Heritage Preservation Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission Wednesday, October 7, 2015 7:00 PM West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Special Meeting CALL TO ORDER Chair Squellatti called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. SALUTE TO THE FLAG The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag took place. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Commissioner Hannalore Dietrich Commissioner Dawn Hopkins Commissioner Dixie Larsen Commissioner Mike Michitaka Commissioner Dale Mouritsen Vice Chair David Squellati Commissioner Kenneth Valenzuela PRESENTATION None PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Stan Hendryx told the Commission about his home, located on 505 South Murphy Avenue as he plans to make some modifications. Amber El Hajj, Senior Planner, advised Mr. Hendryx to contact the Planning Division to discuss the proposed project. CONSENT CALENDAR Staff distributed the Draft Minutes of September 2, 2015 that will be reviewed for approval at the November meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS None City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes October 7, 2015 PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS Discussion of Potential Study Issues for 2016 STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES MOTION: Comm. Hopkins made a motion to sponsor a study issue in providing historical plaques to historically significant homes in the City. Comm. Dietrich mentioned that the City of Campbell has plaques placed at historic properties within it's City. Chair Squellati discussed a group or organization called “E Clampus Vitus”, and this group or organization may be able to assist in the plaques. Comm. Michitaka stated that private property owners may have concern if they are in disagreement of having a plaque displayed in front of their home. Ms. El Hajj responded that a study issue would examine the idea and determine potential outcomes for how a program would function. Comm. Mouritsen seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 7-0. Comm. Valenzuela noted a previous Eichler study, that many homes in the study were not included during the time of the study since many homes during that time were not 50 years old, which is a criterion to meet historic significance. He suggested that the study be re-evaluated. Comm. Dietrich confirmed with staff regarding the Eichler Design Guidelines, and what happens if an owner of an Eichler does not follow the guidelines. Ms. El Hajj discussed the difference between guidelines and the municipal code. Chair Squellati noted a previous study regarding Eichler homes, which was proposed by the Commission during the same time the Eichler Design Guidelines were being prepared by City staff. He recalls that staff noted that these new guidelines would take precedence over the study, which is why staff's proposal was withdrawn by the Commisison. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes October 7, 2015 Ms. El-Hajj noted that the Commission could suggest any study issue ideas and she will check with Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer to confirm that it is within the Commissions purview. Chair Squellati asked Comm. Valenzuela to elaborate on the proposed study issue regarding Eichler homes. Comm. Dietrich noted that there may be concern from owners of Eichler homes if additional requirements were put into place. Comm. Hopkins recalls a study issue proposed by the Commission in the past (she served from 2004 2008) that included an outreach meeting with Eichler homeowners. Comm. Larsen noted in regards to Comm. Valenzuela's proposal that this study would have no point if the Eichler homes weren’t listed on the Heritage Resource List. Ms. El Hajj generally noted that this Commission could nominate any study issues, and that she will draft the study issue as long as Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer determines that the study is within this Commission’s purview. Ms. El Hajj discussed that the study issue may determine which Eichler homes would be of historical significance, as determined by a consultant, most likely. Ms. El Hajj mentioned a previous study issue nominated by this Commission to study potentially adding some commercial buildings of historical significance to the heritage resource list, and that this study could potentially be similar except involving Eichler’s. MOTION: Comm. Valenzuela made a motion to study the oldest and most significant Eichler homes to be listed to the Heritage Resource list. He noted the study would include contacting Eichler home owners to seek their interest. Comm. Hopkins seconded. Chair Squellati asked the Commission for discussion. Comm. Michitaka asked to elaborate on the significance of Eichler homes. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes October 7, 2015 Chair Squellati noted that a similar proposal was brought to the table in the past, and that the work involved would require a consultant which may be costly; therefore, the study may not be ranked by the City Council. Comm. Michitaka noted that this Commission has proposed many study issues in the past, and that many of them did not get studied. MOTION FAILED: 3-4 Comm. Dietrich noted that South Murphy Avenue should be added to the Murphy Design Guidelines Study Issue. Ms. El Hajj noted that the area is currently not included in the existing study issue paper that was first sponsored in 2014. Comm. Hopkins asked staff if the Mills Act could be a study issue. Chair Squellati noted a study that the City of Santa Clara produced regarding the previous "Agnews Hospital" site. He would like to determine if a similar study would be feasible for the "Butchers Corner" property, once it gets annexed to the City. Ms. El Hajj noted that the development application for the Butcher Property involves an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). She noted that the City has a web page with information on that project. Chair Squellati asked staff if the EIR includes a study of the existing buildings, which may have historical significance. Ms. El Hajj answered yes, that there is a cultural resources section in the EIR. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS Ms. El Hajj stated the next regular meeting is scheduled for November 4th, which would include an application for 568 S Frances Street. -Commissioner Comments Comm. Dietrich noted events at the Sunnyvale Historic Museum, including a garage sale. She noted the Antiques roadshow in San Jose. Chair Squellati noted the Annual Garage Sale is this weekend and located on Wolfe Road and Iris Avenue. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes October 7, 2015 None ADJOURNMENT Chair Squellati adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 5