ROLL CALL

Vice Chair Lisa Davis; Comm. Rose Kausek; Comm. Neil Love; Chair Brian McQueen, Comm. Jane Shoemaker; Comm. Elizabeth Steward

Excused Absence: Comm. Dawn Hopkins

Planning Comm. Laura Babcock; Mayor John Howe; Steve Lynch, Associate Planner; Joey Mariano, Staff Office Assistant; Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONSENT CALENDAR

A) Approval of July 7, 2004 Minutes

Comm. Love made a motion to approve the Minutes of July 7, 2004.  Vice Chair Davis seconded.  Motion carried unanimously 6-0.

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

Chair McQueen wanted to take the time to acknowledge Citizen Kay Peterson, an elementary school teacher in Sunnyvale who wrote two books, the Sunnyvale Collage and Sunnyvale Collage II.  He stated that she received achievement awards and should be recognized by the City. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2.     A) Discussion with Mayor: Role of Heritage Preservation Commission

Mayor Howe introduced himself to the Commission and noted that he is attending this meeting in response to comments he heard from Lisa Davis and Brian McQueen at a recent meeting.  The concerns raised related to the HPC commissioner’s being unsure of their roll, HPC commissioners not having enough to do, and the Commission possibly should be dissolved if it is no longer useful.

Mayor Howe said that he is not too familiar with the HPC and attended this evening to learn about the Commission.  He noted that all Boards & Commission’s are considered as subcommittees of City Council.  He further stated that all Boards and Commissions are positive aspects of the City and not commission is more powerful than another.

Vice Chair Davis noted that one reason she felt useless was when she heard of a project on site within the historic district that went to Planning Commission and was permitted to be demolished without the Heritage Preservation Commission’s involvement.

Comm. Shoemaker welcomed the Mayor to this evenings meeting and asked him if this the City Council had any intention of dissolving the Commission.  He responded that the Council has no plans no, or in the future, to vote the Heritage Preservation Commission out of existence.  She noted that the frustrations in being on this Commission for so many years and not accomplishing anything concrete.  She noted that when a citizen joins this Commission or any Commission, they join with the intention to make the City a better place to reside.  They have a certain sense of pride in volunteering time to their City.  She stated that she felt that she did not and could not accomplish what she had planned, and part of the reason was the lack of authority to review applications.  She noted that the City Ordinance is not up to date and that they are not within the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) requirements.  She noted that the Commission is here to preserve heritage resources, but lack the authority to do so.  She noted that they have been working on a public outreach project involving geocaching historic sites.  She hoped that her comments would result in broadening the Heritage Preservation Commission’s role.

Comm. Love noted that awnings on Murphy Avenue are the only permits that they typically review.  He further noted that he has not seen any historic projects seeking the Heritage Preservation’s decisions or comments. 

Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer, noted that she is not here for the concerns brought to the Mayor, but would like to comment on it.  She noted that when the Commission was initially started in 1980, there were more items for HPC to review, but over time, there have been less and less items for the Heritage Committee to review.  Therefore, the Commission has had a decreasing roll as the volume of historic activities has decreased.  She also noted that their heritage study issue regarding CEQA is being re-presented to Council and that the Historical Landmarks earlier discussed will be potentially affecting the Heritage Preservations Commission’s role significantly.

Vice Chair Davis noted that the redevelopment of Town Center Mall and other Downtown Developments were not brought to the Commission’s attention.  She further stated that she requested information from City staff on several occasions but never received the information she asked for.  She had to seek this information on her own.

Chair McQueen noted having the same frustrations as Comm. Shoemaker and Vice Chair Davis.  He attended two City Council meetings where Historic sites were involved and yet these items never came before the Commission. 

Comm. Shoemaker noted that they would like to see all the changes regarding Heritage Resource items.

Chair McQueen noted that the historic home located at 529 S. Murphy which went to the City Council for a demolition permit is a perfect example of their concerns.  He says he feels quite useless and powerless.

