Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, April 24, 2023 6:00 PM Regular Meeting In Person and/or Electronic City Hall, Room 2165 Historic Preservation Commission Chair - Jason Hatwig, LEED, AP, BD Vice Chair - James Sponsler Commissioner - Christopher Rocha Commissioner - Paul Halajian, AIA Commissioner - Don Simmons, PhD. M.A. Commissioner - Julie Federico M.A. Commissioners - Elizabeth Laval Staff: Jennifer Clark, Director; Janice Monroe, M.A. II Myrna Rivas, Administrative Clerk Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final April 24, 2023 Commission THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION WELCOMES YOU TO ROOM 2165A, LOCATED IN CITY HALL, 2ND FLOOR, 2600 FRESNO STREET, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93721. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – 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. Public participation during Fresno City Historic Preservation Commission meetings is always encouraged and can occur in one of the two following ways: 1. Participate In Person: Room 2165, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721 a. To speak during a Commission meeting in person: You may approach the speaker podium upon the Chair’s call for public comment. 2. Participate Remotely via Zoom using the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cAUGlBe2SYygn3isiCuy4w a. The above link will allow you to register in advance for remote participation in the meeting via the Zoom platform. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing additional details about joining the meeting. b. To speak during a Commission meeting while attending remotely in the Zoom application, click on the icon labeled “Participants” at the bottom of the screen. Then select “Raise Hand” at the bottom of the Participants window. Your digital hand will now be raised. You will be asked to “unmute” when your name is called to speak. You will not be visible via video and there will be no opportunity to share your screen. All public speakers will have up to 3 minutes to address the Commission pursuant to Rule No. 13 of the Historic Preservation Commission Bylaws of the City of Fresno (available in the City Clerk’s Office). VIEWING PLANNING MEETINGS (non-participatory) – For your convenience, there are ways to view Historic Preservation Commission meetings live: 1. Community Media Access Collaborative website: https://cmac.tv/ 2. Cable Television: Comcast Channel 96 and AT&T Channel 99 Should any of these viewing methods listed above experience technical difficulties, the Commission meeting will continue uninterrupted. Commission meetings will only be paused to address verifiable technical difficulties for all users participating via Zoom or in the Chambers. The City of Fresno’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Anyone requiring reasonable ADA accommodations, including sign language interpreters, or other reasonable accommodations such as language translation, City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final April 24, 2023 Commission should contact the office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or clerk@fresno.gov. To help ensure availability of these services, you are advised to make your request a minimum of 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. City of Fresno Page 3 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final April 24, 2023 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Hatwig called the Meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Also present were Director Clark, Monroe and Rivas. Present 6 - Chair Jason Hatwig, Vice Chair James W Sponsler, Commissioner Christopher Rocha, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Don Simmons, and Commissioner Elizabeth Laval Absent 1 - Commissioner Julie Federico II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ Chair Hatwig read procedures aloud III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES III-A ID 23-531 March 27, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. 6:02 P.M. On motion of Commissioner Laval, seconded by Commissioner Rocha,the above MINUTES were APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Commissioner Federico Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Halajian IV. APPROVE AGENDA 6:02 P.M. On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Commissioner Laval, that the Agenda be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Commissioner Federico City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final April 24, 2023 Commission V. CONSENT CALENDAR V-A ID 23-297 HEARING TO CONSIDER BUILDING PERMIT B23-01813, LOCATED AT 890 BELMONT AVE (APN 45002008T), REGARDING EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS AND ADA ACCESSIBILITY TO TOT LOT AT ROEDING PARK 6:03 P.M. On motion of Commissioner Rocha, seconded by Commissioner Simmons, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Commissioner Federico VI. CONTINUED MATTERS N/A VII. COMMISSION ITEMS VII-A ID 23-604 CONTINUED TO MAY 22, 2023 HEARING TO CONSIDER Building Permit B22-18975 regarding Rehabilitation and addition of multi-family units to the Frank J Craycroft Home (HP #182), located at 6545 N Palm Avenue (APN 40776212). 