Heritage Preservation Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Heritage Preservation Commission Wednesday, May 2, 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. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Dietrich led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL Chair Dietrich noted Comm. Holthaus’ planned absence. Present: 6 - Chair Hannalore Dietrich Vice Chair Dawn Hopkins Commissioner Dixie Larsen Commissioner Mike Michitaka Commissioner Dale Mouritsen Commissioner Kenneth Valenzuela Absent: 1 - Commissioner Melanie Holthaus PRESENTATION None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR 1.A. 18-0426 Approve the Draft Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes of March 7, 2018 Comm. Mouritsen moved and Vice Chair Hopkins seconded to approve the Draft Minutes of March 7, 2018, as submitted. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 2, 2018 Yes: 5 - Vice Chair Hopkins Commissioner Larsen Commissioner Michitaka Commissioner Mouritsen Commissioner Valenzuela No: 0 Absent: 1 - Commissioner Holthaus Abstain: 1 - Chair Dietrich PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2. 18-0349 File #: 2018-7219 Location: City of Sunnyvale Civic Center Complex Applicant: City of Sunnyvale Proposed Project: Public Comments on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report for the Civic Center Modernization Master Plan Project Project Planner: Momoko Ishijima, (408)730-7532, mishijima@sunnyvale.ca.gov Associate Planner Momoko Ishijima presented the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Civic Center Modernization Master Plan Project. She summarized the proposed project phasing, the DEIR timeline, and the Historic Architecture Evaluation Report’s conclusion that the City Hall and City Hall Annex buildings and landscaping, and the Sunnyvale Office Complex are eligible for listing as a historic district, and that the existing City Hall and Sunnyvale Office Complex are also potentially individually eligible for listing. Chair Dietrich noted that the historical analysis is well presented and noted that a historical plaque may be a good way of recognizing the historic significance of the Civic Center. Comm. Larsen confirmed with Ms. Ishijima if the Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources are part of the Commission’s purview. Ms. Ishijima discussed that the mitigation measures are addressed under Cultural Impact two and three of the DEIR. Comm. Mouritsen asked if the proper tribes have been notified and Ms. Ishijima replied yes and stated that the organizations contacted are listed in section 7.2 of City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 2, 2018 the DEIR. Ms. Ishijima and Ms. Caliva-Lepe discussed the possibility of tribal resources within the site considering the age of the buildings. Comm. Michitaka confirmed that the comment period ends on June 7, 2018 and asked staff if the trees are part of their comment area. Chair Dietrich confirmed with staff that the Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources as well as the buildings are part of this Commission’s purview. Comm. Larsen asked about the redwood grove between City Hall and the Annex, and stated that she was in belief the trees in that area would be saved. Chair Dietrich noted that the Sunnyvale Urban Forest Advocates were in attendance at the July 12, 2017 Heritage Preservation Commission meeting (see Legistar file #17 074) to bring awareness and asked this Commission to consider the nomination of 15 to 17 redwood trees at the Civic Center campus as Heritage Resources. Ms. Ishijima noted that the DEIR includes the protection of 90% of the trees and noted that these trees were evaluated as part of the DEIR. Ward Hill, historical analysist consultant, noted that landscape historian architect Denise Bradley produced the historical analysis for the landscaping and discussed that the buildings were planned around the landscape. Comm. Larsen asked staff about the cultural and tribal cultural resources noted in the Impact Discussion of Section 4.4.6 of the DEIR. Ms. Ishijima noted that it is within this Commission's purview to evaluate and comment on this portion of the DEIR and said that the Civic Center has been at its current location since the 1950's and that there is a possibility that resources may be found underground during construction. Comm. Mouritsen asked about the process if archaeological resources are found on the site. Ms. Ishijima noted that Section 4.4.6 Impact Discussion describes the mitigation process, noting that an onsite archaeologist will contact the appropriate group and determine how to handle any resources that may be found. Senior Planner Noren Caliva Lepe reminded the Commission that they are being City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 2, 2018 asked to comment on the adequacy of the DEIR and historic evaluation, and that the trees were evaluated in the DEIR. Ms. Caliva-Lepe noted that discussion about the merits of the project and tree protection are comments that should be reserved for future public hearings for the project. Ms. Caliva-Lepe also summarized the definition of a “protected tree” per the Sunnyvale Municipal Code. Comm. Mouritsen asked staff about the history of the decision for the need of a new Civic Center and Ms. Ishijima discussed the history of the Civic Center Modernization Project Plan, including outreach and workshops over the past years. Vice Chair Hopkins noted that the City Council recently approved the Historical Plaque Program study issue and noted that this is a perfect project to consider a plaque placed in the new Civic Center to recognize the history. Ward Hill noted that an exhibit may be a good idea to include in the Civic Center and Vice Chair Hopkins acknowledged the idea. Tom Larsen, resident, asked if the trees that are planned to be demolished have a process to get reclaimed and Ms. Ishijima responded that she is not clear if a plan is proposed to re use the wood after removal. Staff noted that the minutes of this meeting will be forwarded to City Council. STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments None. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT Chair Dietrich adjourned the meeitng at 7:47. City of Sunnyvale Page 4