Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - January 20, 2016
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Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - January 20, 2016
The Sacramento Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. in the New City Hall Council Chambers, 915 I Street. All commissioners were present. The Commission acted on a recommended approval for an infill development in the Southside Historic District, reviewed a National Register nomination, and advanced a 40th anniversary proclamation. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Minutes of the December 16, 2015 meeting were continued to the February 17, 2016 agenda because the Commission Clerk was recovering from injuries.
- Item 2: Director Report was received and filed.
- Item 3: The Commission welcomed new Commissioner Jacqueline Whitelam and recognized outgoing Commissioner Kathleen Forrest with a certificate of appreciation.
- Item 4: The 2016 meeting calendar changes were brought up. The transcript indicates the item was continued to the February 17, 2016 meeting; however, the approved minutes record "Calendar dates approved." This discrepancy is noted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Matthew Downey, a resident at 821 U Street directly across the alley from the proposed Tomato Alley Lofts, opposed the project. He cited the 38-foot building height, requested setback exceptions, density (4 units with 8-10 bedrooms), increased alley traffic and parking problems, and the project's incompatibility with the Southside Park Historic District. He requested that any approved building not exceed two stories.
- Susan Bush, a longtime Southside Park Neighborhood Association member speaking for herself, supported the project, describing it as a good-looking, compatible improvement amid nearby shabby commercial buildings.
- William Moore, owner of property at 800-802 U Street and other properties in Southside Park, opposed the project at the proposed scale. He argued it would erode the historic district, set a precedent for oversized backyard infill ("Tomato Canyon"), and should be scaled back and made more congruent with the neighborhood.
Discussion Items
- Item 5 - P15-046 Tomato Alley Lofts (816 T Street): This public hearing concerned a request to forward a recommendation to the Planning and Design Commission for a tentative map and Preservation Site Plan/Design Review. The project would subdivide a 40-by-160-foot downtown lot into three parcels, retain the existing single-family home, and construct two new three-story duplexes facing Tomato Alley. Staff recommended approval of: an environmental exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15332; site plan and design review; and deviations to reduce the minimum lot size from 3,200 to 1,600 square feet (Parcels 2 and 3), minimum lot width from 40 to 20 feet, rear yard setback from 15 to 12 feet (Parcel 1), rear setback from 15 to 14 feet and interior side yard setback from 3 to 0 feet (Parcels 2 and 3). The buildings would be 38 feet to the roof peak (maximum 42 feet), and the five units would comply with density on the 6,400-square-foot overall site. Staff noted a similar approved project in Chinatown Alley. Applicant Lane Leach (property owner) and architect Craig Houseman presented the design, emphasizing flexible "grow home" units, privacy-oriented fenestration, a metal roof, Corten steel panels, recycled Resista siding, and a ventilated garbage closet. Commissioner questions explored precedent, massing, density calculation, solar access, and materials. After public comment, Commissioner Huck moved to approve staff recommendations; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Moffett. A friendly amendment added "neighborhood" to the Central City Design Guidelines reference. The minutes record the motion carried 7:0:0; however, the transcript shows multiple "yes" votes and one "No" vote (possibly Chair Fuller) before the motion was declared passed. This discrepancy is noted. The recommendation is forwarded to the Planning and Design Commission.
- Item 6 - M15-018 Bel-Vue Apartments / American Cash Apartments (1123 8th Street): The Commission considered a request from the State Historic Preservation Officer for review and comment on nominating the property to the National Register of Historic Places. A representative of the owner (the redevelopment agency successor agency) noted the property is being considered for disposal and affirmed the prospective developer's intent to preserve the Bel-Vue Apartments, while raising the possibility of interior unit reconfiguration. Commissioners discussed the building's significance, with particular attention to the north (alley) facade, its integrity, and the rarity of the property type. The Commission voted to send a letter to the Mayor stating that the property meets the criteria for National Register listing, adding language about the north facade as a character-defining feature. The motion passed by voice vote.
- Item 7 - 40th Anniversary Celebration Proclamation: The Commission reviewed draft language for a City Council ceremonial proclamation celebrating the 40th anniversary of the City Preservation Commission and Sacramento Heritage. Commissioner Huck led the discussion. Amendments were added to recognize that historic preservation contributes to the authenticity, uniqueness, livability, and future economic development of Sacramento. The Commission approved the draft language for submission to Sacramento Heritage and the City Council. The motion passed by voice vote.
Key Outcomes
- Tomato Alley Lofts: The Commission voted to recommend approval to the Planning and Design Commission, including the environmental exemption, site plan and design review, and requested deviations. The Planning and Design Commission will make the final decision.
- Bel-Vue Apartments: The Commission will transmit comments to the Mayor stating that the property meets National Register criteria, with an emphasis on the north facade's integrity.
- 40th Anniversary: The Commission approved draft proclamation language for City Council consideration.
- The next meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2016, with an election for new Chair and Vice Chair.
Meeting Transcript
Preservation Commission for the City of Sacramento. Thank you all for coming. Just a few items of business here this evening. We're going to take all the items in the order as they're given on the agenda. However, we are going to continue a couple of items. That's item number one, which is the approval of the minutes from the last meeting in December. And also item number four, the preservation commission calendar changes. And both of those items will be taken up in the February meeting. Generally, our meeting works with the staff giving a presentation on whatever item is in front of us. The proponent of the project, if there is one, or the staff comes up and gives their presentation, and then there's public input at that point in time. To that end, there are speaker slips at the back of the auditorium. So anybody who wishes to speak on any of the items before us here tonight is encouraged to grab one of those and give them to the uh clerk that sits up here in front of the Diaz. Oh, yeah, roll calls a good idea. Let's do that. Just for fun. Roberta. Commissioner Bounds. Commissioner Huck. Present. Commissioner Marshak. Here. Commissioner Whitelam. Commissioner Piner. Here. Commissioner Moffat. Commissioner Fuller. Here. We have a quorum. Excellent. Excellent. So item number two, the director's report. So I do have a director's report today, and just to confirm the minutes are being continued to the February 17th, 2016 meeting. And in part it's related to my director's report because our Commission Clerk Nancy Bennett, shortly after your December meeting, while she was on vacation, was on some exercise equipment and fell and broke both of her wrists. Hence the minutes aren't quite weren't quite ready to go for this meeting. And the meeting calendar, the date of the April meeting, and a room and all that she hadn't been able to do. So we'll have all that for you in the February 17th meeting. Last meeting you had approved all the dates for this year except for the April meeting. So we will get that and have it done properly so our council doesn't get upset with us. So our Nancy is healing and hopefully we'll be back the March meeting, we're we're hoping. And in her stead, Jennifer is here. Thank you. Is here taking over and can take your speaker slips anything anyone wants. Just a little reminder also in February that your rules and procedures have that is the date for the 2016 new chair and vice chair elections. So start your thinking caps there. And then also February and March. This commission, all the commissions, including the city council that usually meet here in February and March, we'll be meeting across the plaza at the historic city hall, second floor hearing room, the historic council chambers, the old original council chambers. This dais and all the electronics and everything that all the bells and whistles that are going on in this room are going to have a serious upgrade. And so that means the April meeting will have to learn how to use all new equipment. So that concludes my director's report. Excellent.
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