Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, February 28, 2022 6:00 PM Regular Meeting In Person/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; 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 February 28, 2022 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. You are invited to a Zoom webinar. City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final February 28, 2022 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 February 28, 2022 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 February 28, 2022 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Call to order at 6:01pm Vice Chair Goldbeck arrived at 6:02pm Present 6 - Chair Jason Hatwig, Vice Chair Robin Goldbeck, Commissioner Christopher Rocha, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Don Simmons, and Commissioner James W Sponsler II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ For each matter considered by the Commission, there will first be a staff presentation, followed by a presentation from the project applicant. The Commissioners will then have the opportunity to ask questions of Staff and Applicant before opening to Public. Testimony from supporters of the project will then be taken, followed by testimony from those in opposition. Staff may provide a summation, if necessary. The applicant will have the right to a final rebuttal presentation prior to closing the public hearing, followed by consideration of the item and action, if any, by the Commission. In accordance with section 13 of Article 2 of the Historic Preservation CommissionBylaws governing length of public debate, all public testimony from those in support and in opposition of the project will be limited to three minutes per person. All public testimony must be presented to the Commission at the podium. Any testimony that references race, religion, ethnicity, economic status, national origin, or any other classification protected under state or federal law in a derogatory manner shall be deemed irrelevant and will not be considered by the Commission in making its land use determinations. If you challenge these land use matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised in oral or written testimony or before the close of the hearing. III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES III-A ID 22-163 January 24, 2022, Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. 6:04pm On motion of Commissioner Rocha, seconded by Vice Chair City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final February 28, 2022 Commission Goldbeck, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Sponsler IV. APPROVE AGENDA 6:04PM On motion of Vice Chair Goldbeck, seconded by Commissioner Halajian,the above AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Sponsler V. CONSENT CALENDAR 6:05pm VI. CONTINUED MATTERS 6:05pm VI-A ID 22-159 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF REQUESTS BY PROPERTY OWNERS TO ENTER INTO MILLS ACT HISTORICAL PROPERTY CONTRACTS PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1706: 1. The Farley Home Located at 927 E Weldon Ave., in the Porter Tract Historic District. 2. The G.L. & Frances Moore Home Located at 3228 E Huntington Blvd., in the Huntington Blvd Historic District. 3. The John Euless Home (HP# 080) Located at 373 S Peach Ave. 4. The Henry Gundelfinger Home Located at 743 E Floradora Ave., in the Wilson Island Historic District. RECOMMENDATION 1. Staff recommends that the Commission hold a public hearing and recommend that the Director of Development enter a Historical Property Contract for the subject properties pursuant to FMC 12- 1706. Upon approval, respective property owners shall return executed and notarized contracts to City staff, who will subsequently execute and record contracts with the County Recorder. City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final February 28, 2022 Commission JD Foster (property owner) was present and available for comment/question. On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Commissioner Rocha, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Sponsler VI-B ID 22-321 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF REQUESTS BY PROPERTY OWNERS TO ENTER INTO MILLS ACT HISTORICAL PROPERTY CONTRACTS PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1706: 1. The McGee-Macias Home (HP# 236) Located at 115 N Calaveras St. RECOMMENDATION 1. Staff recommends that the Commission hold a public hearing and recommend that the Director of Development enter a Historical Property Contract for the subject properties pursuant to FMC 12- 1706. Upon approval, respective property owners shall return executed and notarized contracts to City staff, who will subsequently execute and record contracts with the County Recorder. Kiel Lopez-Schmidt (property owner) was present and available for comment/question. On motion of Commissioner Sponsler, seconded by Vice Chair Goldbeck, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian and Commissioner Sponsler Recused: 1 - Commissioner Simmons VII. COMMISSION ITEMS 6:19pm VII-A ID 22-322 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF REQUESTS BY PROPERTY OWNERS TO ENTER INTO MILLS ACT HISTORICAL PROPERTY CONTRACTS PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1706: City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final February 28, 