Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, June 24, 2019 6:00 PM Regular Meeting Fresno City Hall, Second Floor Room 2165N (Conference Room A) Historic Preservation Commission Chair Patrick Boyd Vice Chair Jason Hatwig, LEED, AP, BD+C Commissioners: Robin Goldbeck; Paul Halajian, AIA; Ron McNary; C. Kristina Roper, M.A.; Don Simmons, Ph.D. Staff: Daniel Zack, AICP Assistant Director; Laura van Onna, Historic Preservation Specialist; Amber Piona, Planner II, Recording Secretary; John Hastrup, Deputy City Attorney II Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Jason Hatwig at 6:03 PM. Commissioners Present: Robin Goldbeck, Paul Halajian, Jason Hatwig, Ron McNary, and Don Simmons Staff Present: Laura Groves van Onna, John Hastrup (CAO), Amber Piona and Dan Zack (late). Present 5 - Vice Chair Jason Hatwig, Commissioner Don Simmons, Commissioner Ron McNary, Commissioner Robin Goldbeck, and Commissioner Paul Halajian Absent 2 - Chair Patrick Boyd, and Commissioner C. Kristina Roper II. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES A. ID19-1930 Approve Minutes for May 20, 2019. Attachments: HPC_Minutes_May_20_2019 The minutes for May 20, 2019 were approved 5-0 with a motion by Commissioner Simmons and a second by Commissioner Goldbeck. III. APPROVE AGENDA The agenda with was approved 5-0 with a motion by Commissioner Halajian and a second by Commissioner Simmons. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. None. V. CONTINUED MATTERS A. None. VI. COMMISSION ITEMS A. ID19-1931 REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED LOCATIONS AND OPTIONS FOR THE BELMONT AVENUE AND TRAFFIC City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission CIRCLE INTERPRETIVE EXHIBIT FROM THE CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1606(b)(6). Attachments: HSR Belmont Interpretive Exhibit Attachments Historic Preservation Specialist Laura Groves van Onna presented the staff report of the proposed locations and options for the Belmont Avenue and Traffic Circle interpretive exhibit from the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The High-Speed Rail Authority is proposing three potential locations for the exhibit. Primary concerns for staff are the placement, design, and materials of the exhibit. Location 1 is the preferred option. Staff encourages discussion in pursuit of optimal design that enhances, and minimizes any potential adverse effect to, the historic character of the property. Staff recommends that a crosswalk be incorporated across Belmont Avenue to provide safe pedestrian access to the exhibit. Dan Zack arrives 6:07p.m. Public Comment Opens David Davenport (6158 N Miter): I’ve been here since August of 1990 and am a retired history professor at Fresno City Cottage. With respect of the signage, on the side we are looking at there is a four foot facing, I am concerned about accessibility for folks in wheelchairs, it should be lower. Secondly, I could be confused about High-Speed Rail; my understanding was that much of what is being proposed may not be funded at all. It seems to me to be premature to suggest to mitigation to explaining the disappearance of the subway and traffic circle which may not disappear because this project is dead. I understand that the High-Speed Rail people are to continue to do things in anticipation of some kind of funding, but this to me says that we’re in favor of getting rid of the subway and circle. I am not in favor of that. The next part of this agenda, putting in a sound barrier that looks to me to be suggest the complete elimination with the Golden State Boulevard not in keeping with 2009 Chaffee Zoo and Roeding Park Master Plan; this will destroy trees planted by George Roeding himself. This is concerning because over the years it seems that the zoo has encroached upon the public part of the park, and eliminating trees that have City of Fresno Page 3 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission been there for more than a 100 years. Moreover the master plan says the zoo entrance would be on Golden State Boulevard, which wouldn’t exist if High-Speed Rail was funded to be funded at the level to fulfil somebody’s dream. Both of these things seem to be tied together intimately; this is premature for this body to be endorsing some proposals. The sound barrier doesn’t need to be there until the tracks are laid. What High-Speed Rail has turned into is maybe at best a diesel/electric locomotive that might do 35mph when it goes through Fresno which is similar to what the UP rail is doing now. This is out of order, not from a Robert’s Rules of Order, but rather chronologically. That is all I have to say. Thank you for your time. Vice-Chair