Sunnyvale

The Heritage Preservation Commission met in regular session on January 5, 2005, in the Lobby Conference Room, 456 West Olive Avenue at 7:00 pm with Chair McQueen presiding.

Members Present: Chair Brian McQueen; Comm. Rose Kausek; Comm. Elizabeth Steward; Comm. Neil Love and Comm. Dawn Hopkins

Staff Members: Steve Lynch, Associate Planner; Joey Mariano, Staff Office Assistant

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Speakers are limited to 3 minutes for announcements of related Board/Commission events, programs, resignations, recognitions, acknowledgments)

CONSENT CALENDAR

Comm. Hopkins made a motion to approve the minutes of November 10, 2004. Comm. Kausek seconded. Motion carried unanimously 5-0 with Comm. Shoemaker and Vice Chair Davis absent.

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

This category is limited to 15 minutes, with a maximum of 3 minutes per speaker.

Mr. Lynch noted that the Visual Streetscape for the downtown study issue was ranked number one by far by the City Council. He also thanked the Commission for their support on lobbying the issue to the City Council. He further noted an average time frame of the future scheduling of the design for the Visual Streetscape downtown..

Chair McQueen asked staff about the order of hearings. Comm. Love also asked why the study issue is going to Planning Commission first, Heritage Preservation Commission second, and then to City Council. Mr. Lynch Clarified the order of hearings regarding the study issue for the Visual Streetscape standards for downtown..

Mr. Lynch noted this year’s workplan schedule. He further noted that the CEQA study issue might need a special meeting in late February.

Chair McQueen asked if any of the liaisons want to report any research. He informed the Commission of how he and Comm. Kausek attended and lobbied the Streetscape Study Issue to the City Council. He further noted the success of their lobbying.

Chair McQueen noted about an article in the San Jose Mercury News. He asked the Commission if they have gotten any information of other Heritage Groups around the area and surrounding cities. He mentioned the Sunnyvale Historical Society being an ideal group to join. Comm. Steward noted a few points about the Sunnyvale Historical Society. Chair McQueen suggested to join the National Trust.

Comm. Steward noted that the National Trust Foundation may not be an ideal organization to join because they are a National organization and not a local government organization.

Comm. Kausek asked Chair McQueen if she could further evaluate different Heritage groups before deciding on which one to join. Mr. Lynch noted to find if there are any membership fees of each membership.

Comm. Steward suggested on joining a culturally diverse group and learning about different heritages around the City. She asked if they were allowed to do such a thing. Chair Mc Queen noted that they apparently were allowed to have liaisons and that he does not see any reason why they could not learn about different culture’s heritage. Comm. Steward noted her idea to attend the Indian Community meetings and to gather information on their culture.

Chair McQueen asked Comm. Love if he may be able to take on a responsibility of being a liaison. He said yes. He also asked staff if there are any applications submitted to join this Commission. Staff noted that the City Clerk has not received any applicants.

Mr. Lynch noted about a German restaurant on Murphy Ave and how the owner would like to have his building on the Heritage Resource List. Chair McQueen asked if a building on Fremont Avenue has any historic value to be on the City’s Heritage Resource List. Staff replied that the building is not listed due to the lack of significance of its historic value.

Chair McQueen motioned to adjourn. Comm. Hopkins seconded. Motion carried unanimously 5-0 with Comm. Shoemaker and Vice Chair Davis absent..