CHC Minutes-2010-05-25TO: Joe Tait, City Manager
Grant Taylor, Development Services Director
FROM: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
Cultural Heritage Commission Secretary
SUBJECT: Cultural Heritage Commission Actions of May 25, 2010
May 26, 2010
This memorandum summarizes the actions taken by the Cultural Heritage Commission
at their Tuesday, May 25 meeting. No action is required unless the City Council wishes
to hold special review of an item.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Siegel called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Janet Siegel, Chair
Lorie Porter, Vice -Chair
Nathan Banda
Don Tryon
Absent: Ed Nunez (excused)
Staff: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager/Cultural Heritage
Commission Secretary; Grant Taylor, Development Services
Director; Steven Apple, AICP, Deputy City Manager
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEIN BUSINESS
None.
INFORMATION ITEM
Plaza Banderas Hotel "Mission Inn'): an informational report for a proposed
Hotel/Retail project on a 3.18 acre parcel located at 26871 & 26891 Ortega
Highway and generally located at the northeast corner of Ortega Highway and El
Camino Real (APN's 124-170-12, -14, -15, -16) (Applicant: Stroscher G3 LLC,
Gretchen Stroscher Thomson) Grant Taylor made the staff presentation on behalf
of Project Manager David Contreras. This item is an informational report
Joe Tait, City Manager 2 Ma 26, 2010
regarding the project. A site plan was displayed showing the building layout,
parking spaces, landscaped areas, new Ortega Highway and Del Obispo Street
alignment resulting from the future interchange project and historic Spring Street.
No significant changes are proposed to Spring Street other than 8 — 10 parking
spaces at the end of the street and possibly a sidewalk along the south side
between the driveways. The scoping for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
is underway, and the required Senate Bill 18 Native American consultation
process for the General Plan Amendment has been initiated. Staff outlined the
various upcoming meetings on the project, encouraged Commissioners to attend,
and noted the EIR will go to the CHC when it is complete.
Tom Merrell, representing Gretchen Stroscher Thomson, was available to
respond to questions.
Commissioner Tryon asked whether subterranean parking is proposed and
asked about the historic status of Spring Street as well as future plans for the
future triangular remnant of Ortega Highway. Staff and Mr. Merrell responded
that the project has been revised to propose only surface parking and that Spring
Street is one of four streets designated on the City's Inventory of Historic and
Cultural Landmarks but is not on the National Register of Historic Places. Mr.
Merrell briefly addressed possible outcomes for ownership of the remnant street
parcels.
Vice -Chair Porter asked if the project will change the fence or landscaping at the
Stroschein House, and staff responded that it is under separate private
ownership and not a part of this project. She also suggested a plaque with the
history of Spring Street. In response to her question about the project Leight
relative to the Great Stone Church at the Mission, Mr. Merrell responded that
view simulations are being refined, but he projects that the height of the now
three story hotel would be about the same as the Great Stone Church and the
highest point will be about 300 feet away from the Church. Director Taylor
indicated that the General Plan Amendment and Community Development Plan
will propose changes to increase existing codified height limits.
Chair Siegel requested information about the size of the meeting room(s) shown
on the site plan. Mr. Merrell responded that the total is about 1500 square feet in
three rooms, or about 500 square feet each if there are no removable partitions.
Commissioners Tryon and Porter expressed excitement about the project as the
town needs the Motel.
COMM ISS IONISTAFF COMMENTS
Vice -Chair Porter reported on her experience at the recent annual California
Preservation Foundation conference in Grass Valley/Nevada City. She attended the
heritage tourism track of sessions and learned how to put an effective program together
and that cultural heritage tourism is more of a draw than the beach to visitors. She will
share statistics on what heritage tourism does for a community and its businesses, and
Joe Tait, City Manager 3 May 26, 2010
she feels that Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano together could have
a really effective program.
Commissioner Banda attended the Mariachi Festival last Saturday and noted how it has
grown in the six years since he planned the first one. The Juaneno Band of Mission
Indians Acjachemen Nation donated $1000 to support schools. They also held their
second annual gala at the El Adobe Restaurant.
Teri Delcamp also reported on her experience at the recent preservation conference
where she followed the sustainability and green building track of sessions. She enjoyed
presentations on building science which looks at data from whole building audits to
determine priorities for energy efficiency. Most energy is lost not through historic wood
framed windows, but through infiltrations into the home from sub -floors and attics,
around poorly caulked pipes and from inefficient heating and ventilation systems. The
National Trust for Historic Preservation and California Office of Historic Preservation
have a large amount of information on sustainable and green historic preservation
projects, methods and practices.
Ms. Delcamp reported that the Montanez Adobe construction Notice of Completion was
adopted by the City Council. The furnishings and enhanced historic acquisitions and
artifacts need to be moved back into the Adobe. There are also artifacts at the Historical
Society from the 1970s11980s archaeology at the Montanez Adobe that staff and Vice -
Chair Porter will review for potential display along with Los Rios Park artifacts. The tule
reeds will be installed under the porch roof on June 21 and staff will be working to
gather a group of volunteer docents so the Adobe can be open on a more regular basis.
Commissioners suggested that both Boy and Girl scouts need to earn historic badges
so they may be a good pool of volunteers. Staff hopes to have the Adobe open again by
the beginning of July.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Siegel adjourned the meeting at 5:38 p.m.
CC" Steven Apple, AICP, Deputy City Manager
Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
David Contreras, Senior Planner
Christina Gomez, Administrative Specialist
CHC Members
CHC Minutes File