Jason Hatwig: Tonight we are just doing review and comment on the item. No approvals moving forward, correct? Deputy City Attorney John Hastrup: Correct. Public Comment Closed Commissioner Don Simmons: Regarding ADA compliance, could we get some response regarding monuments such as this. The current design has a height concern and also a visual concern for compliance with ADA. Commissioner Robin Goldbeck: I would add that these designs are all shown in a block format, which keeps wheelchairs from pulling up to the display. The design would need more of a shelf so that chairs could pull up to the display. Simmons: If you are visually impaired, or old, it would be very hard to read this. Also, it is only in English. There are a number of problems here. Historic Preservation Specialist Laura Groves van Onna: What is the actual size of the panel? Robert Ramirez, High-Speed Rail Authority (1111 H Street): Dimensions were estimations because right now a builder hasn’t been identified. We work with a contractor to pull together a mockup, when it needs to be built City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission then we will identify a contractor. Deputy City Engineer Jesus Avitia: These comments have been noted and we will take them back with the design to our ADA Coordinator. With regards to the size of the plaque, our interpretive display will be able to accommodate the size of font needed for ADA. We’d be happy to come back at your next meeting with answers to your questions. Commissioner Paul Halajian: Please also consider folks with hearing impairments. Hatwig: As far as the materials, I am a fan of this particular material palette. Avitia: To Commissioner Goldbeck’s comments, regarding wheelchairs being to pull up to the display, do you have an idea of how that might happen, perhaps as a tabletop? Goldbeck: I am not sure how you want to design it, but a pillar that a wheelchair could matriculate around. Is there a reason why it needs to be one solid monument? Also keep information at one level. Hatwig: Inset to the grass, potentially? Goldbeck: That as well. Hatwig: I agree with staff’s recommendation, I think it is the best for foot traffic. I am partial to Location 1; the other ones seem either out of the way or on the bridge and too close to becoming an obstacle. Simmons: The bridge had some specific design features that aren’t reflected here. It’s a pretty bridge, and this doesn’t call that to mind at all. Halajian: Is there that it could be lit, so that at night it is more of a feature rather than a place to hide behind? It would make it more useful and create more of a sense of place. City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission Goldbeck: I suspect that the grassy area might have lighting, but Paul’s point is well taken. Halajian: What does it look like on the back side? Is it monolithic? I support Don’s comments about the lack of character in regards to the detailing. Ramirez: If you maintain that overall monolithic look, as opposed to open it up, we can reflect the look on the back. Goldbeck: The point is that the relief that is on the existing bridge should somehow be incorporated. Groves van Onna: You would like to see the Gothic arches? Hatwig: I think that would be nice. Having some of those characteristics implemented would be nice. Halajian: What about a QR code so that someone could download an app and listen to a message? I know that would require more effort and maintenance. Hatwig: Like a storyland key? A QR is pretty advanced, but it could help. Goldbeck: I prefer location 1 as well. Halajian: I agree. Hatwig: So Location 1, crosswalks, accessibility, and lighting. Brett Rushing, High-Speed Rail Authority: We’re open to working with you to find something that accommodates all, I think the QR code is a really good idea and we’ll look into that. We’re most interested in the location right now, options for design is something we can work with. We will do anything we can. Hatwig: Having it set on the grass so that it gets a person off the path of City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission travel would help. Meg Scantlebury, High-Speed Rail Authority: The text in the exhibit here is also open for editing; it is initial text we’re proposing. Item Closed B. ID19-1932 REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED DESIGN FOR THE SOUND WALL ALONG THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF ROEDING PARK FROM THE CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1606(b)(6). Attachments: HSR Roeding Park Sound Wall Attachments Historic Preservation Specialist Laura Groves van Onna presented the staff report on the proposed design for the sound