Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

January 23, 2006                     Monday                                5:30p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Chairperson Chuck Crotser, Sandy Baer, Dan Carpenter, Barbara Breska, Robert Pavlik, Lynne Landwehr, and Tom Wheeler  

Chairperson Crotser and Committee members Barbara Breska and Sandy Baer were absent 

STAFF:                Phil Dunsmore, Associate Planner 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

There was no public comment. 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 

1.        800 Palm Street.  ARC 187-05; Conceptual review of a new retail and office building in conjunction with Ah Louis store property; C-D-H zone; Dr. William Watson, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

Staff introduced the item and asked the CHC to comment on the project rather than adopt an action alternative. Following a detailed presentation by the applicants that explained the history of the site and the philosophy of the project, the CHC continued the item to a date uncertain, and offered the following comments on the proposed building design: 

a.      The proposed architectural detailing is too stylized and does not reflect or represent a San Luis Obispo style of architecture.  If the design is to reflect a Chinese theme, the theme should be toned down and relate to the context of the San Luis Obispo Chinatown era. 

b.      A report that is prepared by an architectural historian that specializes in Spanish colonial and Chinese culture should be prepared prior to returning to the CHC. 

c.      The Ah Louis Store should be further separated (in terms of both design and physically) from the proposed new building.  The Ah Louis store should stand out from the development rather than become lost or overshadowed by the new development.  The portion of building attached to the Ah Louis store should be clearly differentiated in materials. 

2.        497 Islay Street.  CHC 229-05; Request for a Mills Act Contract for the Historic Vollmer House; R-2 zone; Steve & Laurie Butler, applicants.  (Jeff Hook) 

On a motion by Wheeler, seconded by Carpenter and on a 4-0 vote, the CHC adopted action alternative 1 which recommends the City Council approve a Mills Act contract for the historic Volmer House. 

DISCUSSION ITEMS: 

3.        Citywide.  CHC 94-04; Consideration of properties for possible historic nomination; Cultural Heritage Committee, applicant.  (Arleen Cardenas) 

City Planning Intern Arleen Cardenas presented an overview of the upcoming citywide historic survey and presented photos of properties as part of an introductory historical survey including 8 individual properties.  CHC members offered comments as to additional information needed in order to evaluate the status of the properties. It was noted that Sanborn map information should be presented in addition to photographs. 

4.        Communications 

a.  Agenda Forecast - staff 

b.  Committee      

ADJOURN to the next regular meeting on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.