Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, December 21, 2020 6:00 PM Regular Meeting ZOOM URL: https://zoom.us/j/91954893079 Historic Preservation Commission Chair Patrick Boyd Vice Chair Jason Hatwig, LEED, AP, BD+C Commissioners: Robin Goldbeck, Christopher Rocha; Paul Halajian, AIA; Don Simmons; C. Kristina Roper, M.A.; Staff: Mike Sanchez, AICP, MCRP, Assistant Director; Rina Gonzales, Senior Deputy City Attorney Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 21, 2020 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Present 7 - Chair Patrick Boyd, Vice Chair Jason Hatwig, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner C. Kristina Roper, Commissioner Don Simmons, Commissioner Robin Goldbeck, and Commissioner Christopher Rocha At 6:01PM the meeting was called to Order by Chair Patrick Boyd. Commissioner Paul Halajian arrived to the meeting at 6:42PM. Also present on behalf of the Commission were: Assistant Director of Planning and Development, Mike Sanchez, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Rina Gonzales, Historic Preservation Specialist, Alicia Gonzales, and Management Analyst II, Karnell Grijalva. II. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES A. ID November 23, 2020 20-001705 On motion of Commissioner Roper, seconded by Vice Chair Hatwig, that the minutes for November 23, 2020 be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Boyd, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Roper, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Goldbeck and Commissioner Rocha Absent: 1 - Commissioner Halajian III. APPROVE AGENDA On motion of Commissioner Roper, seconded by Commissioner Goldbeck,the meeting agenda was approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Boyd, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Roper, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Goldbeck and Commissioner Rocha Absent: 1 - Commissioner Halajian City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 21, 2020 Commission IV. CONSENT CALENDAR None V. OLD BUSINESS A. ID Subcommittee update regarding Fresno City Council Resolution 2020-272 20-001706 directing the Historic Preservation Commission to review the names of all City facilities and provide recommendations regarding any facility named after a controversial historical or cultural figure. Assistant Director of Planning and Development, Mike Sanchez, reported to the Commission that the research segment of the project was approximately 80% completed. The Subcommittee will have (1) additional meeting in January and subsequently will report back to the Commission at the regularly scheduled meeting on January 25, 2021 for a final review by the Commission. A Tray Memo will be drafted to City Council in January of 2021 by City staff communicating plan to present formal findings and report to City Council within (30) days of dated Tray Memo. Mike Sanchez reminded the Commission that the goal of the research report is to provide factual information to the Council and not to make recommendations for possible name changes. Mike Sanchez and Chair Boyd encouraged the Commission and members of the public to email Mike and/or Historic Preservation Specialist, Alicia Gonzales, with any additional information that may not be identified on the existing research spreadsheet reviewed during the meeting. Respective email addresses are: Mike.Sanchez@fresno.gov and Alicia.Gonzales@fresno.gov. B. ID 21-037 Commission Update: HP#231 1458 E. Divisadero, Fresno (Hopkins Home) - Status of property owner obtaining appropriate building permits City of Fresno Page 3 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 21, 2020 Commission Mike Sanchez reported to the Commission that Code Enforcement has investigated the matter. Currently there is no activity within the home and no alterations to the exterior. Deadline for the property owner to comply with the appropriate permit for accessory structure located in the back of the property is approximately (1) week. Commissioner Simmons commented that there are (3) accessory structures on the property. Aerial map of the property was reviewed with the Commission. Mike Sanchez to follow up with the Commission in January on the matter. C. ID 21-038 Commission Update: Review recommendations to City Council from the General Plan Implementation Committee regarding proposed City Historic Districts Mike Sanchez reviewed with the Commission previous recommendations provided by HPC to the General Plan Implementation Committee. Mike informed the members that the report was presented to City Administration and outcomes are currently pending. Mike will keep the Commission apprised of direction provided by the new City Administration regarding the HPC recommendations. D. ID 21-040 Commission Update: Producers Dairy 450 E. Belmont - status of project impact to surrounding historical properties Mike Sanchez informed the Commission that the current Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is in draft form on the City website and next steps would be for the item to go before the Planning Commission and City Council for review. Commissioner Rocha inquired if this item would come back before the Historic Preservation Commission for approval. Chair Boyd also expressed desire to have the matter brought before the Commission for review before this designated historical property possibly be issued a demolition permit. Mike Sanchez will check the City processes and report back to the Commission. Senior Deputy City Attorney, Rina Gonzales, will speak with appropriate City staff to determine if this item would come back before the HPC for review and recommendation. E. ID 21-042 Commission Update: Status of Commissioner Simmon’s request for a letter to City Council President Arias regarding Old Armenian Town to be recognized and designated as a Historical District City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 21, 2020 Commission Chair Boyd stated that this item has been pending with City Council since 2017 and requested update to the Commission on the reason for the delay in moving forward. Chair Boyd recognizes City staffing changes have taken place since the implementation of this item and suggested new staff to possibly check with former City staff on the matter. Mike Sanchez will bring a status update to the Commission at the next scheduled meeting. F. ID 21-044 Commission Update: Discussion with guest City staff regarding proposed iron gate installation in an effort to protect the Fresno Water Tower from vandalism Assistant Director of Transportation, Brian Barr, and Projects Administrator, Kristopher Grey, presented pictures of current structure, sketches of proposed iron gate installation, and discussed plan in effort to protect the Fresno City Water Tower while maintaining the esthetic historical properties of the structure. Brian Barr informed the Commission that the City FAX department plans to go forward with the installation of the gate and will fund the $21,000 out of the FAX budget to finance the gate. Mr. Barr and Mr. Grey discussed with the Commission appropriate gate design for the structure. Mr. Barr and Mr. Grey will work with the Commission's provided suggestions and return to the Commission with a proposed final solution. VI. COMMISSION ITEMS None VII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT None VIII. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS A. Members of the Commissioin None B. Staff None City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 21, 2020 Commission C. General Public Kiel Lopez Schmidt, new homeowner of historic registered property on N. Calavares Street. Mr. Lopez Schmidt described the home as "the Mickey Mouse ears home originally built in 1898 and move to the old neighborhood in the 20s." Mr. Lopez-Schmidt informed the Commission that he plans to make improvements to the home and apply for the Mills Act Program in 2021. Mr. Lopez Scmidt also encouraged the Commission to review the EIR draft report posted on the website regarding the Producer's Dairy and for the Commission to take a close look at the properties along H Street proposed for demolition. IX. NEXT MEETING January 25, 2021 at 6:00PM X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further items to bring before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 7:09PM. City of Fresno Page 6