City of Fresno Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Fresno Historic Preservation Commission met in Council Chambers at City Hall from 6:02 p.m. to 7:31 p.m. to consider the continued eligibility of 755 E Shaw Ave, adopt the CLG annual report, and receive regular updates. The meeting minutes in the record identify the date as Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM; the supplied timestamp is 2026-03-24 17:15:00+00:00, and the title uses that date. Six commissioners were present; Commissioner Julie Federico was absent.

Call to Order, Minutes, and Agenda

• Chair Sponsler called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and read the public participation/procedures statement.
• The February 23, 2026 meeting minutes were approved on a motion by Commissioner Laval, seconded by Commissioner Johnston, 6-0.
• The meeting agenda was approved on a motion by Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Johnston, 6-0.

Consent Calendar

• None.

Continued Matter: 755 E Shaw Ave - Historic Eligibility

• Staff overview: Ashley Atkinson explained that the property is a separate anchor structure within Fashion Fair Mall, was constructed in 1970, and is the subject of a demolition application for the building alone. A new historic resource evaluation from Page & Turnbull, submitted March 17, found exterior alterations over time and concluded the building does not appear individually eligible for local or state registers and does not qualify as a CEQA historic resource.
• Applicant position: Andy Greenwood, Macerich vice president of development, said the applicant team worked with Page & Turnbull on additional research after prior commissioner comments. He said short-term tenants are possible but the multi-story configuration makes long-term anchor reuse very difficult, the second and third floors have been vacant for years, and vacant mall anchors are a widespread national issue. He requested a not-eligible determination and said Macerich and Dick's Sporting Goods have an executed agreement for a new House of Sport redevelopment targeted to open by the end of 2027.
• Historic resource evaluation: Christina Dikas Brobst, Page & Turnbull principal, presented updated findings. She said the building is an example of late modernism but not a distinctive or important one; it was one of multiple standardized Broadway Hale stores, with similar examples in Riverside and Citrus Heights. She stated Charles Luckman was not directly involved in the design, the project architect Richard McNew is not recognized as a master architect, and the building was not significant under events, persons, architecture, or information potential criteria.
• Applicant attorney comment: Cecily Barkley, a land use attorney for the applicant team, said she has never seen a mall designated as a whole historic resource and argued the expert's conclusion should be determinative.
• Commissioner positions: Commissioner Johnston questioned why the evaluation did not consider the building as a potential contributor to a Fashion Fair Mall historic district, and cited cultural significance and community memory. Commissioner Halajian said Luckman's name and Fashion Fair's role in Fresno's retail and social history gave the building local significance, and he supported listing on the local register. Commissioner Laval said the building is not a great example of architecture but has community significance and supported local recognition. Vice Chair Hatwig noted the mall and building have changed over time and evaluated the building individually. Commissioner Eddings said the report answered many of his questions but he was uncomfortable with parts of the process. Chair Sponsler acknowledged a personal connection to the building but supported the not-eligible motion.
• Vote: Commissioner Johnston moved to find the building eligible; the motion received no second. Chair Sponsler then moved, seconded by Commissioner Laval, that the property is not eligible for listing on the Local, State, or National Registers. The motion carried 5-1, with Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Laval, and Commissioner Eddings voting aye; Commissioner Johnston voting no; Commissioner Federico absent.

CLG 2024-2025 Annual Report

• Director Jennifer Clark commended staff for completing the Certified Local Government annual report after delays in the release of the state form.
• Assistant Director Atkinson reported that the reporting period runs October to September, that the substantive responses are in Exhibit B, and that the report includes prior-year activities such as the designation of three new local landmarks.
• No public comment was received.
• The report was approved on a motion by Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Johnston, by a 6-0 vote.

Staff and Subcommittee Updates

• Jose Garcia Brewer Adobe: Staff asked the property owner to schedule a meeting with an architect and engineer to discuss an acceptable demolition plan, but no response has been received. Staff will meet internally with Code Enforcement and the City Attorney's Office to determine next steps.
• Development review: Staff continues to review planning entitlements and building permits for structures 50 years and older; activity was high in January and slightly lower in February.
• Section 106 reviews: Staff has assumed responsibility for concurring with Section 106 reviews prepared by the city's consultant, SWCA, and completed several in recent months.
• Mills Act: No new applications; a reminder letter to eligible historic resources will be sent within the next week.
• Mitigation program: No new activity; staff is awaiting completion of projects that will use remaining funds for the fiscal year.
• Subcommittees: The Architectural Review Subcommittee met on the 11th and reviewed items including roofing and windows. The Municipal Code Subcommittee is continuing to review existing code and expects to begin offering comments next month. The Historic Preservation Month Subcommittee is finalizing the calendar for distribution by the end of the week.

Public Comments and Testimony

• For the 755 E Shaw Ave hearing and the CLG annual report, no public comment was offered.
• Linda Scambrae of Heritage Fresno provided updates on May Historic Preservation Month activities, distributed an invitation to a May 28 event at the Warnor's Theatre featuring a film and organ concert, highlighted the building's architectural significance, encouraged sharing the event with youth groups, referenced additional library programs, and requested that preserved features such as the lantern and the arch planned at H and Mariposa be included on the calendar.

Key Outcomes

• The Commission voted 5-1 to determine that 755 E Shaw Ave is not eligible for listing on the Local, State, or National Registers.
• The CLG 2024-2025 Annual Report was approved 6-0.
• The February 23, 2026 minutes and the meeting agenda were approved 6-0.
• Next steps include an internal staff meeting on the Brewer Adobe, distribution of the Historic Preservation Month calendar by the end of the week, and the next regular meeting on April 27, 2026. Chair Sponsler adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m.