Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, August 22, 2022 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 - James Sponsler Commissioners: Christopher Rocha, Paul Halajian, AIA; Don Simmons, PhD; M.A.; Staff: Jennifer Clark, Director; Mary Raterman-Doidge, Senior Deputy City Attorney; Janice Monroe, M.A. II; Myrna Rivas, Administrative Clerk Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 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. 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 closed at the start 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. 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. City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 2022 Commission 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 Historic.Preservation@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. The City of Fresno thanks you in advance for taking all precautions to prevent spreading COVID-19 virus. City of Fresno Page 3 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 2022 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Hatwig called the meeting to order at 6:04pm. Also present were Director of Planning and Development, Jennifer Clark, Senior Deputy City Attorney Mary Raterman-Doidge, Management Analyst II, Janice Monroe, and Administrative Clerk, Myrna Rivas. Present 4 - Chair Jason Hatwig, Vice Chair James W Sponsler, Commissioner Christopher Rocha, and Commissioner Paul Halajian Absent 1 - Commissioner Don Simmons II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ Chair Hatwig read the procedures aloud. III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES III-A ID 22-1305 July 25, 2022, Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. 6:07pm Rocha confirmed with staff that he was able to vote on the minutes when he was not present at the meeting in question. Director Clark reminded the Commission that the rules and bylaws allow them to vote regardless. On motion of Vice Chair Sponsler, seconded by Commissioner Rocha, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha and Commissioner Halajian Absent: 1 - Commissioner Simmons IV. APPROVE AGENDA 6:08pm On motion of Commissioner Rocha, seconded by Vice Chair Sponsler,the above AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 2022 Commission Aye: 4 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha and Commissioner Halajian Absent: 1 - Commissioner Simmons V. CONSENT CALENDAR N/A VI. CONTINUED MATTERS N/A VII. COMMISSION ITEMS VII-A ID 22-1300 CONTINUED TO SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 HEARING TO CONSIDER the replacement of a floor furnace with a wall mounted furnace at the Nystrom Home (HP#225), located at 725/727 N Wilson Ave, Application B22-10883. 6:09pm Chair Hatwig reminded the Commission that item VII-A (ID 22-1300) is continued to the next meeting, as noted on the agenda. This Action Item was CONTINUED AS NOTED VII-B ID 22-1301 HEARING TO CONSIDER exterior improvements of the Fresno Water Tower (HP#1), located at 2444 Fresno St. Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) take the following actions: 1. ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15331/Class 31 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines 2. APPROVE: Application P22-02936 for the repair of site improvements, installation of ADA accessible improvements and installation of fencing at the Old Fresno Water Tower HP#001 located at 2444 Fresno Street. (466-09-301T & a portion of 466-09- 305T) with conditions. 6:10pm Director Clark explained the 5 stages of proposed work, the impact of City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 2022 Commission design, and the recommendations of Staff. On behalf of the applicant, Michael Osborn (Provost & Prichard), continued the discussion of the proposed scope of work and asked for feedback on the fence design. Vice Chair Sponsler suggested the perimeter fence mimic the round shape of building on the corner of Fresno St and O St instead of the proposed 45* angle. They continued to discuss the 8-foot height and color of the fence. Commissioners asked about the gates and the panic hardware. When discussing the courtyard between buildings, the Commission agreed that the natural grey color of the concrete would be less distracting than the existing color. They agreed the banding was indicative of the period and felt it should be colored, separating it from the grey majority. The Commission discussed the proposal's potential impact on parking and accessible routes of travel. They agreed the ramp on the West side of the property would be sufficient and the incompliant/distracting ramp on O Street should be removed. Additional signage would be needed to provide direction. PUBLIC COMMENT Roger Taylor voiced excitement about the project, talking about his trip to Germany to see the original water tower. A motion was made finding a Categorical Exemption and approval contingent of the conditions provided below: Final Conditions: **The courtyard should have more of the grey concrete color. The banding should remain, however add color. (opposite of current design) **They support Staff's recommendation on the pathway on the East side of the building and the elimination of the ramp on O Street. **The applicant will return to the Commission with the fencing material for City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 2022 Commission final review. **Confirmation that the project receives a full Fire Review, verifying breaker bars and swinging gates meet code. On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner Rocha, that the above Action Item be APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha and Commissioner Halajian Absent: 1 - Commissioner Simmons VII-C ID 22-1302 WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS removal of demolished properties from the previous calendar year from the Local Registry. 