Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

Monday                       April 25, 2005                                 5:30 p.m. 

ROLL CALL:      Vice-Chair Tom Wheeler, Sandy Baer, Barbara Breska, Chuck Crotser, Robert Pavlik, Lynne Landwehr, and Frank Scotti.   All members were present.

SWEARING IN:  Jeff Hook administered the Oath of Office to Lynne Landwehr.              

STAFF:                Jeff Hook, Senior Planner.

PUBLIC COMMENT:   There was no public comment on items not on the agenda.

ELECTIONS:     Chuck Crotser was elected Chairperson and Frank Scotti was elected Vice-Chairperson on a unanimous voice vote.  

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:

1.   1404 Chorro Street. ARC 187-02: Review of a new four unit residential condominium project; R-4-H zone; John Swift, applicant.

Mark Rawson, project architect, described the project and confirmed that the historic rock wall at the upper corner of the Chorro Street frontage would remain with the proposed development. 

Dave Dawson, 1401 Chorro Street, felt the project ignores site limitations and that the three-story design would adversely affect his home across Chorro Street due to increased noise and loss of privacy.  He added that the project would block his views and was concerned with the massing and height of the building.  There were no other public comments.

There was lengthy discussion regarding the building’s architectural character relative to the neighborhood, and regarding its height, bulk and massing.  Committee member Scotti noted the neighborhood was predominantly single family, 1- and 2-story buildings.  He questioned whether the proposed building’s height, massing and bulk fit well within a residential district or was more appropriate in a commercial area.  Most Committee members felt the project’s California Spanish architectural design was compatible with the Old Town Historic District because there were other examples of this style in the District (e.g. Old City Fire Station across Pismo Street from the site), but had concerns with the building’s height, massing and possible overlook/privacy issues.  Committee members felt these issues were primarily ARC issues and that these were not necessarily tied to the building’s architectural style.  On a motion by Sandy Baer, seconded by Bob Pavlik, the Committee determined that the proposed construction was consistent with the Historical Preservation Program Guidelines and was compatible with the Old Town Historic District, and further recommended that the Architectural Review Commission pay special attention to building height, massing and possible overlook/privacy concerns.  The motion carried, 6-1 (Committee member Scotti).  Committee member Wheeler noted the site should be reviewed for historic and archaeological features prior to development.

2.   1075 Court Street. ARC 49-05: Review of a seismic retrofit and façade modification; C-D-H zone; Quaglino Properties, applicant.

Steve Pults, architect, and Matt Quaglino, property owner, described the project and explained they proposed brick veneer exterior (as opposed to smooth cement plaster) on the ground floor primarily for improved durability, but also to tie in with the new Copeland’s project across Court Street.  They wanted to make the building’s Court Street elevation more prominent and attractive. 

Mark Rawson, architect for Copeland’s project complemented the design and felt it would blend in well with the Court Street development.  There was no other public comment.

Committee members generally felt the project was compatible with the Downtown Historic District, but were concerned with the effect the project would have on McCarthy’s tavern located in the building’s ground floor.  Mr. Quaglino explained that they were in discussions with McCarthy’s owners and that no decision had been reached regarding whether the use would stay in its present location.  

After extended discussion of architectural style and materials, the Committee took two actions:

A.   On a motion by Committee member Scotti, seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee determined the proposed seismic retrofit and building modifications were architecturally compatible with the Downtown Historic District, Historical Preservation Program Guidelines and with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.  The motion carried, 6-1 (Committee member Breska).

B.   On a motion by Committee member Baer, seconded by Committee member Wheeler, the Committee recommended that the Architectural Review Commission require photo-documentation of the interior and exterior of McCarthy’s, and that the Commission explore with the building owner and McCarthy’s owner the feasibility of preserving the neon McCarthy’s sign either on- of off-site.  The Committee added that the photo-documentation should be black and white format, curatorial quality.  The motion carried, 7-0.

Committee member Scotti left the meeting.

3.   1731 Morro Street. ARC MI 44-05: Review of an attic addition to a historic dwelling; R-3-H zone; Heather Powers, applicant.

Tom Martin, architect, explained the project’s design and materials.  There was no public comment.  After a brief discussion, and on a motion by Committee member Wheeler and seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee determined the project was consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with the suggestion that the gable end windows be designed with “1 over 1” double hung windows to match existing windows.   The motion carried, 6-0.

4.   754 & 756 Palm Street. ARC MI 42-05: Review of a rear addition to a “contributing” historical resource, a demolition of a non-historical rear dwelling unit, and construction of a garage at the rear of the property with a replacement 1-bedroom apartment above; R-4-H zone; Ralph Peters, applicant.

Curtis Illingworth, architect, and Raph Peters, property owner, explained the project.  Committee members complemented the architect and owner on a well designed project.  There was no public comment.  On a motion by Committee member Wheeler, seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee determined the proposed project was consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and referred the project to the Community Development Director with a recommendation to approve the plans submitted, subject to the applicant complying with the following cultural resource mitigation measures:

1.     The applicant shall provide archaeological monitoring by a qualified archaeologist during removal of the concrete pad in the northern portion of the property near the Palm tree (refer to Figure 5 in report).

2.    The applicant shall provide archaeological monitoring by a qualified archaeologist during demolition of the house at 754 Palm Street (rear house), if such demolition is approved.

3.    The applicant shall excavate an exploratory backhoe trench across the “footprint” of the house at 754 Palm Street after demolition.  This is the most likely area in which to find an intact feature such as a privy, if such still exists on the property.  If a feature is located by means of the exploratory trench, the feature area should be excavated as part of a 1 X 1 meter (minimum) controlled excavation unit. 

4.    Grading and trenching shall be carefully monitored by a qualified archaeologist.  If intact features (such as a trash pit, privy, or hearth) or substantial concentrations of  cultural materials are found during the construction excavations, the archaeologist will evaluate the significance of the materials and follow the procedures outlined in Section 4.60 of the City’s Archaeological Preservation Program Guidelines.

The motion carried, 6-0. 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

5.   Schedule a special potluck dinner meeting to thank outgoing member Paula Carr and to welcome new member Lynne Landwehr.  Committee members, on a unanimous voice vote, asked staff to reserve the Jack House grounds for the potluck dinner and special dinner meeting tentatively for either Wednesday, June 15^th or June 29^th, 2005 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and to coordinate with the CHC Chairperson on details.

6.        Communications.

a.   Agenda Forecast – Staff.  Staff provided a brief agenda forecast.

b.        Committee             

The meeting ADJOURNED at 8:20 p.m. to the CHC meeting to the next regular meeting Monday, May 23, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.