Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

October 27, 2008                       Monday                                5:30p.m.

ROLL CALL:      Committee Members Barbara Breska, Chuck Crotser, Katy Davis,  Lynne Landwehr, Dean Miller, Vice Chair John Fowler, and Chairperson Elise Wheeler 

Chairperson Elise Wheeler was absent. 

STAFF:                Planning Interns Caitlin Morici and Leeanne Singleton, Associate Planner Brian Leveille, Senior Planners Pam Ricci and Jeff Hook, and Deputy Community Development Director Kim Murry 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Bob Vessely, 743 Pacific Street, expressed concern about excavations going on at the former “Johnsons for Children” building, the historic Wade building located at 1026 Chorro Street.  He noted that large holes were being dug for new seismic walls and, due to the building’s sensitive location near the Mission, was concerned that the City’s ministerial permit process did not address the need for an archaeological monitor.   

MINUTES:  Minutes of September 22, 2008, regular meeting.  The minutes were approved as submitted.   

CONSENT ITEM: 

1.            696 Monterey Street.  Review new public street light standard at the historic Carnegie Library building; PF-H zone; SLO County Historical Society, applicant.   

On a motion by Committee Member Crotser, seconded by Committee Member Breska, the project was approved on consent on a 6:0 vote, subject to the following findings and conditions: 

Finding 

1.      Installation of the light standard would be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties, since it would be historically compatible with the historic character of the building but is clearly a new, modern standard and not a historic feature.   

Conditions 

1.     The base of the light standard shall be mounted not higher than six inches above finished grade.

2.            A qualified archaeologist and a Native American site monitor shall be retained by the Museum to oversee any trenching and grading.  If any evidence of cultural resources is uncovered, all work in the vicinity of the find shall cease and the Community Development Director shall be notified to determine additional measures necessary to protect the cultural resources. 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 

2.      1120 Morro Street.  ARC 77-08; Review of new, four-story mixed-use building in the C-D-H zone; SLO Investments, LLC, applicant.  (Pam Ricci) 

Pam Ricci presented the staff report and Carol Florence, applicant’s representative, responded to the staff report.  After a brief discussion, on a motion by Committee Member Crotser, seconded by Committee Member Davis, the Committee approved the project on a 6:0 vote subject to the following findings and conditions: 

Findings 

1.     The building materials, style, character, and form of the new structure promotes the architectural character, style, form, and materials of the existing historic district and complements the character of the surrounding buildings and area.   

2.      The project is consistent with standards contained in the City’s Community Design Guidelines for the downtown, which encourage projects that are pedestrian-oriented and have proportions and design details that complement surrounding structures. 

Conditions 

1.     Plans shall include window details indicating the type of materials for the window frames and mullions, their dimensions, and colors.  Windows systems shall be wood or wood-clad composite materials with true divided lights.  Vinyl or aluminum windows are prohibited. 

2.     Plans shall include the materials and dimensions of all lintels, sills, surrounds, recesses, and other related window features. 

3.     Plans shall clearly show the depth of molding features, final finishes, and storefront details.   

4.     Construction plans shall include a ¼” = 1 foot scaled Morro Street elevation which shows the architectural details at the pedestrian level to accurately depict their quality. 

5.     Consistent with the Archaeological Preservation Program Guidelines, the applicant shall retain a qualified archaeologist and Native American site monitor to be present during site-disturbance activities associated with the construction project.  If excavations encounter significant paleontological resources, archaeological resources, or cultural materials, then construction activities which may affect them shall cease until the extent of the resource is determined and appropriate protective measures are approved by the Community Development Director.  The Community Development Director shall be notified of the extent and location of discovered materials so that they may be recorded by a qualified archaeologist.  If pre-historic Native American artifacts are encountered, a Native American monitor should be called in to work with the archaeologist to document and remove the items.  Disposition of artifacts shall comply with state and federal laws. 

6.     The projecting “Granada Hotel” sign shall be carefully removed, protected, and offered to the San Luis Obispo County Historical Museum or other non-profit preservation entity for preservation and/or restoration, to the approval of the Community Development Director. 

