Heritage Preservation Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Heritage Preservation Commission Wednesday, July 22, 2020 7:00 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web Stream SPECIAL TELECONFERENCE NOTICE CALL TO ORDER Chair Larsen called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M. ROLL CALL Senior Planner George Schroeder noted Commissioner Cadouri's planned absence. Vice Chair Holthaus was absent during roll call and joined the telepresence meeting during Item #2. Present: 5 - Chair Dixie Larsen Commissioner Steve Caroompas Commissioner Shanna Gaudenti Commissioner Dawn Hopkins Commissioner David Wu Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Melanie Holthaus Commissioner Jilian Cadouri ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR 1. 20-0671 Approve the Draft Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2020 Commissioner Wu made a comment to include that he felt discouraged from asking further questions during Item #2 "Heritage Resources Plaque Program for Private Property". MOTION: Approve the Draft Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2020, with modifications. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 22, 2020 The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Chair Larsen Commissioner Caroompas Commissioner Gaudenti Commissioner Hopkins Commissioner Wu No: 0 Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Holthaus Commissioner Cadouri PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2. 20-0707 CEQA and Historical Resources Training Senior Assistant City Attorney Rebecca Moon provided training with a slide presentation. Vice Chair Holthaus joined the meeting. 3. 20-0676 SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT: Amend the Downtown Sunnyvale Specific Plan Location: Downtown Sunnyvale File #: 2017-8047 Zoning: DSP Applicant/Owner: City of Sunnyvale Environmental Review (SCH # 2018052020): Adopt a resolution to make findings required by CEQA, certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. Project Planner: Michelle King, (408) 730-7463, mking@sunnyvale.ca.gov Commissioner Caroompas recused himself from hearing the item because of property owned near the Downtown Specific Plan boundary. Principal Planner Michelle King provided a slide presentation. Commissioner Wu asked if the Sunnyvale Historical Context was studied and included in the review. Senior Planner Schroeder noted that the Historical Context Statement was posted City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 22, 2020 to the online Agenda before this meeting. Principal Planner King noted that Heritage Grove is already listed as a City Heritage Resource. City Consultant Kristy Weis, Vice President, David J. Powers, noted that they have evaluated cultural resources within a quarter mile around the project site and that the Heritage Resources list was also evaluated. She noted that the Sunnyvale Historical Context Statement will be reviewed. Applicant Travis Duncan, Sares Regis, provided a slide presentation. Chair Larsen opened the public hearing. Speaking as member of the public, Resident Steve Caroompas noted his excitement with the proposed plans and said that he hopes to see holiday lights on Redwood Grove when it gets developed, as what was done in previous years. He also noted that the applicant’s PowerPoint presentation should be made available to the public to get a better understanding of the proposal. Commissioner Wu asked if the Vargas family has been attempted to be notified and Community Development Director Ryan responded that the Commission may add a condition to address this request. Chair Larsen asked Commissioner Wu of his intent for contacting the Vargas family, and what his thoughts were if they were to be reached. Commissioner Wu stated that the City should attempt to contact a family member out of respect to Manuel Vargas, whom the heritage tree planting was dedicated to. Vice Chair Hopkins stated her concern about the tree plaques that are no longer present near the trees and suggested that a new plaque to commemorate the Vargas family be provided for display. Chair Larsen closed the public hearing. MOTION: Commissioner Wu moved and Commissioner Hopkins seconded for Alternative 1: Recommend to the City Council to a) Certify the Environmental Impact Report (see City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 22, 2020 link in Attachment 1 to the report), b) Make the Findings Required by the California Environmental Quality Act and Approve a Statement of Overriding Considerations for the relocation or removal of one of the trees included the Heritage Grove, a City Heritage Resource, (Attachment 4 to the report), c) Approve a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the DSP amendments and future development projects as they pertain to Heritage Resources, and d) Approve the amended Downtown Specific Plan as it relates to Heritage Resources, with the following additional conditions: 1) Review and address the Sunnyvale Historical Context Statement in the project. 2) Make best efforts to reach out to the Vargas family to notify them of the project. Motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Chair Larsen Vice Chair Holthaus Commissioner Gaudenti Commissioner Hopkins Commissioner Wu No: 0 Absent: 1 - Commissioner Cadouri Recused: 1 - Commissioner Caroompas 4. 20-0672 Selection of Chair and Vice Chair Chair Larsen was nominated to continue to serve as the Chair. Yes: 5 - Vice Chair Holthaus Commissioner Caroompas Commissioner Gaudenti Commissioner Hopkins Commissioner Wu No: 0 Absent: 1 - Commissioner Cadouri Abstain: 1 - Chair Larsen Selection of Vice Chair Commissioner Hopkins was nominated to serve as the Vice Chair. City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 22, 2020 Yes: 5 - Chair Larsen Vice Chair Holthaus Commissioner Caroompas Commissioner Gaudenti Commissioner Wu No: 0 Absent: 1 - Commissioner Cadouri Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Hopkins STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS Senior Planner Schroeder noted that the City Council adopted the Plaque Program policy, including the Commission’s modifications, on May 19, 2020. Chair Larsen asked how the City will promote the Plaque Program. Community Development Director Ryan noted that it will take about a year to get funding for the program in place, then City staff will notify owners of heritage resources about how they can apply. Senior Planner Schroeder also said that NASA has reached out to the City regarding a Section 106 process they are beginning to conduct regarding Hangar #1 and #3 at Moffett Field. He said that they have a rehabilitation project for Hangar #1 and are planning to demolish Hangar #3 due to the extensive structural damage. Senior Planner Schroeder noted that tonight is Vice Chair Holthaus' last meeting and thanked her for her service. ADJOURNMENT Chair Larsen adjourned the meeting at 9:30 P.M. City of Sunnyvale Page 5