Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - October 19, 2016
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Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - October 19, 2016
The Sacramento Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at New City Hall, 915 I Street, Council Chambers. The meeting included a consent calendar, a public hearing on an appeal, director's reports, and member comments. The commission voted to deny the proposed project at 2218 Capitol Avenue and forward that recommendation to the Planning and Design Commission.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (September 21, 2016): The commission approved the minutes of the September 21, 2016 meeting by a vote of 6:0:1 (Commissioner Piner absent). Motion by Fuller, second by Whitelam.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Appeal Z16-026 (2218 Capitol Avenue): Public comments were heard from co-appellants and supporters. Co-appellants, including Ethel Wong, Sue Mortensen, Matthew Piner, and Margaret Piner, expressed opposition to the project, citing concerns about the massing of the proposed rear units, destruction of spatial relationships on the 40x160-foot lots, loss of open space and privacy, and inadequate parking. They argued the project violated the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. Matthew Piner, speaking as a private citizen and property owner in the district, stated that the project would destroy the historic spatial relationships and set a dangerous precedent. Sue Mortensen, an adjacent neighbor, emphasized the loss of sunlight and privacy, and argued that the project's lot-splitting to avoid parking requirements was "clever but somewhat devious." Supporters included Danny Yost, a renter in the district, who argued that the project provides much-needed housing and strikes a better balance than past developments. Karen Jacques, a former commissioner, also spoke in opposition, urging the commission to consider the impact on the historic district's integrity.
Discussion Items
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Z16-026 Appeal of 2218 Capitol Avenue: Staff presented the project, which proposed to renovate the existing single-family home (a contributing resource to the Capitol Mansions Historic District) into a duplex and construct two new attached single-unit dwellings (each 2,086 square feet) along the alley. The project required deviations for building width and site plan review for a tentative map to subdivide a 0.15-acre parcel into three parcels in the R-3A zone. Staff recommended approval, finding the project consistent with the historic preservation chapter and the Secretary of the Interior Standards. Commissioners debated the project at length. Commissioner Whitelam expressed difficulty with the project, citing the importance of spatial relationships and the Secretary of the Interior Standards, and noted that this was the third similar project in the past year. Commissioner Marshack argued that historic districts are different from non-historic areas and that zoning code is not the only driver; he emphasized preserving spatial relationships and yard spaces. Commissioner Fuller noted the conflict between the general plan and the Secretary of the Interior Standards, but concluded that the massing was not in keeping with the standards. Commissioner Huck agreed, citing the need to preserve open spaces and variety. Commissioner Bowns raised concerns about the impact of massing and the need for design guidelines. Chair Moffett expressed discomfort with denying the applicant who followed the rules, but acknowledged the commission's role in interpreting the standards. Ultimately, Commissioner Marshack made a motion to deny the project based on its inconsistency with the Secretary of the Interior Standards, specifically referencing spatial relationships, massing, and footprint. The motion was seconded by Whitelam and carried 5:0:2 (Commissioner Piner recused, Chair Moffett abstained). The commission forwarded a recommendation of denial to the Planning and Design Commission.
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Director's Reports: Preservation Director Carson Anderson reported on several items: an application for a National Park Service African American Civil Rights Grant for the Kyle's Temple AME Zion Church, with volunteer support from staff and Commissioner Bowns; the Certified Local Government (CLG) annual report to be presented at a future meeting; a mid-century modern reconnaissance survey and historic context statement funded by a CLG grant, with an RFP posted and applications due October 28, 2016; and a preliminary discussion of potential impacts to Memorial Auditorium from a proposed temporary use by the Community Center Theater and Symphony Orchestra, which staff concluded would not significantly impact historic fabric. Commissioner Marshack requested that Memorial Auditorium be agendized for further discussion.
Member Comments
- Commissioner Marshack requested a report back on the status of the Specific Design Standards for Historic Districts.
- Commissioner Fuller requested that the next meeting agenda include the development of an Ad Hoc Committee to forward the effort of design guidelines for all historic districts.
- Commissioner Huck announced the 40th Anniversary of Preservation in Sacramento, with a dessert reception at the AIA Central Valley Headquarters on Friday, and a historic walking tour on Sunday.
