Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

DocuSign Envelope ID: 7808DEE4-6B00-4340-8D1D-776D4C2AF460 MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, December 10, 2020 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Members Present: Napoli, Collum, Barlow, Dawson, O’Neil, Smith-Crivello Members Absent: O’Brien Staff Members Present: Community Development Director Cole, Principal Planner Flower, Recording Secretary Cleary, Recording Secretary Ziel 1. Meeting Procedures CALL TO ORDER Chair Napoli called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. November 12, 2020 Action: Approved as amended. Commissioner Dawson asked to share her screen to share suggested amendments to the minutes. Dawson asked for amendments to be made to packet page six paragraph three. Dawson noted some changes to the verbiage, specifically that the Commission recommends Mills Act Contracts for approval but does not actually approve them. Commissioner Dawson also asked for an amendment to be made to the Public Comment sections of pages seven and nine. Dawson requested that this amendment be made to mention that 18 emails were received from the public regarding 500 and 508 Del Monte and that these comments were in favor of preserving the buildings. Dawson also noted the comments were discussed by commissioners. Community Development Director Cole responded and expressed concerns about adding the emails under the public comments sections since the comments were not verbally said during the meeting. Cole suggested adding the comments about the emails to the Commissioner Comments section. Cole also stated the number of comments should be confirmed. Chair Napoli asked Community Development Director Cole if Dawson’s suggested changes to the verbiage of recommending Mills Act Contracts was accurate. Cole confirmed that is accurate since the action of the resolution is recommending approval. Vice Chair Collum asked for an amendment to the last paragraph of packet page 7. Collum requested it be noted that she cited the period of significance of the property. On a motion by Commissioner Dawson, seconded by Commissioner Barlow, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the November 12, 2020 HPC minutes as amended, by the following vote: DocuSign Envelope ID: 7808DEE4-6B00-4340-8D1D-776D4C2AF460 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 10, 2020 AYES: 6 MEMBERS: Napoli, Collum, Dawson, Barlow, O’Neil, Smith- Crivello NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 1 MEMBERS: O’Brien ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARING 3. Consider 426 Cortes Street; HP-20-0231 to Remove a Property from the Downtown Area Context Statement and Reconnaissance Survey List; Applicant Kyle Chernetsky; Owner Monterey PM Investments LLC; PC-D Zoning District; Commercial General Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA Requirements per Article 19, Section 15305, Class 5 Action: Project Denied Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Principal Planner Flower presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner questions. Commissioner Smith-Crivello commented that she visited the property and spoke to the residents. Smith-Crivello noted it appears to be a two-resident building. Smith-Crivello also attempted to ask a question but her question could not be heard due to a poor audio connection. Chair Napoli differed to Commissioner O’Neil’s question until the sound quality improved. Commissioner O’Neil asked if the property could be substantially altered or bulldozed if it is removed from the list. O’Neil also asked what it would mean for the building to be included in an outline for a potential district. Principal Planner Flower asked for clarification if Commissioner O’Neil was inquiring about next steps and what would happen to the property. Commissioner O’Neil clarified that she was asking if the property could be part of a potential district since it may not meet the standards of being on the historic list. Flower explained that in order for a property to be a contributor to a district, a district must already be formed. Flower also explained the intentions shared for this site include construction of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the front yard of both properties. Flower noted this would still be allowed even if the parcel is a historic resource. Commissioner O’Neil asked if the applicant could change their plans after the property is removed from the historic list and potentially sell or bulldoze the property. Flower confirmed this could be correct. Lastly, Commissioner O’Neill asked where the potential district would be located. Vice Chair Collum and Commissioner Smith-Crivello briefly disconnected from the meeting after Commissioner O’Neil’s comments at 4:27 p.m. Both commissioners rejoined the meeting at 4:29 p.m. Commissioner Smith-Crivello noted the building appears to be a duplex. Smith-Crivello also asked if there was a period called Mediterranean or Italian Fishing Family period. Smith-Crivello inquired if the property had to be Spanish revival or if it could be considered part of a Mediterranean or Italian Fishing family period style. Principal Planner Flower noted the DocuSign Envelope ID: 7808DEE4-6B00-4340-8D1D-776D4C2AF460 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 10, 2020 Architectural Historian did differ from what is stated in the context statement and suggested the building was Pueblo Revival style. Flower explained if there are findings the commission would like to state that would differ with those of the historian, those could be a part of the public record. Principal Planner Flower confirmed there is not Mediterranean or Italian Family Fishing style in the context statement. Commissioner O’Neil mentioned these buildings could be grouped under vernacular in the context statement. Chair Napoli referred to Kent Seavey’s statement on page 26 in which Seavey noted the building was a Pueblo Revival style. Seavey’s findings specifically noted the overhang that may have been added to achieve the Pueblo Revival style. Applicant Comments Applicant Kyle Chernetsky spoke about the property and answered Commissioner questions. Chernetsky explained that when they purchased the property, they were surprised it was on the historic list. Chernetsky noted when they purchased the property it was in poor condition and the styles and windows were mismatched so it did not seem historic. Chernetsky explained they would like to remove the property from the historic list to gain clarity and alleviate restrictions to construct two single story ADUs on the lot and help the City with the lack of housing. Commissioner Smith-Crivello thanked the applicant for sharing their intentions with the commission and answering questions. Smith-Crivello noted this location would be a good location to have additional housing in Monterey. Public Comments Nicole, the resident at 430 Cortes, provided public comment via email but wanted to read the comment aloud for the record. Nicole commented that she and her partner just relocated to Monterey and are excited for their opportunities in their new location. Nicole expressed concerns about development of new condos and overdevelopment in this area. Nicole noted that the community needs diversity, and that the neighborhood should work to preserve its identity. