Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

Wednesday                       July 25, 2005                                 6:00 p.m.

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

                       Committee member Baer was absent.

STAFF:                Jeff Hook, Senior Planner.

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

MINUTES:  The minutes of the June 27, 2005 regular meeting were approved as submitted.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:

1.   1063 Ella Street.  ARC 74-05.  Review of demolition or relocation of existing house and construction of residential condominiums; R-2 zone; Brian Rolph, applicant.

Jeff Hook presented the staff report and summarized the historic research done since the June CHC meeting.  Brian Rolph, property owner, explained the reasons for his request and presented slides showing that the house was in poor condition due to age and lack of maintenance. 

Public Comment

Buzz Kalkowski, 2163 Augusta Court, noted that the house’s age, size, visual prominence and overlook of the historic railroad yard strongly suggested that the house was historically significant.  He asked the Committee to take additional time to research the property before making its determination of historic significance.  There was no other public comment and the public hearing was closed.

After discussion of the historic information provided, including a chain of title and listing of the railroad workers in the City’s 1914 Phone Directory, the majority of  committee members felt there was no evidence to support a relationship between the house and the Southern Pacific Railroad.  While committee members regretted the loss of an older, architecturally interesting house, most felt there was insufficient information to support a determination of either historic or architectural significance.  Committee member Pavlik felt that based on the house’s age and visual prominence alone the house was significant.  He felt it contributed to and was part of the historic character of the Ella Street neighborhood. 

Committee members briefly discussed the Ella Street neighborhood and agreed there were several unsurveyed properties with potential historic significance.  They felt this might be an appropriate area to focus on in the upcoming historic/architectural survey.  On a motion by Committee member Breska, seconded by Committee member Scotti, the Committee determined that the house was not historically or architecturally significant and did not meet criteria in the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines for historic designation, and required the applicant to prepare and submit to Community Development Department staff complete photo documentation, including both color and black and white photography, prior to demolition or moving. The motion carried, 5-1 (Pavlik). 

2.   1051 Leff Street. ARC MI 80-05. Review of a new garage with a second story apartment to the rear of a contributing historic home; R-3-H zone; Phillip Hasley, applicant.

Jeff Hook presented the staff report and noted this item was continued from the June 27, 2005 meeting at the request of the applicant.  Phillip Hasley explained the request and expressed willingness to include some of the architectural changes recommended in the staff report for architectural compatibility.  He agreed to include vertical, double- or single-hung windows on the new garage/apartment/office, with the exception of two horizontal “sliders” from the garage to be demolished that he would like to reuse in the new building, plus one small horizontal slider for a bathroom.  He noted these would be on the rear of the building and not publicly visible.

There was no public comment.

Committee members Breska and Crotser suggested that the roof eaves be extended to tie in with the existing house, and that door and window trim also closely match the existing house.  Committee members asked the applicant to emphasize the front entry with a porch or roof overhang, and recommended that the design of the roll-up garage doors be selected in keeping with the architectural period of the existing house.

Committee members supported the proposed project as being compatible with the contributing house at the front of the property and with the Old Town Historic District, provided that the applicant include architectural changes as recommended in the staff report and as suggested during the meeting.  Committee members also agreed the garage to be demolished – built in 1999 – was not historically significant.  On a motion by Committee member Scotti, seconded by Committee member Landwehr, the Committee determined that the garage to be demolished had no historical, architectural or aesthetic significance and that the proposed construction was conditionally compatible with the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines, provided refinements are implemented to insure the project will complement the Old Town Historic District.  The Committee recommended the Architectural Review Commission approve the project with the following design refinements:

1.      Windows should be vertical, double- or single hung windows (with the exception of three windows at the rear elevation which may be horizontal sliders).

2.      Window and door trim should match the existing house.

3.      Roof eaves should be extended and designed to match the existing house.

4.      Front entry should be emphasized with a porch, projecting shed or gable roof, or roof overhang.

5.      A “Hollywood” type or textured driveway be used for the front part of the driveway.

6.      Recommended that the garage doors be selected in keeping with the architectural period of the existing house.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1.   Update to City-wide List of Historic Resources and Historic Inventory planning.

Chuck Crotser presented his ideas for conducting a historic resources survey.  Committee members agreed to the approach, and Chairperson Crotser stated he would set a time for a special kick-off/training meeting and work with staff to get the word out to Committee members.

2.        Communications.

a.   URM permits update – Committee members reviewed the staff report on the status of the URM program and thanked staff for the update.

b.   Agenda Forecast – Staff provided an agenda forecast for the August meeting.

c.   Committee – Committee members signed a get well card and Old Mission print for Mary Beth Schroeder, and an Old Mission print for retired CHC member Paula Carr.

ADJOURN to the next regular meeting on Monday, August 22, 2005, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.