Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, November 22, 2021 6:00 PM Regular Meeting In Person and/or Electronic Room 2165N (Conference Room A) Historic Preservation Commission Chair - Jason Hatwig, LEED, AP, BD C Vice Chair - Robin Goldbeck Commissioners: Christopher Rocha, Paul Halajian, AIA; Don Simmons, PhD; C. Kristina Roper, M.A.; James Sponsler; Staff: Mike Sanchez, AICP, MCRP, Assistant Director; Mary Raterman-Doidge, Senior Deputy City Attorney; Alicia C. Gonzales, Historic Preservation Specialist; Janice Monroe, M.A. II Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission PUBLIC ADVISORY THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND CITY HALL WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT A LIMITED CAPACITY. THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION WELCOMES YOU TO ROOM 2165A, LOCATED IN CITY HALL, 2ND FLOOR, 2600 FRESNO STREET, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93721. The meeting can also be viewed live at 6:00 P.M. on Comcast Channel 96 and AT&T channel 99. Chambers, located in City Hall Room 2165A, are open for public participation. You can also participate in the meeting on our City’s website click on the URL https://fresno.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Members of the public are encouraged to participate electronically because of reduced capacity of seating in the Chambers to allow for social distancing. Masks will be required for the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Pursuant to the Executive Order, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in the Commission meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office, 559-621-7650 within 48 hours of the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT The following options are available for members of the public who want to attend and /or address the Historic Preservation Commission: 1. eComment at https://fresno.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. a) eComments is a tool for citizens to use to make comments on agenda items. It will be open during the Council meeting and closed at the end of the meeting and will be a part of the official record. The User Agreement and Procedures document for eComment can be accessed by the URL https://www.fresno.gov/cityclerk/ b) eComments will be a maximum of 450 words. OR 2. Join online webinar on ZOOM City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission a) If you would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the meeting remotely from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device. Please use URL: https://zoom.us/j/95457849931 b) Those addressing the Commission must state their name and address for the record. OR 3. Join by Phone a) Dial: US: 1 669 900 9128 Enter Webinar ID: 954 5784 9931 b) Those addressing the Commission must state their name and address for the record. OR 4. Email a) Attendees may also email comments to mike.sanchez@fresno.gov to be read during the meeting. Please include the agenda date and item number you wish to speak on in the subject line of your email (e.g., January 25, 2021 - Item A). And, please include your name and address for the record at the top of the body of your email. b) Emails are not to exceed 150 words. c) All comments received will be distributed to the Commission prior and during the meeting and will be a part of the official record. Any interested person may appear at the public hearing and present written testimony, or speak in favor or against the matters scheduled on the agenda. If you challenge these matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised in oral or written testimony at or before the close of the hearing. City of Fresno Page 3 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission The City of Fresno thanks you in advance for taking all precautions to prevent spreading COVID-19 virus. City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:01 PM Present 6 - Chair Jason Hatwig, Vice Chair Robin Goldbeck, Commissioner Christopher Rocha, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Don Simmons, and Commissioner James W Sponsler II. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES 6:03 PM II.-A. ID 21-895 October 25, 2021, Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner Sponsler, that the above Action Item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Roper and Commissioner Sponsler III. APPROVE AGENDA 6:04 PM On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner Roper,the above action was approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Roper and Commissioner Sponsler IV. CONSENT CALENDAR 6:05 PM IV.-A. ID 21-896 Historic Preservation Commission 2022 Regular Meeting Schedule On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Commissioner Rocha, that the above Action Item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission Aye: 7 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Roper and Commissioner Sponsler V. CONTINUED MATTERS VI. COMMISSION ITEMS 6:06 PM VI.-A. ID 21-832 REVIEW & COMMENT for zone clearance # P21-05554 located at 429 E. Harvard Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704 (APN 44323313) for a proposed addition to the house, front porch, and garage pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Sections 12-1606(a)(2), 12-1606(b)(23) and 12-1610. Vice Chair Goldbeck recused self at 6:06 PM. Emily Morillo was present as the applicant's representative for this item and made a presentation. Ms. Gonzales stated for Simmons that this property is part of a proposed Historic district. Simmons asked about the closest historic resources to the property and how the proposed improvements would affect those resources. Chair Hatwig noted that if there are existing home/properties that are adjacent, the commission would want to make sure there is no distraction to those views. He approved of the style, and supported improvements and enhancements. The assigned Planner, Aubrie Richardson, was also present and offered to answer any questions. Sponsler reported that a newspaper search provided no significant events in the home, but there were a lot of newlyweds in the home. VI.