Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, January 10, 2013 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Palminteri, Barlow, Fletcher, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Petty Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Caraker, Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Hanes CALL TO ORDER Chair Petty called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm. CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Commissioner McLain, seconded by Commissioner O'Brien, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Palminteri, Fletcher, Barlow, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 1. Adopt Findings for Approval - 527 Pearl Street; Historic Permit 12-260 for Alterations to the Front Porch of a Single-Family Residence; Applicant Gretchen Flesher; Owner Curt and Marietta Tipton; C-2 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. ACTION: Adopted a Resolution approving Historic Permit 12-260 for alterations to the front porch of the single-family residence located at 527 Pearl Street. 2. Receive Certified Local Government Annual Report for 2011-12 ACTION: Received Certified Local Government Annual Report for 2011 – 2012. 3. Confirm Commission Annual Appointments for Chair, Vice Chair, and Subcommittees ACTION: Confirmed annual appointments for Chair, Vice Chair, and Subcommittees.  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 Approval of Minutes 4. October 11, 2012 ACTION: Approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARING 5. Recommend Denial of 498 Alvarado Street; Use Permit 12-388 for the Installation of an Automatic Teller Machine; Applicant Paul W. Davis; Owner's Agent Robert Chyr c/o A.G. Davi; C-2-H-1 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. Commissioner Palminteri recused herself due to conflict of interest. On a motion by Commissioner Fletcher, seconded by Commissioner O'Neil, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission adopted a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission approve Use Permit 12-388 for the installation of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) on the front of the building at 498 Alvarado Street: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Barlow, O'Neil, Petty NOES: 2 COMMISSIONERS: McLain, O'Brien ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 1 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: Palminteri ACTION: Adopted a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission approved Use Permit 12-388 for the installation of an automatic teller machine (ATM) on the front of the building at 498 Alvarado Street. Staff Presentation/Commission Questions: Christine Hopper presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners' questions. Applicant: Paul Davis, representing Pacific Valley Bank, said the project is a temporary solution to a necessary addition for the business to provide customers with the appropriate services, until the wall is properly renovated on behalf of the property owner. He said the project is Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 2 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 intended to unify the façade for a temporary piece of equipment which is essential for the operation of the business. He also said down lights already exist at the location, and he will bring back plans for an appropriate lighting plan that would not cause the wall to be washed out and will reduce glare. He said the wall in question has no integrity and no historic materials, and the detail materials can be altered accordingly to reduce the amount of metal that is visible. In answer to a question from Commissioner Fletcher, Mr. Davis said the Bank has been in business at the location for five years with no ATM. In answer to a question from Commissioner O’Brien, Mr. Davis said the back of the building is not a possible alternative location for the ATM because the business does not extend to the back of the building. Kent Seavey, Historic Preservation Consultant, said the façade of the building should be designed to represent the original look, but considering the current condition of the building that has a large hole from a previous accident, the proposed project is an appropriate temporary solution to fix the building. He said the proposed alterations and addition of the ATM will not be placed on any historic fabric and is completely reversible. He also said the ATM and deposit box service is necessary at the location on Alvarado Street, and there is no historic integrity to the current façade. He asked staff if the property owner has been approached and offered any incentives to complete the historic infill that is necessary to bring the building back to the original historic look. Anthony Cosentino, founder and organizer of Pacific Valley Bank, said the lack of an ATM and deposit box has been an issue for the Bank and has caused businesses to seek banking services elsewhere and requested the Commission consider the addition of the ATM as a critical part of the business. In answer to Commissioner Petty’s question, Mr. Cosentino said the ATM is an important part of the business because it allows customers an opportunity to make deposits after hours, and the business was established at the location without an ATM because there were not a lot of options for potential locations. He also said that with five years left on the lease, the business now needs the ATM to be competitive with other banks in the area. In answer to Commissioner O’Neil’s question, Mr. Cosentino said securing the ATM would be difficult in a vestibule and the machine needs an additional three feet for the structure and an additional secured three feet for the banking services. He said the space is not available inside the branch which is already utilizing all of the floor space available. Anthony Davi Sr., AG Davi Property Management representing the property owner, said the owner has not been approached by the City with any incentives and downtown Alvarado is a retail area that would benefit from the addition of an ATM at the beginning of Alvarado Street. He expressed concern that reducing the size of the space would make it difficult to rent and the project is temporary and does not affect the opportunity to restore the building. He also said the building looks very different than it did originally and encouraged the Commission to be in support of businesses succeeding. Paul Davis said he was a part of the initial opening of the business and because the property was prime real estate and time constraints were placed on the project, the addition of an ATM was not pursued at that time. He said having an ATM inside of the business would occupy a large amount of space in an already small space and would significantly disrupt how the business functions inside. He also expressed concern about creating any open or accessible space on Alvrado Street due to the potential of the homeless population inhabiting the space. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 3 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 Public Comments: Carl Outzen said it is very expensive to own and maintain a historic building, and expressed concern about the current lack of funding and incentives available to help maintain the building. He said it is very difficult to operate a bank if facilities are not available to properly serve the community. He also made mention of other banks on Alvarado Street that have ATM’s available, and the front of the building has changed significantly from its original look. He said the applicant is willing to take the machine out when they vacate, and the addition of the ATM does not take away from the building. Commission Comments: Commissioner Oneil said the addition of an ATM will not affect the historic fabric and is necessary for the operation of the bank. Commissioner McLain said the HPC is responsible for protecting the historic buildings in Monterey and an ATM is not appropriate on the building which is a very important part of Monterey history. She said the business appears to be functioning without the ATM and she is not in support of the project. Commissioner Fletcher expressed concern that the addition of the ATM will not be temporary and the next opportunity to restore the building will not be available until the lease ends for the bank. He said he is in support of the ATM because there is not an immediate opportunity to properly restore the façade. In answer to Commissioner Barlow’s question, Ms. Hopper said that once the Commission approves the permit to add an ATM there is no revisiting this type of permit. Commissioner Obrien expressed concern about the degradation of the building and said the façade should be redone to give the historic building the dignity that made it eligible for the historic list. She said she is not in support of the project. Commissioner Petty concurred with Commissioner Fletcher that the front of the building has been changed significantly and the façade is not historic as it appears today. He suggestion the motion include a condition that states if the bank vacates the building, they would be required to remove the ATM. Ms. Hopper clarified that such a condition would be non-binding. Paul Davis said the terms of the lease would require the change to happen and the tenant would have to return the property to its original façade before the ATM was installed, and a new leasee would require HPC approval for any changes. Commissioner McLain expressed concern that a new leasee could have the potential of keeping the ATM if their business required one. Commissioner Fletcher said proper restoration will only happen if the land or building owner decides to make the change. In answer to Commissioner Petty’s question, Ms, Hopper said as part of the findings, the project was found to be inconsistent because of the lighting and she recommended continuing the item. Ms. Hopper informed the Commission that a Historic Permit Application has been submitted, but is pending approval of the current project. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 4  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 Commissioner Mclain made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission deny the installation of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) on the front of the building at 498 Alvarado Street. The motion failed due to lack of a second. Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission approve the installation of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) on the front of the building at 498 Alvarado Street. Commissioner O’Neil seconded the motion. Chair Petty called for a recess at 5:30 pm. The meeting reconvened at 6:37 pm Commissioner O'Brien arrived at 6:39 pm CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 6. Recommend that the City Council Adopt the New Monterey Historic Context Statement and Reconnaissance Survey. Exempt from CEQA (Section 15308). On a motion by Commissioner O'Neil, seconded by Commissioner O'Brien, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission adopted a Resolution, accept exclusions of 261 Belden Street, 1052 David Avenue, 618 Lottie Street and 770 Terry Street, recommending that the City Council adopt the New Monterey Historic Context Statement and Continued Review of the Reconnaissance Survey.: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Palminteri, Fletcher, Barlow, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ACTION: Adopted a Resolution, accept exclusions of 261 Belden Street, 1052 David Avenue, 618 Lottie Street and 770 Terry Street, recommending that the City Council adopt the New Monterey Historic Context Statement and Continued Review of the Reconnaissance Survey Staff Presentation/Commission Questions: Christine Hopper and Matt Davis, Architectural Resources Group, presented the Agenda Report and answered the Commissioners' questions. Public Comment: Kate Christy expressed concern about her property being listed as a historic property because of the difficult, lengthy and expensive processes necessary for any work to be done on the house. She requested that the Commission consider providing information Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 5 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 to the homeowners of what the intended use of the survey is, and how the change will impact the homeowner. She requested an economic impact statement. Geraldine Low-Sabado thanked staff for including the Chinese American history in the survey Sharon Dwight requested that Figure 3-1 show the City limit line, and said that on page 47 there is no mention of the number of small business owners. She requested page 58 make mention of the recreation halls on Lighthouse Avenue, and suggested adding associated development features of architects. Mike Mairana requested a list of historic houses in Monterey and asked staff about the process of determining a property is historic. Commissioner Petty informed Mr. Mairana that information is available in the Planning office and clarified that the purpose of the meeting was to identify the properties that have no chance of being designated historic. Craig Zenetta asked if a property is on the State Historic List, is it also on the Monterey Historic List. Ms. Hopper said the Reconnaissance Survey assigns California History Resource status codes to properties. Commission Comments: Commissioner O’neil made mention of a typo in the document on page 62 that currently states Western and it should say Eastern. The Commission discussed houses that are in the minimalists style and asked staff for clarification on the topic. After an explanation from Ms. Hopper, the Commission concurred that the topic should remain in the document. Commissioner Oneil made a motion to adopt a Resolution, accept exclusions of 261 Belden Street, 1052 David Avenue, 618 Lottie Street and 770 Terry Street, recommending that the City Council adopt the New Monterey Historic Context Statement and Continued Review of the Reconnaissance Survey. Commissioner Obrien seconded the motion. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS  Commissioner Palminteri requested a staff practice session to run through an application process for an application submittal to change a properties designation to historic and acquire a Mills Act.  Commissioner Barlow requested a disclaimer be added on Building Permits about potentially historic properties and any process that may be necessary. Commissioner Palminteri suggested a meeting with the Building Department to learn about what is involved in a Building Permit. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS  Elizabeth Caraker announced the upcoming Historic Monterey meeting January 25, 2013, and encouraged the Commission to attend. She said the meeting will set the visions for the next year.  Christy Hopper informed the Commission that notices will be sent out informing the public of a Community Meeting Workshop at the Youth Center for the National Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 6 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 Historic Landmark District and the Lighting Design Guidelines for Downtown on January 31, 2013. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:34 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker, AICP Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2013 7