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Dawson stated this property is good example of a Pueblo Revival style and noted the changes to this property are no more drastic than changes to other properties the commission have recommended for approval of Mills Act contracts. Dawson sited an example at 603 and 605 Hoffman that was a single-family house converted to a duplex, moved from an unknown location, with no original windows and the wood siding was covered with aluminum. Dawson noted the changes to the Hoffman property seemed more drastic than the changes at the Cortes property. Dawson further commented the appearance is a Pueblo Revival style, especially with the hood being put over the door like what was cited on Anthony Street property. Dawson asked if the ADUs could be added even if the property is still on the list. Principal Planner Flower confirmed this is correct. Lastly, Dawson noted she would be in favor of leaving the property on the historic survey list. Commissioner O’Neil supported Commissioner Dawson’s comments. O’Neil noted the items cited that explained the lack of historic integrity included the paint color (which could be changed), the fence and that the windows were aluminum instead of wooden. O’Neil explained she would hate to get rid of a historic building, that could be included in a potential district, on the basis of aluminum windows. Chair Napoli asked the commissioners for their thoughts on the ability to see the property from the street since the building is behind the other buildings. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7808DEE4-6B00-4340-8D1D-776D4C2AF460 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 10, 2020 Commissioner Smith-Crivello noted you cannot see most of the property from the street since it is blocked by the building from the front. Smith Crivello cited a photo on packet page 25 to show the building’s location. Chair Napoli noted the ADU could still be built regardless of the decision made by HPC. Smith- Crivello confirmed there was space for the ADUs to be built. Commissioner Dawson commented that a pueblo is considered a group of homes so if the ADUs were built the building would fit the standards of the Pueblo Revival style even more. Commissioner Barlow commented that while the building is not the most pristine example of a historical building, he is not seeing a compelling reason why the building should be there. On a motion by Commissioner Dawson, seconded by Commissioner O’Neil, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission denied 426 Cortes Street; HP- 20-0231 to Remove a Property from the Downtown Area Context Statement and Reconnaissance Survey List based on the following findings: The HPC has concluded this is a good example of Pueblo Revival style, the changes that have been made are not significant and the building still appears as Pueblo style, it is a contributor to a potential district, and it is the sixth oldest structure in the district. AYES: 4 MEMBERS: Collum, Dawson, O’Neil, Smith-Crivello NOES: 2 MEMBERS: Napoli, Barlow ABSENT: 1 MEMBERS: O’Brien ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Consider 430 & 432 Cortes Street; HP-20-0232 to Remove a Property from the Downtown Area Context Statement and Reconnaissance Survey List; Applicant Kyle Chernetsky; Owner Monterey PM Investments LLC; PC-D Zoning District; Commercial General Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA Requirements per Article 19, Section 15305, Class 5 Action: Project Denied Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Principal Planner Flower presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner questions. Commissioner Smith-Crivello referenced her comments on the previous property in regard to the property being a duplex and the property being another style. Smith-Crivello also noted that she did not understand why the property was only compared to a property on Anthony Street. Lastly, Smith-Crivello noted the style of the building was similar to an Italian Style building. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments DocuSign Envelope ID: 7808DEE4-6B00-4340-8D1D-776D4C2AF460 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 10, 2020 Commissioner O’Neil noted that the proposed district included Cortes to capture a few properties. O’Neil explained that she believes the intent of this action was to include these properties. Commissioner Smith-Crivello referenced the resolution on packet page 32 and inquired if the property was one-story or two-story since it is two-story but was listed as one-story on the resolution. Principal Planner Flower confirmed the property is two-story. Commissioner Barlow noted this property is more visible than the previous property which would impact his vote. Commissioner Dawson cited her comments on the previous property. Dawson noted the property maintains its significance since the changes that have been made are minor changes to the windows, the fence and the paint color. On a motion by Commissioner O’Neil, seconded by Commissioner Barlow, and carried by the following vote, the Historic Preservation Commission denied 430 & 432 Cortes Street; HP-20-0232 to Remove a Property from the Downtown Area Context Statement and Reconnaissance Survey List based on the following findings for decision: The HPC has concluded this is a good example of Pueblo Revival style, the changes that have been made are not significant and the building still appears as Pueblo style, it is a contributor to a potential district, and it is an older structure in the district. AYES: 6 MEMBERS: Napoli, Collum, Barlow, Dawson, O’Neil, Smith- Crivello NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 1 MEMBERS: O’Brien ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Planning Office Update  Update received. Vice Chair Collum asked for an update on the status of 100 Boronda since it was no longer on the agenda. Principal Planner Flower noted staff have been working with the applicant and an acoustical consultant since the project will involve a request for historic incentive to allow amplified sound for events. Flower further explained the neighbors are involved in the process and testing the sound. Vice Chair Collum inquired if the applicant is the Monterey Museum of Art. Flower confirmed this project is not related to the Monterey Museum of Art. Commissioner Dawson commented the adobe has been beautifully restored. Commissioner Barlow shared that he will be doing a Mills Act contract on his own house so this will be his last meeting as a member of the HPC. Chair Napoli also announced that he will be leaving the HPC and this will be his last meeting. ADJOURNMENT DocuSign Envelope ID: 7808DEE4-6B00-4340-8D1D-776D4C2AF460 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Thursday, December 10, 2020 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole, AICP Chair Community Development Director Historic Preservation Commission