Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - February 17, 2016

The Sacramento Preservation Commission met on February 17, 2016, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers at New City Hall, 915 I Street. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, public hearings on three property nominations and a development project, establishment of an ad-hoc committee, and election of officers. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (December 16, 2015 and January 20, 2016): Approved with corrections. The December minutes were corrected to remove an extraneous letter in “proclamation” and the January minutes were corrected to reflect that the calendar date approval was moved to the current meeting. Vote: 6-0-1 (Commissioner Whitelam abstained on the December minutes as she was not a commissioner at that time).
• Director’s Report: Received and filed. Included updates on nominations, development projects, and other preservation matters.
• 2016 Meeting Calendar Changes: Approved a change for April: the meeting will be held on April 13, 2016, in the same location, due to the statewide California Preservation Commission conference. Vote: 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comment on any agenda items or during the public comment period for matters not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

• 5. M15-019 – Nomination of Murphy Residence (1967 13th Avenue) as a Landmark: Staff presented the nomination, citing the property as an excellent example of mid-century modern architecture (criteria 3 and 4). The historical consultant noted the house was designed by prominent architect Herbert Goodpastor in 1949. Commissioners discussed character-defining features and debated whether to add criterion 5 (high artistic value). Commissioner Moffett noted insufficient information to support criterion 5. The commission forwarded a recommendation of approval to the City Council with amendments to the character-defining features list, including correcting “flat roof” to “very low pitched roof,” removing the later rear addition from the list, and adding horizontal wood siding as a feature. Vote: 7-0.
• 6. M15-020 – Nomination of Nelson Residence (2626 P Street) as a Landmark: Staff and consultant presented the 1908 Craftsman-style home, built by Wright and Kimbrough, noted for its high integrity and preservation. Commissioner Piner disclosed a prior site visit. The commission approved forwarding a recommendation to the City Council with amendments: adding the construction date “1908” to the ordinance, clarifying the eligibility criteria as “criterion 3” (not C), updating the description of the rear dormers, and adding two character-defining features noted by Commissioner Piner (the water table feature and asymmetrical massing). Vote: 7-0.
• 7. P15-059 – Mansion Flats Modern (1509 D Street): The project proposes subdividing three vacant parcels (0.39 acres) into eight lots and constructing eight new single-family homes in the Washington Historic District. Staff recommended forwarding approval of the environmental exemption (CEQA infill) and site plan/design review (including a reduced side-yard setback) to the Planning and Design Commission. Commissioners discussed parking, curb cuts, privacy at the D Street facade (sliding glass doors at grade), fencing, and the design of the garage doors. Commissioner Huck expressed concern about garage doors dominating the streetscape. Commissioner Marshack noted the project’s design fit the neighborhood’s scale. The commission approved a motion to forward with conditions: eliminate interior fencing between units, ensure fencing design is integral to the architecture (especially along the street frontage), and require preservation staff review of final fencing and landscape plans. The motion also added language referencing “Central City Neighborhood Design Guidelines” and requiring preservation staff (not design review staff) for final approvals. Vote: 7-0.
• 8. Establish Ad-Hoc Committee on Demolition Mitigation Fee: Commissioner Huck proposed forming a committee to research feasibility of a mitigation fee for demolition of historic structures, similar to other California cities. The commission established a three-member ad-hoc committee: Commissioners Huck, Moffett, and Whitelam. The committee is to define its mission, scope, and timeline, and report back to the full commission.
• 9. Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2016: Commissioner Moffett was elected Chair, and Commissioner Marshack was elected Vice Chair. Vote: 7-0 for each.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent calendar items with corrections.
• Forwarded recommendations to City Council for landmark designation of the Murphy Residence (1967 13th Ave) and the Nelson Residence (2626 P St), both with amendments.
• Forwarded a recommendation to the Planning and Design Commission to approve the Mansion Flats Modern project with conditions, including elimination of interior fencing and preservation staff review of fence and landscape details.
• Established an Ad-Hoc Committee to study a potential demolition mitigation fee for historic structures.
• Elected new officers: Chair Chad Moffett and Vice Chair Jon Marshack.
• Commissioner Marshack highlighted the ongoing restoration of the Amaruso House (Hart Mansion) in the Boulevard Park Historic District, praising city staff efforts.
• Commissioner Huck invited the public to a 40th anniversary social hour for preservation advocates on February 18, 2016, at Monkey Bar.