Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, November 13, 2014 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBER MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Fletcher, Barlow, Hawley, O'Neil, Petty Commissioners Absent: McLain, O'Brien Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Caraker, Recording Secretary Leinen CALL TO ORDER Chair Fletcher called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. **Joint Study Session with the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission** Historic Preservation Commission Members: Planning Commission Members: Daniel Fletcher, Chair Willard McCrone, Chair (4:07 pm) Christopher Barlow, Vice Chair Luis Osorio, Vice Chair (4:07 pm) Merritt Hawley Paul W. Davis Carol O’Neil Leon Garden Bob Petty Hansen Reed David Stocker Ralph Widmar PUBLIC COMMENTS None. STUDY SESSION 1. Presentation to the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission Regarding Amendments to the Downtown Specific Plan Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Elizabeth Caraker presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Nore Winter, Winter and Company, also gave a presentation on the updated sections of the Downtown Specific Plan and answered Commissioners’ questions. Steve Cate, Aurum Consulting Engineers, presented three color samples in 2700K, 3000K, and 3500K, representing the range of colors used in the lighting standards and explained the benefits of the different shades. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments In response to Commissioner Garden’s question, Mr. Winter said the purposes of street lights include providing sufficient lighting for safety and traffic movement, and also identifying character areas. He said lighting style will differ throughout the city but be consistent in color range. In response to Commissioner Hawley’s question, Mr. Winter and Ms. Caraker confirmed that a photometric study may be required when submitting an application to confirm Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 13, 2014 lighting temperature. Commissioner Stocker said this may be a challenge for applicants. In response to Commissioner McCrone’s question, Mr. Cate said that foot candles describe the amount of light given off and are not related to wattage. Commissioner Osorio said there is currently an excess amount of neon lighting used by commercial and retail establishments in the Portola Plaza area and asked if there is a Guideline in the Plan to control interior space lighting. Mr. Winter said internal lighting regulation is in a separate realm not covered by the Plan. Mr. Cate said that there are new energy codes defining how much interior lighting and wattage can be used in buildings, specifically Title 24. Commissioner Stocker suggested that language referring to Title 24 be added to the Plan. In response to Commissioner Garden’s question regarding dark sky criteria, Mr. Cate said there is a Standard in the proposed revisions to the Plan stating that an opaque cap is required for lighting fixtures. Ms. Caraker said a notation will be added to the graphics on that page of the Plan as well. In response to Commissioner Stocker’s question, Mr. Cate said the Kelvin rating of the new cobra heads is 4000K without any shielding. Commissioner Fletcher suggested removing the repeated reference to street light height on page 244. In response to Commissioner Petty’s question regarding a lack of minimum height requirement stated on page 244, Ms. Caraker said when lights are installed City staff ensures that they are tall enough to not be reached by pedestrians. Mr. Winter said a paragraph of language regarding minimum height could be added for clarification. Commissioner Garden suggested changing the graphic on page 240 to better reflect the 15 foot height reference. In response to Commissioner Garden’s question regarding illuminating the adobes, Mr. Winter said Objective 1.1 on page 92 specifies that building walls are not to be illuminated, with exception to those in the Historic Landmark District. Mr. Winter said a key theme of the NHLD Guidelines is to preserve first, repair second, and replace third. Mr. Winter also said page 114 includes cross references to informational sources and that clarification will be added to page 242 explaining that the three lighting styles shown are examples, not required styles. **ADJOURN TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING** Chair Fletcher adjourned to the Historic Preservation meeting at 5:15 pm. CONSENT ITEMS Commissioner O’Neil made a motion to approve the Consent Items. Commissioner Petty seconded the Motion. On a motion by Commissioner O'Neil, seconded by Commissioner Petty, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Barlow, Hawley, O'Neil, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 13, 2014 2  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 13, 2014 ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: McLain, O'Brien ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 2. May 8, 2014 ACTION: Approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Consider Downtown Specific Plan Amendments - Recommendation to the Planning Commission to Recommend that the City Council Adopt Amendments to the Downtown Specific Plan that will Add Design Guidelines and Standards for the National Historic Landmark District and Downtown Lighting; Planned Community - Downtown Zoning District; Commercial General Plan Designation; Downtown Specific Plan Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum Filed ACTION: Adopted a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council adopt amendments to the Downtown Specific Plan that will add Design Guidelines and Standards for the National Historic Landmark District and Downtown Lighting. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Ms. Caraker presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Public Comments Clyde Roberson said he will be appointed as Mayor at the December 2, 2014 City Council Meeting and said he looks forward to working with the Historic Preservation Commission and attending as many meetings as possible. Committee Member Comments Commissioner Hawley said the Downtown Specific Plan is a thoughtful and thorough document that takes into account many of the public’s comments. She also said she likes the historic aspects detailed in the Plan, and finds them very helpful. In response to Commissioner Hawley’s question regarding photometric studies, Ms. Caraker said a cut sheet detailing wattage and lumens is usually required for replacement of light fixtures, and this would allow staff to judge the amount of light thrown. Commissioner Petty said most sections of the Plan are written broadly enough so the Plan could move forward as a Standard. He also said the Plan will allow the HPC to work with applicants to achieve desired outcomes. In response to Commissioner Petty’s question, Ms. Caraker said that projects requiring the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards will still come before the HPC for review. In response to Vice Chair Barlow’s question, Ms. Caraker said the word “should” refers to the Guidelines in the Specific Plan and the word “shall” refers to the Standards. Vice Chair Barlow said nothing in the Plan is objectionable and that it provides helpful clarifications. Chair Fletcher said as an architect and a Commissioner, he sees nothing objectionable Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 13, 2014 3 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 13, 2014 about the Plan and supports staff’s recommendation to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Petty made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council adopt amendments to the Downtown Specific Plan that will add Design Guidelines and Standards for the National Historic Landmark District and Downtown Lighting. Vice Chair Barlow seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Petty, seconded by Commissioner Barlow, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission adopted a Resolution recommending that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council adopt amendments to the Downtown Specific Plan that will add Design Guidelines and Standards for the National Historic Landmark District and Downtown Lighting: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Barlow, Hawley, O'Neil, Petty NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: McLain, O'Brien ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Petty said he ran into former Historic Preservation Commissioner Lucido and she sends her best to the Commissioners and was interested in current projects. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Ms. Caraker asked Commissioners for suggestions on discussion topics for the end of the year lunch-time meeting with Committee and Commission Chairs and the Mayor. Ms. Caraker also said there are currently no pending projects for the December HPC Meeting. Ms. Caraker informed the Commission that the City Council will be considering re- allocation of water at their next meeting. Commissioner O’Neil said she forwarded information on a consultant who creates informational brochures for Cities to Ms. Caraker and Ms. Cole. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker, AICP Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 13, 2014 4