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Record of Proceedings

Broad Preservation Commission Meeting - October 27, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, October 27, 2026
BodyFresno, California
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, October 27, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:56:47

Original source
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

0:20

We have

Speaker 1

0:21

a bit of a six, but I'm just supposed to go into the

Unassigned speaker

0:26

role.

Speaker 2

0:26

All right.

Unassigned speaker

0:27

Okay.

Speaker 2

0:28

It is now time's now six o'clock.

0:31

Go ahead and call the Monday, October 26, 2026, Broad Preservation Commission meeting to order.

0:39

We'll start with roll call, please.

Speaker 3

0:42

Commissioner Eddie.

0:45

Commissioner Johnston.

Speaker 4

0:47

Present.

Speaker 3

0:48

Commissioner Laval.

0:49

Present.

0:50

Commissioner Federico, present.

0:52

Commissioner Kolaji.

0:54

Present.

0:55

Vice Chair Hatwick.

0:57

Chair sponsor.

Speaker 2

0:58

Present.

1:00

All right.

1:01

We'll go then and move on to procedures.

1:03

For each matter considered by the Commission, there will first be a staff presentation followed by a presentation from the project applicant.

1:10

The commissioners will then have an opportunity to ask questions of staff and applicant before opening to public.

1:15

Testimony from the supporters of the project will be then taken, followed by testimony from those in opposition.

1:20

Staff might provide a summation if necessary.

1:23

The applicant will have a right to a final rebuttal presentation prior to close of the public hearing, followed by consideration of the item in action, if any by the commission.

1:31

In accordance with section 13 of Article 2 of the historic preservation commission bylaws governing length of public debate.

1:37

All public testimony for those in support and in opposition of the project will be limited to three minutes per person.

1:43

All public testimony must be presented to the commission at the podium.

1:47

Any testimony that references race, religion, ethnicity, economic status, national origin, or any other classification protected under state or federal law in a derogatory manner.

2:01

If you challenge these matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raise an oral written testimony or before the close of the hearing.

2:10

With that, we will approve the meeting minutes of September 28, 2026.

2:15

Do you have any changes to the minutes?

Speaker 3

2:17

There are no changes to the minute.

Speaker 2

2:19

Okay.

2:20

I'll entertain a motion to approve.

2:24

All right.

2:24

Second.

2:25

Motion by Commissioner Ball, second by Commissioner Johnson.

2:29

All in favor signify by saying aye.

2:31

Aye.

2:31

Opposed.

2:33

Minutes are approved.

2:35

We'll move on to approving tonight's agenda.

2:38

Are there any changes to tonight's agenda?

2:43

All right.

2:44

I'll entertain a motion.

Unassigned speaker

2:48

I'll

Speaker 1

2:48

second.

Speaker 2

2:49

Motion by Vice Chair Heckwick.

2:51

Second by Commissioner Federico.

2:53

All in favor signify by saying aye.

2:55

Aye.

2:56

Opposed.

2:57

Agenda is approved.

2:59

Having no items on consent or continued matters, we will go ahead and move on to commission items, starting with file ID 261398 hearing to consider and make findings on building application B 26-08853 for a solar permit for the JR Turner home, HP number 276, located at 815 East Dudley Avenue.

3:23

We have a presentation.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

The reason that that occurred is because the city has been using an automated permit issuance system for solar applications pursuant to state law that generally speaking allows solar installations on residential property without any city review.

Speaker 5

5:11

So in this case, this application was submitted through the solar app, which is what that system is called.

5:19

The permit was automatically issued by that system.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████70%
Municipal Code█████8%
Technology and Innovation█████7%
Procedural███4%
Public Engagement██3%
Family Affordability█2%
Public Safety█2%
Community Engagement█2%
Engineering And Infrastructure█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Broad Preservation Commission Meeting - October 27, 2026

The Broad Preservation Commission met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM (agenda noted 18:45) at City Hall. The commission considered six agenda items: a solar panel installation on a historic home, a window replacement request, and three Mills Act contract applications. Decisions included approval with conditions, a referral to subcommittee, and approvals with documentation requirements. Staff updates and public comment on preservation activities were also heard.

Consent Calendar

  • None; no items on consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Linda (representing Heritage Fresno) presented 2027 calendars for sale ($20) and highlighted upcoming preservation events, including a veterans cemetery cleanup on November 7, 2026, and suggestions for Preservation Month in May 2027. She also noted the condition of the Dale Brothers coffee can sign on the Benham Building and the relocation of the welcome sign to Mariposa.

