CHC Minutes-2006-02-28MEMORANDUM March 17, 2006
TO: Dave Adams, City Manager
Molly Bogh, Planning Director
FROM: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
Cultural Heritage Commission Secretary
SUBJECT: Cultural Heritage Commission Actions of February 28, 2006.
This memorandum summarizes the actions taken by the Cultural Heritage Commission at
their Tuesday, February 28, 2006 meeting. No action is required unless the City Council
wishes to hold special review of an item.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chair Siegel called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Janet Siegel, Acting Chair
Jess Andrews
Tony Forster
Ed Nunez
Lorie Porter
Don Tryon
Absent: David Belardes
Staff: Teri Delcamp, Cultural Heritage Commission Secretary
Molly Bogh, Planning Director
Karen Crocker, Community Services Director
David Contreras, Associate Planner
C. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
D. OLD BUSINESS
None.
Dave Adams, City Manager 2 March 17, 2006
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Election of Commission Chair and Vice-Chair
Acting Chair Siegel opened nominations for the office of Chair. Commissioner
Andrews nominated Commissioner Porter. The nominations were closed, and
the Commission unanimously elected Commissioner Porter as Chair. Chair
Porter deferred chairmanship of the rest of the meeting to Acting Chair
Siegel.
Acting Chair Siegel opened the nominations for the office of Vice-Chair.
Commissioner Tryon nominated Commissioner Forster. The nominations
were closed, and the Commission unanimously elected Commissioner
Forster as Vice-Chair. Acting Chair Siegel announced the newly elected
names of the office of Chair and Vice Chair.
2. Architectural Control (AC) 04-02: Consideration of an Amendment to
the Historic Depiction Program (HDP) for Ortega Ranch, to include an
additional bronze wall plaque at the main entrance to the Mission Cemetery.
(Applicant: Centra Realty Corporation) (Project Manager: William Cunningham, AICP,
Contract Staff Planner) Teri Delcamp made the staff presentation and
recommendation that the Commission approve the proposed amendment to
the Historic Depiction Program (HDP) for the Ortega Ranch development.
The Mission has expressed concern about the size of the plaque and the text
font, and staff seeks input from the Commission.
Steve Sandland, applicant, described the plaque’s consistency with the other
approved plaques, requested that Condition No. 3 be revised to reflect that
the Mission will ultimately be responsible for maintaining the plaque, and
displayed a sample building plaque.
Commissioner Nunez suggested a change in the wording on the plaque to
replace “Descendants of the Mission…Native Americans…” with “Indigenous
inhabitants…” The Commission agreed to the change in Condition No. 3.
They also reached consensus that, while the plaque size could be reduced
somewhat, the size of the text font should not be reduced because it would
adversely affect its legibility.
After due consideration, Commissioner Tryon moved, and Commissioner
Porter seconded, adoption of a resolution approving an Amendment to the
Ortega Ranch Historic Depiction Program with the stated changes to the
conditions regarding maintenance responsibility, text wording and the plaque
size, subject to Resolution No. 06-02-28-1. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Dave Adams, City Manager 3 March 17, 2006
3. Site Plan Review (SPR) 05-04: Consideration of Los Rios Park and
Parking Lot (CIP 465), an application for the construction of a City Park and
Parking Lot within the Los Rios Historic District. (Project Manager: David Contreras,
Associate Planner) David Contreras and park design consultant, David Volz,
made the staff presentation and recommendation that the Commission adopt
a Mitigated Negative Declaration, approve SPR 05-04 as consistent with the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and recommend that the Planning
Commission approve the Architectural Control portion of the project.
The Commission generally commended the project, with Commissioner
Tryon noting it is an excellent design. Commissioners questioned staff and
David Volz regarding particular aspects of the project.
Commissioner Nunez asked about lighting and the number of parking
spaces. Staff responded that the lighting plan will be refined to provide low-
level lighting primarily for security purposes at night. Staff will reconfirm
whether the number of parking spaces is 82 or 83.
Commissioner Porter asked about seating areas, linkages between areas,
and fences shown on the plan. She noted that there needs to be room for the
large school groups that visit the Los Rios Historic District. Staff responded
that seating will be provided in the area adjacent to the Montanez Adobe to
the south, behind the proposed restroom building and in picnic areas of the
park. Pathway linkages are provided throughout the park. The fence next to
the Montanez will be more blended with the proposed landscape and will
likely be split-rail.
Commissioner Forster asked if any of the grass areas in the park will be
moved, to which Mr. Volz replied that the grass will not be turf, but rural,
gently mounded native grasses that will not be regularly mowed. The park is
intended to be a passive park, not encouraging use as playing fields.
Acting Chair Siegel asked about the base material for the tot lot,
maintenance responsibilities, and whether the restroom will be locked after
dark. She also suggested that the restroom building could be designed to
resemble the old outhouse. Karen Crocker responded that the City will
maintain the park, including locking the restroom after dark, as part of the
Community Services overall responsibilities for park maintenance. The base
material for the tot lot will likely be bark chips or a similar material.
After due consideration, Commissioner Porter moved, and Commissioner
Tryon seconded, adoption of a resolution approving SPR 05-04 with a
recommendation to be forwarded to the Planning Commission that a larger
Dave Adams, City Manager 4 March 17, 2006
area be provided for activities and seating of children’s groups, subject to
Resolution No. 06-02-28-2. The motion was approved unanimously.
F. INFORMATION ITEM
None.
G. COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS
Acting Chair Siegel welcomed new Commission member Ed Nunez.
Commissioner Tryon said he had taken a walk through the Los Rios District, and
commended the appearance of the Stanfield House after its restoration by the
Douraghis.
Ms. Delcamp reminded the Commission about the upcoming California Preservation
Foundation Annual Conference in Sacramento, April 20 – 22, 2006. There is budget
for two Commissioners to attend, and members need to respond to staff as soon as
possible if they are interested in going.
H. ADJOURNMENT
Acting Chair Siegel adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
cc: Bill Huber, Assistant City Manager
Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
Sandy Kell, Administrative Secretary
CHC Members
CHC Minutes File
Karen Crocker, Community Services Director
Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager
David Contreras, Associate Planner
Bill Cunningham, Contract Staff Planner