City of San Luis Obispo - Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

ROLL CALL: Committee Members Chuck Crotser, Lynne Landwehr, John Fowler, Dean Miller, Elise Wheeler, Vice Chair Robert Pavlik and Chairperson Barbara Breska

Committee members Breska and Fowler were absent.

STAFF: Phil Dunsmore, Associate Planner and Jeff Hook, Senior
Planner

PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.

MINUTES: Minutes of January 28, 2008, regular meeting. The minutes of the January 28, 2008, regular meeting were approved as amended on a 5:0 vote.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:

1. 782 Higuera Street. ARCMI 5-08; Façade remodel and accessibility improvements to tenant spaces; C-D-H zone; Naman Family Trust, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore)

Phil Dunsmore presented the staff report and Pierre Rademaker, designer, and Tim Ronda, architect, explained the project. They noted that one of the three tenant spaces would not be remodeled until the current tenant moved, so as not to disrupt the business. The other two spaces were vacant and would be remodeled right now.

Acting Chairperson Pavlik opened the public hearing. There was no public comment.

Committee members agreed with the applicant’s proposal for flexibility on the colors of bulkhead tile, with different colors possible on each tenant space. On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Committee member Miller, the Committee recommended the Community Development Director approve the project as Minor or Incidental, subject to findings and conditions below. The motion carried, 5:0.

Findings:

1. The proposed removal of stucco plaster and restoration of the façade is consistent with the architectural theme of adjacent buildings within the vicinity and will significantly improve the street appearance of the building.

2. As conditioned, the project is consistent with goals contained in the City’s Community Design Guidelines since the project incorporates a series of features encouraged in the Guidelines including transom windows, a bulkhead, recessed entry doors, and detailing of the cornice and wall features.

3. As conditioned, the project is consistent with the City’s Historic Preservation Program Guidelines since the project is designed to complement the downtown historic district and the design complements adjacent buildings in the downtown.

4. The project is exempt from environmental review under Class 1, existing facilities, Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.

Conditions:

1. Demolition of the building shall be limited to the removal of exterior windows, storefront and stucco on the Higuera Street side. No other exterior, character- defining features of the building shall be removed without prior consultation and approval from the Community Development Department.

2. Where possible, materials removed from the portion of building to be demolished shall be preserved for future use on the building for repairs etc. This includes brick materials and other character-defining features of the building.

3. Planning staff shall be consulted once demolition work has commenced to report on the feasibility and progress of the front façade restoration. No painting, sandblasting, or other destructive measures shall be incorporated into the remaining brick on the front or rear façade unless specific prior approval for such work has been obtained from the Community Development Department.

4. Colors and materials shall be indicated on the construction plans.

5. A sample of the bulkhead tile shall be reviewed by the Community Development Department (Planning Staff) prior to approval of the construction permit.

2. 1546 Chorro Street. ARCMI 161-07; Review of 3-car garage and 1-bedroom apartment above; R-2-H zone; Joann Quaglino, applicant. (Brian Leveille)

Jeff Hook presented the staff report and applicant Matt Quaglino and architect Kim Hatch explained the project. They explained they planned to use copper roof gutters and downspouts to match the historic Flueger House and that they intended to use “Carriage House” type garage doors as recommended in the staff report.

Acting Chairperson Pavlik opened the public hearing. There was no public comment.

On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Committee member Miller, the Committee recommended the Community Development Director approve the project as Minor or Incidental, subject to findings and condition below.

Findings:

1. The project is consistent with standards contained in the Historical Preservation Program Guidelines; the project does not involve the demolition or substantial modification of a historically-significant structure, the project will be complementary to the Flueger House, and will be compatible with surrounding structures.

2. The project is consistent with General Plan Policy LU 2.2.10 for compatible development and Housing Element policy HE 3.13.1 since the project is consistent with the neighborhood character.

3. The project is categorically exempt under Class 3, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, of the CEQA Guidelines.

Condition:

1. The applicant shall submit modified plans noting gutter details to match the Flueger House, to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director.

3. 1544 Broad Street. ARCMI 164-07; Review remodel and upstairs addition to residence in historic district; R-2-H zone; Steven Matejcek & Giulio D., applicant. (Brian Leveille)

Jeff Hook presented the staff report and architect Marilyn Farmer explained the project. Ms. Farmer noted that the roof-mounted solar collectors would be a “Sunflower 205” manufactured style or equal, and were selected to match the roof color and pitch. She added that there was no other feasible location for the solar collectors than as proposed, and that they would be partially screened by existing landscaping. In response to the staff report, she showed the Committee an alternate design that used horizontal board siding in lieu of brick veneer siding.

Acting Chairperson Pavlik opened the public hearing. There was no public comment.

Committee members generally liked the project and supported the alternate design using board siding instead of brick veneer as being more historically-compatible with the Old Town Historic District. They like the revised window designs as shown on plans presented at the meeting. On a motion by Committee member Crotser, seconded by Committee member Wheeler, the Committee recommended the Community Development Director approve the project as Minor or Incidental, subject to findings and conditions below. The motion carried, 5:0.

Findings:

1. The project is consistent with standards contained in the Historical Preservation Program Guidelines; the project does not involve the demolition or substantial modification of a historically-significant structure, will be compatible with surrounding structures and will complement the architectural character of the Old Town Historic District.

2. The project is consistent with General Plan Policy LU 2.2.10 for compatible development and Housing Element policy HE 3.13.1 since the project is consistent with the neighborhood character.

3. The project is categorically exempt under Class 3, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, of the CEQA Guidelines.

1. The applicant shall submit modified plans with the following revisions: a) modify building elevations to use horizontal board siding instead of brick veneer, as shown on alternative design plans submitted at the 2/25/08 CHC meeting, and b) modify the upper story windows as shown on alternative design plans submitted at the February 25, 2008, CHC meeting, the satisfaction of the Community Development Director.

B. Historic Plaques – Committee members discussed ideas regarding historic plaque design and asked that the item be scheduled for the March meeting to provide specific direction and a recommendation to Council.

C. Historic Survey Status – Staff explained that the Monterey Heights survey area would be returning as a public hearing item, tentatively at the March CHC meeting.

D. Contributing Properties List Maintenance – Staff noted that the CHC-endorsed update to the Contributing Properties List was tentatively scheduled to go to Council in April.