Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, August 8, 2013 6:45 pm - 9:00 pm COLTON ROOM, MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Palminteri, Barlow, O'Brien (6:56 pm), O'Neil, Petty Commissioners Absent: Fletcher, McLain Staff Members Present: Chief of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance Rerig, Principal Planner Cole, Principal Planner Caraker, Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Nelson CALL TO ORDER Chair Palminteri called the meeting to order at 6:49 pm. CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Commissioner Petty, seconded by Commissioner O’Neil, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Palminteri, Barlow, O’Neil, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, McLain, O’Brien ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. July 11, 2013 ACTION: Approved as amended. Commissioner O'Neil requested that the minutes be changed to reflect Commissioner O’Brien seconded the motion in item #2 of the minutes as Commissioner O’Neil was absent from the July 11, 2013 meeting. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None.  Historic Preservation Commission Thursday, August 8, 2013 PUBLIC HEARING 2. Consider 290 Figueroa Street (Wharf Marketplace); Sign Permit 13-287/Historic Permit 13-331 for a New Sign; Applicant Anjanette Adams for Monterey Signs; Owner City of Monterey; O-H1 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements ACTION: Adopted a Resolution approving Sign Permit 13-287/Historic Permit 13- 331 for a New Sign. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Comments: Elizabeth Caraker presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant: Shawn Adams, Monterey Signs, said that the intention of the project is a robust, visually appealing retail center similar to Pike’s Place Market in Seattle. In response to Commissioner O’Neil’s question, Mr. Adams clarified that the sign consists of a metal cabinet with glass neon tubes that spell out the script of the Wharf Market Place. Public Comments: None. Commissioner Comments: Chair Palminteri said that she likes the neon. In response to Commissioner Barlow’s concern with the National Historic Landmark Guidelines being violated, Ms. Caraker clarified that the Wharf Market Place is outside of the National Historic Landmark District. On a motion by Commissioner O’Neil, seconded by Commissioner Petty, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission adopted a Resolution approving Sign Permit 13-287/Historic Permit 13-331 for a New Sign: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Palminteri, Barlow, O’Brien, O’Neil, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, McLain ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Receive Report on Cooper Molera Project ACTION: Report Received. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Comments: Chip Rerig gave a Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Public Comments: Nancy Runion said that she has seen the future plans for the Cooper Molera Adobe and she is very concerned that the historic character will be diminished. She said that the kitchen would be placed in the garden on the oldest part of the foundation, and that the present developer is not sensitive to these issues. Ms. Runion said that tax payers have Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 2 Thursday, August 8, 2013 2  Historic Preservation Commission Thursday, August 8, 2013 the right to provide input and she hopes the HPC can look very closely at the proposed changes for the building. Marjory Troutman said that the Cooper Molera building is already accessible and asked how the developer proposes to increase accessibility. In response to Ms. Troutman’s question, Mr. Rerig said that one suggestion from the developer is to close Polk Street and open up the gates of the Cooper Molera in order to make it more visually accessible and increase interpretive visits, tours, and events. John O’Neil asked what assurance exists to ensure fulfillment of the project and maintenance of the site. In response to Mr. O’Neil’s question, Christy Hopper said that as an H1 zoned property, there is a clause in the Historic Preservation Ordinance that requires property maintenance. Commissioner Comments: None. ***Adjourn to Joint Study Session with the Architectural Review Committee*** Commissioners Present: Freeman Commissioners Absent: Sullivan, Latasa, Dawson, Jacoubowsky Being the only ARC Member present, Committee Member Freeman continued as a member of the public due to a lack of quorum. STUDY SESSION 4. Study Session on: Design Standards and Guidelines for the National Historic Landmark District (NHLD) and Lighting Design Standards and Guidelines for the Downtown Specific Plan Area Christy Hopper presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner’s questions. a. Design Standards and Guidelines for the NHLD Nore’ Winter from Winter and Company gave a presentation on the Draft Design Standards and Guidelines for the NHLD for the Downtown Specific Plan Area. In response to Commissioner Barlow’s question, Mr. Winter said street furniture and kiosks are addressed in the streetscape plan and areas of the Specific Plan. Commissioner Barlow also said that the bus shelters in the historic district of Monterey have an impact on character and suggested there be measures to ensure future development is appropriate to the downtown area. Commissioner Petty said that the Guidelines are clearly written and helpful. In response to Kim Cole’s question, Mr. Winter said he will confirm whether or not the issue of painting signs on adobes versus drilling signs into adobes is covered in the Guidelines. He also invited everyone to look at the NHLD Guidelines closely and send suggestions to Christy Hopper within seven to ten days. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 3 Thursday, August 8, 2013 3 Historic Preservation Commission Thursday, August 8, 2013 Nancy Runion said that the Cooper Molera Adobe is pictured in the Guidelines but not mentioned in the text and asked if it is included in the NHLD Design Guidelines. Mr. Winter said that they used buildings as examples for the Guidelines and Ms. Hopper said she would confirm whether or not the Cooper Molera is in the Guidelines. In response to Ms. Freeman’s question, Ms. Hopper said that the final objective is to have NHLD Design Guidelines and the Lighting Standards approved and folded into the Downtown Specific Plan, and that once they are approved they will be available in print and also electronically. b. Lighting Design Standards and Guidelines for the Downtown Specific Plan Area Mr. Winter said utilizing a uniform Lighting standard would help establish the downtown as one core area. He said warm light should be used to highlight and celebrate the adobes and make them distinguishable. Charles Denley and Steve Cate of Aurum Consulting Engineers gave a demonstration showing the recommended brightness of the lights and displayed an LED light currently being used by Stanford University. Mr. Winter said that the lens system used in this type of lamp provides a good glow without glare. Mr. Denley said that a sample of the lamp will be installed on a pole somewhere in the City. In response to Chair Palminteri’s question, Ms. Hopper said that the location for the demonstration lamp has not been determined. Mr. Denley said the light will be at a height of 15 feet and produces much less glare compared to the present light at Custom House Plaza. Mr. Denley also said the color selected for the light is 35OO Kelvin and that they will recommend the standard black paint for ease of repair. In response to Chair Palminteri’s question, Mr. Winter stated that the lighting standards are part of the Downtown Specific Plan. Ms. Hopper said that the Lighting Design Standards and Guidelines will be incorporated into the Downtown Specific Plan. In response to Ms. Cole’s question, Mr. Winter said that the new light color will be more compatible with the tree lighting on Alvarado Street, but said that decorative lighting for private yards falls under the private realm, not public. In response to Chair Palminteri’s question, Mr. Winter said that there will be banner arms on Alvarado Street for flags and seasonal decorations. Commissioner O’Neil confirmed that banner arms are covered under the scope of the project in the Lighting Standards Guidelines. Mr. Winter thanked the public for coming and asked for any additional comments. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 4 Thursday, August 8, 2013 4 Historic Preservation Commission Thursday, August 8, 2013 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Petty said that the presentation was very helpful and asked if the reports were available online. In response to Commissioner Petty’s question Ms. Hopper said that the reports are available on the website under the planning tab, and Mr. Winter said that they have been up online for two weeks. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Chair Palminteri said that staff member Laurie Huelga is great and was able to fix a building issue on the City’s website within five minutes of being contacted. Commissioner O’Neil asked if the Planning Department is involved in History Fest, and Ms. Cole said Historic Monterey is involved. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:34 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker, AICP Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 5 Thursday, August 8, 2013 5