2022 Commission 1. John B Marshall Homes (HP# 267) Located at 164 & 166 N. Echo Avenue 2. Minnie Sach’s Home Located at 711 E. Pine Avenue, Wilson Island Historic District Staff Recommendation: 1. Staff recommends that the Commission hold a public hearing and recommend that the Director of Development enter a Historical Property Contract for the subject properties pursuant to FMC 12- 1706. Upon approval, respective property owners shall return executed and notarized contracts to City staff, who will subsequently execute and record contracts with the County Recorder . Dan Zack (property owner) was present and available for comment/question. On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner Rocha, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Sponsler VII-B ID 22-329 WORKSHOP on the reconstruction of the Abacus previously located at Guarantee Savings & Loans (Citi Bank) at 4191 N Blackstone Avenue (APN 43409202). Matt Hackett (contractor) & Jon Checkie (regional manager) were present and available for comment/question. Commissioners asked for confirmation that the proposed design was a like-for-like replacement, details on the plaque, and if there was any openness for redesign of security fence. VII-C ID 22-323 WORKSHOP on 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 (HP #227) (APN 510-04-038). Rick Ransom (engineer) & Ian Robertson (architect) were present and available for comment/question. City of Fresno Page 8 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final February 28, 2022 Commission Commissioners asked for clarification on visibility of remaining historic walls. VII-D ID 22-327 STAFF UPDATE on minimum maintenance needed at the Thomas R. Meux Home (HP# 002), located at 1007 R Street, due to recent vandalism Quintin Hoskins (president of Meux Home) was present and available for comment/question. Commissioners asked about quantity of replacements verses repairs needed VII-E ID 22-326 STAFF UPDATE on minimum maintenance needed at the Elia Home, located at 640 Van Ness Ave. (HP# 311) after Code Enforcement visit Staff presented update with no additional homeowner present for question/comment. VII-F ID 22-328 STAFF UPDATE regarding application B21-07261 consisting of Infill & Demolition at Forestier Gardens located at 4951 N Dale Avenue. Ruben & Angela Gonzales (property owners) were present and available for comment/question. Staff provided video from the last visit underground at the location to better show status. Property owners asked for assistance with next step of their infill & demolition costs. Commissioners were requested to provide staff with potential resources for financial assistance. Commissioners discussed the benefits of making available any images and/or video to Forestier Gardens of the outlier caves for their tours and records. VII-G ID 22-330 STAFF UPDATE on Mitigation Fee Act Program completion Historic Preservation Specialist, Gonzales, briefly updated Commissioners on the status of ongoing Mitigation Fee Act Program. With Assistant Director Sanchez absent, the item will return next month for further update. VII-H ID 22-331 STAFF UPDATE on Annual Report City of Fresno Page 9 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final February 28, 2022 Commission VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT 7:49pm N/A IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS 7:49pm IX. - A. Members of the Commission 1. Commissioner Simmons asked for an update on the demolition of the Lighthouse property located on L Street. 2. Commissioner Simmons also requested an update at the next meeting on the Proposed Historic Districts. The priority list was created and current status of each was reported in the Fall, however the Commissioner would like an update on how much of the existing data would need to be replaced and what was still valid to determine a timeline. He also asked for an update on Armenian Town returning to the City Council Agenda. 3. Commissioner Rocha informed the Commission that he discovered the original use of the property located at 736 Fulton Street and suggested a name change on the local registry. He will be submitting his details to Staff. Director Clark confirmed the HPC could discuss the merits of renaming at the next meeting as well as the process before making a suggestion. City Attorney Raterman-Doidge asked Commissioner Halajian to email her for a conflict analysis. IX. - B. Staff N/A IX. - C. General Public N/A X. NEXT MEETING 3/28/2022 City of Fresno Page 10 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final February 28, 2022 Commission XI. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:57pm 2022 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE JANUARY 24, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING MARCH 28, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING APRIL 25, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING MAY 23, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING JUNE 27, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING JULY 25, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING AUGUST 22, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING SEPTEMBER 26, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING OCTOBER 24, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING DECEMBER 26, 2022- 6:00 P.M. MEETING City of Fresno Page 11