Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, February 13, 2014 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Fletcher, Barlow, Hawley, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Petty Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Cole, Principal Planner Caraker, Recording Secretary Nelson CALL TO ORDER Chair Fletcher called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Commissioner McLain, seconded by Commissioner Barlow, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Barlow, Hawley, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. January 9, 2014 ACTION: Approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Sherna Stewart, 15 year Monterey resident, said she recently saw an article in the Herald regarding the retirement of City Manager Fred Meurer and decided to further research the vision and Specific Plans of Monterey. She also said the current vision for Monterey is wonderful, however, the City’s adobes are undervalued and isolated and should be brought to life through designation of a large historic district. Ms. Stewart said a one to two day walking tour connected by the gardens of the adobes should be created. Chair Fletcher encouraged Ms. Stewart to present her ideas to the Planning Commission and City Council. Patrick O’Doud said he is a new resident to Monterey, originally from Santa Barbara, and that he plans to attend future Historic Preservation Commission meetings. He also said he has read about the Downtown Specific Plan and Cooper Molera Adobe and that the  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 13, 2014 Historic Preservation Commission is doing important work in the City. PUBLIC HEARING 2. Consider Recommendation to the Planning Commission on 720 and 750 Via Mirada; Rezone 14-043 and Lot Line Adjustment 13-437 to Adjust an Existing Lot Line Between the Properties and to Remove the Historic Landmark Designation on a Portion of the Lot; Applicant Trinh Retterer (L+G, LLP); Owners Pierre and Marietta Bain and Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art Association; Residential Estate, Development Control and Historic Landmark Overlays (R-E-20-D1-H1) Zoning District; Negative Declaration Proposed ACTION: Adopted a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission remove the Historic Landmark Designation on a portion of a lot and rezone from R-E-20-D1-H1 to R-E-20-D1. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Kimberly Cole presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ Questions. Applicant Jason Retterer, applicant, said there is an agreement between the museum and property owners for the lot line adjustment and encouraged the Commission to support staff’s recommendation. In regards to removal of the H1 overlay, Mr. Retterer said that Kent Seavey researched extensively and determined that the Rhododendron garden was not installed until the late 1980’s. Mr. Retterer also said that the parcel bordering the Bain’s residence did not become part of museum property until 1946, and that Mr. and Mrs. Bain have retained local architect Mary Ann Schicketanz to design a perimeter fence. Charlotte Eyerman, Executive Director of Monterey Museum of Art, thanked the Commission and all parties involved with the project, and said she concurs that the Commission should accept staff’s recommendation. She also said the museum is committed to cordial relations with all neighbors and is very happy with the proposed Resolution for the lot line adjustment. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments Commissioner O’Neil, Commissioner O’Brien and Commissioner Hawley said they support the project. Commissioner O’Neil made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission remove the Historic Landmark Designation on a portion of a lot and rezone from R-E-20-D1-H1 to R-E-20-D1. On a motion by Commissioner O'Brien, seconded by Commissioner O'Neil, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission adopted a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission remove the Historic Landmark Designation on a portion of a lot and rezone from R-E-20-D1 H1 to R-E-20-D1: Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 13, 2014 2  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 13, 2014 AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Barlow, Hawley, McLain, O'Brien, O'Neil, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Discuss Potential Discussion Topic for Mayor's Quarterly Meeting with Boards and Commissions Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Elizabeth Caraker gave an oral presentation and answered Commissioners’ questions. Commissioner Comments Chair Fletcher suggested Downtown Design Guidelines and Lighting Standards as a discussion topic. Commissioner Petty suggested the ongoing restoration and reuse of the Regency Theatre as a discussion topic. The HPC agreed upon the following topics the Mayor’s Monthly Meeting:  “Downtown National Historic Landmark District and Downtown Lighting Standards and Guidelines”  “The Regency Theater Redevelopment Project” 4. Receive Report from State Parks on Status of Historic Properties in Monterey Ms. Caraker informed the Commission that the presentation from a State Parks Representative will be postponed until the March 13, 2014 HPC Meeting. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner O’Brien said she is interested in facilitating the Old Monterey District discussed during Public Comments, and asked Ms. Caraker how to bring the issue forward. Ms. Caraker said the item can be placed on a future agenda for discussion and said she would bring information regarding the status of Historic Monterey and their projects. Commissioner McLain said she led State tours from the Customs House in the 1980’s and 1990’s and they were very popular, but with the current lack of funding the adobes are not advertised as much as they should be. Commissioner O’Neil said the annual meeting of the National Council on Public History will be coming to Monterey March 19-22, 2014 and that State Parks is a big sponsor of the event. Vice Chair Barlow said he had the opportunity on Wednesday February 12th to meet with Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 13, 2014 3 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 13, 2014 Kimberly Cole and other Chairs and Vice Chairs for an informational discussion on boundaries and responsibilities of the Commissions and Committees. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Ms. Cole said that the California Preservation Foundation Conference brochure was just published and she hopes a majority of the Commissioners will be able to attend. She also said she is in need of volunteers to participate in a session hosted by Nore’ Winter entitled “Navigating the Flow: Making Sense of Commission Meetings.” ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:47 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker, AICP Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 13, 2014 4