Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, October 23, 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 - Paul Halajian, AIA Commissioner - Don Simmons, PhD. M.A. Commissioner - Julie Federico M.A. Commissioner - Elizabeth Laval Commissioner - Vacant Staff: Jennifer Clark, Director; Lisha Chen, Historic Preservation Specialist; Janice Monroe, M.A. II; Myrna Rivas, Administrative Clerk Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 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 City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 2023 Commission (ADA). Anyone requiring reasonable ADA accommodations, including sign language interpreters, or other reasonable accommodations such as language translation, 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 October 23, 2023 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:00 P.M. Vice Chair Sponsler called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Also in attendance were Jennifer Clark, Janice Monroe and Myrna Rivas. Director Clark announced that Chair Hatwig and Lisha Chen were absent. Commissioner Rocha has resigned from the Commission. Present 5 - Vice Chair James W Sponsler, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Don Simmons, Commissioner Julie Federico, and Commissioner Elizabeth Laval Absent 1 - Chair Jason Hatwig II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ 6:00 P.M. Vice Chair Sponsler read the procedures aloud. III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES N/A IV. APPROVE AGENDA 6:02 P.M. On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner Laval, that the above Agenda be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Chair Hatwig V. CONSENT CALENDAR VI. CONTINUED MATTERS VII. COMMISSION ITEMS 6:03 P.M. City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 2023 Commission VII-A ID 23-1556 CONTINUED TO November 27, 2023 HEARING TO CONSIDER the removal of Historic Dale Bros Coffee Can sign (HP #247) located on the Benham Ice Cream Company building (HP# 248) at APN 46620511 (including but not limited to 1420 H St.). 6:03 P.M. Item continued as noted to November 27, 2023, due to the lack of quorum on the item. VII-B ID 23-1423 HEARING TO CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS on the window and door replacement at the Hopkins Residence (HP#231), located at 1458 E. Divisadero St. Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) one of 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 No. P23-03179 to replace the residential windows and doors at the Hopkins Residence (HP#231), located at 1458 E Divisidaro St. Or: 2. DENY: Application No. P23-03179 to replace the residential windows and doors at the Hopkins Residence (HP#231), located at 1458 E Divisidaro St. with the following conditions: a. Comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties - preservation of windows. b. Document the plan for preservation prior to commencing work. 6:03 P.M. Don Simmons recused himself from this item at 6:03 P.M. Director Clark gave a brief history of the Hopkin's Home, including the case flagged by Code Enforcement on July 27, 2023 creating a stop work order at the residence. Troy Stanger (applicant/contractor) was in attendance and notified the Commission that he was not aware of the home's historic status. He was hired to install an HVAC system as well and this has been put on hold City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 2023 Commission pending this hearing. Stanger stressed that he did not change the sizes of windows. The Commission discussed the many requests received for window replacements and the concerns for expense of repairing or replacing historic windows. Replacement windows do not require permit, but replacement of historic windows do require permission from Historic Preservation. After discussion, the Commissioners voted to allow the window replacement at 1458 E. Divisadero St. Sponsler added that this would be the last time that a change like this will be allowed. He requested that the City increase communication with residents with regard to how their homes may have affected Fresno's history, demolition or repairs to these homes may mean losing this history forever. No public comments were made. Halajian cited Finding 3, Economic Hardship for it's owner as the reason to approve this permit. On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner Laval, that the above Action Item be APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Chair Hatwig Recused: 1 - Commissioner Simmons Abstain: 1 - Vice Chair Sponsler VII-C ID 23-551 HEARING TO CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS on application Planning Permit Application No. P23-03424, Installation of Peelz Citrus Mural, a promotional advertisement (temporary) (Bekins Building HP#70) pursuant to FMC Section 12-1617, located at 301 Van Ness Ave. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) one of the following actions: 1. ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 2023 Commission 15331/Class 31 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines. 2. APPROVE: Application No. P23-03424, Installation of Peelz Citrus Mural, a promotional advertisement (temporary) (Bekins Building HP#70) pursuant to FMC Section 12-1617, located at 301 Van Ness Ave with the following conditions: a. Comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties - preservation of Masonry. b. Document the plan for preservation prior to commencing work. Or: 2. DENY: Application No. P23-03424, Installation of Peelz Citrus Mural, a promotional advertisement (temporary) (Bekins Building HP#70) pursuant to FMC Section 12-1617, located at 301 Van Ness Ave 6:42 P.M. Clark gave a brief introduction of the application for the Bekin's Building HP #70. The applicant proposed to paint a large advertisement (mural) on the side of the building or install a vinyl advertisement as a less invasive alternative. Clark reported that the size of the advertisement requires a Master Sign Permit. Kiah Rubalcaba (applicant) presented an application to place a large advertisement on the Bekin's Building. Rubalcaba is a tenant of the building, the advertisement is for Peelz and Fowler Packing. The Commissioners discussed potential issues. Sponsler commented that a vinyl or a self-adhesive banner option would be best choice, less invasive, and pressure washing the building could cause damage. Rubalcaba advised that the sign installation would require hanging scaffolding. No public comments were made. On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Commissioner Halajian, that the above Action Item be APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Federico No: 1 - Commissioner Laval Absent: 1 - Chair Hatwig City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 2023 Commission VII-D ID 23-1446 UPDATE ON REGULAR MONTHLY TOPICS: 1. Staff Updates 2. Architectural Review Subcommittee Update 3. Plaque & Naming Subcommittee Update 7:00 P.M. Clark reported that Historic Preservation Commission to have 14 to 20 permits that require review monthly. Dr. Chen will be back at the next meeting (November 27th) and she will be a reviewer. Halajian gave an update on the Architectural Subcommittee. He said they have had tours of the Hardy's Theater on 2 occassions. The new contractors have done a fantastic job and display a sense of conscientious and care on the building. Halajian wanted to see windows that are going in and the arches. Halajian added we are getting true divided light and are following the arch accurately. The plan calls for a residential unit on the 2nd floor. Halajians is looking forward to going to look at a mock up LED light later this week. It was noticed that there was a floral design which the old contractor was going to paint over, there has now been a stencil created and is being used to recreate the design added Monroe. Sponsler reported on the Plaque and Naming Subcommittees. Arias has committed some funds to create the monument for the Cesar Chavez memorial. The Plaque Subcommittee met and want to make the plaque less expensive, Sponsler added the price is now just under $300.00, and they will bringing more information to the Commission soon. VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT 7:03 P.M. Clark read Hatwig's letter to JP Maroot in his absence as his report. IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS IX. - A. Members of the Commission 7:04 P.M. Sponsler reported that the the City's 138th anniversary of the City's City of Fresno Page 8 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 23, 2023 Commission incorporation is coming up and that the 140th anniversary is a significant time for Fresno. IX. - B. Staff N/A IX. - C. General Public 7:05 P.M. A member from the public announced that Roger Taylor, local historian, passed away recently while on vacation in Mallorca, Spain with his family. Services for Mr. Taylor will be held on November 4, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church, Fresno California. She also passed out invitations to a fundraising Dinner and tour for the Veterans Memorial Museum and the Fresno Memorial Auditorium held on November 5, 2023. X. NEXT MEETING 7:08 P.M. Next meeting will be on November 27, 2023 XI. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Sponsler adjourned the meeting at 7:09 P.M. City of Fresno Page 9