CHC Minutes-2011-10-25MEMORANDUM October 26, 2011
T0; Karen P, Brust, City Manager
Grant Taylor, Development Services Director
FROM: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
Cultural Heritage Commission Secretary
SUBJECT: Cultural Heritage Commission Actions of October 25, 2011
This memorandum summarizes the actions taken by the Cultural Heritage Commission
(CHC) at their Tuesday, October 25 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
Don Tryon, Vice -Chair
Rhonda deHaan
Janet Siegel
Absent: Nathan Banda (excused)
Staff: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager/Cultural Heritage
Commission Secretary
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None,
OLD BUSINESS
None,
NEW BUSINESS
Item 2 was taken out of order to allow more
arrive,
time for the applicant for the first item to
1, Consideration Mills Act Contract (MAC) 11-002, Salvador Labat House, located
at 31600 Los Rios Street, (Applicant: Rick & Deborah Warkentien) Project Manager
Teri Delcamp made the staff presentation and recommendation that the CHC
recommend approval to the City Council for a Mills Act Contract on the Salvador
Labat House, The house is a contributor to the Los Rios Street National Register
CHC Action Memorandum
of October 25, 2011
Historic District, noted as the Cliff Blank House #1 in the District form, The Mills
Act is state legislation that allows owners of historic properties to receive a
potential property tax reduction in return for the continued preservation of the
historic home. The contract has a perpetual 10 -year term unless there is notice of
non -renewal or a cancellation by the City. Several historic properties in San Juan
Capistrano (and many throughout California) have Mills Act Contracts, A Mills Act
Contract is recorded on the property after City Council approval, and passes on
to successors in interest. The potential reduction in property taxes has a minimal
impact on the City's budget, but is often a big benefit to the owners who incur the
costs for maintaining their historic buildings,
Staff and the CHC noted a letter received on these two Mills Act Contract items
from Cameron Grenier, referring to another historic property with a Mills Act
Contract (Forster Mansion). The letter requested the CHC to continue
consideration and encourage the City Council to change the contract language in
the interim to include a section requiring owners with a Mills Act Contract to
comply with all applicable codes and regulations. In response to questions
regarding the letter, Ms, Delcamp responded that including a requirement for
compliance with all applicable codes and regulations in the Mills Act Contracts
would provide an additional mechanism for enforcing codes, The City Council
previously considered a similar request and declined to add the section to the
Mills Act Contract,
Deborah Warkentien, owner of the Salvador Labat House, was available for
questions and responded that she has owned and lived in the house for four
years, teaches history and loves the Los Rios area,
After due consideration, Commissioner Siegel moved, and Commissioner Tryon
seconded, to recommend that the City Council approve a Mills Act -Contract for
the Salvador Labat House, 31600 Los Rios Street, APN 121.142-13, as
presented by staff. The motion passed 4.0,
ideration of Mills Act Contract
located at 31321 Andres Pico Road, (Applicant. Jorge & Estela Puelma) Project
Manager Teri Delcamp made the staff presentation and recommendation that the
CHC recommend approval to the City Council for a Mills Act Contract on the
Albert Pryor, Junior House, The house is listed on the City's Inventory of Historic
and Cultural Landmarks (INCL) and is within the Mission Hill area east of the
library. The property is in escrow, and the purchaser requested the current owner
to apply for the Mills Act Contract, All the particulars stated for the first agenda
item similarly apply to this item.
Jorge Puelma, owner of Albert Pryor Junior House, arrived at the meeting after
the item was concluded.
CNC Action Memorandum
of October 25, 2011
In response to questions, Ms, Delcamp clarified that the current owner had
applied to have this house and another house he owns on EI Camino Real
designated on the IHCL, The CHC and City Council approved the designation of
this house, but not the other house; the CHC deemed an arbor in front of the
other house detracted from the historic character of the house but the owner was
not willing to remove it. As far as staff knows, the owner and purchaser are
separate entities.
After due consideration, Commissioner Siegel moved, and Commissioner
deHaan seconded, to recommend that the City Council approve a Mills Act
Contract for the Albert Pryor Junior House, 31321 Andres Pico Road, APN 124-
201.17, as presented by staff. The motion passed 4.0,
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None,
COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENT
In response to questions from Chair Porter and Commissioner deHaan, Ms. Delcamp
clarified that the letter from Ms, Grenier would be forwarded to the City Council with the
agenda report for the Mills Act Contract items. The City Council has the authority to
decide if they want to make changes to those Mills Act Contract. If the CHC wants to
discuss recommending alterations to the boilerplate Mills Act Contract, it can be
agendized for a future meeting.
Chair Porter was excited about the recent archaeological test excavations by the Blas
Aguilar Adobe as part of the Nature Education Facility grant project and noted that all
the Commissioners present had seen them. In response to her question, Ms. Delcamp
clarified that this work is a small part of the overall grant, and that no more excavations
would be done unless the archaeologist recommends it for a future phase, Chair Porter
also announced that the annual Ghost and Legends Walk this Saturday is sold out with
about 260 people registered: They may do the tours two nights next year, Also, author
Frank Ritenour is currently writing a book about Dana Point, but will next turn his
attention to a book on San Juan Capistrano, Chair Porter also mentioned she has been
reading the fascinating court case about Modesta Avila and historical information from
the case will be incorporated into the walking tours.
Vice -Chair Tryon announced he will be doing a book -signing of the Images of America
'San Juan Capistrano book at the newly expanded Costco on November 16, He also
asked about the status of the Marriott Residence Inn Historic Depiction Program (HDP),
Staff responded that the developer has retained an individual to finish it and submit it.to
the City and Ms, Delcamp spoke with her late last week.
Commissioner Siegel asked if the CHC will have a meeting to consider the Historic
Town Center Master Plan EIR during the 45 -day public review period. Staff will follow up
CHC Action Memorandum
4 Meeting of October 25, 2011
with the project manager for the EIR to find out the projected schedule, and forward her
request to him.
Ms. Delcamp asked if Commissioners would be in town for the next regularly scheduled
meeting on November 22, which is during Thanksgiving Week. She is not available, and
some other staff members are also out of the office. There is a potential that business
may need to be conducted in November or December, and the December meeting is
often cancelled. The Council Chamber is available the week before, on November 16.
Commissioners responded that some will not be here for the regular meeting but others
won't be here the week before. Ms. Delcamp suggested that the meeting be adjourned
as usual. She will follow up with Commissioner Banda as well, and let them all know
what other dates or staffoptions might be available for a special meeting in November
or December if necessary,
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Porter adjourned the meeting at 5.35 p,m, The next regular Cultural Heritage
Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at 5;00 p.m, in the
City Council Chamber.
cc, Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
Christina Gomez, Administrative Specialist
CHC Members
CNC Minutes File