Sunnyvale

CITY OF SUNNYVALE

HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION

DRAFT MINUTES

West Conference Room

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission was held on January 7, 2004 in the West Conference Room, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California, at 7:00 p.m.

Staff: Steve Lynch, Assosciate Planner; and Joey Mariano; Staff Office Assistant.

Chair Shoemaker and Comm. Steward were the only two Commissioners present at the October meetings.

Steve Lynch, Associate Planner, reported the rankings of Study Issues from the City Council Workshop. He provided a list of study issues for Community Development Department. Mr. Lynch explained the California Environmental Quality Act at the request of the Commission.

The Commissioners asked about the ranking process of Study Issues. Staff explained the process. Chair Shoemaker noted that this is considered to be good news since it has been some time since a study issues from the Heritage Preservation Commission has been approved.

Staff noted that the City Council would formally adopt the calendar at the January 13^th City Council meeting.

Mr. Lynch asked the Commission for any suggestions or changes to this year’s draft work plan. He also asked the Commission about the type of formal training they would like to have for this year’s work plan.

Chair Shoemaker noted that one of the ideas for training was to meet on Murphy Avenue and go over the streetscape. She noted that the Community Development Department has already taken some suggestions from the Commission regarding the proposed streetscape for downtown, but new Commissioners may want to add some suggestions and get updated on how the Downtown Streetscape is planned to be designed.

Staff asked the Commission if they would like to further study the outreach objective idea of geocaching heritage sites on the City’s Heritage Preservation Web Site. Comm. Davis asked if our public school systems have GPS (Global Positioning Systems) available to students. She also noted that GPS systems are getting more standard in vehicles today and that corporations located in Sunnyvale that design and produce GPS should be able to provide the public schools and City organizations with some equipment.

Comm. Hopkins noted that she was not able to write the article for the Sunnyvale Sun newspaper. Chair Shoemaker responded that John Pilger, Communications Officer, would be responsible of any communications to media regarding City related issues.

Comm. Davis noted that geocaching equipment from corporations should be given to schools and other organizations to be able to utilize the technology.

Comm. Hopkins noted that Comm. McQueen has all the coordinates for the Heritage Sites around town. Staff noted that they can further discuss geocaching in our next meeting when Comm. McQueen is present.

Chair Shoemaker asked staff about the update on City Landmarks listed on the Work Plan. Staff responded that the list will be updated reflecting current inventory.

Comm. Davis asked if there are any visual images of the cultural resources. Staff noted that there may be a book at the City Library.

Chair Shoemaker asked the Commission if there are any other training ideas to add to this year’s Work Plan. Comm. Steward asked staff if they can contact other cities like Los Gatos, Campbell, or Palo Alto and find out if there is anyone responsible in preserving their downtown district.

Chair Shoemaker asked staff if the Commission would have an opportunity to add their ideas and suggestions regarding historic streetscapes to The Forum property. Staff explained the processes.

Comm. Steward noted that she will not be able to attend two Commission meetings due to class schedule.