6:56pm Director Clark reminded the Commission of 6 properties that have been demolished in recent years and explained the next steps of removing them from the Local Registry. No questions from the Commission. Properties being Removed: 1. Hewitt Home (HP#39) 175 N Diana St (May 2021) 2. Kutner Home (HP#115) 165 L St (November 2021) 3. Bow On Tong Association Building (HP#65) 935 China Alley(March 2022) 4. Rehorn Home (HP#90) 1050 S St (February 2016) 5. California Products (HP#83) 3000 E Butler Ave (May 2013) 6. John B Frinchaboy Home (HP#251) 243 N College Ave (July 2022) VII-D ID 22-1098 UPDATE regarding work performed without permits at the Warehouse Row Buildings, Wormser Building (HP#3) located at 744 P Street. 7:04pm Director Clark updated the Commission that the project consisted of interior improvements only, no equipment was placed outside of structure or openings created to the outside, and no walls were removed or features changed. Therefore the director wanted to update the Commission on the work but no HPC approval would be needed. City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 2022 Commission No questions from the Commission. VII-E ID 22-1303 Update from Fresno Rescue Mission on the Vartanian Home (HP#67), located at 362 F Street 7:06pm Director Clark reported the status from the Fresno Rescue Mission. She explained the importance of the Commission's role in potential relocation of the building if it becomes an option in the future. The Commission asked about current and future uses of the building and after explaining, the Director said she would report any news if brought to the department. Vaughn DerMugrolechian, with the Armenian Cultural Conservancy, spoke about a proposed location at the Southeast corner of Ventura and N Street in Armenian Town. The relocated building would serve as the Armenian American Heritage Center. He reported having multiple conversations with the Fresno Rescue Mission, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Planning & Development Department over the last four years about this proposal and progress he has made. Chair Hatwig voiced approval of the update and hoped there would be progress with the Proposed Historic Armenian District soon. Pat Hunter voiced support for the proposed relocation to Armenian Town and showed pictures to the Commission of houses that were damaged in fires and relocated in Armenian Town. VII-F ID 22-1304 STAFF UPDATE on the Belmont Plaque 7:17pm Director Clark followed up with the Commission from the previous month's discussions and reminded the Commission that they need to provide High Speed Rail with an official answer on which proposed option of replacement is requested. This direction will be documented on the new site plan's conditions of approval. City of Fresno Page 8 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 2022 Commission Commissioner Hatwig recommended the Plaque Subcommittee (Sponsler & Rocha) work with HSR on the design of replacement. Halajian recommended HSR hire an exhibit designer to treat this artifact with respect, paying tribute to its history in a powerful and meaningful way. He said the plaque deserved specialized design talent that the Subcommittee lacks. The Commission discussed having the Subcommittee be the contact working with HSR but that the professional would do the design. VII-G ID 22-1111 STAFF UPDATE on Regular Monthly Topics: 1. Current & Proposed Historic District Updates 2. Demolition/Repair Updates 3. Economic Incentives 7:22pm 1. Director Clark hopes to release the RFQ for a consultant to assist with the Proposed Historic Districts by the September meeting. 2. Updated Commission on number & types of projects seen by the Historic Preservation team in the last month and plan to have a monthly summary available in future meetings. 3. Economic Incentive Subcommittee site visits are a priority to allow applications to take advantage of the tax incentive and move along in the process. VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT N/A IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS 7:29pm IX. - A. Members of the Commission N/A IX. - B. Staff City of Fresno Page 9 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 22, 2022 Commission Director Clark informed the Commission that the position for Historic Preservation Specialist has been posted in two ways (traditional and as an Architect) on the City's website. She asked Commissioners to share with their resources and let Staff know if they have a specific candidate in mind. IX. - C. General Public Linda Scambray asked about the $150,000 of budget allocated to Historic Districts, wanting to understand where the funds were being used. She stressed the importance of increasing security of the Historic buildings, citing the fires and demolition list in the night's presentation. She also requested the City bring back a Visitor's Center and suggested the Vartanian Home as an option. X. NEXT MEETING 9/26/22 XI. ADJOURNMENT Chair Hatwig adjourned the meeting at 7:35pm City of Fresno Page 10