Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

May 29, 2007                       Monday                                5:30p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Committee Members, Robert Pavlik, Lynne Landwehr, John Fowler, Dean Miller, Elise Wheeler, Vice Chair Barbara Breska and Chairperson Chuck Crotser Committee Member Elise Wheeler was absent. 

STAFF:                Jeff Hook, Senior Planner and Kim Murry, Deputy Community Development Director 

MINUTES:          Minutes of the April 23, 2007 regular meeting were approved as amended on a 6-0 vote. 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: 

Chairperson Crotser noted that the annual election of officers had been continued from the April meeting to this evening’s meeting.  He asked Committee members for nominations for the position of Chairperson.  Committee member Pavlik made a motion to nominate Barbara Breska as Chairperson and Dean Miler seconded the motion.  The motion carried, 6-0. 

Chairperson Breska asked for nominations for the position of Vice-Chairperson.  Committee member Crotser made a motion to nominate Bob Pavlik as Vice-Chairperson and Lynne Landwehr seconded the motion.  The motion carried, 6-0. 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 

1.        Citywide, GPI 49-06; An introduction to the South Broad Street Corridor Plan; City of San Luis Obispo, Applicant.  (Jeff Hook) 

Jeff Hook introduced the Public Hearing Draft - South Broad Street Corridor Plan and presented a slide show focusing on key aspects of the Plan.  Mr. Hook summarized the Plan’s goals and noted that the Draft had been prepared in response to General Plan policies, and guided, in part, by citizen input received at three public workshops.  He added that a community focus group, consisting of 18 citizen volunteers, had worked with the consultant and staff to provide ideas and feedback and that CHC Chairperson Crotser was a member of the Focus Group.  Mr. Hook then explained sections of the Plan dealing with historic resources, neighborhood architectural character and form-based codes. 

Committee members asked questions about the Plan’s review process and its relationship to historic resources.  A wide-ranging discussion ensued, with Committee members suggesting changes and clarification of several plan sections.  Staff noted the Plan was still in its early stages and needed much more work through the public hearing process. 

On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Committee member Miller, the Committee continued the item to its June 25^th meeting for additional study.  Committee member Crotser suggested that Committee members try to get any written comments on the Plan to staff well before the next meeting – preferably by June 8^th.  The motion carried, 6-0.  

COMMUNICATIONS: 

A.     Historic Preservation Tools Workshop (scheduled for June 1, 2007) 

Jeff Hook previewed the upcoming workshop, noting that three staff from the State Office of Historic Preservation will be explaining “preservation tools.” 

B.     Agenda Forecast – Staff 

Jeff Hook noted that two items were tentatively scheduled for the June CHC meeting:  a house renovation and remodel in a historic district at 1546 Chorro Street, and the demolition of a garage and construction of new garage with a studio apartment above at 1414 Santa Rosa Street, also in a historic district. 

C.    Historic Survey Status – There was no new information on this item. 

D.    Committee 

In response to Committee member Crotser’s question regarding a letter from Larry Hoyt, staff explained that an appeal of the CHC’s action on the Mancilla-Freitas Adobe was scheduled for Council hearing on June 5, 2007.  Discussion followed regarding the letter’s content and about possible revisions to project’s site plan and location of parking.  Commissioners were concerned that the revised site plan could block views of the adobe from Chorro Street and wanted to review the project changes.  On a motion by Committee member Landwehr, seconded by Committee member Miller, the Committee voted 6-0 to ask staff to bring the project plan revisions to the CHC for review. 

The meeting ADJOURNED to the next regular meeting on Monday, June 25, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.