Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, October 28, 2024 6:00 PM Regular Meeting City Hall, Room 2165 Historic Preservation Commission Chair - James Sponsler Vice Chair - Jason Hatwig Commissioner - Paul Halajian Commissioner - Julie Federico Commissioner - Elizabeth Laval Commissioner - Sarah E. Johnston Commissioner - Ryan Eddings Staff: Jennifer Clark, Director; Ashley Atkinson, Assistant Director; Lisha Chen, Historic Preservation Specialist; Janice Monroe, M.A. II Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 28, 2024 Commission THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION WELCOMES YOU TO ROOM 2165A, LOCATED IN CITY HALL, 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 by attending a meeting in Room 2165A, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721. When called to speak during a meeting, you may approach the speaker podium upon the Chair's call for additional public comment. 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 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 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 3. 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. 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 person. 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, 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 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 28, 2024 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Sponsler called meeting to order at 6:00pm. Johnston arrived at 6:02pm Also present were Jennifer Clark, Ashley Atkinson, Lisha Chen, & Janice Monroe Present 6 - Chair James W Sponsler, Vice Chair Jason Hatwig, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Julie Federico, Commissioner Elizabeth Laval, and Commissioner Sarah Johnston Absent 1 - Commissioner Ryan Eddings II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ 6:01pm Chair Sponsler read the procedures aloud. III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES 6:02pm III-A ID 24-1335 September 23, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Johnston arrived at 6:02pm On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Laval, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval Absent: 2 - Commissioner Johnston and Commissioner Eddings IV. APPROVE AGENDA 6:02pm Chen requested a change in the agenda, withdrawing item VII-C (24-1463) at the request of the applicant. On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Federico,the AGENDA was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion City of Fresno Page 3 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 28, 2024 Commission carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Federico, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Johnston Absent: 1 - Commissioner Eddings V. CONSENT CALENDAR N/A VI. CONTINUED MATTERS N/A VII. COMMISSION ITEMS VII-A ID 24-339 Consideration of approval of request by property owners to enter into a Mills Act historical property contract pursuant to FMC 12-1706: 1. The Clayton & Emily Chandler Home located at 610 E Pine Ave. (APN 45111401), in the Wilson Island Historic District RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission hold a public hearing and that the Director of Development enter into a Historical Property Contract for the subject property pursuant to FMC 12-1706. 6:03pm Chen made a presentation on the background of the property in the Wilson Island Historic District. She also talked about the features, Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) findings, and Staff recommendations. No Public Comment was given. After noting the good condition and plan of the home owner, Halajian made a motion to approve. On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner Laval, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 28, 2024 Commission Aye: 6 - Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Federico, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Johnston Absent: 1 - Commissioner Eddings VII-B ID 24-1462 Consideration of approval of request by property owners to enter into a Mills Act historical property contract pursuant to FMC 12-1706: 1. The Anderson Residence (HP #130) located at 1120 T St. (APN 46602105) RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission hold a public hearing and that the Director of Development enter into a Historical Property Contract for the subject property pursuant to FMC 12-1706. 6:07pm Chen made a presentation on the background of the property, key features of the property, FMC findings, and Staff recommendations. Don Standridge, applicant, expressed his passion for the project, noting they were the 5th owner of the property. No Public Comment was given. On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Halajian, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Federico, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Johnston Absent: 1 - Commissioner Eddings VII-C ID 24-1463 Consideration of approval of request by property owners to enter into a Mills Act historical property contract pursuant to FMC 12-1706: 1. The Aten Residence (HP# 126) located at 1133 S St. (APN 46603502) RECOMMENDATION City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 28, 2024 Commission Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission hold a public hearing and that the Director of Development enter into a Historical Property Contract for the subject property pursuant to FMC 12-1706. Item was removed from agenda during Agenda Approval at the request of the applicant/property owner. VII-D ID 24-1097 Workshop on process for re-evaluating properties previously considered for designation 6:10pm Atkinson made a presentation discussing the current code provisions, as well as State & National guidelines. She explained that the internal administrative procedure is currently not to re-evaluate a project that has previously been considered by City Council but that they were open to a discussion with the Commission on this procedure. Commissioners asked clarifying questions on the process and procedure for various situations or examples. Laval asked about a potential list of denied properties over the years and Staff explained the obstacles to develop this list. Hatwig asked about properties that were denied because they opted out of a District and Director Clark explained the process, giving the example of an inclusion that was performed earlier this year. Staff also clarified that if a property was denied before reaching City Council, it would not need Council permission to start the reevaluation process. Atkinson reported Staff would return with possible changes to the Administrative process, as requested by the Commission VII-E ID 24-1390 Monthly update on the Jose Garcia Brewer Adobe Building, HP #227 located at 5901 W. Shaw (APN 51004038). 6:28pm Chen showed photos from her most recent site visit and provided an update on the latest information from the property owner (who was not present). City of Fresno Page 6 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 28, 2024 Commission Commissioners asked if placing a lien on the property was an option and wanted a plan of action. Clark explained Code Enforcement's plan and noted the limits of the FMC. Sponsler reported a disconnect from what is said and done by the property owner. Halajian stated this was a clear case of demolition by neglect , to which Sponsler suggested the Commission develop a clear process for cases such as these. Clark said she would meet with the City Attorney's office and report back on possible steps. VII-F ID 24-1267 UPDATE on Regular Monthly Topics: 1. Staff Updates 2. Proposed Historic Districts 3. Architectural Review Subcommittee Updates 4. Plaque Design Subcommittee Update 5. Economic Incentive Subcommittee Update 6:34pm 1. Chen reported 14 planning permits, 11 building permits, & 13 160 reviews 2. Chen reported working on the CLG report (expected to HPC late January) with the hopes of applying for CLG grant in April. 3. No meetings were held 4. Sponsler reported the progress on the Van Ness Ave sign relocation and the communication with High Speed rail on the revised plaque. Sign will be located at Mariposa and H St and continue to read Van Ness Ave. 5. Chen reported 2 Mills Act applications that were approved and completing their process. She also reported 6 Mitigation Grant applications pending in various stages of the process. VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT 6:40pm City of Fresno Page 7 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final October 28, 2024 Commission Chair Sponsler reported the recent 139th birthday of the City of Fresno. He also said Raul Pickett reached out to him about making a presentation/workshop at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on the Chinatown Potential Historic District. IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS IX. - A. Members of the Commission 6:41pm Laval reported a recent conversation she had regarding the Air Traffic Control tower's possible demolition and Alan Lu exhibit. Clark explained the Brown Act limitations, ending any conversation on the topic. IX. - B. Staff 6:43pm Monroe reminded the Commissioners to turn in their training logs for the Annual CLG report IX. - C. General Public 6:44pm A member of the public requested the audience of the Commission to discuss the Potential Historic District in Chinatown. He also provided hard copies of the presentation he hoped to make. X. NEXT MEETING 11/25/2024 XI. ADJOURNMENT Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:51pm City of Fresno Page 8