Discussion Items

  • File ID 26-1398 (Solar Permit for JR Turner Home, 815 E Dudley Ave): Staff reported that the solar permit was automatically issued through the state’s SolarApp system, which has since been updated to flag historic resources. Panels were installed on the front roof slope, visible from the street. Staff recommended approval under a finding of categorical exemption (Class 31) because panels can be removed without permanent damage. Commissioner concerns about precedent and consistency with Secretary of the Interior Standards were discussed. The commission voted 4-1 to approve with the recommended finding.
  • File ID 26-1414 (Window Replacement for George and Adelphia Rowell Home, 153 N Effie St): The applicant requested replacement of a 16-light first-floor window with a single-light window and modifications to two upstairs bedroom windows due to functionality and energy efficiency. Staff found the proposed changes inconsistent with Secretary of Interior Standards. Commission discussion focused on preserving historic character, potential repair options, and use of city mitigation funds. Motion to table the item and refer to the Architectural Review Subcommittee for further study passed unanimously (5-0).
  • File ID 26-1401 (Mills Act Contract for TW Patterson Building, 1214 Tulare St): Staff presented the application with a work plan including fire sprinklers, lighting, and potential future remodel. A commissioner requested updated documentation (DPR form) with current condition photos before finalizing. Motion to approve with condition that site visit photos be added to the DPR file passed unanimously (5-0).
  • File ID 26-1345 (Mills Act Contract for CW Harlow Residence, 986 N Roosevelt Ave): Similar to the previous item, a commissioner requested updated photos. Motion to approve with condition of adding site visit photos to the file passed unanimously (5-0).
  • File ID 26-1344 (Mills Act Contract for Melba Apartments, 745 E Home Ave): The applicant, Caitlin Robinson, described deferred maintenance and planned improvements. Motion to approve with condition of adding site visit photos (dated) passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Staff Updates: Brewer Adobe condition unchanged; property owner non-responsive, staff exploring enforcement options. Regular permit reviews ongoing with RingCon support. No new mitigation applications in September.
  • Chair Report: Commissioner noted apparent unpermitted window replacements at 313 N Blackstone (historic property #38) and requested code enforcement follow-up. Also requested future updates on adaptive reuse projects (Bixler, Berkeley, Ryan Camp buildings).
  • Architectural Review Subcommittee: No meeting in October; next scheduled for November 18, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved solar permit for JR Turner home (4-1).
  • Tabled window replacement request for Rowell home; referred to Architectural Review Subcommittee (5-0).
  • Approved Mills Act contracts for TW Patterson Building, CW Harlow Residence, and Melba Apartments, each with condition that site visit photographs be added to the official DPR file (all 5-0).
  • Directed staff to investigate unpermitted alterations at 313 N Blackstone and provide updates on selected adaptive reuse projects.

Meeting Transcript

We have a bit of a six, but I'm just supposed to go into the role. All right. Okay. It is now time's now six o'clock. Go ahead and call the Monday, October 26, 2026, Broad Preservation Commission meeting to order. We'll start with roll call, please. Commissioner Eddie. Commissioner Johnston. Present. Commissioner Laval. Present. Commissioner Federico, present. Commissioner Kolaji. Present. Vice Chair Hatwick. Chair sponsor. Present. All right. We'll go then and move on to procedures. For each matter considered by the Commission, there will first be a staff presentation followed by a presentation from the project applicant. The commissioners will then have an opportunity to ask questions of staff and applicant before opening to public. Testimony from the supporters of the project will be then taken, followed by testimony from those in opposition. Staff might provide a summation if necessary. The applicant will have a right to a final rebuttal presentation prior to close of the public hearing, followed by consideration of the item in action, if any by the commission. In accordance with section 13 of Article 2 of the historic preservation commission bylaws governing length of public debate. All public testimony for those in support and in opposition of the project will be limited to three minutes per person. All public testimony must be presented to the commission at the podium. Any testimony that references race, religion, ethnicity, economic status, national origin, or any other classification protected under state or federal law in a derogatory manner. If you challenge these matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raise an oral written testimony or before the close of the hearing. With that, we will approve the meeting minutes of September 28, 2026. Do you have any changes to the minutes? There are no changes to the minute. Okay. I'll entertain a motion to approve. All right. Second. Motion by Commissioner Ball, second by Commissioner Johnson. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. Minutes are approved. We'll move on to approving tonight's agenda. Are there any changes to tonight's agenda? All right. I'll entertain a motion. I'll second. Motion by Vice Chair Heckwick.

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