wall along the eastern boundary of Roeding Park by the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The plans for the sound wall entail the construction of approximately 2,866-foot long, 14-foot high sound wall, constructed using pre-cast concrete panels with a river rock texture on both sides, supported by posts. Plants would be installed at regular intervals along the park side of the sound wall. Staff encourages discussion in pursuit of optimal design that enhances, and minimizes any potential adverse effects to, the historic character of the property. Commissioner Ron McNary: Where is the wall located? Groves van Onna: Along the eastern boundary of Roeding Park. McNary: So Golden State Boulevard will be gone? Halajian: Yes, it would be the train trench. Avitia: The entire section between Olive and Belmont will be vacated. Hatwig: So this is for noise mitigation? Avitia: Yes. City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission Halajian: So the surface you’re proposing will occur on both sides of the wall? Julie Reith, TPZP: Yes. Simmons: Was there an estimate of the number of trees that will be lost? Patrick Tennant, ESA: EIR did not specify, but an arborist did an evaluation. Hatwig: So if it can be relocated, it will be? Tennant: If they can be relocated, then yes, otherwise replanting. Avitia: Public Works has been working with the High-Speed Rail and we will identify the trees, and our arborist together with the Authority will determine what trees will be removed and the City will specify what trees we would like to be replaced. Halajian: On the elevation you showed, is that vines growing over the wall? Jon Waggoner, ESA: The EIR specified aesthetic treatment in the form of plantings, either bushes or attached planting vines. This mockup shows vines, but it could be either. Aesthetic treatment is a part of this mitigation. Goldbeck: Is this a painted surface? What about graffiti? Waggoner: Colored concrete with graffiti protectant on it. Goldbeck: Okay, it looks like a potential canvas to me. Public Comment Open Davenport: I think the zoo people should be signing off on this, period. Chaffee zoo board should sign off this agreement. City of Fresno Page 8 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission Public Comment Closed Hatwig: I think that that was a good comment. I think it would be good that the people who will be living with the wall on this side get a chance to comment on the wall itself, has that been done? Mike Murphy, High-Speed Rail Authority: We have been working with the PARCS Department which oversees the zoo and the park about every other month or so. Simmons: Is there any consideration of wildlife movement? Murphy: One of the issues with a sound wall is that if you have corridors it breaks up the sound mitigation. Wildlife corridors along the rail have been examined and there are other corridors for wildlife to cross. Halajian: What is on the east side of the railway right-of-way? What’s bordering the east side? Avitia: the Union Pacific Railroad line. Halajian: What’s the neighborhood bordering the right-of-way? Avitia: It would be the existing Weber Avenue. No changes. Halajian: Why do we need a sound wall from the zoo side to the rail but not on the east side? Murphy: There are noise standards for High-Speed Rail, on the park side the train would be in excess of those standards which is why a sound wall is required. These sound standards are related to distance; Weber is far enough away that a sound wall is not required. Halajian: Thank you. Scantlebury: If you look closely, the diagram shows the extent of the City of Fresno Page 9 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission easement; the number of trees that would be affected would be comparatively small to the number of trees in the whole park. In addition to having an arborist go out there, they will go through and trim what can be trimmed to make sure that the optimum number of trees could be protected. This is all written in the Finding of Effect and the arborist’s report. Ramirez: The inset table gives you a breakdown of the potential number of trees. It’s 20 and there will be others that will be trimmed. Goldbeck: Am I seeing 15 feet easement in the upper right corner, coming down to 5 feet and then 15 feet on the north side? Ramirez: Correct. That distance allows finish work and the establishment of irrigation lines. Halajian: It doesn’t have broad cantilevered footing; it has piles and is narrow. Is that the foundation system? Ramirez: Yes. Hatwig: I’ve had projects with narrow corridors and this method is the one with the least impact. Goldbeck: Is the 14 foot height the maximum height? Murphy: Yes it is