-B. ID 21-825 STAFF UPDATE on the removal and replacement of Citibank’s Abacus, located at 4191 N Blackstone Avenue, Fresno, CA 93726 (APN City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission 43409202). Commissioners would like the following questions answered from the applicant when they make their presentation to the Commission. What was the original material on the abacus? Would it be moveable or stationary? What would be the finish on the proposed abacus? (powder coat, paint, etc.) Sponsler noted the rendering showed 4 beads instead of 5 when comparing pictures to the original, and the Commission agreed the applicant should clarify. Commissioners discussed the chain link fence behind the original abacus and felt it detoured from the view. They asked if it was possible to remove it. If it was installed to detract loitering, Halajian suggested improving the lighting and Sponsler suggested vegetation would also help. Sponsler suggested that if the applicant was in process of registering the property, that they include the mural inside of the building. VI.-C. ID 21-844 STAFF UPDATE regarding the status of potential Historic Districts and Historic Surveys in order to reassess current priority District list, focusing on the previously listed top 5 Districts Public Comment: Keil Lopez-Shmidt (115 Calaveres St., Fresno, CA) offered to help with Hitching Post District. VI.-D. ID 21-843 STAFF UPDATE regarding the mitigation and interpretation plan for the Casa De Fortuna Building Permits No. B18-01277, B18-01278, B18-01279 & B21-01173 located at 5870 W. Santa Ana, Fresno, CA 93722, and situated near the Jose (Garcia) Brewer Adobe building located at 5901 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722, HP #227 (APN 510-04-038). Staff reported property is fenced, with 24 hour security & surveillance. However, the structure still does not have a fence or tarp. Staff reported no additional mitigation. Sponsler complained equipment is not over 50 feet from the building. City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission Hatwig requested weekly updates on this topic and asked if public would have access to the tribute if located in a gated complex. Sanchez suggested there was a sign on Shaw to inform passers-by of the historic significance. Gonzales reminded the Commission that the two issues that need discussion were the suggested path for the applicant by the subcommittee on representing the Historic significance in the current state and the mitigation problems. Staff confirmed Code Enforcement went to site, but would have to check when a Building Inspector was last on site. Commissioners requested a representative from Building attend the next meeting and Staff confirmed. Staff confirmed they could hold the final inspection or hold occupancy in Phase I to ensure the applicant's follow through. Goldbeck and Halajian stated they wanted the applicant to suggest options to shore up the building or for partial restoration. Roper suggested NPF.gov as a source. VI.-E. ID 21-845 WORKSHOP on the application status of Grant Funding, request for assistance from Commission. Application due January 11, 2022. Gonzales asked the Commission for any suggestions of eligible sites for the National Registry. VI.-F. ID 21-846 UPDATE regarding CAMP Training (Commission Assistant and Mentoring Program), hosted by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) from Commissioners Sponsler & Goldbeck Goldbeck explained the "Certificate of Appropriation" was a checklist that each Historic Preservation Commission developed as a guideline of what's appropriate and accuracy of an application. Commissioners voiced interest in having a specific plan with mitigation steps. City of Fresno Page 8 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission Sponsler emphasized the importance of engaging the community and raising awareness of the History though ideas such as social media and events during Historic month. Staff will share any upcoming trainings for the 2022 calendar as they become aware. VI.-G. ID 21-852 WORKSHOP on the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) Soil Vapor Sampling at HP# 212 Basque Hotel located at 112 F Street (APN 46706208) Presenters included Sharon Reackhof and Ellen Hedfield of Jacobs Engineering. Powerpoint presentation showed state of property and locations of proposed testing sites. (5 inside the Basque Hotel and 7 outside). Simmons left meeting at 7:43 PM Halagian left meeting at 8:00 PM VII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT VIII. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS 8:01 PM VIII. - A. Members of the Commission Sponsler reported visiting Pioneer Town Sponsler asked Staff to report on the status of Kutler and Hewitt homes who recently burned. VIII. - B. Staff Staff reminded the importance of Commissioners submitting their resume and CLG form for the Annual Survey. VIII. - C. General Public City of Fresno Page 9 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 22, 2021 Commission IX. NEXT MEETING December 27, 2021 X. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM. 2021 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE City of Fresno Page 10