DRAFT MINUTES

SUNNYVALE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION

The Heritage Preservation Commission met in regular session on November 10, 2004, in the Lobby Conference Room, 456 West Olive Avenue at 7:00 pm with Chair McQueen presiding.

CALL TO ORDER

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

Excused Absence: Comm. Elizabeth Steward ; Comm. Neil Love;

Visiting Boards & Commission Member:  Planning Commissioner Laura Babcock

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

ROLL CALL

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION

None

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

CONSENT CALENDAR

1. Approval of September 29, 2004 minutes.

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2. 2004-0805 – Newton Wong [Applicant] Nicholas M And Sueanne Gera Et Al [Owner]: Application for a Landmark Alteration Permit to allow a new awning sign for Pho Bao Long restaurant.  The property is located at 155 South Murphy Avenue DSP-2 (Downtown Specific Plan/ Subdistrict 2) Zoning District. (APN: 209-06-009) SL

Chair McQueen concurred with staff’s recommendation.

3.      2005 HPC Meeting Dates

Chair McQueen asked staff about next years meeting dates.  Mr. Lynch noted that in years past, the Commission has been meeting more frequently during the fall months and stated that the schedule should be revised accordingly.  The Commissioners suggested keeping the regular schedule and add any necessary dates if needed, instead of changing the meeting date schedule.  Mr. Lynch suggested an idea to plan for next years meeting dates.  Vice Chair Davis asked staff if it would change staff’s workload.  Staff responded that it would not.  The Commissioners agreed with staff’s scheduling and agreed to finalize the 2005 calendar in January, after the City Council approves the 2005 study issue calendar.

4.      2005 Workplan/Outreach Discussion

Chair McQueen noted the study issues ranked by the Planning Commission.  Staff clarified the rankings of the study issues by the Planning Commission.

Chair McQueen noted that he would like to see a goal set for next year and achieve it by the end of next year.  He stated that he would like to see the Commission be more active with other commissions and more involved in the Community.  Furthermore, he noted that he would like to assign a liaison for the Planning Commission, City Council, Library, one for education, and one for public relations.  He noted that the library has a reserved area for Heritage Resources.  He recommended that the Commission should join the Sunnyvale Historic Society.  He also suggested that a seminar should be planned to network the two groups together to share resources and ideas.

Comm. Hopkins noted that her Preservation Group in San Jose could also work with the Heritage Preservation Commission.  Chair McQueen said that a Public Relations Liaison should be chosen to network with other heritage groups in the south bay area.  She further noted that oral histories and the Seniors of Sunnyvale could be a good resource.

Planning Commissioner Babcock gave the history of the Heritage Preservation’s Oral Histories and the Sunnyvale Historical Society.  Vice Chair Davis asked Planning Comm. Babcock for more information about the City’s Historical Society.  Comm. Hopkins noted that the California Preservation Foundation is another group to join.  She also noted other groups in the Bay Area. 

Chair McQueen asked the Commissioners to vote for a Planning Commission, City Council, Library, Outreach and a Public Relations liaison. 

Comm. Shoemaker noted that she is only serving on a temporary basis until her vacant seat is filled.  She noted that citizen Dick Oliver is interested in joining but was not contacted by the City Clerk.  Staff noted that they would follow up on his application.  Comm. Shoemaker asked not to be assigned as a liaison since her term is only tentative.

Chair McQueen noted that he would send an email regarding the roles of the liaisons. 

Chair McQueen discussed the award to be given to Terry Hawkins.  Comm. Shoemaker noted that Dick Smith should also be considered for an award for his role in helping the home to be moved.  She noted that a joint award with Terry Hawkins (the receiver of the home) and Dick Smith (the original owner) should both receive awards.  Chair McQueen noted that he would follow up with the City Council to determine the feasibility and timing of this idea. 

Chair McQueen noted that the Heritage Preservation Commission should become members of the Historical Society.  The Commissioners asked staff if they, as a commission body, could be a member of the Historical Society, and not just as individuals.  Mr. Lynch suggested that they should join individually and that he would check if it is possible to join as a Commission.

Planning Commissioner Babcock noted that the more groups with similar goals who work together; the better the chances of reaching those shared goals.

Comm. Shoemaker noted that she brought a heritage bicycle tour brochure of Sunnyvale.  Commissioners asked staff when the City Council will meet to rank the study issues.  Staff noted that the scheduled meeting date take place on December 16^th and, the final Council meeting for the public to have input is on December 7^th.

Comm. Hopkins noted that she needs more information regarding the Geocaching project.  Mr. Lynch recommended some geocaching sites to draw on some samples.

• BOARDMEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS ORAL COMMENTS

Planning Comm. Babcock noted a magazine regarding the railroads in Sunnyvale.  She further discussed other ideas.

Comm. Hopkins noted that the Preservation Action Council of San Jose is holding an event this Friday at the Bank of America at 12 South First Street for San Jose’s Japan Town, which is one of the last in the area.

• STAFF ORAL COMMENT

None

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________

Steve Lynch, Associate Planner