Cultural Heritage Committee Action Update

June 23, 2008                       Monday                                5:30p.m.

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

                         Vice Chair John Fowler and Chairperson Elise Wheeler were absent. 

STAFF:                Kim Murry, Deputy Director, Community Development 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  There was no public comment. 

MINUTES:  Minutes of May 27, 2008, regular meeting.  Minutes were approved as amended. 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 

1.        1443 Osos Street.  CHC 58-08; Review of proposed changes to the Avila House to add new garage doors, remodel the garage, and install a planter wall along the sidewalk; R-2-H zone; James and Diane Duenow, applicants.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

Kim Murry, Deputy Director of Long-Range Planning, presented the staff report asking the Committee to determine that the proposed remodel is consistent with the Historical Preservation Program Guidelines and General Plan Policies regarding new construction for historic buildings and in historic districts, and recommend the Community Development Director approve the project as Minor or Incidental. 

There was no public comment. 

Committee members asked clarifying questions of staff and indicated support for the project as proposed.  

Committee Member Miller stated he would like the verbiage on finding #1 to end after ‘vicinity’. 

On a motion by Committee Member Crotser, seconded by Committee Member Davis, the Committee voted 5:0 to determine that the proposed remodel is consistent with the Historical Preservation Program Guidelines and General Plan Policies regarding new construction for historic buildings and in historic districts, and recommend the Community Development Director approve the project as Minor or Incidental with the recommended change to finding #1.

2.        1443 Osos Street.  CHCMA 55-08; Request for Mills Act contract for the Historic Avila House; R-2-H zone; James Duenow, applicant.  (Tyler Corey) 

Kim Murry, Deputy Director Long-Range Planning, presented the staff report asking the Committee to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the applicant’s request to be part of the Mills Act Historic Preservation program and endorse the attached draft Mills Act Contract.  She explained that this would be the seventh building considered for a Mills Act contract this year. 

James Duenow, applicant, stated that a lot of the work that needs to be done is just deferred maintenance to help preserve the home. 

Committee Member Miller expressed concerns about the Mills Act Contract process but supported the proposed contract for this particular property. 

Committee Member Landwehr requested that staff return with an item at a future CHC meeting to discuss the Mills Act program in general, including information regarding enforcement, monitoring, and reporting requirements.  All Committee members agreed with the request. 

On a motion by Committee Member Landwehr, seconded by Committee Member Davis, the Committee voted 5:0 to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the applicant’s request to be part of the Mills Act Historic Preservation program and endorsed the draft Mills Act Contract. 

3.        Citywide.  Review of updated Archaeological Resource Preservation Program Guidelines; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant. (Continued from May 27, 2008, meeting)  (Jeff Hook) 

Kim Murry indicated that Chairperson Wheeler expressed interest in participating in the discussion but could not make the meeting tonight due to illness.   She specified that the CHC could consider the item since a quorum was present or could act to continue the item to a time when Chairperson Wheeler could participate. 

COMMITTEE COMMENTS: 

Committee Member Landwehr stated that she did not feel comfortable with discussing the proposed updates to the archaeological guidelines without Chairperson Wheeler, who is a professional archaeologist, present.   

All Committee members present agreed that the item should be continued to a date when the full Committee could participate in the discussion.  

Fred Collins, Northern Chumash Tribal Council, stated that he does not mind coming back to a future meeting to participate provided he still has the right to make comments at that time. 

On a motion by Committee Member Crotser, seconded by Committee Member Landwehr, the Committee voted 5:0 to continue this item to a special meeting when the full Committee can be present to discuss the item.  Staff is to work with the Committee members to set a date for this discussion and will notify the public of the study session.  

COMMUNICATIONS: 

a.      Agenda Forecast – Staff presented the agenda forecast and described the four items currently scheduled for the July 28^th CHC meeting. 

b.      Committee – None. 

ADJOURNMENT