Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

Monday                                    March 28, 2005                                      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 Wheeler and Scotti were absent.

STAFF:                Jeff Hook, Senior Planner

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:

1.  705 Higuera Street.  ARC MI 26-05: Review of seismic retrofit and revision to exterior facade; Aselm Varni, applicant.

Jeff Hook presented the staff report.  Garth Kornreich, architect, explained the project, noting that structural engineering requirements would make it more difficult to open up a storefront facing Broad Street as shown in the proposed plans.  The applicant and his wife were also in attendance.  Mr. Kornreich said that based on his background research, the building never had ground floor windows facing Broad Street.    There was no infill apparent in the interior brick pattern. 

After a brief discussion, the Committee expressed support for the proposed remodel.  Committee members were generally supportive of opening up a storefront onto Broad Street if it were structurally possible and if consistent with the building’s original architecture.  A reduced storefront area on Broad Street from that shown in plans might be necessary due to structural issues and was acceptable, to be approved by staff.  There was no public comment.  

On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Committee member Baer, the Committee determined the proposed façade modifications fit with the character and style of the building and the surrounding Downtown Historic District and were consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and encouraged the architect to show bulkhead details such as granite tile, expansion joints or other decorative features as provided in the Community Design Guidelines to the approval of the Community Development Director.  The motion carried, 5-0.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

2.   Discuss the Historic Plaque Program and review survey of other cities’ historic plaque programs.  (Chairperson Carr)

This item was continued on a unanimous vote to the April 25, 2005 meeting. 

3.   Update to Citywide List of Historic Resources and Historic Inventory Planning. (Chairperson Carr)

This item was continued on a unanimous vote to the April 25, 2005 meeting. 

4.        Communications.

a.        Agenda Forecast – Staff.

b.        Committee 

Committee member Crotser noted that a potentially contributing “clinker brick” garden wall was damaged by an automobile over the weekend and that he intended to contact the property owner to offer assistance and encouragement to reconstruct the wall with the original brick.  Members supported that approach.

Committee members also discussed scheduling a special “potluck dinner” meeting to thank outgoing member Paula Juelke Carr and to welcome incoming member Lynne Landwehr.  Committee member Breska offered to host the potluck and said she would work with staff to set up a tentative meeting date.  Staff will get back with Committee members on the planned date for the potluck dinner.

Items to schedule for the April 25, 2005 meeting:

·        Welcome new CHC member Lynne Landwehr

·        Discuss the Historic Plaque Program and review survey of other cities’ historic plaque programs.

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

·        Schedule special “potluck dinner” meeting to thank outgoing CHC member Carr and welcome new Committee member Landwehr.

The meeting ADJOURNED at 6:30 p.m. to the CHC meeting to the next regular meeting Monday, April 25, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. in the Planning Conference Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.