Staff responded that the home was not on the Heritage Resource List and was not required to get the Heritage Preservation Commission’s approval.

Comm. Shoemaker stated that they wanted to save the home at 454 S. Francis, but the only way was to find a buyer who was interested enough on in its historic value to preserve and restore the home. 

Comm. Love noted that their lack of authority also comes from the lack of support from city staff.  He further noted that he remembered an item that went to the Commission regarding an awning on Murphy Avenue and that the Commission was not clear of their role.  He asked if they could have more support from staff and other Boards and Commissions to do their role as Heritage Preservation Commissioners. 

Planning Comm. Laura Babcock noted that a Condition of Approval was added to an item to seek the Heritage Preservation Commission’s recommendation.

Mayor John Howe asked when the study issues will be scheduled to be ranked this year.  Staff responded with the dates.  He then suggested that they should get their study issues together sooner and then have a joint study session with City Council. 

Vice Chair Davis asked the Mayor and staff what the best way was in order to get their study issues passed and approved.  He noted his experience as a Planning Commissioner about their study issue proposals.  He further noted that cost is a big factor especially with the budget.  He noted that the best thing to do is to gather their information together prior to the study issue ranking and to be specific on their study issues.

Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer suggested that they should focus on items that passed last year but “fell below the line” and to try to get them budgeted for next year by elaborating the issue. 

Comm. Shoemaker noted that she attended a conference this year about the economic advantages of putting history in tourism.  She noted that it increases tourism therefore increasing city revenue.  She noted West Virginia’s historic sites as an example.  She noted that tourism increased due to the regional history of the state.  She noted that Sunnyvale has regional assets as well.

Vice Chair Davis noted that San Jose is promoting the newly restored Renaissance Theatre to attract tourism.  She noted that Sunnyvale would have more tourism if it could be a part of the “Golden Chain” between San Francisco and the South Bay.

Comm. Love asked the Mayor if he could value the role of the Commission.  He asked him what kind of input could they give when an item comes through.  He asked questions about their role with the Downtown redevelopment and if they could have involvement with the City’s historic sites. 

Mayor Howe responded that he did not have an idea what the Heritage Preservation Commission was involved with.  He stated that the reason he attended this meeting was to learn about their role as Heritage Commissioners. 

Chair McQueen responded that they will get the resources themselves if they need to.

Planning Comm. Babcock noted that she had much involvement with the Heritage Preservation Commission and that she definitely knows the role of the Commission.  She noted that when she served as a Commissioner in the past, every proposed development or demolishment went through the Commission.  She asked if the Commission still sees these types of items. 

Planning Comm. Babcock further stated that when she was a Commissioner, she and the other Commissioners were actively working outside of the meeting.  They would measure, research, visit sites, etc. and worked long hours on their Heritage projects.

Ms. Ryan elaborated on the Commissioner’s role.  Planning Comm. Babcock noted that Council receives their packets on Thursdays, and that they should utilize her as a liaison to Planning Commission. 

Vice Chair Davis asked Ms. Ryan if there has been enforcement on Murphy Avenue.  She responded that they have been regulating outdoor seating closely. 

Comm. Shoemaker asked about Oct. 12.  Mayor Howe noted that it is their chance to speak to the Council about why their study issues should go through this year.  He noted that Chair McQueen should put an agenda together for the joint meeting.   

Vice Chair Davis thanked the Mayor for having a special study session with this Commission in October. 

      B) Heritage Preservation Routine Items

A special Heritage meeting was scheduled to go over study issues on September 15.

C) Continuing Study of City Landmarks update

Steve Lunch, Associate Planner, noted that this was on the Work Plan, but has no updates. 

D) Update on Outreach Objective Progress

Comm. Steward, worked on the geocaching project.  She also noted that she would like to make the Heritage Structures more culturally diversified.  She wanted the clues to the geocaching project to be more historically educational.  She noted that the Commissioners knows a lot about Sunnyvale’s history and if they would give her some input on other cultures in Sunnyvale like Asian-Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, and other cultures. 

