Heritage Preservation Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Heritage Preservation Commission Wednesday, June 1, 2022 7:00 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web Stream Public Hearing - 7:00 PM Special Teleconference Notice Public Participation Accessibility/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice CALL TO ORDER Chair Hopkins called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Commissioner Dawn Hopkins Vice Chair Shanna Gaudenti Commissioner Jenny Bratton Commissioner Steve Caroompas Vice Chair Sarosh Patel Chair Pamela Sharma ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chair Hopkins welcomed Councilmember Melton, who thanked outgoing Vice Chair Shanna Gaudenti for her term of service on the Heritage Preservation Commission. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. 22-0627 Approve the Draft Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes of March 2, 2022 MOTION: Commissioner Bratton moved and Vice Chair Gaudenti seconded to approve the Draft Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes of March 2, 2022, as submitted. The motion passed with the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final June 1, 2022 Yes: 5 - Commissioner Hopkins Vice Chair Gaudenti Commissioner Bratton Vice Chair Patel Chair Sharma No: 0 Absent: 1 - Commissioner Caroompas PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2. 22-0602 Review Planning Program Budget and Fees for FY 2022/23 Principal Planner Schroeder provided a summary of the staff report. Commissioner Caroompas also joined the meeting. Commissioner Bratton asked staff about the revenue sources and Mr. Schroeder replied that permit revenue is a main contributor to the budget. Councilmember Melton also noted that property taxes are the biggest contributor to the general fund, which funds the department expenditures. Commissioner Sharma asked staff when is the cutoff to fund the other HPC-related study issues, because she is concerned the study issues are being pushed out too far. Mr. Schroeder noted that the City Council is balancing competing study issues and will review again next year. He noted that there is no deadline to get the study issues funded, but there is continual development in the City, which may affect potential heritage structures. Proposed demolition of structures are reviewed to see if they are eligible for listing. Commissioner Caroompas noted to staff that adding trees to the Heritage Resource list is important to him and he would like to see this study issue to be approved in order to not lose any potential protected trees. Mr. Schroeder acknowledged his concern and Commissioner Caroompas noted his interest in nominating additional heritage trees. Commissioner Sharma asked how Senate Bill 9 could affect resources that are currently on the Heritage Resource Inventory. Mr. Schroeder responded that that a local ordinance was adopted in response to the recent state law, which does not allow densification of properties that include heritage resources or local landmarks. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final June 1, 2022 Chair Hopkins noted that $3,500 was allocated towards the Plaque Program and noted that more outreach may be needed, such as a mailer, to property owners who may be interested in the program. Councilmember Melton thanked the Commission for their comments and spoke to competing study issues. He noted that the Community Development Department is busy working on major planning efforts, including the El Camino Real Specific Plan, Moffett Park Specific Plan, and the Housing Element Update. He supports Commissioner Caroompas’ advocacy for tree preservation. Commissioner Bratton also supported Commissioner Caroompas' passion for trees. She then noted that the proposed budget is conservative and suggested that it be increased. MOTION: Commissioner Bratton moved and Vice Chair Gaudenti seconded to provide comments to the City Council or make a formal recommendation to the City Council on the FY 2022/23 Recommended Budget. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Commissioner Hopkins Vice Chair Gaudenti Commissioner Bratton Commissioner Caroompas Vice Chair Patel Chair Sharma No: 0 STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES Chair Hopkins noted her presentation at the Neighborhood Association meeting in May and received a suggestion about adding information on street signs about the historic significance of certain street names. It could be a consideration for the study issue to encourage visitation to heritage resources (CDD Study Issue 19-06). NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Sharma asked about updates on when in person meetings will take City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final June 1, 2022 place and Councilmember Melton responded that the City Council decides on a monthly basis if in person meetings or hybrid meetings should take place based on safety considerations. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS Mr. Schroeder thanked Vice Chair Gaudenti for her service on behalf of the Planning Division, noting her involvement with important policy issues such as the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District, Plaque Program, and Downtown Specific Plan. ADJOURNMENT Chair Hopkins adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 4