CALL TO ORDER

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

Resigned: Comm. Elizabeth Steward and Comm. Jane Shoemaker

Staff Members: Gerri Caruso, Principal Planner; Joey Mariano, Staff Office Assistant

Members of the public:  Laura Babcock, Planning Commissioner; Jack Rowe, Citizen; Gregory Maltz, property owner; and Angela Buchner, property owner.

ROLL CALL

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION

None

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Laura Babcock, Planning Commissioner, announced that she is present as a visitor and a liaison for the Planning Commission.

CONSENT CALENDAR

1. Approval of January 5, 2005 Draft Minutes.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

Chair McQueen noted that he has received a letter from Comm. Steward stating her resignation to the Commission due to her daily schedule.

Comm. Davis noted that her last meeting would be in May due to her re-location to Arizona.  She noted that she is trying to promote the seat availability to a fellow contact.

A)      Heritage Preservation Routine Items

Ms. Caruso noted that she passed out Form 700 for the Commissioners to fill out and return for 2004.

B)      2004-0164 – City of Sunnyvale Study Issue – Clarify California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Heritage Preservation Commission Role in Relation to the Heritage Preservation Code.

Ms. Caruso explained the study issue’s history, which was ranked second in 2004.  She explained the California Environmental Quality Act in regard to the Sunnyvale Historic Resources and Local Landmarks and described the difference between the two.  She noted that this study affects heritage resources only.  She explained that when the City Municipal Code was written in the 1970’s, the code did not include the current standards of significances in CEQA.  She further explained that in the past, in order for a property owner to list their home as a historic structure, the City would have the property owners hire a historic consultant to create a report of the properties historic significance and then the City would determine the historic significance of the subject site.  This process would now be codified.  She noted that this study issue would create a Resource Alteration Permit, which the City never had.  Staff is recommending that the Heritage Preservation Commission recommend this process to City Council.

Chair McQueen noted some corrections to the report, particularly page 1, and page 2.  He noted that page 2 on the first paragraph should have the word Landmark Alteration Permit replaced to Resource Alteration Permit. 

Comm. Davis noted that she is happy to see this issue moved forward. 

Planning Commissioner Babcock noted that the Planning Commission did approve this issue and that she is glad to see this issue finally pushed forward as well.  She noted that maybe the study issue should include structures that are built prior to year 1939.  She noted that the City did lose some historic structures already, and that restrictions need to be constantly increased. 

Angela Buchner, owner of 525 Sunnyvale Avenue, noted that her home was built in 1938.  She noted that she bought the home knowing that it is a historic structure.  She noted the Mills Act contract.  Ms. Caruso noted that the City does have two or three homes under Mills Act Contracts, and if she would like to have her home on the Mills Act, then her home would need to be in the Heritage Resource Inventory Structures List and listed as a Local Landmark in Sunnyvale.  Chair McQueen noted the difference with the Mills Act and this study issue.  Ms. Caruso explained and clarified.  She noted that the owner could ask Council to have any home considered as a Local Landmark.  Chair McQueen noted that he is not intending to oppose her

Gregory Maltz, owner of 321 Flora Vista, noted that he is in the process of proposing an addition.  Ms. Caruso explained that he would still need to hire a consultant who is on the State list to evaluate his proposals for additions and/or renovations to his home which is a Heritage Resource.  He noted his appreciation for this Commission for preserving the historic value of historic property.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

A)  Commissioner Liaison Reports and Comments

Chair McQueen noted that their Liaison structure needs to be reformed.

Comm. Davis noted that the Library might be open to let the Commission display historical resource flyers and other historical items on their bulletin board.  She further reported that the historical items that were once in the library’s California History Room has been distributed to several areas around the Bay Area including De Anza College in Cupertino. 

Comm. Hopkins updated the Commission on her research. 

Comm. Kausek reported that she did do some research over the internet and came up with several historical groups/organizations to be members of.  She noted that the Heritage Preservation – National Institute for Conservation welcomes people who would like to join for a membership fee.  She also noted the American Preservation for Local History is another good organization to be members of.  The last organization that she suggested was the National Institute for Historic Preservation. 

Chair McQueen asked the Commission if any Commissioner would like to choose an organization to join this evening. 

Comm. Love inquired about the three organizations.  Comm. Kausek explained her studies on each one.  Chair McQueen then suggested that he would like the Commissioners to read about the three groups and decide on one for the next meeting. 

Planning Commissioner Babcock noted that the National Preservation is an organization she is aware of and shared her knowledge of the group. 

C)      2005 Work Plan Schedule

Staff noted that the 2005 Workplan has been adopted by Council.

D)      HPC March Meeting Scheduling

Staff noted that part of the Streetscape Study Issue is to review outdoor dining.  She noted that a second meeting is needed this month to review two items, one study issue on outdoor dining and another for a Landmark Alteration Permit on Murphy Ave.  She noted that March 21, 22, or 23 are ideal dates in order to legally hold the meeting and to have it prior to the City Council date.

Commissioners agreed on March 23, 2005 at 7:00 pm.  Commissioners also agreed to include a vote on a decision in which historic group/organizations to join.

E)      Staff Follow-Up – 454 S Frances St

Ms. Caruso explained that the subject site is not a historic landmark per a report by a qualified historic researcher.

F)      Other Business

Comm. Kausek noted that she knows a person in Mountain View that would like to start a Heritage Commission for their City.  She asked if it was possible to have Sunnyvale’s Mayor write a letter to Mountain View’s Mayor to encourage the establishment of their own Heritage Preservation Commission.  Ms. Caruso asked for time to research the idea and will report in the next meeting.

Comm. Love asked Ms. Caruso about certain historic items going to council and asked when an item that has historic value may be going to Council to have the item brought to this Commission’s attention.  Ms. Caruso referred to the study recommendations adopted tonight.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________

Gerri Caruso, Principal Planner