Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, July 11, 2013 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Palminteri, Barlow, McLain, O’Brien, Fletcher, Petty Commissioners Absent: O'Neil Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Caraker, Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Halabi CALL TO ORDER Chair Palminteri called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Commissioner Barlow, seconded by Commissioner O’Brien, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approve the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Palminteri, Barlow, McLain, O’Brien, Fletcher, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: O'Neil ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. May 9, 2013 ACTION: Approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS PUBLIC HEARING 2. Consider Removing 1271 Eighth Street from the Oak Grove Reconnaissance Survey; Applicant/Owner Steve Mickel; R-3-6 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. ACTION: Adopted a Resolution removing the property at 1271 Eighth Street from the Oak Grove Reconnaissance Survey List.  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, July 11, 2013 Staff Presentation/Commissioner Comments: Christine Hopper presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant: Steve Mickle, applicant and owner, said he bought the property and realized the exterior windows and wood were in poor condition. He intends to rebuild the wood frame, add vinyl/aluminum clad windows and restore the front roof with the original tile. He said that at one point the door was enclosed and therefore the house should no longer be eligible to be on the Oak Grove Reconnaissance Survey List. Public Comments: None. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner McLain made a motion to adopt a Resolution removing the property at 1271 Eighth Street from the Oak Grove Reconnaissance Survey List. Commissioner O’Brien seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner McLain, seconded by Commissioner O’Neil, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission adopted a Resolution removing the property at 1271 Eighth Street from the Oak Grove Reconnaissance Survey List. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Palminteri, Barlow, McLain, O’Brien, Fletcher, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: O'Neil ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 3. Consider Recommendation to City Council to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Adopt the Downtown Specific Plan ACTION: Commissioner Petty made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and adopt the Downtown Specific Plan, from the historic preservation point of view, namely that the Historic Preservation Commission views aspects of the plan as enhancing or maintaining the historic nature of the downtown, without universal acceptance of portions which do not reflect the historic elements. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Comments: Elizabeth Caraker presented the Agenda Report and answered commissioners’ questions. Public Comments: Henry Ruhnke said the downtown area is currently a confusing network of one-way streets with minimal identity lacking museums, shops, restaurants and activities that are easily accessible. He said the circulation element of the Downtown Specific Plan will be a great addition. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 2 Thursday, April 11, 2013 2 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, July 11, 2013 Brenda Webster, on behalf of Sharon Dwight, said she is concerned about congestion resulting from the circulation element, alterations of street names and said ultimately she is not in support. Kurt Heisig, owner of Kurt Heisig Music & Mouthpieces, said the bulk of his day to day business comes from cars and pedestrians traveling down Polk Street. He expressed concern with the circulation element of the plan and said his business will severely suffer. Anthony Davi, business and property owner, said he attended a majority of the community meetings regarding the Downtown Specific Plan and said at all of these gatherings there was a tremendous support for the two-way Alvarado Street system. He said Alvarado Street was historically two ways which resulted in increased vitality and density of businesses. Gary Love, resident, said he travels on Polk Street daily and closing this street would be a disaster; creating traffic congestion and decreased parking. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Fletcher said he is not in support of the circulation element of the plan. Chair Palminteri said she is less concerned with the traffic element and more concerned with the specific designs for the plazas. She said she has not seen any data that backs the relocation of the bus station. She suggested that the cross walks utilize a decorative overlay. She also suggested implementation of a tree incentive program and for the recreation area that would include a wider scope of allowable uses. Comissioner O’Brien said she is in support of two-way circulation down Alvarado Street but is not in support of outdoor seating and the use of roundabouts. Commissioner McLain said she concurs with Chair Palminteri’s comments and said alterations to the aesthetics of the downtown area will not produce economic vitality on its own. She said it is necessary that the downtown area bring exciting business to captivate attention. She said ultimately the Downtown Specific Plan is well done, but idealistic and incomplete. Commissioner Petty said his charge is to analyze the plan through a historic preservation lens. He said there are no elements of the plan that are detrimental to the historic preservation of the City or downtown area. He said he is in support of adoption as the plan as it has a neutral or positive effect on the historic nature of the downtown area. Commissioner Barlow said the success of the downtown lies in the ability to reinforce the historic fabric of Monterey and overall the plan does not detract from the historic identity. Commissioner Petty made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and adopt the Downtown Specific Plan, from the historic preservation point of view, namely that the Historic Preservation Commission views aspects of the plan as enhancing or maintaining the historic nature of the downtown, without universal acceptance of portions which do not reflect the historic elements. Commissioner Fletcher seconded the motion. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 3 Thursday, April 11, 2013 3 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, July 11, 2013 On a motion by Commissioner Petty, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission adopted a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and adopt the Downtown Specific Plan, from the historic preservation point of view, namely that the Historic Preservation Commission views aspects of the plan as enhancing or maintaining the historic nature of the downtown, without universal acceptance of portions which do not reflect the historic elements. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Palminteri, Barlow, McLain, O’Brien, Fletcher, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: O'Neil ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chair Palminteri said she will be chairing the Sand Castle Competition on September 15, 2013 at Carmel Beach. Commissioner O’Brien said there will be a celebration in honor of the addition of Sunday hours at the Monterey Public Library on July 28, 2013. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Ms. Hopper reminded the commissioners that the HPC will hold a community workshop for the Monterey Downtown and Historic District Design Standards at the Monterey Conference Center on August 8, 2013. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker, AICP Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 4 Thursday, April 11, 2013 4