Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting Update

January 24, 2005                          Monday                                     5:30 p.m

ROLL CALL: Chairperson Paula Juelke Carr, Vice-Chair Tom Wheeler, Sandy Baer, Barbara Breska, Chuck Crotser, Robert Pavlik, and Frank Scotti. Committee members Carr and Baer were absent.

STAFF: Buzz Kalkowski, Associate Planner, and Jeff Hook, Senior Planner

PUBLIC COMMENT: Astrid Gallagher asked the Committee to schedule a public art proposal for the San Luis Marketplace for its February 28, 2005 meeting. Since the proposed artwork included historic references, Vice-Chairperson Wheeler asked staff to schedule the item for discussion at the Committee's February meeting.

MINUTES: The minutes of the November 22, 2004 regular meeting were approved.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:

1. 955 Monterey Street. ARC MI 211-04: Conceptual review of a proposed wireless telecommunications facility on the roof of the historic Anderson Hotel; C-D-H zone, Nextel Communications, applicant.

Jeff Hook presented the staff report. Mario Musso, Nextel Communications, and Jim Culver, Omni Design Group, explained the project, noting that the proposed water tank addition would be installed on top of the existing historic water tank base, thereby giving the base a logical reason to still be on the building. Mr. Culver explained the design rationale and approach for the proposed "stealthing" of the antennas using the water tank. Extensive discussion between the Committee and applicant followed. There was no public comment.

Committee members supported the general concept of stealthing the antennas, but wanted more information on historic context and significance/purpose of the water tower. Committee members asked the applicant to provide information on whether the water tower was part of the original hotel building, its purpose, and the feasibility of co-locating the existing Sprint wireless facilities by removing them from the Bell Tower and including them in the proposed water tank.

2. 1117 Marsh Street. ARC MI 192-04: Review minor changes to the historic Esquar House; O zone; Charlene Souza and Gary Toll, applicants.

Buzz Kalkowski presented the staff report. Gary Toll, applicant, acknowledged that the recently-installed vinyl windows were not consistent with the Mills Act Contract and Secretary of the Interior Standards, and said they would be replaced with wood windows. There was no public comment. Two motions were made: 1) on a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Wheeler, the Committee determined that the as-built changes are not consistent with the Historic Preservation Program, with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and with the Mills Act Contract which applies to this property, and will impact the historical character of the Master List property, subject to the findings that:

1. The removal of original windows and replacement with new windows adversely affects the building's historic character because the replacement windows do not substantially match the original windows in terms of materials and design; and

2. The window changes do not conform to the provisions of the Mills Act Contract which apply to this property.

The Committee determined that a sub-committee of two CHC members and staff meet with the applicants to approve the design and materials of new replacement windows which will more closely match the original windows.

2) On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Wheeler, the Committee called for the applicants to work with staff to develop a schedule for completion of the seven improvement items on the Mills Act contract. The schedule is to be completed within 30 days of the hearing (due February 25, 2005). The applicants stated that all the required Mills Act improvements would be made as part of the improvement project.

Both motions were approved, 5-0.

3. 690 Higuera Street. ARC MI 212-04: Review of a new rear canvas patio cover and upgrade to street façade; C-D-H zone; Joseph and Debbie Silvestri, applicants.

Buzz Kalkowski presented the staff report. Louisa Smith, architect, and Alex Rampone, Shoreline Awning, made brief states regarding the proposed improvements. Committee members felt the changes were consistent with the Downtown Historic District and supported the project. There was no public comment. On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Committee member Breska, the Committee found that the proposed façade and rear canopy cover fit with the character and style of the surrounding buildings and the Downtown Historic District and recommended ARC approval. The motion was approved 5-0.

4. 1940 Santa Barbara Avenue. ARC PA 148-04: Review of public art proposal to be placed in the traffic island in front of the historic SPRR Freight Warehouse; PF-H zone; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.

Buzz Kalkowski presented the staff report. Jim Trask, the artist selected by the art jury, showed a model of the artwork, along with materials, and explained the how the art piece would be viewed by the public. Committee members expressed support for the artwork. Committee member Scotti asked staff to verify the historic dates that the icons in the art make reference to, prior to ARC action. Arnold Jonas, representative of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum, said the public art would be an appropriate addition to the Historic Railroad District and would be compatible with the planned museum. There was no other public comment.

On a motion by Committee member Pavlik, seconded by Committee member Crotser, the Committee determined the proposed public art fits with the Railroad Historical District. The motion was approved: 5-0.

5. 1318 Chorro Street. ARC MI 231-04: Review of a small addition and seismic retrofit of the historic Maaza House; O zone; Howard Carroll, applicant.

Buzz Kalkowski presented the staff report. Tom Martin, project architect, described the seismic retrofit and rebuilding of the addition to the Master List structure. There was no public comment. On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Wheeler, the Committee determined the project is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and referred the item to the Community Development Director with a recommendation to approve the plans as submitted.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

6. Building Colors for the historic Rodriguez Adobe.

Jeff Hook presented the historic building colors of the Rodriquez Adobe, as determined by a paint sampling study by Bob Vessely. He noted the oldest building colors appeared to be an off white or very pale yellow for the main body, and a blue-green trim color. Committee members asked staff to extend appreciation to Mr. Vessely for his work.

7. Letter from Anne Cruikshanks regarding the historic Rosa Butron Adobe.

Anne Cruikshanks expanded upon her letter explaining her request to increase City efforts to protect and maintain the historic Rosa Butron Adobe. Committee members recommended that the City Council direct staff to investigate interim protection measures for the Butron and Nopalera (Lizzie Street) Adobes, and to provide additional resources to begin rehabilitation of the Butron Adobe from any funds remaining from the Rodriquez Adobe rehabilitation. The Committee asked staff to add an item to the February CHC agenda on the condition and status of the City-owned adobes. Committee member Pavlik suggested staff look into the possibility of using FEMA grants for 2003 earthquake damage to cover some of the adobe costs.

8. Presentation by Heritage Shared of the "Pedaling the Past" bike tour and request for City sponsorship. (Dick Miller)

Dick Miller, President of Heritage Shared, explained a planned bike tour of historic San Luis Obispo buildings and sites, to be conducted with the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club. He said they planned to use Sinsheimer Park as a staging area for the tour, and asked for CHC support for City sponsorship of the tour.

The Committee endorsed the proposed bicycle tour "Pedaling the Past", and recommended that the City Council approve City sponsorship for the event.

9. Discuss the Historic Plaque Program and review survey of other cities' historic plaque programs.

This item was continued to the February 28, 2005 CHC meeting.

10. Update to Citywide List of Historic Resources and Historic Inventory Planning.

This item was continued to the February 28, 2005 CHC meeting.

11. CHC Accomplishments for 2004.

This item was continued to the February 28, 2005 CHC meeting.

The meeting ADJOURNED at 8:30 p.m. to the regular CHC meeting to be held on Monday, February 28, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.