Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, August 28, 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 August 28, 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 August 28, 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 August 28, 2023 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:00 P.M. Chair Hatwig called meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Also present were Jennifer Clark, Janice Monroe and Myrna Rivas. Commissioner Rocha arrived at 6:01 P.M. Present 6 - Chair Jason Hatwig, Vice Chair James W Sponsler, Commissioner Christopher Rocha, Commissioner Don Simmons, Commissioner Julie Federico, and Commissioner Elizabeth Laval Absent 1 - Commissioner Paul Halajian II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ Procedures were read aloud by Chair Hatwig at 6:01 P.M. Commissioner Rocha arrived at 6:01 P.M. during these Procedures III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES III-A ID 23-1181 JULY 24, 2023 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES. 6:03 P.M. On motion of Commissioner Laval, seconded by Commissioner Federico,the above MINUTES were APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Commissioner Halajian IV. APPROVE AGENDA 6:04 P.M. On motion of Vice Chair Sponsler, seconded by Commissioner Rocha, City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 28, 2023 Commission that the above AGENDA be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Commissioner Halajian V. CONSENT CALENDAR N/A VI. CONTINUED MATTERS N/A VII. COMMISSION ITEMS VII-A ID 23-1260 CONTINUED TO OCTOBER 23, 2023 HEARING TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS B23-02970 & AD23-04969 FOR THE REPAIR OF MASONRY WALL AT THE ROESSLER WINERY (HP#29) LOCATED AT APN 49429107T (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO 1902 N WINERY). 6:03 P.M. Item was continued as noted on Agenda VII-B ID 23-476 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF REQUEST BY THE PROPERTY OWNER TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE DESIGNATION OF THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY TO THE LOCAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC RESOURCES AND ADOPTION OF FINDINGS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT RECOMMENDATION PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1609. 1. THE NATIONAL FARM WORKERS ASSOCIATION LOCATED AT 1405 E CALIFORNIA AVE (46730206) 6:03 P.M. Director Clark provided a brief history of the proposed designation of the National Farm Workers Association Inaugural Convention locale at 1405 E California Ave. She explained that the building is no longer standing, and not a part of this designation, but that the significance of what happened at this location on September 30, 1962 was meaningful for the Civil Rights City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 28, 2023 Commission movement, organized labor, and Chicano movement. The applicant, Dr. Paul Garcia (Center for Leadership, Equity and Research), was present and available for comments and questions. He reported on submitting the application to designate the location of the Edison Social Club (demolished 1973) and the support he has received in this process. Clark added that an interactive display, plaque, or monument would be erected at the site so that people could learn more about the labor movement in Central California. She explained that the property is currently a single family home and the applicant has received authorization from the property owners. Clark reported significant evidence of the historic meeting has been presented by the applicant and is on the record. The Commission did not have any questions for Dr. Garcia. Clark confirmed for Simmons that the location is not included in the street name change for Cesar Chavez/California Ave. Several members of the public were present and voiced support regarding the proposal. A comment was made regarding the legal notices mailed, and Staff informed the public that additional efforts would be made to communicate to residents speaking Spanish for the notice of hearing at City Council. On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Commissioner Laval, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Commissioner Halajian VII-C ID 23-480 HEARING TO CONSIDER DEMOLITION APPLICATION B23-09193 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 751 N ABBY ST. (APN 45222403). 6:21 P.M. City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 28, 2023 Commission Clark gave a brief history of the property (highlighting original features, limited renovations, & recent structural damage). She explained the required findings needed from the Commission when making a motion. Upon completion, she asked if the structure had enough integrity that they would recommend listing the property and/or if they recommended demolition. Michael Brown (representing Applicants) was in attendance and available for questions. Commissioners discussed the property's characteristics and current state. Brown explained that they do not have plans for the property. The Commissioners discussed the current uninhabitable status of the home after the crash and the home's diminished structural integrity. No Public Comment was made for this item. The Commission noted the financial hardship for the applicant and danger/safety concern of structure, however found several unique features salvageable. Noting they had found Findings 2 & 3 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Sponsler made a motion to approve the demolition permit after a deconstruction period of 30 days, allowing for the salvage of historically featured items such as windows, columns, lap siding, hardware, brick/stone, and doors, as a condition of approval. On motion of Vice Chair Sponsler, seconded by Commissioner Rocha, that the above Action Item be APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval No: 1 - Commissioner Simmons Absent: 1 - Commissioner Halajian VII-D ID 23-1148 STAFF UPDATE REGARDING TOWER DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 28, 2023 Commission 6:42 P.M. Casey Lauderdale (Supervising Planner) updated the Commission on the Tower District Specific Plan (TDSP) and shared a link to the website at www.Fresno.gov/TDSP. She presented on topics such as background of Plan, Plan boundaries, historic preservation district overlap within the area, timeline for Plan updates, and scheduled outreach activities. She provided a 3 minute video on the 1991 adopted plan. Lauderdale shared that over 200 people have attended the community workshops and expected a draft of the updated TDSP in Spring 2024. Rocha shared that he was impressed with the outreach efforts made by Lauderdale's team and appreciated the prospective of the neighbors. Rocha and Federico talked about attending the outreach event and explained the role of their subcommittee. Simmons had questions regarding District boundaries, sharing costs in funding District surveys and working towards establishing the proposed Districts. No public comments were made. VII-E ID 23-1245 UPDATE ON REGULAR MONTHLY TOPICS: 1. STAFF UPDATES 2. ECONOMIC INCENTIVE UPDATES 3. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE 4. NAMING SUBCOMMITTEE 5. PLAQUE SUBCOMMITTEE 7:10 P.M. Clark and Monroe reported that the numbers for Demolition, Planning and Building Permits have remained consistent with months passed. Clark reported that she hopes to have a staffing update at next month's meeting. Rivas reported that the packages for the Economic Incentive Subcommittee are being created for site visits. City of Fresno Page 8 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 28, 2023 Commission Hatwig gave an update on the Architectural Subcommittee, which met at Hardy's Theater recently, to see weatherization repairs. They also visited the Water Tower to discuss concrete coloring and fencing changes. The Naming Subcommittee has finalized the name for the Fresno Klette Medical Center and is going to the City Council on September 14th. Staff will ask the subcommittee to review 3 potential names for facilities that the City owns. Simmons confirmed that the former Bitwize buildings, already on the LocalHistoric Register, do not need to be renamed because they revert to the names officially documented when put on the Register. VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT N/A IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS IX. - A. Members of the Commission 7:20 P.M. Sponsler acknowledged Chair Hatwig's recent birthday and presented him with gift. IX. - B. Staff N/A IX. - C. General Public 7:22 P.M. A member of the public voiced interest in a brochure for each of the Historic Districts and the Tower District, highlighting historic properties on a map, to aide with tourism. Another member of the public supported this idea. Another member of the public talked about the struggles non-English City of Fresno Page 9 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final August 28, 2023 Commission speaking residents had with the mailed notices for Hearings. Public comment was ended with someone requesting updated signage to show Historic Districts. X. NEXT MEETING Next Historic Preservation Commission Meeting is on 9/25/2023. XI. ADJOURNMENT Chair Hatwig adjourned meeting at 7:29 P.M. City of Fresno Page 10