CITY OF SANTA ROSA CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011

2:30 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Chair Flock called the regular meeting of the Cultural Heritage Board to order at 2:30 p.m. on this day of Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

• Present: DeBacker, Flock, Garrett, Groninga, Stoural, Jessen
• Absent: Much
• Boardmember Garrett left the meeting at 4:30 p.m.

2. PUBLIC APPEARANCES – Lynda Angell of the Historic Railroad Square Association spoke on various topics:

• She thanked Boardmember Groninga for his involvement with Railroad Square.
• The Association has established a sub-committee for the  implementation in Railroad Square of the new Street Palette program.
• She announced a number of events. Information is available at www.railroadsquare.net.

3. STATEMENT OF ABSTENTIONS BY BOARDMEMBERS

Chair Flock and Boardmember Stoural abstained in item 5; it is within their circles of economic influence due to proximity to their residences.

4. PUBLIC HEARING – RON KING REMODEL – Landmark Alteration Permit for renovation, remodel and addition to the existing single-family home located at 615 Polk Street in the West End Preservation District – LMA 11-006

Senior Planner Erin Morris gave a presentation. She has received inquiries about the project and requests to review the file. She received one written comment which she distributed to the Board. Applicant Ron King commented and answered questions. He has had extensive conversations about the project with his immediate neighbors. Applicant representative Robin Stephani commented and answered questions. She provided a copy of a written comment received by the applicant.

Ex Parte Disclosures

• Vice Chair DeBacker and Boardmembers Garrett, Groninga and Stoural visited the site.
• Boardmember Jessen received a call from Allen Thomas and Lea Barron-Thomas stating the garage should be to the rear of the house.

Public Comment

• Gary Ottinger, a friend of the applicant and a contractor who worked on the original design, commented. The house, even with the second story addition, is almost 4 feet shorter than the neighboring houses. The original house is very small in relation to the lot.
• Margaret Hafner, Polk Street, spoke in support of the project. The second story goes with the rest of the house. In this modest neighborhood, people who want to improve their homes are sometimes bewildered by the historic review process.
• Sher Ennis, West End, spoke in support of the project. She echoed the previous comment regarding the historic review process.
• Judy Kennedy, 620 Oak Street, spoke at the request of Lea Barron-Thomas. She stated that garages generally are at the back of the property in this neighborhood.

MOVED by Boardmember Jessen, seconded by Boardmember DeBacker and carried with the following vote:

• AYES: (5) DeBacker, Flock, Groninga, Jessen, Stoural
• NOES: (1) Garrett
• ABSTAIN: (0)  
• ABSENT: (1) Much

to adopt and waive the reading of the text of the resolution in item 4, as amended, as follows:

RESOLUTION NO. 277 ENTITLED:  RESOLUTION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING A LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT FOR 615 POLK STREET REMODEL AND ADDITION LOCATED AT 615 POLK STREET IN THE WEST END PRESERVATION DISTRICT, ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER 010-154-012, FILE NUMBER LMA 11-006

Amendment: The applicant shall revise the plans as follows:

1. Relocate the garage approximately 12 feet to the west.
2. Revise the window placement on the second floor, southeast corner, to relocate the new bathroom windows from the edge of the building.

5. CONCEPT REVIEW – ENGDAHL RESIDENCE – Third concept review for second floor addition to the existing single-family home located at 700 Tupper Street in the Burbank Gardens Preservation District – LMA 11-010

City Planner Noah Housh introduced the item. He indicated that one neighbor wrote in support of the project. He also referenced previous public comments. Applicant Paul Fritz gave a presentation. Property owner Jane Engdahl was present.

Ex Parte Disclosures

Boardmember Garrett visited the site. Boardmembers Garrett and Jessen and Vice Chair DeBacker each met separately with the architect and discussed the new concept.

Public Comment

• Judy Kennedy, 620 Oak Street, spoke in opposition to the project. She believes the second story addition will be obvious and unattractive.

Board Comment

1. The C1 scheme comes close since it minimizes things on the front.
2. A cleaner roof design is appreciated.
3. Work with the awkward bathroom window/hanging dormer, which may result in a wider portion of the addition.
4. There is a slight preference for horizontal siding.
5. Bring second story in a bit, if possible.

6. REFERRAL – MKM BUILDING – Review of MKM Building at 610 Mendocino Avenue for cultural or historical significance

Senior Planner Bill Rose gave a presentation. The applicant, Thomas Reddy, had the option of obtaining a resources report or bringing the item before the Board for a significance determination. Mr. Reddy gave a presentation. He provided the information he was able to obtain during two hours of research.

Public Comment

Neil Blazey, Ridgway District, commented that the applicant should not be directed by Staff to obtain a historic structures resources report. If the applicant can provide adequate information on the building, that should be sufficient. Mr. Blazey offered some history on the building, including a photograph and a Sanborn map.

Board Comment

More information is needed. The applicant may hire a professional to do the research and provide a determination or the applicant may provide the information to the Board and request a determination. If the applicant chooses to do the research, the following resources may be useful:

• Polk Directories
• Sanborn Maps
• Census data
• Sonoma County Historical Society
• Sonoma County Library Annex Local History Staff

7. BOARD BUSINESS – Selection of Art in Public Places Representative

Chair Flock introduced the item. This item was continued to May 4 in anticipation of all Boardmembers being present at that time.

8. BOARDMEMBERS’ REPORTS

The Boardmembers made announcements and reported on items of interest to the Board.

9. DEPARTMENT REPORT

Mr. Housh reported on items of interest to the Board.

10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 2, 2011

The Cultural Heritage Board minutes of March 2, 2011 were approved as amended.

11. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Cultural Heritage Board, Chair Flock adjourned the regular meeting at 5:10 p.m. to the regular meeting of Wednesday, May 4, 2011.