HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-2008 HPC MinutesCity of Saratoga
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 8:30 a.m.
Place: Planning Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Type: Regular Meeting
1. Routine Organization
A. Roll Call
PRESENT – Commissioners Koepernik, McCarty, Tai, Vice Chair Marra, and
Chair Kellond. Commissioner Tai departed the meeting at 10:40 A.M.
ABSENT – Commissioner Gomersall
GUESTS – Ms. Jill Hunter, Ms. Pam Parker, Mr. Erik Schoennauer,
Ms. Cindy Brozicevic
B. Approval of minutes from September 9, 2008 meeting – Approved 50
C. Posting of Agenda – Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the
agenda was posted on October 10, 2008. – Staff announced this item.
D. Oral & Written 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 – None.
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 – Not discussed
Discuss Heritage Orchard Signage – Not discussed
3. New Business
A. 8:30 a.m. Site Visit – Saratoga Village – Review proposed Historical
Walking Tour and Brochure for Saratoga Village – Site visit not conducted.
Item discussed. Ms. Hunter discussed the site walking tour plaques. She
said some members of the Saratoga Village Development Council (SVDC)
had visited Boston and had taken notice of historical plaques located in their
sidewalks. Ms. Hunter said funds for the plaques would come from the
money raised during the fashion show. Ms. Hunter said the plaques would
be on both sides of Big Basin Way and was coming to the HPC to
determine their thoughts on the plaques and if the HPC had an opinion
about putting the plaques in the sidewalk to identify a building since
removed. Commissioner Koepernik said he was supportive of the idea
and said he would also like to see similar plaques along Oak Street. Chair
Kellond said he too was supportive of the idea and it was his opinion most
individuals are not familiar with the existing tour. Ms. Hunter said historical
tours with plaques are already being done in cities such as Campbell, San
Francisco, and Boston. Commissioner McCarty said she had read the
proposed brochure for the walking tour and was of the belief the original
name for the City should be spelled McCartysville and not McCarthysville.
Ms. Hunter replied she had spoken to April Halberstadt about the name and
April had said it was spelled McCarthysville. Ms. Parker said it would be
interesting to see a timeline of the city’s history in the sidewalk.
B. 9:00 a.m. Site Visit – 13686 Quito Road – Site visit completed. Item
discussed. Mr. Schoennauer said the historical report speaks for itself, the
project would be moving human activity away from the creek, the homes
have no historical value, the project would have environmental benefits, and
said he hopes the HPC would support the project. Commissioner Marra said
the old oak trees on the project site should have been included in the
historical report. Mr. Schoennauer stated that all the oak trees would be
maintained. Commissioner Koepernik said he supported the project as
stated since and was pleased the oaks would be saved. Commissioner Tai
said she supported the project. Chair Kellond said he could support
removing the buildings since their removal had already been supported by a
different HPC when the project was different. Commissioner Koepernik said
he had mentioned to Mr. Schoennauer at the project site about some
elements of the barn and/or materials which could be offered to the museum,
McWilliams House, or other historical buildings. Mr. Schoennauer said he
would be interested in offering the building for salvage. Motion by
Commissioner Koepernik and seconded by Commissioner Tai to recommend
approval to demolish the existing buildings on the site. Carried on a 50 vote.
C. 9:30 a.m. Site Visit – 19161 Cox Avenue –Review proposed replacement
roofing for a house included on the Historic Resource Inventory – Site visit
completed. Item discussed. Ms. Parker said the lender would not give a
loan on the house until the roof is repaired. Commissioner Koepernik said
he is concerned about the roof and the gutters and maintaining the historical
integrity of the home, there is so much work to be done and unsure how to
more forward, the present roof on the house is not appropriate, straight
composition shingles which would be more appropriate, does not support
presidential shingles but would support a three tab composition shingle, it is
important to maintain the gutters. Ms. Hunter inquired if the roof could be put
on without gutters. Commissioner Koepernik replied it could. Chair Kellond
said he was attempting to strike a balance since the current proposal was
not appropriate, the color of the roof material was acceptable, the gutters
should remain on the building, the work should be limited to just replacing
the roof, limit it to that amount of work, rake ends need to be reconstructed,
future architectural changes would need to be reviewed by the HPC, choose
a historically consistent roofing style, and repair porch/rake. Commissioner
Koepernik said it would be acceptable to leave the “sag” in the roof for now
since it will take a great deal of work to repair. Chair Kellond said to use flat
rectangular three tab shingles. Ms. Parker said the individuals interested in
purchasing the property would like to restore the house. Commissioner
Koepernik said he understood but he wanted to make sure the minimum
amount of work was going to be done at this time. Motion by Commissioner
Koepernik and seconded by Commissioner Marra the roof had to be
replaced and it was to be done with three tab composition roof shingles and
the work to be done was to be the “bare minimum”, the existing gutters are to
remain on the building, perform minimum structural work as needed, the
repairs to the porch must match the existing structure, applicant is to follow
up with Chair Kellond or Commissioner Koepernik on the specifics of the
roofing materials, and any work effecting the architectural integrity is to be
reviewed by the HPC . Carried on a 50 vote.
D. 9:50 a.m. Site Visit – 13514 Hammons Avenue – Review proposed new
stucco exterior wall covering and replacement windows for an existing adobe
brick home. Site visit completed. Item discussed. Commissioner Kellond told
Ms. Brozicevic the HPC had continued the project from the last meeting so
an alternative design could be submitted using the existing wall openings
with new windows and the HPC had agreed the adobe walls could not be
covered with plaster. Ms. Brozicevic said she did not attend the last
meeting and her client had not been clear on that particular point. Ms.
Brozicevic said her client wants to recoat the existing adobe walls with
stucco and that double hung style windows with a factory applied finish
would be preferred and the width of the window openings would remain.
Chair Kellond reiterated the HPC had already made the findings to maintain
the adobe walls and there was an opportunity to create consistency with
windows and the project had been continued so the applicant could devise
some alternatives. Ms. Brozicevic said she now had a clear understanding
the adobe walls were to remain but did admit her client had was concerned
the adobe house on Thelma was allowed to be demolished. Chair Kellond
said the house on Thelma was a wood structure with a brick exterior finish.
Ms. Brozicevic asked if there was some opportunity to smooth out the
exterior adobe walls with stucco. Commissioner Koepernik replied this
would not be acceptable. Chair Kellond said he was concerned about the
exterior details and he could support applying plaster over the adobe walls
but was concerned how the historical elements would be maintained.
Commissioner Koepernik said the existing building was designed to have
the exposed adobe walls and stucco covering over adobe is typically part of
the original design. Chair Kellond said the question of how the stucco is
applied is a technical one and a design should be considered to maintain
the adobe. Commissioner Marra said he was concerned the adobe
appearance of the structure would be lost if the building was covered with
stucco. Chair Kellond said stucco could be appropriate and it would be
consistent with that kind of structure. Commissioner Koeparnik said he
would not be in support of covering adobe bricks with stucco. Motion by
Commissioner Koepernik and seconded by Commissioner Marra to
continue the project to the next HPC meeting. Carried on a 40 vote.
4. Pending Items
A. Update the Heritage Resources Inventory List
B. National Register Applications
5. Adjournment
Adjourn to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 11, 2008, Planning Conference Room,
13777 Fruitvale Avenue.