CHC Minutes-2011-05-24TO: Dave Adams, Interim City Manager
Grant Taylor, Development Services Director
FROM: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Managerf"Pr -
Cultural Heritage Commission Secretary
SUBJECT: Cultural Heritage Commission Actions of May 24, 2011
June 20, 2011
This memorandum summarizes the actions taken by the Cultural Heritage Commission
at their Tuesday, May meeting. No action is required unless the City Council wishes to
hold special review of an item.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Porter called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Lorie Porter, Chair Nathan Banda
Don Tryon, Vice -Chair Janet Siegel
Absent:: Rhonda deHaan (excused)
Staff: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager/Cultural Heritage
Commission Secretary
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Consideration of Architectural Control 10-036/Site Plan Review 10-002/Zone
. Variance 11-001/Tree Removal Permit 11-014, Mission San Juan Capistrano
Gate House Preservation, Entry and Gift Shop, a request for approval of
modifications to a historic site including but not limited to preservation of the
historic gate house and construction of a new entry gate, reconstructed arch,
group entry and gift shop located at 26801 Ortega Highway, with a General Plan
Dave Adams, Interim City Manager
CHC Minutes, May 24, 2011 2
June 20, 2011
designation of Public and Institutional, and a zoning designation of Public and
Institutional (APN: 124-180-06)(Applicant: Matt McKinley, Barnard Ventures and
Mechelle Lawrence -Adams, Mission San Juan Capistrano). Project Manager Teri
Delcamp made the staff presentation regarding the site plan review aspect of the
project which is within the CHC's purview to approve. The Planning Commission
will consider the rest of the project entitlements. A Mitigated Negative Declaration
(MND) has been prepared for the project and circulated for public review and
comment. Staff is recommending that the CHC approve SPR 10-002 and
recommend that the Planning Commission approve the MND with the rest of the
project.
Commissioner Banda recused himself from the project due to a financial conflict
of interest, and left the room before action was taken on the project.
Public testimony:
Jerry Nieblas, Vice -President of the Blas Aguilar Adobe Foundation and
President of the Capistrano Historical Alliance Committee, spoke with
concerns about the project. He asked if reports will be available for the
public to follow-up. He wants the CHC to consider whether the project will
preserve the historical, sacred aspects of the Mission, or will be too
commercial in its appearance at the front entrance. Changes made long
ago were to enhance the sacred and historical. He wants the CHC to be
the watchguard for this project. He is not questioning the use or need for
museum space and the Sala, but is concerned we may be losing the
historical sacred invite the Mission has always had.
Mechelle-Lawrence-Adams, Executive Director of Mission San Juan
Capistrano, summarized the project and highlighted several aspects. Their
goal is to separate the operations from the Mission's historic core and re-
create an entry statement with the arch for the 330,000 annual visitors.
She wants the community to like the project; it's not about commercialism
but saving the rest of the historic buildings. The Sala is one of the most
sacred areas of the Mission and the project will end the commercial use of
that sacred space. The historic gate house needs to be restored which the
project will accomplish this. The Mission needs to address accessibility
issues. Since the public sidewalk is not able to accommodate the 52,000
children who visit the Mission, they are solving the space issue partially on
their own site.
In response to CHC questions, the applicant clarified:
The current docent room is the gate house which will be restored and
"hyphenated" to the proposed new ticket area;
The portion of the front perimeter wall that has recently begun failing needs to
be repaired sooner rather than later. Although portions appear to have been
Dave Adams, Interim City Manager
CHC Minutes, May 24, 2011 3 June 20, 2011
re -built with adobe blocks, their structural engineer's report indicates the wall
needs to be precision block like other portions repaired previously since it is
partially retaining.
The tree species in front of the gift shop and entry will be a Palo Verde and an
oak.
Vice -Chair Tryon indicated he has a `lot of experience working with the Mission in
the past and will be happy to observe and provide periodic updates about the
construction progress. He commented that the Mission used to be open to the
south, then Father O'Sullivan added a fence and gate and charged admission.
There have been a number of changes over time at this location.
Commissioner Siegel said the project is exciting for the,community. Where the
gift shop is currently located is a disservice to the Mission. The Mission needs
the Sala for museum space because they have so many more artifacts that need
to be displayed. It is important for people to be able to come into the gift shop
without having to enter the Mission. The gate is the essence of the entry to the
Mission. She would like to have regular updates to the CHC on the construction
progress.
Chair Porter commended the applicants on the project. She likes the current
project better than an earlier iteration she had seen. The double gate is important
for the entrance. She understands Jerry Nieblas' concerns, but there is a fine line
between progress and preservation. The gift shop is low key and balanced with
the historic gate house which will be restored. She also likes the fact that people
will see more of the Great Stone Church.
After due consideration, Vice -Chair Tryon moved, and Commissioner Siegel
seconded, adoption of a resolution recommending approval of the Mitigated
Negative Declaration and approving SPR 10-002, subject to future approval of
the other entitlements by the Planning Commission, subject to CHC Resolution
No. 11-5-24-1 with conditions as proposed. The motion was approved by a vote
of 3-0-1 (Banda recused).
COMM ISS ION%STAFF COMMENTS
Ms. Delcamp reported on the recent California Preservation Foundation (CPF) annual
conference in Santa Monica. She only attended one day because she also had to
attend a mandatory state Nature Education Facilities (NEF) grant workshop in
Sacramento the following day. The CPF session she attended on preservation
incentives was particularly interesting regarding Palo Alto's density bonus provisions for
historic rehabilitations. Staff will be moving forward with the rest of the design and the
CEQA and public review processes for the Blas Aguilar Adobe NEF grant project. She
also handed out a memo regarding a recent update to the City's website to include
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CHC Minutes, May 24, 2011 4 June 20, 2011
photographs and nomination forms that we have for San Juan Capistrano's National
Register of Historic Properties sites.
Commissioner Banda announced he has a new baby, and reported that he is stepping
down from the Tribal Council but staying on the CHC.
Commissioner. Siegel reported that the Orange County Archives website has
information on historical sites in Orange County but hardly any in San Juan Capistrano.
Staff responded that the County Archives should be able to add a link to the City's
website for that information.
Commissioner Siegel also reminded the CHC that the 50th Anniversary Committee is
sponsoring a talk on the history of San Juan Capistrano by historian Pam Hallan-Gibson
on June 14 at 7 pm at the Community Center.
In response to'Vice-Chair Tryon's question, staff responded that the City's website does
have a link to the Historical Society's website.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Porter adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m. The next regularly scheduled Cultural
Heritage Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers.
cc: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
Christina Gomez, Administrative Specialist
CHC Members
CHC Minutes File