6:04 P.M. Director Clark announced that ITEM VII-A (ID23-204) is continued to May 22, 2023, as requested by applicant. VII-B ID 23-291 REVIEW & COMMENT on the potential historic influence of the Palace Inn Redevelopment Project at 797 N Parkway Dr. for the Section 106 consultation 6:04 P.M. Clark announced that the City has requested that the Historic Preservation Commission review and comment on the Palace Inn Redevelopment City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final April 24, 2023 Commission Project. Danny Tohme (Housing Division of Planning & Development) and Dan Herrick (Lead Architectural Historian for SWCA Environmental Consultants) were present and available for comments and questions. Herrick explained the Section 106 documentation and his work with the City for the Palace Inn Redevelopment Project, a collection of motels and similar post war properties. They talked about how the property in question, while not currently eligible for individual listing, does fall within parameters of a potential historic district (along with 12 additional properties identified in their research). Hatwig commented that there is not enough original historic context left on these buildings, but that the Commission is open to Thematic Districts. Halajian commented that all character defining features on this property are gone. Sponsler expressed interest in building a digital app focused on the Historic US Highway 99 Federal Highway District. No public comment. VII-C ID 23-254 UPDATE FROM THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION MONTH PLANNING SUBCOMMITTEE 1. Pub Crawl Trivia Night 2. Open House Day 3. Additional Subcommittee Updates 4. Discussion of further events 6:29 P.M. Simmons presented a tentative calendar for the Preservation Month Events throughout May. Events include self -guided tours, drive-by tours, pub quiz, lectures and properties open for Open House. Laval announced a Historic Picture of the Day will be posted online daily using Social Media platforms. The Commission discussed each of the events they would be assisting with and when/where information would be made available. City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final April 24, 2023 Commission Additional events were brought to the table that were not on the published calendar of events. Commissioners shared these opportunities in their different stages of development, in the hopes of increasing public outreach and participation. Hatwig thanked the HP Month Planning Subcommittee for their help and involvement in planning a month full of fun and informative events for the community. Simmons added that all parts of Fresno will have representation. VII-D ID 23-666 UPDATE on Regular Monthly Topics: 1. Staff Updates 2. Economic Incentive Updates 3. Architectural Review Subcommittee Update 4. Abacus Subcommittee Update 5. Naming Subcommittee 6:57 P.M. Director Clark reported excitement for the upcoming HP events. Staff will share the calendar of events for Historic Preservation Month with the City's Communications team to share with the public and social media sites. Clark provided a brief summary on building and planning permits that came through Historic Preservation in the month of March. Hatwig reported that the Architectural Subcommittee met with a property owner requesting more information on a fence project. Clark explained that Staff has been utilizing the Architectural Review Subcommittee whenever possible to limit the number of items coming to the Commission. She informed the Commission that the ADU workshop they requested is anticipated for an upcoming meeting. Staff reported that there should be an update with the pending Mills & Mitigation applications. The Commission discussed the importance of keeping applications on hand and updated information on the website. They emphasized the importance of sending people to the City's website for City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final April 24, 2023 Commission brochures and applications and Staff agreed to extend the deadline through the month of May to use the many events planned for word of mouth on the programs available. Halajian shared information on the Abacus Subcommittee and they are pleased with progress being made. Sponsler announced there will be a presentation date shared soon. Vice Chair Sponsler shared that the Naming Subcommittee met with Dr. Marshall and have decided on the Dr. Earl R. Meyers and Mrs. Maddie Meyers Fresno Klette Medical Arts Building. However, since meeting with the Naming Subcommittee, the family has made another suggested alteration and more conversations will follow. VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT 6:58 P.M. N/A IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS IX. - A. Members of the Commission 6:58 Sponsler & Rocha reported attending the California Preservation Conference. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the City of Fresno and be a part of the impressive ceremonies. Sponsler noted an area he felt the Commission could improve upon could include an interpretative app about US Highway 99. Simmons shared that The Hawkins Home on Calaveras & Divisidero Street was recently painted this week after being vacant for an extended period of time. Rocha shared that owner of the Pacific Southwest Building had questions City of Fresno Page 8 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final April 24, 2023 Commission on an agenda item from 2014. Staff will follow up on this request for information. IX. - B. Staff IX. - C. General Public 7:08P.M. A member of the public asked the Commission & Staff about plan for the long awaited Historic Preservation Specialist position that has remained vacant. She went on to request the Commission discuss a fencing solution at the Memorial Auditorium. Individuals complained they were not given sufficient warning/explanation regarding the Craycroft Home project. Since it was continued to May's meeting, they requested staff email them updates on when the item will be heard. The Public spoke about upgrades at Roeding Park, a need for subdivision boundary markers, and updating signage. There was also someone who spoke on the ongoing discussions of naming the newest designation. Multiple reports of the conditions at the Fagbule Glass House on Shields Ave described a concern for a health and safety issue. X. NEXT MEETING May 22, 2023. XI. ADJOURNMENT Chair Hatwig adjourned the meeting at 7:22 P.M. City of Fresno Page 9