUBINffS8
a. Historic Adobe Wall at 15231 Quito Road
Secretary Adar presented the background of the project and the
issues related placed on the
property which to move the
historic wall into the open space easement. Secretary Adar
requested clarification of the intentions and objectives of
the Commission art he time when the condition was added to the
resolution. The Commission's recommendations for an
appropriate placement of the wall are necessary.
Gene Zambetti, who was involved in the original subdivision,
presented additional background information on the property
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and the intent of the condition related to the wall.
Mr. and Mrs. Sinsley, the owners of the new lots created next
to the historic Casa Tierra building, expressed their desire
to move the wall to the southern property line. Mr. and Mrs.
Boyle, the owners of Casa Tierra, wished to move the wall as
far as possible from the property line within the open space
easement, to reduoe the impact on their house.
The Commission felt that additional information is necessary
in order for them to determine the appropriate location of the
wall.
The intent of the Subdivision condition, as recommended by the
commission, was tO preserve the adobe home and its setting,
including vegetation landscaping, the adobe wall and the open
space around the home.
Commissioner Sabin felt that the surroundings of the historic
structure is important. The idea was to move the wall to the
easement and maintain some space between the adobe home and
the wall.
Commissioner Ansnes asked Mr. Boyle where he would like to
locate the wall.
Mr. Boyle said that he would like to be flexible and give more
space to the Sinsley property where their structure may be
impacted and keep the wall further from the property line in
areas where his home may be impacted.
Mr. Sinsley expressed his feeling that he is already giving
a large portion of his property to open space easement.
Commissioner Ansnes indicated that the condition on the
subdivision was known to the property owners when they
purchased the property.
Commissioner Sabin felt that the existing adobe wall on both
lots B and C should be discussed and resolved at this time.
Commissioner Ansnes felt that the wall should be located
within the easement in order to preserve the wall and maintain
enough space between the wall and the structures.
Commissioner Peck said that it is important that the placement
of the wall ensure the historic integrity of the home and its
setting.
Commissioner Peepari said that plans, showing the existing
location of the wall should be prepared and presented to the
Commission.
Commissioner Sabin moved to continue the review to the next
meeting. The owners should prepare a proposal acceptable to
both, for the Commission's review. The plan should include
the full of the existing wall, the open space
easements, footprint of the structures, and the proposed new
location of the wall.
Ansnes seconded the motion which was approved unanimously.
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Staff was requested to investigate the ownership, maintenance
responsibilityforthewa11, and the liability issue related
to the open space easement.
The Commission indicated that as a general guideline, the
owners should ensure that their proposal will preserve the
quality of the openspace easement, the natural vegetation and
the wall reconstruction will bet he same as originally built.
V. ADJOURNN~NT
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tsvia Adar
Secretary