3.     847, 861, 863, & 877 Palm Street; 840, 842, 844, 848, 886, 868, & 870 Monterey Street; 984 & 986 Chorro Street; and 955 Morro Street.  ARC 69-05; Review of a Historic Structures Report prepared by the applicant’s consultant regarding remaining character-defining features of the Sauer Bakery and the Blackstone Hotel as directed by the City Council and a City peer review of that report in conjunction with the Chinatown Project; C-D-H zone; SLO Chinatown, LLC, applicant.  (Pam Ricci) 

Pam Ricci presented the staff report, and Mark Rawson, project architect, and Alice Carey, historical researcher, responded to the staff report.  Seven citizens emphasized the importance of the corner buildings to the City’s history and raised various points of disagreement with the two historic reports.  After lengthy discussion, a motion to support the staff recommendation, including a determination that the Blackstone Hotel’s c. 1926 façade need not be incorporated into the new construction, failed due to a deadlocked vote (3:3).  After further discussion, and on a motion by Committee Member Breska, seconded by Committee Member Crotser, the Committee voted 6:0 to recommend to the City Council that the recommendations of the Historic Structures Report prepared by the applicant’s consultant with the staff-recommended modifications of the City’s consultant be accepted and incorporated into the revised project design, based on findings and with these conditions: 

Findings 

1.     The applicant has responded to the direction of the City Council and commissioned a Historic Analysis Report for the Blackstone Hotel and the Sauer Bakery buildings by Carey & Co. Inc., which provides a development history and evaluation of the two buildings including the historical background, chronology of development and use, and description of remaining character-defining features.   

2.      The CHC has reviewed and considered the content and recommendations of the Carey & Co., Inc., report along with the peer review completed by Galvin Preservation Associates and finds that the two reports adequately address the issues regarding the remaining character-defining features that the Council requested further information and analysis on through amended mitigation measures in the Final EIR per City Council Resolution No. 9946 (2007 Series). 

Conditions 

1.     That the pre-1913 “Swiss Italian” façade of the Blackstone Hotel building not be incorporated into new construction. 

2.     The Blackstone Hotel’s c. 1926 façade is a significant example of Streamline Moderne architecture and shall be incorporated into new construction, if determined to be structurally feasible.  

3.      The Ah Louis bricks in the Blackstone Hotel building shall be salvaged as part of the deconstruction project and reused within the project as shown on revised plans to the review and approval of the Architectural Review Commission and City Council, and with the recommendations and review of the Cultural Heritage Committee. 

4.      That the façade of the Sauer Bakery need not be rehabilitated, restored, or incorporated into new construction.  

5.      That the Sauer Bakery oven is historically significant but that a plan to relocate the oven would expose it to a substantial risk of damage. The oven shall be preserved in place to preserve its historic material and shall be fully accessible to the viewing public.

4.      1204 Nipomo Street and 464 Buchon Street.  ARC 1-07; Review relocation of the historic Parsons House and proposed demolition of accessory structure; C-D & R-2 zones; Jules Rogoff, applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

Brian Leveille presented the staff report, and Randy Dettmer and Jules Rogoff responded to the staff report.  One member of the public spoke in support of the demolition of the accessory structure (garage and second-story bedroom).  After lengthy discussion, and on a motion by Committee Member Breska, seconded by Committee Member Crotser, the Committee voted 6:0 to continue the item to a date uncertain pending an independent historic resources evaluation and preparation of an initial study pursuant to CEQA guidelines.    

5.     743, 774, 796, & 797 Caudill Street; 778 Francis Avenue; 781 Humbert Avenue; 2502, 2546, 2663, and 2691 Victoria Avenue; 2950 McMillan Street; and 753 Woodbridge Street.  Consideration of nominating properties in the South Broad Street Planning area (“Little Italy” neighborhood) to the Contributing Properties or Master List of Historic Resources; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. (Jeff Hook) 

Caitlin Morici presented the staff report and showed slides of ten properties in the South Broad Street Corridor planning area being considered for possible historic nomination.  Five property owners spoke in opposition to historic listing due to concerns with possible affects on property values or ability to modify the buildings.  After discussion, and on a motion by Committee Member Crotser, seconded by Committee Member Davis, the Committee voted 5:1 (Committee Member Miller dissenting) to: 

1.  Recommend that the City Council update the Inventory of Historic Resources by adding properties 743, 796, and 797 Caudill Street; 778 Francis Avenue, 2505, 2546, 2663, & 2691 Victoria Avenue; 2950 McMillan Street; and 753 Woodbridge Street to the Contributing Properties list; and 

2.  Determine that property located at 781 Humbert does not meet the eligibility criteria for Contributing Property, and that 774 Caudill has been determined by the City Council to be ineligible for listing as a Contributing Property.  

DISCUSSION ITEM: 

6.     Mills Act Program Evaluation.  Update on the status of historic properties with Mills Act contracts. 

Leeanne Singleton presented the staff report and showed slides of several historic properties in the Mills Act program with maintenance issues needing attention.  The Committee thanked staff for the survey, evaluation, and report and felt periodic review of the Mills Act Program, possibly on an annual basis, was a good idea.  They supported staff’s findings and directed staff to follow up with property owners by sharing the results of the evaluation with them.  

COMMUNICATIONS: 

a.    Agenda Forecast – Staff.  Staff provided an agenda forecast for the November 24, 2008, CHC meeting. 

b.      Committee