HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-2008 HPC MinutesCity of Saratoga
H E R I T A G E P R E S E R V A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N
DRAFT MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 8:30 a.m.
Place: Planning Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Type: Regular Meeting – Please meet in the Planning Conference Room.
1. Routine Organization
A. Roll Call
PRESENT – Commissioners Koepernik, McCarty, Sorden, Tai, Gomersall,
Vice Chair Marra, and Chair Kellond
STAFF – Senior Planner Christopher Riordan
GUESTS – Ms. Kathleen CaseyCoakley, Ms. Jenny Taylor
B. Approval of minutes from June 10, 2008 meeting Approved
C. Posting of Agenda – Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the
agenda was posted on July 3, 2008.
D. Oral & W ritten Communication Any member of the public may address the
Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to
three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may
choose to place the topic on a future agenda.
• Ms. CaseyCoakley mentioned that the street signs for Marion Avenue are
not consistent. She stated that she would like to review the timeline of the
demolition approval for the project on Saint Charles. She also questioned
why the HPC had approved the removal of the Oak tree out of the
Heritage Orchard that is to be relocated to the new entrance of West
Valley College. Commissioner Koepernik explained the background of the
approval to remove the Oak tree out of the Heritage Orchard. Ms. Casey
Coakley said that she has a large Palm tree on her property that she
would have given to West Valley College instead.
E. Oral Communications – Historic Preservation Commission direction to Staff –
Instruction to staff regarding actions on current Oral Communications. None
2. Old Business
A. Discuss National Registry & Saratoga Landmark Plaques – Item Discussed.
Commissioner Koepernik said that he would follow up on the plaques so that
they could start being presented to the recipients.
B. Discuss Heritage Orchard Signage – Item Discussed. Commissioner
Koepernik said that he and Chair Kellond had met with the Library
Commission and discussed the sign for the Heritage Orchard.
C. Discuss Historic Incentives – Item Discussed. Commissioner Koepernik
reviewed the ideas that had been discussed by the HPC on previous
occasions. These had included lowering city fees, leniency on city codes,
relief of parking requirements, and the Mills Act for lowering property taxes.
Commissioner Gomersall said that she was under the impression that it was
hard to get out of the Mills Act and that it limited what a homeowner could do
with their property. Commissioner Koepernik said that the Mills Act could limit
remodeling and that it preserves the exterior of a structure.
D. Discuss Sign for McWilliams House – Not Discussed
3. New Business
A. None
4. Pending Items
A. Historic Resources Inventory – Vice Chair Marra said that he did not have a
copy of the Historic Resources Inventory. Senior Planner Christopher Riordan
said he would provide a copy of the list to each member of the Commission
for the August meeting. Commissioner Koepernik gave a short history on
how the list was created. Commissioner Sorden told the HPC that there is a
red colored cottage on Oak Place that the HPC had recommend to be
preserved but this recommendation had been overturned by the Planning
Commission. Inevitably the house was never torn down and he felt that the
HPC should be made aware of this. Commissioner Koepernik said that this is
one of the properties that the HPC should follow up on. Senior Planner
Christopher Riordan suggested that the August meeting be set aside for
reviewing the current Historic Resources Inventory and the Commission
agreed. Chair Kellond said that he would like to have another meeting with
the City Council to discuss the HPC work program since there was not
enough time at the previous joint meeting with the Council. Commissioner
Sorden asked if a Heritage Overlay could be placed over the Heritage
Orchard. Commissioner Koepernik said that it was his opinion that the HPC
should retain purview over the Heritage Orchard. Commissioner Tai said that
the Council would like some of the fruit available to the public. Commissioner
Koepernik stated that Matt Ivancovich’s contract to maintain the orchard
specifies that he be allowed to have the fruit and that Matt Ivancovich has to
be involved in decisions effecting the orchard and that HPC should maintain
ultimate control over the Heritage Orchard. Commissioner Sorden said that
the upcoming Council elections later in the year could change the character of
the Council which could affect the future use of the Heritage Orchard. Vice
Chair Marra said that former HPC member Beth Wyman had been trying to
get landmark status for the Heritage Orchard.
B. National Register Applications – Not Discussed
C. Update Heritage Ordinance – Not Discussed
D. Review additional content for Heritage Resources webpage – Not Discussed
E. Historic Preservation Data Base – Not Discussed
F. Review list of properties with structures 50 years and over in age – Not
Discussed
5. Adjournment
Adjourn to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 12 2008, Planning Conference Room,
13777 Fruitvale Avenue.