DRAFT MINUTES

The Heritage Preservation Commission met in regular session on May 4, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at Coffee and More located at 100 S. Murphy Avenue #1 in Sunnyvale with Chair McQueen presiding.

CALL TO ORDER

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

Staff:  Steve Lynch, Associate Planner; Deborah Gorman, Administrative Aide

Members of the public: Dick Oliver

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION

None

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS None

CONSENT CALENDAR

A)     Approval of the March 23, 2005 Draft Minutes

Chair  McQueen and Vice Chair Davis noted some modifications.  

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Heritage Preservation Routine Items

Chair McQueen noted that he has reviewed the Planning Commission and City Council Agenda.

He asked the Commissioners if they had anything to report as far as their roles of liaisons.

Vice Chair Davis reported that the Library is willing to accommodate this Commission if they had material to post in the library.

B. Final meeting for Chair McQueen and Vice Chair Davis

Mr. Lynch noted that this is Chair McQueen’s last meeting with the Commission as his term is expiring.  He also stated that Vice Chair Davis is moving to Arizona and tonight may be her last meeting.

He also encouraged the Commission to find people who would seem interested in joining the Heritage Preservation Commission as there will be three vacancies at the end of June.

C.     Voting for Chair and Vice Chair

Comm. Davis nominated Comm. Kausek for Chair.  Motion carried unanimously 4-0 with Comm. Kausek abstaining.

D.     Review of the Code of Ethics

 Staff discussed the Code of Ethics with the Commission. The Commission had no questions.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

A.     Staff Follow-Up

National Trust HPC Membership

Mr. Lynch stated that the Commission is now a member of the National Trust. He noted that membership was twenty dollars for each Commissioner. He stated that the budget may have more funding to join other Heritage groups. Mr. Lynch noted to bring their suggestions and interests of other Heritage groups to the next meeting.

Comm. Hopkins noted interest in the National Alliance for Commissioners.

Outdoor Dining Policy – City Council Hearing

Mr. Lynch updated the Commission about the policy.

Mr. Lynch noted that a special meeting is in order due to a submitted application for the Commission to review regarding a home on Murphy Avenue proposed to be demolished. Commissioners discussed a possible date in order to have a quorum. 

Vice Chair Davis noted that she would stay until May 31 in order to have a quorum.

Comm. Love noted that he would not be available.

Mr. Lynch asked the Commissioners to contact him to confirm the meeting date.

The Commission agreed to meet on May 18 at the West Conference Room. 

Mr. Lynch noted that a 150-year old Oak Tree, which was a Heritage Resource, was dying due to its health located in the Cala Shopping Center.

Dick Oliver, joined the meeting and announced his application to this Commission.  He expressed his interest in heritage with the environment and ecology as far as preserving historical resources. He further stated that he learned that Heritage Preservation acts as an advisory board and that the City does not have an ordinance that specifically preserves historic property. He asked what is needed to demolish a historical resource. Staff explained part of the process of an Environmental Review.

Vice Chair Lisa Davis wanted to clarify why the Heritage Preservation exists and why the Commission is there. 

Chair McQueen stated that he felt the Commission would have a bigger role to the City this year.

Comm. Hopkins asked if the Commission would have any say in the development of the Downtown Specific Plan.

Mr. Lynch noted that decisions for the mall have been made by the developer as far as design, however the streetscape standard would require the Commission’s role.

The Commissioners asked staff about parking in the downtown area and about the future of South Murphy Avenue.

ADJOURNMENT