Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING Thursday, October 27, 2011 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MONTEREY, CA 93940 MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Castagna, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Fletcher, Ex-Officio Hodgin Commissioners Absent: Petty, Palminteri Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Caraker, Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Hanes CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Commissioner McLain, seconded by Commissioner O'Neil, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Fletcher NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Petty, Palminteri ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. October 13, 2011 ACTION: Approved as submitted. 5-0-2 (Absent-Palminteri, Petty). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARING 2. 100 Boronda Lane (Boronda Adobe); Use Permit Application 10-241; Applicant/Owner Toreston Matheson; R-1-10-D1-H1 Zoning District; Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Prepared. Approve the removal of one tree and recommend that the Planning Commission approve a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Use Permit for Historic Incentives. ACTION: Approved the removal of one tree and recommended the Planning Commission approve a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Use Permit for Historic Incentives with added conditions that no amplified sound be allowed and the permit will come back to the Planning Commission Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 27, 2011 and Historic Preservation Commission in one year for a review and to consider amendments. 5-0-2 (Absent-Palminteri, Petty). Staff Presentation/Commissioners Questions: Christine Hopper presented the staff report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant: Paul Davis, Architect and Tore Matheson, Owner, were present. Mr. Davis said the site is very unique and is a resource that should be enjoyed and all application requirements set forth by the City have been satisfied. Mr. Matheson said the property is unique and should be enjoyed by everyone and he understands the complaints from neighbors that are being affected by the sound. He said he will eliminate the amplified sound and is willing to work on any concerns or issues that may come up. Mr. Davis addressed the question about parking spaces and indicated there are 26 spaces that can serve 75 people and clarified that use of the house is off limits to the general public. Public Comments: Albert Barreto said the map used in the presentation does not indicate the proper number of houses on Major Sherman Lane and asked staff to identify the location of the music staging for the events. He also expressed concerns about the noise issue affecting the value of his properties. Richard Carmade mentioned a letter he submitted regarding his concerns with the music and the effect it is having on his property and the neighborhood. He said given Mr. Matheson’s willingness to forgo amplified music, he does not have any serious objections to events on the property, but expressed concern about the additional traffic impact to Mesa Road. Mike Dawson said the applicant has done a great job re-furbishing the property and is pleased to hear that no amplified music will be allowed and encouraged the Commission to approve the application. Mary Murphy, speaking also for her husband Kevin Murphy said she is pleased that no amplified music will be allowed but expressed concern that people looking for the subject property wrongly drive up her driveway which is directly across from the property. She is also concerned about the safety of Mesa Road with the additional vehicular traffic. Mr. Davis said the property owner is very willing to work with neighbors on their concerns to make it possible to share the resource with the public. In answer to Vice Chair Castagna's question, Mr. Matheson said absolutely no sound that is amplified will be allowed. Ms. Hopper addressed concerns about the impact parking will have on the neighborhood indicating that during large events, vehicles will be parked in the lower lot which is accessible by El Dorado and will not be impacting Mesa Road. She said the maximum number of vehicles that will be traveling on Mesa Rd is 26, and a study performed by the City Traffic Engineer indicated that this number did not show a significant impact to Mesa Road. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 27, 2011 2 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 27, 2011 Commissioner McLain suggested a change to the conditions that indicated there would only be two events allowed per month. Ms. Hopper said such a condition might pose a problem for the applicant to book events. Commissioner Comments: Vice Chair Castagna moved to approve the removal of one tree and recommend that the Planning Commission approve a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Use Permit for Historic Incentives, with the added condition that no amplified music is allowed. Commissioner Fletcher seconded the motion and suggested adding clarification to Condition #4 that better defines the days of operation, the definition of an event, and to require that two of the 27 events shall be open to the public. Ms. Hopper clarified that the facility is open by appointment for small gatherings at any time. Commissioner Hodgin said the added condition should clarify what an event is and concurred with the neighbors that amplified music can be disruptive. Comissioner O'Neil expressed concern for the applicant and the limitations no amplified sound will present when he is booking events and made mention that technology is available to put a block on systems for the maximum decibals allowed. Commissioner McLain asked for clarification about the permit if it stays with the property or moves with the business and suggested a condition be added for a review in one year to re-evaluate and possibly consider increasing the capabilities of the property. Ms. Hopper responded indicating that the Use Permit stays with the property and concurred that a one year review condition could be added. Commissioner McLain further clarified the condition indicating that the project should come back to the both the HPC and PC to consider amendments. Vice Chair Castagna called for a vote on the motion and amendments. On a motion by Vice Chair Castagna, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission Approved the removal of one tree and recommended the Planning Commission approve a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Use Permit for Historic Incentives with added conditions that no amplified sound be allowed and the permit will come back to the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission in one year for a review and to consider amendments.: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Fletcher NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Petty, Palminteri ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS  Commissioner O'neil announced that the Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers are hosting a talk by Tim Thomas on November 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the Museum Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 27, 2011 3 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 27, 2011 of Monterey about the History of the Monterey Peninsula entitled "Fishing for History". She said the event was free but donations are appreciated and she will send an email with the information to the Commission. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS  Ms. Caraker informed the Commission that the Downtown Survey for the National Historic Landmark District will be discussed at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 27, 2011 4