Heritage Preservation Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Heritage Preservation Commission Wednesday, February 7, 2018 7:00 PM West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dietrich called the meeting to order. Present: 7 - Chair Hannalore Dietrich Vice Chair Dawn Hopkins Commissioner Melanie Holthaus Commissioner Dixie Larsen Commissioner Mike Michitaka Commissioner Dale Mouritsen Commissioner Kenneth Valenzuela SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Dietrich led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL Chair Dietrich took attendance. Present: 7 - Chair Hannalore Dietrich Vice Chair Dawn Hopkins Commissioner Melanie Holthaus Commissioner Dixie Larsen Commissioner Mike Michitaka Commissioner Dale Mouritsen Commissioner Kenneth Valenzuela ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. CONSENT CALENDAR 1.A. 18-0123 Approve the Draft Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2017 Chair Dietrich noted minor modifications. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final February 7, 2018 Comm. Michitaka moved and Comm.Mouritsen seconded to approve the Heritage Preservation Comisison Draft Minutes of December 6, 2017. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Chair Dietrich Vice Chair Hopkins Commissioner Holthaus Commissioner Larsen Commissioner Michitaka Commissioner Mouritsen No: 0 Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Valenzuela PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2. 18-0112 File #: 2017-7878 Location: 562 S. Mathilda Avenue (APN: 209-29-057) Zoning: DSP-20 Proposed Project: RESOURCE ALLOCATION PERMIT to consider the historic significance of a single-family home which is listed as part of the Sunnyvale Heritage Resources Inventory. Applicant / Owner: Shawn Karimi (applicant/owner) Environmental Review: Environmental review will be conducted as required by California Environmental Quality Act provisions and City Guidelines upon determination of significance by the Heritage Preservation Commission. Senior Planner Ryan Kuchenig presented the staff report. Comm. Michitaka discussed Heritage Districts around the City. Chair Dietrich asked how many Spanish Colonial Revival style homes have been delisted from the Heritage Inventory Resource List in the past 10 years. Mr. Kuchenig responded that he does not have the exact number on hand; however, there are Historic Districts that include Spanish Colonial Revival properties. Chair Dietrich expressed her concerns with losing this architectural style within the City. Staff discussed zoning and land uses within the Downtown Specific Plan Block 20. Senior Planner Noren Caliva-Lepe noted that Mathilda Avenue is a gateway to downtown, and the parcel north of the subject, which is now a mixed-use property, City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final February 7, 2018 included a home that was delisted from the Heritage Resource List. She also noted that more property owners along Mathilda Avenue are redeveloping. She also noted that an extensive windshield survey was conducted in the 1980's. Comm. Mouritsen noted the beauty of the house and how it adds to the neighborhood. Vice Chair Hopkins asked if there were any alterations to the home after it was listed and Mr. Kuchenig replied that there was nothing in the permit history that shows any modifications. Property owner Shawn Karimi stated that he hired Dr. Anthony Kirk to conduct a historical evaluation of the property. Mr. Anthony Kirk noted that there is a lot more information available since the Images book was written, especially on the internet. He summarized the findings of the report, noting that the house was previously owned by Caroline Russo, who was a secretary to the first Sunnyvale City Manager, H.K. Hunter, in 1951. He noted that although she was considered to be a “model employee” to the City of Sunnyvale, Ms. Russo did not make a significant contribution to the history of the City. Mr. Kirk also explained that the house does not meet the criteria for listing based on the architectural style. He noted that the shape of the front window and the porch railings are not consistent with the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Chair Dietrich asked the owner what he plans to do with the property. Ms. Caliva-Lepe responded that this is not in the purview of the Commission at this time and that the property owner would be required to go through the standard permitting process for modifications to the property. Chair Dietrich opened the public hearing. Chair. Dietrich asked the public for any questions or comments. Chair Dietrich closed the public hearing. Chair Dietrich called for a motion. Vice Chair Hopkins moved Alternative 2 and Comm. Holthaus seconded the motion to determine that the single-family home does not have local historical significance. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final February 7, 2018 Motion carried as follows: Yes: 7 - Chair Dietrich Vice Chair Hopkins Commissioner Holthaus Commissioner Larsen Commissioner Michitaka Commissioner Mouritsen Commissioner Valenzuela No: 0 STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments None. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS Ms. Caliva-Lepe noted that she has invited Assistant City Attorney Rebecca Moon to provide training on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) at a future meeting. She also noted another training workshop that will be hosted by another city during the weekend and will forward the registration to the Commission as soon as details are available. ADJOURNMENT Chair Dietrich adourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 4