Heritage Preservation Commission/City Council Study Session

Wednesday, October 12, 2004

The City Council met in study session at City Hall in the West Conference Room, Sunnyvale, California on October 13, 2004 at 5:30pm, with Mayor Howe presiding.

City Council Members Present: Mayor Howe

Vice Mayor Chu,

Councilmember Miller

Councilmember Hamilton

Councilmember Fowler

Councilmember Swegles

City Council Members Absent: Councilmember Lee

City Staff Present: Amy Chan, City Manager

Valerie J. Armento, City Attorney

Chuck Schwabe, Deputy City Manager

Robert Paternoster, Director of Community Development

Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer

Robert Walker, Director of Parks and Recreation

Steve Lynch, Associate Planner

Visitors/Guests Present: Heritage Preservation Commissioners:

Chair McQueen

Commissioner Love

Commissioner Shoemaker

Commissioner Kausek

Call to Order: 5:30pm

Study Session Summary:

I. Welcome and Introductions (2 minutes)

Mayor Howe provided background to the City Council on why this study session was held at this time and asked for brief comments from the Heritage Preservation Commissioners.

II. Comments and Overview from Heritage Preservation Commission Chair (5 minutes)

The Heritage Preservation Commissioners introduced themselves and thanked the Council for allowing them the opportunity to come before them in this meeting. Chair McQueen provided a historical perspective on preservation in Sunnyvale and gave an overview of the HCP’s roles and responsibilities today.

III. Study Issues (15 minutes)

· Update Visual Standards for Murphy Avenue Commercial Historic District

Chair McQueen presented the Visual Standards for Murphy study issue and explained its relation to the current Murphy Avenue Design Guidelines document. He stated that it was important for the proposed Forum project, which is just across Washington, to be consistent with the existing buildings on Murphy Avenue.

Councilmembers asked for clarification on: whether some planning related items that affect Heritage Resources are not coming before the HPC; what portions of Murphy Avenue are covered in the guidelines; and, what type of streetscape standards would be addressed that are not in the Murphy Avenue Design Guidelines.

Commissioner Shoemaker stated that many of the issues the City is facing on Murphy Avenue are associated with the sidewalks, such as benches, ashtrays, trees, A-Frame business signs, etc. She said that there are currently no regulations governing these issues and this has created some very gray areas.

· Increase Heritage Preservation Commission Responsibilities

Commissioner Shoemaker presented the Heritage Preservation Commission Responsibilities study issue item and clarified the HPC’s role in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code. She further stated the difference between the City’s two lists (Heritage Resources and Local Landmarks). Commissioner Shoemaker discussed with the Council the importance of preventing further erosion of the City’s Heritage Resources to save for future generations.

· Heritage Tourism

Chair McQueen presented the Heritage Tourism study issue and discussed the advantages of bringing tourism to the City. He noted that other surrounding cities have begun to capitalize on this new market and that Sunnyvale may be in a position to share in this success.

IV. Mayor/Council Recognition (5 minutes)

· Sunnyvale Resident contribution to Sunnyvale Heritage Preservation

Due to lack of time, Mayor Howe suggested that this proposal be sent to the Council formally in a Memo.

Adjournment: 6:10pm

Respectfully submitted,

Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer