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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/14/2001ACTION MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETIING JUNE 14, 2001 CALLED TO ORDER: 3:10 P.M. City Hall Ross Annex Second Floor Conference Room 2002 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS Present: Rose Anne Garcia Kings, Chair Philip Chinn, Pro Tem Carlos Bustamante Rita Corpin Blair O'Callaghan Paula Rankin COMMISSIONERS Absent: Paul Giles, Vice Chairman James Gartner Robert Richardson STAFF PRESENT: Cynthia J. Nelson, Deputy City Manager Charles View, Planning Manager Joseph Edwards, Principal Planner Christopher Norman, Assistant City Attorney ' Maya DeRosa, Senior Planner STUDY SESSION A. Discussion of the Broadway Historic District Madam Chair Kings opened the discussion providing background on historic preservation measures currently in place. The two primazy objectives for creating historic districts included: 1) the preservation of areas that have concentrations of historic structures; and 2) the preservation of setbacks and development standards that create character in an area. Charles View, Planning Manager, provided an overview o~Fthe current authority allowed in the code; requested confirmation of the objectives of the Commission; and requested discussion between the two Commissions. Mr. View highlighted that creating a historic district under current code authority does not give the Historic Resources Commission any more level of review. In terms of authority related to Specific Developments (SDs), there is an additional review process and special review of architecture, which requires Planning Commission approval. Madam Chair Kings asked what was the current review process for buildings within historic districts. Mr. View indicated that currently Section 30-6 of the code only allows the Historic Resources Commission to review listed buildings within a district, not the non-listed individual buildings. Madam Chair Kings inquired if there was a contributing building in the Downtown National Register District would it come to the Historic Resources Commission for review. Mr. View responded that it would not if it was not on the Register. Mr. Joseph Edwards, Principal Planner, provided a survey of how other cities utilize historic districts noting that most cities aze interested in design review and architecture. Mr. Edwards indicated that what is being proposed is not out of line compazed to what other cities are doing. Commissioner Chinn asked why the City of Los Angeles was not included in the survey. Mr. Edwards responded that staff did not feel it was very comparable. Mr. View distributed a historic district proposal as part of his discussion and noted the focus was to provide the Historic Resources Commission with architectural review authority of new construction and exterior modifications within geographically defined ' historic districts. Commissioner Cribb noted that it is important to respect the architectural style and period of time that structures possess. Mr. View added that the key in creating a district is to determine under whose authority does it lie, is it the Historic Resources Commission or create a system with ability to go to Planning Commission. Madam Chair Kings highlighted her three primary objectives of creating districts: 1) to preserve existing structures of character; 2) preserve development standards that create character; and 3) ensure new development is in quality and character of district. Commissioner Rankin added that in the South Main azea the new development standazds did not recognize historic development standards that preserve character. Cynthia Nelson, Deputy City Manger, responded that it should be assumed that if we create a historic district it would have development standards adopted by City Council. Ms. Nelson added that the Historic Resources Commission should determine whether their goal is to review every building in the district or only historic buildings and to think through who has authority to do what and streamline the process so development may occur. Commissioner Bustamante suggested that the standards be written tightly and that the Planning Commission do the review in order to reduce the process for the applicant. Commissioner Cribb noted his support of creating historic districts and Broadway Corridor being the first to establish this status. ' Madam Chair Kings noted that having two commissions review could be problematic. Commissioner O'Callaghan suggested any new construction be reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission; then proceeded to highlight concerns with the length of time new construction reviews in Heninger Park require. Commissioner Rankin noted for the standards to be written to allow appeals to be heard by the Historic Resources Commission first. Mr. View summarized the overall consensus that there is support for districts; that the Historic Resources Commission create and establish the standards; and asked if there was need for the Historic Resources Commission to review non-listed buildings. Commissioner Bustamante noted that the existing model should be left in place and to give the Planning Commission review authority. Ms. Nelson added that staff is committed to keeping the Historic Resources Commission in the loop of projects being approved. Mr. View noted the need to confirm a mechanism for the ¢ode changes, which will be discussed in August with the Historic Resources Commission. Commissioner Bustamante requested that Commissioner Cribb be invited to that meeting in August. B. Oral Comments. There were no public comments. C. Comments from Staff. There were no comments. D. Comments from Historic Resources Commission. There were no comments. HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 14, 2001 E. Excuse of Absences. Motion by Commissioner Bustamante and seconded by Commissioner Corpin to excuse the absence of Commissioners Giles, Richazdson, and Gartner and approved unanimously by a vote of 6:0. ' F. Adjournment. There was a motion and a second to adjourn the meeting at 4:55 p.m. Maya DeR "a I I ~J HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 14, 2001