APPROVED MINUTES
SUNNYVALE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
The Heritage Preservation Commission met in regular session on September 15, 2004, in the Lobby Conference Room, 456 West Olive Avenue at 5:30 pm with Chair McQueen presiding.
ROLL CALL
Comm. Love; Vice Chair Davis; Comm. Hopkins; Comm. Kausek; Chair McQueen; Comm. Steward
Excused Absence: Comm. Shoemaker
Steve Lynch, Associate Planner; Joey Mariano, Staff Office Assistant
Planning Commissioner Laura Babcock
SCHEDULED PRESENTATION
Comm. Babcock noted that she is attending the meeting to serve as a liaison to the Planning Commission. She noted her past involvement as a Heritage Commissioner.
CONSENT CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
1. A) Discussion of Potential Study Issues for 2005
Comm. Steward asked staff if they could create a study issue that would notify the Commissioners of any proposed Heritage Resource Inventory structure to be demolished. Staff responded with possible ideas.
Comm. Love asked if this is a valid study issue. Comm. Davis inquired about the staff time involved for such an issue. Mr. Lynch responded with the responsibilities of staff.
Vice Chair Davis noted that a study for connecting Sunnyvale with the Golden Chain of El Camino Real would be a good item to bring forward. She stated that the Golden Chain was a term used for the adjacent cities between San Francisco and San Jose as.
Comm. Love asked about the streetscape study issue that was previously proposed last year. Mr. Lynch responded that the issue actually ranked #8, just one below the “pass line”, which is considered in good standing for this year if it were to be submitted again.
Chair McQueen agreed with Comm. Love to push this item forward since it was close to being approved.
Commissioners asked staff if there are any other factors besides cost that City Council would consider. Staff responded the process.
Commissioners asked Comm. Babcock if she had any information for the Commission. Comm. Babcock noted that the Forum Group was required as a condition to upgrade the streetscape design. Mr. Lynch clarified the streetscape condition.
Comm. Hopkins asked staff if the Forum Group could meet with the Commission regarding streetscape. Staff noted the request.
Chair McQueen asked staff to put the Downtown Streetscape conditions as Comm. Babcock noted as an item on the next meeting agenda. Staff noted the request from Chair McQueen.
Chair McQueen then asked the Commissioners to return to the study issues. He then asked staff about the CEQA study issue and to re-submit the item this year.
Chair McQueen asked the Commission of any other ideas for study.
Mr. Lynch noted that they could put ideas together this evening and he would put it on paper for discussion and editing for the next meeting on October 6, before the joint study session with City Council. Commissioners agreed.
Commissioners continued with their ideas. Comm. Love asked Vice Chair Davis to elaborate on the “Golden Chain” and what would the actual study be. Vice Chair Davis discussed her idea of how Sunnyvale should promote being a part of the regional history. She then discussed how San Jose and San Francisco are utilizing its historic sites to attract tourism.
Comm. Steward and Hopkins excused themselves from the meeting.
Vice Chair Davis noted some strategies that other cities do for tourism. Commissioners responded that an issue should evolve for a Sunnyvale strategy to attract tourism. Staff further noted that an issue will be drafted and forwarded to the Commission for further modifications on the next meeting.
Chair McQueen moved the meeting to discuss the Visual Streetscape standards for downtown. He noted that if downtown looks inviting outside, that it would attract more motorists to drive in. Comm. Kausek noted that the historic district should be attractable with or without the new mall. She further noted that the downtown area should have continuity and synergy with the redeveloped mall. Staff noted the idea will be drawn up and drafted on paper for further discussion for the next meeting. Chair McQueen asked what it should be titled. Comm. Love responded that “Visual Streetscape and Continuity Standards” should be the official study issue title. Mr. Lynch noted that “for Downtown” should be added. Commissioners agreed.
Chair McQueen added that the issues should be better clarified for Council to understand them more clearly. Staff responded and clarified. Vice Chair Davis responded. Staff clarified the current process. Comm. Love noted that consultant’s reports should be put forth to the Commission prior to City processing. Staff responded that the applicants hire the consultants, and not the City.
Commissioners asked about the home on 454 Frances Street. Staff responded that the home is still on the market and that the home owner will need a consultants report prior to a demolition permit.
Comm. Babcock stated that they should inquire why all the historic sites are not coming through the Commission. She noted that they should study the policy and see if it has changed. Mr. Lynch clarified that he would check with Trudi Ryan and Joanne Rouse for a policy regarding their inquiry. Staff noted that he will research the policy and update them in the next meeting.
Comm. Love asked if their study issues could be presented to council in a Power Point Presentation. Staff responded that it is a possibility. Commissioners noted that they would further plan their presentation to City Council on the next meeting regarding the study issues.
ADJOURNMENT
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Comm. Love motioned to adjourn the meeting. Comm. Kausek seconded. Motion carried 4 - 0 with Comm. Steward and Hopkins absent. |
The meeting ended at 7:08 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
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Steve Lynch, Associate Planner