Key Outcomes
- The commission voted to deny the appeal and the project at 2218 Capitol Avenue (5:0:2, with Piner recused and Moffett abstaining), forwarding a recommendation of denial to the Planning and Design Commission.
- The commission requested that the status of Specific Design Standards for Historic Districts be agendized.
- The commission requested that an Ad Hoc Committee be formed to develop design guidelines for historic districts.
- The commission discussed and received the Director's Reports, including the Memorial Auditorium item which will be agendized for future discussion.
Meeting Transcript
Meeting to order. Before we start, I'd like to just uh quickly review some of our procedures. Um copies of tonight's agenda for tonight's meeting are in the kiosk uh right outside the the door of the room here. Um the commission will refer to each item um as they're listed on the agenda tonight. Um there are no changes to the agenda. Each item in the public hearing portion of the agenda will begin with a brief presentation by staff, followed by questions of staff by the commission, and then uh presentation by the applicant if the applicant so chooses, followed by questions of the applicant by the commission, and then opportunities for public comment. Speaker forms for uh members of the public are lit are uh posted on the back table there. If you'd like to speak, please fill out one of the forms and note the agenda item uh in which you'd like to speak and bring it up to the clerk on the left side of the dais here, and um you'll be called to speak at the appropriate time. Um because we have uh a number of uh members uh that are probably interested in speaking tonight on the um the items on the agenda. Um we will um allow speakers to sp to uh speak up to three minutes and um you note that um for time saving if there's someone that came before you and and you agree with their comments, you're more than welcome to say that and then summarize um any additional comments you have that's up to you. Um with that uh I just also want to remind uh members of the audience that if you wish to address items that are not on the agenda, you may do that as well. Um there was uh item on the agenda um item four public comments uh matters not on the agenda. Um just list that on your speakers uh uh slip. Just remind people to turn off your cell phones or anything else that uh might disrupt the meeting. And with that, uh we will go into roll call. Commissioner Marshak. Here, Commissioner Bounds, Commissioner Fuller, here Commissioner Huck. Here I am advice that Commissioner Piner is recusing himself on one of the items that's on the agenda. Uh Commissioner Whitlam. Here and Chair Moffitt. Here um so we have a quorum. Uh so we will uh roll into the uh agenda. And with that, um item one on the agenda is the consent calendar. Um commission can approve these items without discussion unless there are any corrections or edits. So um I will uh look to my fellow commissioners for any uh clarifications, edits, or changes. Otherwise, I entertain a motion. Commissioner Fuller. Uh I didn't have any edits to the minutes, but just wanted to offer a um a proposal that we accept the uh minutes from the last month's meeting. Any uh do I have a second for the motion? Commissioner uh Whitelamb seconds the motion. Any discussion? Seeing no discussion, um, all those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed. The motion carries. Okay. Um with that, we will move into public uh the public hearing portion of the meeting and item uh agenda item two, uh, the appeal of 2218 Capital Avenue tentative mat and preservation submittal. Um are there any commissioners that wish to provide any disclosures related to this item on the agenda? Um I would share uh per my earlier statement that Commissioner Piner is recusing himself because he's an appellant in the matter that's before you tonight. I'm just clearing my speaker cue here. Okay. Uh good evening, Chair Moffat, and thank you, Commissioners. My name is Ethan Meltzer, and I'm an assistant planner with the community development department, and I'm the assigned project planner, Z16026, also known as the 221A Capital Avenue Tenative Map and Preservation Project. The applicant is requesting to renovate an existing single family home, which is a contributing resource to the Capitol Mansion's historic district, and also construct two new attached single unit structures. This request includes deviations for two new buildings less than 20 feet wide in the multi-unit dwelling zone. The existing home which fronts Capitol Avenue will be converted into a duplex by adding a unit on the bottom floor of the structure. The two new units adjacent to the alley will be attached single unit dwellings, each with a garage and out with alley access. This project was originally heard and approved by the preservation director and zoning administrator with conditions in a joint public hearing on August 18th, 2016. The project was then appealed on August 26th by several surrounding neighbors. In addition to the appeal form, uh which came with two attached letters, staff has received several emails, letters, and phone calls from the public, both in support and opposition of the project.
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