Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

March 26, 2007                       Monday                                5:30p.m.

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

                              All members were present. 

STAFF:                Jaime Hill and Phil Dunsmore, Associate Planners, and Jeff Hook, Senior Planner.     

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Elizabeth Abrahms asked if the public could see the interior of the Sauer Bakery building, proposed for demolition as part of the Chinatown mixed-use project.  She was interested in seeing the old bakery ovens and any other remaining historic features. Committee members referred Ms. Abrahms to staff to pursue her request. David Brody asked if the City had any established policy about relocation of historic structures. He was concerned that a case-by-case review was too subjective. 

MINUTES:  Minutes of the February 26, 2007 meeting were approved as amended on a 7:0 vote.  

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 

At the request of the applicant, the Committee took item 3 out of order. 

1.         1117 Islay Street.  ARC MI 4-07; Review of addition and remodel of a contributing historic structure; R-3-H; Tom Martin, applicant.   (Brian Leveille) 

Jeff Hook presented the staff report and Tom Martin, architect and property owner, described the project.  Mr. Martin explained that he intended to live in the house and that a key project objective was to provide a little outdoor open space on a front porch.  He said he intended to maintain the house’s architectural character to ensure it would continue to be compatible with the historic district.  Committee members liked the project and felt that although the remodel would modify the house’s street façade, the remodeled house would be consistent with the Old Town Historic District.  There was no public comment. 

On a motion by Committee member Wheeler, seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee voted 7-0 to determine that the proposed project is consistent with the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines and will not adversely affect the historic, architectural or aesthetic significance of the Old Town Historic District, and referred the project to the Community Development Director with direction to approve the project as proposed. 

2.        1204 Nipomo Street.  ER H 1-07; Review of the proposed relocation of the historic Logan House from 1204 Nipomo Street to 464 Buchon Street; C-D zone; Jules Rogoff, applicant.  (Jaime Hill) 

Jaime Hill presented the staff report and Jules Rogoff, property owner and applicant, described the property’s history and briefly outlined plans to relocate the house to another site in the City.  He focused on the changes to the structure that are needed to make it viable for a commercial business. He also introduced Dave Bjerre who owned a residential lot and was interested in accommodating the historic house on his property.  Chairperson Crotser opened the public hearing. 

David Brodie felt that historic buildings can continue to be historic even if their uses change, provided that they retain their original architectural design and scale.  He disagreed with the applicant’s view that because the house was no longer used as a residence that it had lost its historic significance. He felt the house was a landmark and part of Downtown’s architectural character.   

Matt Rogoff pointed out the changing character of the immediate surroundings, where larger buildings have replaced original structures, in addition to projects that are anticipated to redevelop adjacent sites. 

The public hearing was closed.  Committee members Pavlik, Wheeler, Carpenter and Landwehr felt the house’s historic significance was tied to its Downtown location in that it symbolized the Downtown’s once dominant role as a residential neighborhood, and that relocation would constitute a significant adverse impact under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  Committee members Breska, Crotser and Baer had mixed feelings but in balance, supported relocation and felt that relocation would help preserve the house as a residential use. 

On a motion by Committee member Wheeler, seconded by Committee member Carpenter, the Committee voted 4-3 (Baer, Breska, Crotser) to determine that house relocation cannot be accomplished without resulting in significant and unavoidable adverse impacts to historical resources and to recommend that the Community Development Director make such a determination in the Initial Study of Environmental Impact for the project. 

3.        868 Chorro Street.  ARC 201-06; Review of a 7-unit residential project and proposed modification of the historic Mancillas/Freitas Adobe; R-4 zone; Larry Hoyt, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

Phil Dunsmore presented the staff report and Bob Richmond, applicant’s representative, introduced Tom Jess and Alexandra Cole, project architect and historian, respectively.  Mr. Jess described the project and Ms. Cole explained her historical findings and recommendations.  The property owner, Larry Hoyt, spoke in support. Chairperson Crotser opened the public hearing and Diane Duenow, David Brodie, Diane Orrell (owner, 863 Mill), Elizabeth Abrahms and Paul Barrie spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the adobe.  Dr. William Watson urged the CHC to support the project.  After lengthy public testimony, the public hearing was closed. 

Committee members discussed the historic significance of the adobe and associated wood building, and reviewed the slides and historic documentation.  The majority of members agreed with the historical consultant’s conclusions that changes to the wood building surrounding the original adobe had reduced its historic significance and supported partial demolition of the building and restoration of the original adobe, provided that changes to the proposed project were made to protect the adobe and maintain visibility of the restored adobe from Chorro Street, including removal of the proposed Unit 1 and reducing the height and massing of Unit 2.   

After two motions failed, the Committee took two actions: 

1.      On a motion by Committee member Breska and seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee voted 4-3 (Carpenter, Pavlik, Wheeler) to determine that the reports presented by Dr. John Parker and Alexandra Cole accurately describe the significant portions of the historic adobe and to recommend the applicant be allowed to proceed with a development plan that includes demolition of the later wood additions and restoration of the adobe structure.   

2.      On a motion by Committee member Baer, seconded by Committee Breska, the Committee voted 4-3 (Carpenter, Pavlik, Wheeler) to direct the applicant to return to the Committee with a complete adobe restoration plan, including a structural assessment and recommendations from a registered engineer, to delete Unit 1 and reduce the height and massing of Unit 2, to reconfigure the site plan to maximize open space around the adobe, to consider relocation of the proposed driveway and acknowledge the original outline of the entire structure through paving and site work, to provide direct and separate pedestrian access from Chorro Street to the adobe, to provide photo-documentation for the wood-clad structures, and to use xerophytic landscaping around the adobe.  

COMMUNICATIONS: 

A.     Agenda Forecast – Staff 

Staff gave a brief forecast of upcoming meetings and pending projects. Due to the lateness of the hour, no additional communication items were discussed. 

The Committee ADJOURNED at 9:15 p.m. to the Special Meeting on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., at Café Roma Restaurant, 1020 Railroad Avenue, San Luis Obispo.