City of San Juan Bautista

City Hall

 

Historic Resources Board Meeting

November 9, 2005

Minutes

  1. Call to Order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairperson Rebecca McGovern
    1. Roll Call

Members Present:  Rebecca McGovern; Ted Thoeny; Luis Matchain; and Susan Brady.

Members Absent: Cara Vonk (excused).

Staff Present:  Jennifer Coile, City Manager; Matthew Sundt, City Planner; Trish Paetz, Deputy City Clerk

 

  1. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda

Georgana Gularte commented that she has been telling many people that they should read the Housing Element because it has a lot of good information and well thought out policies.

 

City Manager Coile reminded Board members there would be a public hearing on the Housing Element during the City Council meeting next week.

 

  1. Consent Items
    1. Affidavit of Posting November 9, 2005 Agenda.
    2. Minutes of October 12, 2005 Meeting.

A motion to approve the Affidavit of Posting of the November 9, 2005 Agenda and the Minutes of the October 12, 2005 Meeting was made by Board Member Thoeny and seconded by Board Member Brady. The motion carried 4-0-0-1.

 

  1. Informal Project Review

Property owner Chris Spoer was present to discuss his plans for a proposed residential development for 500 Washington Street. Board members asked questions about lot sizes, easements and specific characteristics of the homes.  Georgana Gularte commented that the existing structure at 500 Washington Street is the historic home of Rose Ladd.  No action was taken.

 

  1. Discussion Items

A.     Consideration of a Recommendation to the Planning Commission on Alterations to the Windmill Market located at 301 The Alameda (APN# 02-52-09).  The General Plan and Zoning Designations for the property are Mixed Use.  The Applicant is James Gibson.

City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating the applicant proposes to install a one inch diameter mast 6-10 feet tall with two antennae (a 12” and a 6”) attached which would provide high-speed data throughout the City of San Juan Bautista for public safety agencies. A gray metal box (a transmitter, 10” x 12” x 4”) would be attached to the back wall of the Windmill Market.  The applicant was not present. The proposed project is not in the Historical District and would not affect the historic character of the City.

 

A motion was made by Board Member Thoeny and seconded by Board Member Brady to recommend to the Planning Commission alterations to the Windmill Market located at 301 The Alameda. The motion passes 4-0-0-1.

 

B.     Consideration of a Recommendation to the Planning Commission on Alterations to the Posada de San Juan located at 310 Fourth Street (APN# 002-017-002).  The General Plan and Zoning Designations for the property are Mixed Use.  The Applicant is Rafael and Mary Lopez.

City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating the applicant had installed a 5’ x 12’ structure to house the hotel water heaters and water softener without following the City’s design review process. He asked that the Board determine the appropriateness of the existing structure and make recommendations to the Planning Commission as to any exterior design changes.

 

There was general discussion with the applicant about the structure’s characteristics.  Since no pictures of the structure had been made available to the Board, making a determination was difficult at this time.

 

A motion was made by Board Member Brady and seconded by Board Member Thoeny to move this item to the next meeting for further consideration and action.  The motion passed 4-0-0-1.

 

C.     Consideration of Rescheduling of Regular HRB Meetings to the Second Thursday of the Month.

City Manager Coile requested the Historic Resources Board begin meeting on the second Tuesday or Thursday of the month to coincide with the City Planner’s schedule.  Currently, Mr. Sundt adjusts his work schedule during the second week of the month to accommodate Wednesday HRB meetings.  She added that Mr. Sundt’s work schedule is consistent with Precision Engineering who is responsible for building inspections.  After general discussion, the decision was made to move the HRB meetings to the second Tuesday of each month.

 

6.      Discussion Items

A.     Historic Resources Survey Volunteer Training (Monday, November 7, 2005).

City Planner Sundt observed that consultant Galvin & Associates staff had been busy this week and would be back again next week to work on an evaluation of context and the survey. Georgana Gularte commented that both volunteer training sessions were well received, Galvin & Associates staff was well prepared, and their Power Point presentation could be viewed again if there was an interest.

 

B.     Consideration of the Process for submitting comments on VTA Southern Gateway Study

City Manager Coile reported that she had received an extension to November 16, 2005 for the City’s response to the VTA Southern Gateway Study so the City Council could collect, compile, and submit comments from members of the Planning Commission, HRB, and City Council.  Board members agreed that a response from the Board as a whole would carry more weight than if responses were submitted individually.

 

C.     Special Event at the Museum of Art and History, Santa Cruz.  Book signing – the Sidewalk Companion to Santa Cruz Architecture. November 19, 2005.

City Manager Coile informed the Board of a book signing in Santa Cruz.

 

  1. Future Agenda Items

Nothing new was suggested for next month’s agenda.  The Board agreed that an update on the Historic Resource Inventory should be an agenda item month.

 

  1. Comments

 

A.     Historic Resources Board Comments

New Board member Luis Matchain expressed his pleasure in becoming a part of the Historic Resources Board.

 

Chairperson McGovern commented on structures on Third Street that if not repaired would become a loss to the Historic District.  She then commented that the HRB should have been consulted on the addition of a proposed Mexican restaurant being added to the Historic District.  Board Member Brady reminded her that it is not in the HRB’s jurisdiction to determine the use of a building, only if structural changes would be made.

 

B.     City Manager Comments

City Manager Coile announced that AmTrak Service to San Juan Bautista began October 31 and to look for changes to the website, specifically, an Arts and Entertainment section and calendar of events. Additionally she announced that the Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director.

 

C.     City Planner Comments

New City Planner Matthew Sundt stated he is looking forward to future meetings, and reported that building permits were issued for the Musitelli project..

 

9.      Adjournment

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.  The motion carried 4-0-0-1.