Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, October 8, 2015 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Hawley, O'Brien, O'Neil, Denley Commissioners Absent: Barlow, Petty, Smith-Crivello Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Caraker, Senior Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Salameh CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair O’Neil called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. September 10, 2015 ACTION: Approved as submitted. Commissioner Denley made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Hawley seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Denley, seconded by Commissioner Hawley, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the Consent Items. AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: O’Neil, Hawley, O'Brien, Denley NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Barlow, Petty, Smith-Crivello ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None.  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 8, 2015 PUBLIC HEARING 2. Consider 502 Munras Avenue & 525 Polk Street (Cooper-Molera Adobe); Historic Permit 15-367 to Amend Adopted Historic Preservation Report; Applicant/Owner Katherine Malone-France for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States; PC-D-H1 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements ACTION: Adopted a Resolution to Amend Adopted Historic Preservation Report at 502 Munras Avenue and 525 Polk Street (Cooper-Molera Adobe). Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Christy Hopper presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant Doug Wiele from Foothill Partners, spoke on behalf of the National Trust for Historic Preservation regarding the re-imagination of the Cooper Molera Adobe. He expressed appreciation on behalf of Katherine Malone-France and Paul Edmondson from the Trust as well as his own company. Mr. Wiele said that his team thought they had devised appropriate structural improvements for the barns; however they were not adequate. He said that this newly-devised plan was proposed to them by Matt Bischoff from State Parks. He believes it meets all objectives, and it is supported by AMAP. He said that the full-growth redwood was sourced from Arcata and noted that the siding is to be replaced with an equivalent product in order to maintain likeness. Naomi Miroglio from Architectural Resources Group spoke about the barns’ preservation. She said the previous proposal involved dismantling the individual boards, installing plywood sheet panels along the exterior and reinstalling the boards back in their original location. Looking at that project idea in more detail, they realized how deteriorated the exterior is and that the barns were not good candidates for that type of preservation work. Due to the issues in the barns, she noted that specific technical expertise would be needed, so they reached out to State Parks Historian Matt Bischoff who recommended Tim Lance. Ms. Miroglio said they decided on a method that would keep the siding and boards in place in order to lose as few boards as possible. Ms. Miroglio said that despite the exterior of the boards being deteriorated, the interior still has a great deal of integrity. By keeping the boards in place, the interior will still remain visible to those that visit the building, and plywood sheathing will encapsulate the exterior boards. She said that new redwood will be applied to match the existing in species, size, dimensions, and in milling. Ms. Hopper said that the proposal is in concurrence with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and staff approves of the new methodology for the rehabilitation of the barns. Staff also requested that the entire Historic Preservation Report be kept in order to maintain accurate records. Ms. Hopper stated that the Cooper-Molera buildings’ purpose will be to serve as an event space as well as to host educational activities. Ms. Hopper said that the character of the property would need to be maintained and preserved. She said that over new siding, any existing battens that could be replaced would be put on the outside of the new redwood. Ms. Hopper explained that the report stated any historic or distinct features will be preserved and repaired rather than replaced. Ms. Hopper said that surface cleaning is not proposed at this point and that all new construction is compatible with old construction. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 8, 2015 2  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 8, 2015 Vice Chair O’Neil asked if any other structural elements such as steel beams will support the plywood. Ms. Miroglio replied that there will be other structural components that will contribute to the upgrade of the interior. Vice Chair O’Neil asked how much thicker the walls would be with the added plywood sheeting and Ms. Miroglio replied that the thickness of the proposed plywood is about a half inch, in addition to the thickness of the wood already in place, so the finished wall would be a total of about one and a half inches. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Hawley said the proposed solution seems like good a one. Vice Chair O’Neil said it seems like the only solution. She asked for further comments and then for a motion. On a motion by Commissioner Hawley, seconded by Commissioner O'Brien, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission adopted a Resolution to Approve Historic Permit 15-387 and Amend Historic Preservation Report at 502 Munras Avenue & 525 Polk Street. AYES: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Hawley, O'Brien, O'Neil NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Barlow, Petty, Smith-Crivello ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Denley PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Discuss Historic Ordinance Revisions/Update ACTION: No action taken. Discussion will occur at next meeting on November 12, 2015. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Elizabeth Caraker asked if the Commission would like to wait until the next meeting on November 12, 2015 when Chair Barlow is present to discuss Historic Ordinance Revisions and Updates, since it was a specific request of his. Commissioner Comments Vice Chair O’Neill said it would be appropriate to wait for Chair Barlow to be present. Ms. Caraker said a Webinar could be held on the November 12, 2015 meeting as well as a Historic Ordinance Workshop. Ms. Hopper recommended reading through the Historic Preservation Ordinance and Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 8, 2015 3 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 8, 2015 highlighting areas that Commissioners would like to discuss. She gave the example of outlining the Mills Act as something that would be discussed in the next meeting as well as talking about requiring restoration components, looking at use incentives, and addressing properties with historic zoning. Vice Chair O’Neil asked if there would be any discussion on mistaken demolition of historic properties. Ms. Hopper said there is currently nothing written in the code regarding demolition by neglect or demolition without permit. She noted that it is a softer ordinance compared to penalties that could be paid in other instances. Vice Chair O’Neil asked if the Historic Preservation Ordinance can be accessed online. Ms. Caraker said the Ordinance can be accessed online and to consider thresholds for projects that come to the Commission versus administrative approvals as well. Vice Chair O’Neil said that the proposed Agenda sounds good for November. Public Comments None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Commissioner O’Brien questioned the letter from AMAP and wanted to know how proficient the organization is and what their qualifications are regarding historic preservation. Ms. Caraker explained that AMAP is a historic preservation advocacy organization within the Monterey region and they are primarily a public interest group. They have a lot of backing and because of their size, they generate a lot of awareness. She noted that they do not have regulatory privileges, but they do have wide influence. Ms. Hopper said the origins of AMAP go back to saving the Del Monte Hotel and their goal is to be an umbrella organization to save threatened buildings throughout the peninsula. Because of that, they have a wide membership. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker, AICP Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 8, 2015 4