Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, December 13, 2018 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Smith-Crivello, Dawson, Barlow, Collum, Napoli, O’Brien, O’Neil Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Flower, Associate Planner Roveri, Recording Secretary Salameh CALL TO ORDER Chair Smith-Crivello called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. October 11, 2018 Action: Approved as submitted. On a motion by Commissioner Barlow, seconded by Commissioner O’Neil, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the October 11, 2018 minutes as submitted. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Smith-Crivello, Dawson, Barlow, Collum, Napoli, O’Brien, O’Neil NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARING 2. Approve 989 Jefferson Street; Historic Survey 18-0438 to Remove the Property from the Upper Old Town Reconnaissance Survey List; Applicant City of Monterey; Owner Timothy Olson; R-1-6 Zoning District; Low Density Residential General Plan Land Use Designation (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15331, Class 31) Action: Tabled discussion of Historic Survey 18-0438 to remove the property at 989 Jefferson Street from the Upper Old Town Reconnaissance Survey List. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 13, 2018 Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Associate Planner Roveri explained that the City of Monterey would like to retain a qualified historic consultant to provide an intensive survey on the subject site post-construction. Vice Chair Dawson asked for clarification on why the City was listed as applicant for the project. She also expressed concern that the property owner had disregarded the ARC’s original direction and suggested that the property owner should be held accountable, including paying for another evaluation by a qualified historic consultant. Ms. Roveri explained that while a historic consultant had evaluated the project prior to construction, it required reevaluation due to the changes that had been made with findings to be presented to the HPC. She further noted, in response to a question from Chair Smith-Crivello, that the owner had not asked for removal from the reconnaissance survey list. Principal Planner Flower added that staff was currently working to draft a new historic ordinance and that issues such as this would be addressed in the update. Chair Smith-Crivello said that she hoped the HPC could be a part of the drafting process, as she was interested in the creation of a clear ordinance that was easily accessible to the public and encouraged adherence. Ms. Roveri said that the new ordinance would require adoption by both HPC and the City Council and that the process would encourage public input and education on updated procedures. She added that staff could work on more public outreach and training of property owners on historic resources. Commissioner O’Neil noted that the project at 989 Jefferson Street appeared to be a different circumstance, in that neither the property owner nor the contractor appeared to have had information on historic resource procedures. Chair Smith-Crivello stressed the importance of public education and outreach on historic resources and cited many audiences that would benefit. Public Comments Nancy Runyon, President of the Alliance of Monterey Area Preservationists (AMAP), indicated that she appeared on behalf of all 12 members of the group and read a list on why 989 Jefferson Street should not be removed from the Upper Old Town Reconnaissance Survey, which included the following points:  Giving retroactive approval to a project that may not have originally been approved by the HPC would set an undesirable precedent.  The need for a qualified historic consultant’s survey that outlines the subject site’s loss of integrity and why it could not be restored, prior to its potential removal from the reconnaissance survey.  Other cities require all parties involved in a project to sign acknowledgment agreeing to adhere to approved plans prior to construction commencement.  Owners should be required to pay new permit fees and submit new project plans.  The owner should pay for and submit a new historic survey from a qualified historic consultant if they would like the property to be considered for removal from the reconnaissance survey list.  To ask for the HPC’s approval to remove the site from the reconnaissance survey would send the wrong message to builders, as Monterey has a rich historic culture. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, December 13, 2018 2  Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 13, 2018 Ms. Runyon then suggested potential remedies and said that AMAP hoped the property would never be removed from the reconnaissance survey list. Chair Smith-Crivello thanked Ms. Runyon for her analysis. Commissioner O’Brien said that not seeing a rebuttal on the part of the property owner caused her to surmise that the process was uneven and that she would like to see the situation rectified with equal representation by both property owner and the City. Ms. Roveri noted that the property owner had been made aware of what had been improperly done. Chair Smith-Crivello suggested that the property owner be present to comment on the project and reiterated the need for clear procedures. On a motion by Commissioner O'Neil, seconded by Commissioner O'Brien, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission tabled discussion of Historic Survey 18-0438 to remove the property at 989 Jefferson Street from the Upper Old Town Reconnaissance Survey List. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Smith-Crivello, Dawson, Barlow, Collum, Napoli, O’Brien, O’Neil NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None PRESENTATIONS 3. Training on Process Action: Tabled training on process. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Principal Planner Flower recommended that the HPC table the training on process, due to a request for further information on the published agenda from a concerned party. Chair Smith-Crivello said that she looked forward the training on process and expressed a desire to learn as much as possible about existing Mills Act Contract properties. Commissioner O’Neil said that she looked forward to the training, as well as reviewing the updated historic ordinance. Commissioner Comments Commissioner O’Neil made a motion to table training on process and Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner O'Neil, seconded by Commissioner Barlow, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission tabled the training on process. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, December 13, 2018 3 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 13, 2018 AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Smith-Crivello, Dawson, Barlow, Collum, Napoli, O’Brien, O’Neil NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner O’Neil asked about dilapidated stables at the Presidio of Monterey and whether the HPC would be involved in a review process were they to be removed or restored. Ms. Flower said that she would research the matter and report her findings to the HPC. Chair Smith-Crivello said that she had seen the stables recently and urged for their preservation. Ms. Flower said that preserving the stables might depend on jurisdiction, as the Army owned the Presidio of Monterey. Commissioner Collum expressed concern regarding the Stokes Adobe and its declining condition. Chair Smith-Crivello said that she had attended the PastForward Conference and that it was very interesting. She urged Commissioners to attend the next conference. Ms. Flower added that the presenting group was diverse and she left the conference better- informed. Commissioner O’Neil briefed the HPC on her recent attendance at the Monterey County California Heritage Protection Project meeting. Commissioner Barlow asked if a list of higher priority buildings existed for disaster protection and Commissioner O’Neil replied that archives in particular had been discussed at the initial meeting, but that there was a lot of work to do. Chair Smith-Crivello remarked that development of a planning committee was currently underway for the celebration of the City’s 250th anniversary and that she would report back with updates. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS None. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, December 13, 2018 4 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 13, 2018 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Ande Flower, AICP Chair Principal Planner Historic Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, December 13, 2018 5