Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, February 9, 2012 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Petty, Castagna, Fletcher, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Palminteri Commissioners Absent: Ex-Officio Commissioner Hodgin Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Caraker, Senior Planner Ebbs, Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Abadilla Ex-Officio Commissioners are non voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER Chair Petty called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Commissioner O'Neil, seconded by Commissioner O'Brien, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Petty, Castagna, Fletcher, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Palminteri NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. January 12, 2012 ACTION: Approved the Minutes as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARING 2. Consider 201 Van Buren Sign Permit 11-313 and Historic Permit 11-286 for New Sign, Awning Canopy, Exterior Lighting and Fence; Applicant/Owner James Cox (for Cox Holdings, LLC), PC-H2 Zoning District, Exempt from CEQA Requirements ACTION: Approved the application as submitted with the Conditions of Approval and adopted Findings for Decision. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions: Senior Associate Planner Hopper presented the agenda report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 9, 2012 Applicant: James Cox was present. He explained the proposal with regards to the installation of the panic hardware on the rear gate adjacent to the parking lot that was a requirement from the Fire Department so that people could escape the back yard in the case of an emergency. He added that the Fire Department has a key to a box that houses the keys to all the gates and ended by stating that to date, the business has been very successful, and that they have had 47 events and have not had a complaint to the City or the Old Town Neighborhood Association. Mr. Cox answered questions regarding having the outdoor building lights being on full time and not only for special events. In addition, he also stated that the “P” that is painted on the gate is for decorative purposes and mimics the “P” that was installed on the front door when the house was purchased. The gates were the existing wrought iron gates on the property, the flat panel is really painted wood and the hardware would help keep unauthorized people from entering the property. Public Comments: None. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Palminteri asked if there were concerns for the lights being turned on the whole time. She stated that in old photos of the house it seemed rather stark, but since the remodel the house seems more cheerful and the lights go along with that. Vice Chair Castagna stated that he is in favor of the applicant being able to do whatever he wants with the lights since there have been no complaints received. He added that if anything will help this business succeed, then the lights will help draw people in. Commissioner McLain stated that she disagrees with the lights and that having them on all the time throws off the look of the house. Commissioner Fletcher stated that the modifications should help the use of the property, but the bigger issue is with the fence and the installation of the panel. Commissioner O’Neil stated that the faux gas lights are just for decoration and do not have any history but go with the use of the house. Chair Petty stated that he doesn’t have an issue with the lights being on for an event but not every single day. He doesn’t have an issue with the large panels since they are set back from Van Buren Street and they help keep event noise from going into the neighborhood. Commissioner O’Brien stated that the garbage area should remain as neutral as possible. Under discussion, Commissioner McLain asked if the canopy is really necessary to have against the historic property and added that the Commission is there to preserve the historic property and not to help a business succeed. On a motion by Vice Chair Castagna, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the application as submitted with the Conditions of Approval and adopted Findings for Decision. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 9, 2012 2  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 9, 2012 AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Petty, Castagna, Fletcher, O'Neil, Palminteri NOES: 2 COMMISSIONERS: McLain, O'Brien ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 3. Consider 800 Cannery Row Historic Permit 11-294 for a New Sign; Applicant/Owner City of Monterey; CR-H1 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements ACTION: Approved the application with the amended Conditions of Approval and adopted Findings for Decision. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions: Senior Associate Planner Hopper presented the agenda report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant: Dennis Copeland was present. He explained the proposal with regards to using the existing holes for the new sign and added that he had spoken with Ed Rickets Jr. who noted that the color for the original sign was a pale yellow color and that the letters were routed out and painted black or dark brown. Mr. Copeland answered questions regarding installing the sign higher on the building, and how the sign will actually be bolted to the house from the inside as not to be seen through the paneling. Public Comments: None. Commissioner Comments: Chair Petty stated that he is very excited to see the new sign on the building. On a motion by Commissioner O'Brien, seconded by Commissioner O'Neil, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the application with the amended Conditions of Approval and adopted Findings for Decision. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Petty, Castagna, Fletcher, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Palminteri NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 4. Consider 426 Alvarado Street Historic Permit 11-318 for Exterior Alterations; Applicant Alem Dermicek; Owner Alpha Beta Investors; C2-H2 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements ACTION: Approved the application with the Conditions of Approval with the exception of Condition No. 3 and adopted Findings for Decision. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions: Senior Planner Ebbs presented the agenda report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 9, 2012 3 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 9, 2012 Applicant: Eric Miller was present. He explained the proposal by stating that he decided that there would be a base to the building and an object on top of the base. He added that he worked mostly around original photos and staff input. Mr. Miller showed a photo regarding the paint scheme of the building on the Calle Principal elevation and ended by adding that he hoped to restore the Alvarado side of the building with most of the money and fix up the rear property facing Calle Principal. Mr. Miller answered a question regarding the cost of installing the aluminum windows by stating that he could have had steel windows installed but wanted the matte finish to be consistent with the upper piece of the building. Public Comments: None. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Fletcher stated that he is opposed to delegating the review of the Calle Principal elevation to the ARC since the HPC is very capable of making a decision regarding the proposal. Commissioner Palminteri asked if the windows would be re-reviewed by HPC. A discussion was held eliminating Condition of Approval No. 3. On a motion by Commissioner O'Neil, seconded by Vice Chair Castagna, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the application with the Conditions of Approval with the exception of Condition No. 3 and adopted Findings for Decision AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Petty, Castagna, Fletcher, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Palminteri NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS  Vice Chair Castagna stated that three weeks ago there was an Open House at Ed Rickets lab and due to its popularity will be continuing with the help of docents.  Commissioner McLain stated that there had been work conducted at Indian Summer Restaurant and asked staff to check it out. Senior Planner Ebbs stated that staff is aware of the situation at the restaurant and is working on an open enforcement case.  Chair Petty announced that The Friends of the Monterey Public Library Annual Chocolate & Wine Tasting Benefit will be held on February 17th from 7-9 pm. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 9, 2012 4 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 9, 2012 Senior Associate Planner Hopper announced that Ex-Officio Commissioner Hodgin will be stepping down from the Historic Preservation Commission and Tor Matheson, the applicant for 100 Boronda, passed away recently. Commissioner Palminteri added that a memorial will be held at the Boronda Adobe in April and the owner is still deciding to either continue with events at the residence or use it as a rental. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 9, 2012 5