the maximum height; there is a mitigation of 2 dB per foot to a maximum of 14 feet. Davenport: Can someone point out the Japanese war memorial relative to where the wall will be? Scantlebury: The memorial is 15’3” away. There are protective measures in place to keep the memorial protected during construction. Davenport: Okay. I ask because I am kind of the local authority on Liberty Cemetery and we had talked about moving that memorial to Liberty City of Fresno Page 10 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission Cemetery if it were going to be in the way. Reith: The memorial has been recorded photographically, to make sure that it will be fine after construction. Hatwig: I think our aesthetic comments are only that it’s graffiti coated, I don’t know if I have any more concerns. Halajian: Has the zoo been consulted? Avitia: Yes, there are a few minor details in the design that we are working out. Hatwig: We’ll be seeing this again, eventually. McNary: I would like to see the zoo involved in any kind of discussion. Avitia: We work through the PARCS Department, we aren’t sure if there’s an agreement between the zoo and PARCS that would give the zoo that authority. McNary: So Chaffee and PARCS work together? Assistant Director Dan Zack: The PARCS Department is the landlord and the zoo a tenant. McNary: Oh, okay. Item Closed. VII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT VIII. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS None. A. Members of the Commission City of Fresno Page 11 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission None. B. Staff 1. Mills Act Mills Act: Staff informed the Commission about the 2019 Mills Act application deadline is Friday June 28, 2019. The City has received four applications so far. McNary: You will have mine by the end of the week. 2. City Council Items City Council items: Staff informed the Commission about the City Council hearings on the Historic Property nominations that were approved by the HPC in May; they were originally scheduled for last week, but have been rescheduled for Thursday June 27th. 3. Training Training: Staff plans to work on arranging commissioner training with the Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP). If the Commission has thoughts, let staff know. Hatwig: What is important when evaluating façades, where does the flexibility lie? 4. Surveys Surveys- Commissioner Halajian is working with Better Blackstone which has received funding through the Design Challenge. Is it possible to move the mid-century modernism survey up the priority list that the Commission established? Groves van Onna: It is possible, although survey work is very time intensive. Chinatown survey is next on the list and is going to move forward with that next month, because that is our most critical area. How does the rest of the Commission feel? City of Fresno Page 12 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission Halajian: What was even on there? Simmons: Hitching posts, Chinatown, Blackstone, Yosemite Avenue. Zack: Should we bring this item back next month for discussion? Halajian: This isn’t something we need right away. I wouldn’t want to put it before Chinatown, but if it were moved from say priority number 4 to 2, that would be good. Groves van Onna: Would you like to revisit this next time? [All]: Yes. Sierra Skypark: Staff informed the commission that a resident of the Sierra Skypark neighborhood reached out wants to come to a Commission meeting and is seeking help in preserving their neighborhood. Hatwig: This is the neighborhood with homes with hangars attached? Excellent. Goldbeck: Are those 50 years old now? Recording Secretary Amber Piona: Yes. 1946 was the subdivision. Groves van Onna: Technically the airport is in city limits, but the neighborhood is not, it’s in Fresno County. At the very least they could come here and seek some guidance on how to protect their neighborhood. Goldbeck: Do they have a neighborhood organization now? Groves van Onna: I believe so, yes. Hatwig: I wonder if it would be beneficial to connect them with some of the City of Fresno Page 13 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final June 24, 2019 Commission folks in the Huntington Boulevard district. Simmons: I would recommend Wilson Island. Zack: Apparently the airport was created in 1946 and the first 110 homes were built in 1953. Halajian: Their vision of the future didn’t exactly pan out. We’re not all flying to work every day. C. General Public None. IX. NEXT MEETING: July 22, 2019, 6 PM Conference Room A, City Hall. X. ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chair Hatwig adjourned the meeting at 6:53 PM. City of Fresno Page 14