Vice Chair Davis asked Planning Comm. Babcock about the Chinese occupied farms in the City.  Planning Commissioner Laura Babcock replied that North of Central included plenty of Flower Farms owned by Chinese farmers, including the Fong and Chuck family.

Chair McQueen noted a few other Chinese nurseries in Sunnyvale’s nursery. 

Vice Chair Davis asked Comm. Steward what other cultures were included.  Comm. Steward replied that all populations containing 10% of the City’s population were recognized.  She also noted that although some did not own land, they did work on farms.

Comm. Shoemaker noted that her Chinese neighbor bought an Eichler home due to the non-discrimatory nature of Mr. Eichler and that he sold his homes to any culture.

Comm. Love asked if there were any other cultures needed to be covered or need more information on.  She noted that she will send the list by email.  He noted that there seems to be a lot of work involved in this. 

Comm. Love and Steward asked if Planning Comm. Babcock could attend future Heritage meetings when they need her advice.  She responded yes, that she would be delighted to come back.

E) Discussion of Potential Study Issues for 2005

Ms. Ryan noted that the study issue process has lately been more budget minded than in previous years.  She noted that Council was involved with the budget process and that five new study issues will probably be able to be ranked.  She noted that there were 14 items passed last year and that only five were able to be started.  She noted that Mr. Lynch will be discussing the study issue process more elaborately.

Ms. Ryan noted that state grants have been applied for where the Commission will be heavily involved.  She noted that the grants are around the range of $65-75,000 dollars worth of funding.  Vice Chair Davis asked if the money can be used for study issues that were not ranked high enough.  Ms. Ryan elaborated about the general fund and its involvement with grant funds.  She noted that a study issue that involves a grant is more likely to be ranked higher than an issue without grant involved. 

Comm. Kausek noted about a study issue being considered by the Commission.  Ms. Ryan responded that a more defined study issue may be more valuable and concrete.  Comm. Kausek asked if a study issue involved less staff time, then would the issue be more favorable to City Council.  She responded that this is why the Visual Streetscape did well in the rankings.  Ms. Ryan stated that the Commission should be delighted to not see any of their study issues dropped and only ranked below the pass line. 

Ms. Ryan also noted that the Council could not possibly vote out the Heritage Preservation Commission because it is a City Charter Commission.   Mr. Lynch also noted that their Murphy Ave Streetscape study issue was ranked #8, which is fairly a good standing although did not get passed.  He noted that last year was fairly successful compared to other years. 

Comm. Shoemaker asked Ms. Ryan about CEQA and the Municipal Code.  Ms. Ryan responded, suggested resources for the Commission to use, and reviewed the permit process.  Comm. Shoemaker asked about the Heritage Resource Inventory List and if the Commission could put a property on the list without an owner’s discretion.  Staff referred to Title 19 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code.  Ms. Ryan noted that Council would probably not agree if the property owner does not agree to have their property on the Heritage Resource List.  She noted that City code states that a home needs to be reviewed if it is on the list.  Comm. Shoemaker further asked about historic evaluations from consultants.  Staff responded that they should render an opinion of a consultant’s evaluation.  She noted that this is why the Heritage Preservation Commission was formed. 

Commissioners agreed to release their contact information to Planning Comm. Babcock. 

Chair McQueen noted that the Commission can certainly attend any Board and Commission meeting to communicate.  He noted that they need to know more about buildings and homes that have historic value being demolished. 

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

·         BOARDMEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS ORAL COMMENTS

Mr. Lynch noted that the Commission should discuss potential study issues, like items that the HPC does not see and would like to see.  Chair McQueen noted the study issue schedule with City Council.  Mr. Lynch noted that they may meet more often than scheduled to get some study issues together.  Commissioners agreed to meet before October 6.  They agreed to hold a special meeting on September 15, 2004. 

 ADJOURNMENT

Vice Chair McQueen made a motion to adjourn.  Comm. Steward seconded.  Motion carried unanimously 6 - 0.

The meeting ended at 9:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________

Steve Lynch, Associate Planner