CHC Minutes-2006-11-14MEMORANDUM November 29, 2006
TO: Dave Adams, City Manager
William Cunningham, Interim Planning Director
FROM: Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
Cultural Heritage Commission Secretary
SUBJECT: Cultural Heritage Commission Actions of November 14, 2006
This memorandum summarizes the actions taken by the Cultural Heritage Commission at
their special meeting on Tuesday, November 14, 2006. No action is required unless the
City Council wishes to hold special review of an item.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Porter called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Lorie Porter, Chair
Tony Forster, Vice-Chair
David Belardes
Janet Siegel
Don Tryon
Absent: Jess Andrews (excused)
Ed Nunez (excused)
Staff: Teri Delcamp, Cultural Heritage Commission Secretary
William Cunningham, Interim Planning Director
Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager
C. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
D. OLD BUSINESS
1. Consideration of Amendment to the Inventory of Historic and Cultural
Landmarks (IHCL), Mission Hill – Mission Flats. (continued from October 24,
2006) A request for further consideration of the historic designation of the
Father O’Sullivan House at 31442 El Camino Real, APN 124-202-28, relative
to the impact of a new fence and arbor on the historic integrity of the
property. (Applicants: Jorge & Estela Puelma) Teri Delcamp made the staff
presentation and recommendation that the Commission recommend
Dave Adams, City Manager 2 November 29, 2006
designation of the site. The site is significant under two criteria for
architecture and association with a historic person, Father O’Sullivan. Ms.
Delcamp described the seven aspects of the National Register of Historic
Places criteria for integrity. Staff’s position is that the home and site retain
sufficient integrity of age, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and
association in spite of some detraction by the arbor. The site warrants historic
designation. Staff provided copies of an email from the owner, who may
decide to withdraw the designation request; the owner was out of town and
could not attend the meeting.
The Commission agreed that the history and architecture of the house
warrants designation. However, most of the Commissioners concurred that
the arbor in particular detracts too much from the visibility and setting of the
house. If the owner were to eliminate the portion of the arbor that is higher
than the fence, and then submit a new application for designation, the
Commission would be inclined to support the designation. Commissioner
Belardes stated his position that the site should be designated even with the
arbor because it is a significant site.
After due consideration, Commissioner Siegel moved, and Commissioner
Tryon seconded, a motion to not recommend designation. The motion was
approved 4-1 (Belardes opposed). The Commission directed staff to convey
to the owner that they would support designation if the owner reduces the
height of the arbor and re-submits the designation request in the future.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Consideration of Buildings and Sites of Distinction List (BOD) Status for
Mexico Lindo-Vaquero West at 26755 Verdugo Street. A request for the
Cultural Heritage Commission, which originally created the BOD, to
determine whether the site meets criteria to remain on the BOD. (Applicant:
City of San Juan Capistrano) Teri Delcamp made the staff presentation and
requested input from the Commission regarding the history of the building
and whether it should remain on the BOD. The request is a result of
comments by the Design Review Committee (DRC) on a proposed project at
the site. The DRC suggested the existing building be demolished so that a
new building more compatible with the City’s historic character and design
guidelines could be built in its place.
Chair Porter said that the building is as important to the town’s history as the
Swallows Inn and all long time residents went there. The building served as
the headquarters for the Portola Rides starting over 40 years ago; the rides
started and ended there, and the horses were hitched next to the building.
The building relates to Verdugo Street, which in itself is a very historic street.
Dave Adams, City Manager 3 November 29, 2006
Chair Porter said people have grown to love the building, and would be upset
if it is torn down.
Vice-Chair Forster stated the building should remain on the BOD. Melitas
Forster owned Mexico Lindo there for 10 years, and other families and
history are associated with the building.
Commissioner Tryon said that, compared to other historic buildings in San
Juan Capistrano, this particular building’s history is not that interesting.
Commissioner Belardes said that the building is significant for its association
with the Basque history of San Juan. Nick’s Café was owned by Nick
Arbonies; the Arbonies family was of Basque descent and came to San Juan
in the late 1800s. There are close connections between the Arbonies and
Rios families, as well as other Basque families including the Echeverrias. A
complete history of the Basque community in San Juan still needs to be
written and documented and the building warrants preservation for its
association with San Juan’s Basque heritage. The building and site meets all
of the designation criteria including the potential for archaeology.
Commissioner Siegel said the building has no architectural value and should
be deleted from the BOD. The site is located at the gateway to the Los Rios
District, and would be better served by a building that is architecturally
sensitive to the area’s historic context. The history of the building belongs in a
Historic Depiction Program that should be developed for the project to
commemorate Basque history.
Paul Douglas, representing Busk Development, stated that the building does
not meet historic criteria, and should not be returned to its Depression-era
appearance. Jonathan Volske said the Commission needs to consider the
value of the building within the context of the whole area, and whether
sacrificing one building would better preserve the rest of the area’s historic
character. Deborah Bogdanski, representing Sarducci’s, expressed concerns
about the proposed proejct’s massing which would impact views to the train
depot and the Los Rios District. She suggested that perhaps part of the
building could be preserved if the rest of it is demolished. Ms. Bogdanski also
asked if Arquello Way, a historic pathway between the Mission and the train
depot/Los Rios, could be preserved. Robert Hagstrom said the building has
been made to look historic, but it is fake history and should not be preserved.
Commissioners asked several questions about the project, which was not
under consideration, to which Douglas Dumhart and the applicant, Eric
Altman, responded.
Dave Adams, City Manager 4 November 29, 2006
The Commission concurred that the building should not be restored to its
original Depression-era, unadorned rectangular appearance. The
Commission generally felt that the Monterey style elements that have been
added to the building in the past, or similar types of enhancements, are
appropriate to retain and do not detract from the integrity of the potentially
historic building. The Commission expressed concern about the size and
scale of the proposed addition, saying that the two story addition should not
extend all the way to the rear of the project boundary. Such an addition would
be a visual detriment to the train depot.
After due consideration, Commissioner Belardes moved, and Vice-Chair
Forster seconded, a motion to retain Mexico Lindo-Vaquero West at 26755
Verdugo Street on the City’s Buildings and Sites of Distinction List. The
motion was approved 3-2 (Siegel, Tryon opposed).
F. INFORMATION ITEM
None.
G. COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS
None.
H. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Porter adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
cc: Bill Huber, Assistant City Manager
Teri Delcamp, Historic Preservation Manager
Sandy Kell, Administrative Secretary
CHC Members
CHC Minutes File
Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager