Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

April 24, 2006                       Monday                                5:30p.m.

OATHS OF OFFICE:  Swearing in of reappointed Committee Members Chuck Crotser and Tom Wheeler  

City Clerk Audrey Hooper administered the oath of office to reappointed Committee Members Chuck Crotser and Tom Wheeler. 

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

All of the Committee members were present. 

ELECTION:        Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson 

Chuck Crotser was elected as the Chairperson and Barbara Breska as the Vice-Chairperson. 

STAFF:    

Pam Ricci, Senior Planner, and Whitney McIlvaine, Contract Planner 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

There was no public comment other than on regular agenda items. 

MINUTES:  Minutes of January 23, 2006 and February 27, 2006 regular meetings.  Approve or amend.  

The minutes were accepted as submitted. 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 

1.   868 Chorro Street.  CHC 51-06; Review of Historic Resource Investigation of the historic Mancilla/Frietas Adobe; R-4 zone; Larry Hoyt, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore)  

There was a lengthy discussion regarding the submitted historic resource investigation prepared by Dr. John Parker.  The CHC agreed that the study was well done, however concluded that a qualified architectural historian needed to be retained by the applicant to properly evaluate changes and additions that have been made to the adobe structure over time.  David Brodie mentioned his concerns with how the loss of historic resources and artifacts contribute to the deterioration of cities.  Allan Cooper provided documentation from old photographs regarding changes that occurred to the adobe over the years.  The CHC suggested that an architectural historian consider Mr. Cooper’s documentation in preparing a report. 

2.   1135 Roundhouse.  ARC 15-06;  Architectural review for new dispatch center on the site of Fire Station No. 1; PF-H zone; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. (Jaime Hill)  

Following a presentation by staff and the project representatives, the Commission voted 7:0 on a motion made by Committee member Baer, seconded by Committee member Carpenter, to determine that the proposed structure and site improvements are architecturally compatible with the surrounding area and referred the item to the Architectural Review Commission with a recommendation to approve the plans as submitted, based on the following findings: 

1.   The proposed materials and architectural detailing will complement the adjacent City facility and will add to the historic character of the surrounding neighborhood. 

2.   The scale and siting of the proposed dispatch center is appropriate for the Railroad Historic District. 

3.   2238 Broad Street.  ARC 62-05;  Conceptual review of new  mixed use development project with 91 residential units and 25,000 square feet commercial space; C-N-H and C-S-H zones; Halferty Development Co., applicant.  (Whitney McIIvaine) 

Following a presentation by staff and the project applicant and representatives, the Commission voted 7:0 on a motion made by Committee member Baer, seconded by Committee member Carpenter, determined that the proposed buildings and site improvements are consistent with the Railroad District Plan and with the City’s historical Preservation Program Guidelines “Principles of Historic Preservation,” with the added consideration of using names for project components and internal districts that are more aligned with local railroad history,  based on the following findings: 

Findings: 

1.   The proposed materials and architectural detailing of proposed buildings are consistent with the architectural guidelines contained within the Railroad District Plan. 

2.    The specific arch forms of the Maymont Place buildings and the “outdoor” room around the proposed roundabout are reminiscent of the historic railroad roundhouse structure that stood near the site. 

3.   The proposed mix of residential and commercial uses is consistent with land use patterns discussed in the Railroad District Plan that promote developments that allow people to live near work places and services.  

DISCUSSION ITEMS: 

4.   Citywide.  CHC 94-04; Preparation of a Citywide Cultural Resources Survey; Cultural Heritage Committee, applicant.  (Arleen Cardenas) 

This item was continued without discussion.  The idea of holding a special study session either on May 8^th or 19^th from 11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m was discussed if necessary to accommodate Intern Arleen Cardenas’ schedule. 

5.        Communications 

a.  Agenda Forecast - staff 

Pam Ricci provided a forecast for the upcoming May 22^nd agenda. 

b.  Committee                       

The meeting adjourned around 9:00 p.m to the next regular meeting on Monday, May 22, 2006, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.