Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, December 19, 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 Vice Chair - James Sponsler Commissioners: Christopher Rocha, Paul Halajian, AIA; Don Simmons, PhD; M.A.;, Julie Federico, Elizabeth Laval 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 December 19, 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 General Planning Department, 559-621-8277 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. 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. Please use URL: https://zoom.us/j/95457849931 b) Those addressing the Commission must state their name and address for the record. OR 2. Join by Phone a) Dial: City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 19, 2022 Commission 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 3. 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, 2023 - 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 December 19, 2022 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Hatwig called meeting to order at 6:04 P.M. Elizabeth Laval and Julie Federico were introduced as new Commissioners. Each gave a brief introduction, work history, and reason for joining the Commission. Also present from Planning were Janice Monroe, Myrna Rivas and Director Clark (arrived at 6:17). Present 6 - Chair Jason Hatwig, Vice Chair James W Sponsler, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Don Simmons, Commissioner Elizabeth Laval, and Commissioner Julie Federico Absent 1 - Commissioner Christopher Rocha II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ 6:09 P.M. Procedures were read aloud by Chair Hatwig. III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES III-A ID 22-1880 November 28, 2022, Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. 6:11 P.M. On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Vice Chair Sponsler,the above MINUTES were APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Federico Absent: 1 - Commissioner Rocha IV. APPROVE AGENDA 6:12 P.M. City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 19, 2022 Commission On motion of Vice Chair Sponsler, seconded by Commissioner Laval, that the above be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Federico Absent: 1 - Commissioner Rocha V. CONSENT CALENDAR n/a VI. CONTINUED MATTERS VI-A ID 22-1881 CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 28, 2022 HEARING TO CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS on application P22-03600 for the construction of a second single family unit at the J.H. Waller Home (HP#302) and adjacent to the Cowdrey Home (HP#33) located at 318 Park Ave. (APN 45914416). STAFF RECOMMENDATION: 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 P22-01922 for the construction of a new, two-story 1,129 SF single-family residence with a two-story, 728 SF detached garage on a portion of the J H Waller 6:14 P.M. Vice Chair Sponsler recused himself for this item, due to conflict of interest. Janice Monroe gave a brief presentation on the item, including history of property and staff's recommendations. No public comments were made. City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 19, 2022 Commission Commissioners asked for clarification on the proposed materials and placement of new structures. Commissioner Halajian made a motion to approve Staff's Recommendation with the condition applicant uses true divided light on upper window and either wood, aluminum clad, or fiberglass. On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner Simmons, that the above Action Item be APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Federico Absent: 1 - Commissioner Rocha Recused: 1 - Vice Chair Sponsler VII. COMMISSION ITEMS VII-A ID 22-1879 Workshop regarding the Brown Act, including rules of order and the purpose of Historic Preservation 6:32 P.M. Amanda Freeman from the City Attorney's Office gave a presentation on Brown Act and Ethics Training. Commissioners asked Freeman for clarification regarding Social Media. Halajian asked for legal advice about conflict of interest and his standard recusal procedure. After a brief discussion, Freeman stated they would speak offline about his specific situation. Hatwig requested a yearly refresher on the Brown Act and Ethics Training. VII-B ID 22-1904 UPDATE regarding the reconstruction of the Abacus, previously located at Guarantee Savings & Loans (Citibank) located at 4191 N Blackstone Ave (APN 43409202). 6:50 P.M. City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 19, 2022 Commission Jon Checkie (a representative from Citibank) provided a brief update on the Abacus installation and timeline. Commissioners requested more information on the timeline and scope of work from Checkie. They also discussed the fencing, requesting final review. Hatwig reminded the Commission of the pre-existing Subcommittee, and recommended that everyone read the minutes and watch the old meeting video regarding the Abacus. VII-C ID 22-1906 UPDATE on Regular Monthly Topics: 1. Staff Updates 2. Architectural Subcommittee Updates 3. Economic Incentive Subcommittee Update 4. Plaque Design Subcommittee Update 7:10 PM. Clark reported the quantity and types of projects processed in November. Clark introduced Erica Camarena and Randy Calvert, from Code Enforcement, to provide an update on the fire at the Osage Apartments. Calvert reported the progress since the October 17th fire, including progress made and obstacles/concerns faced. He also answered questions about the communication with the property owner. Calvert explained the property did not meet the criteria for demolition and was currently using temporary measures. Monroe reported a scheduled meeting for the Architectural Subcommittee next week and the status of Mills Act Applications. No plaque meeting occurred in November. VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT n/a City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final December 19, 2022 Commission IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS 7:16 P.M. IX. - A. Members of the Commission n/a IX. - B. Staff Clark presented the Commissioners with a mouse pad showing the 2023 meeting schedule. IX. - C. General Public Members of the public were in attendance to voice their concerns regarding the proprosed Armenian Town District. Questions were raised on next steps, how to get an item on the City Council Agenda, and the intent to push forward in registering the new district. These individuals reported concern of demolition by neglect. Buildings like the Vartanian Home were examples of properties they feel need to be protected by historic designation. Questions were raised about the Fresno Memorial Auditorium. They asked about designated funds for the restoration of the property and what these funds may be used for. They asked if the Commission has any information about these funds and what they may be used for. Members of the public felt the museum needs various repairs to the building, new water pipes and landscaping. They reported that the museum is the National Headquarters for the Legion of Valor Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and reminded people that the museum is open 6 days a week X. NEXT MEETING Next meeting is January 23, 2023 XI. ADJOURNMENT Hatwig adjourned meeting at 7:48 P.M. City of Fresno Page 8