Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting – December 7, 2016

The Sacramento Preservation Commission met on December 7, 2016, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. at New City Hall, 915 I Street. The meeting covered routine approvals, updates on several preservation projects, and discussions on infill development policy and commission seat vacancies.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of October 19, 2016 Minutes: Approved as amended (6-0-1, with Commissioner Piner abstaining). Amendments added notes on Commissioner Fuller's request for an ad hoc committee and Commissioner Huck's update on 40th anniversary activities.
• 2017 Preservation Commission Meeting Calendar: Approved as amended (7-0), changing the June meeting date from June 15 to June 21.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathleen Green (Item 5 – Memorial Auditorium): Expressed concerns about the city's plan to hire a private management company for the auditorium, citing Measure H (1992) which requires city management. Also noted a previous renovation that damaged the Presidium Arch and urged close oversight of future improvements.
• Beth Tincher (SMUD Government Affairs, Item 6): Provided details on SMUD's headquarters project, including a $30 million budget overrun, a split into two phases (demolition/abatement starting January 2017, and a collaborative design-build RFP in March 2017), and that any significant design changes would be reviewed at commission level if needed.
• William Burg (Item 7 – R Street Survey): Advised that the survey should include buildings on both the Q-R and R-S blocks, not just the alley between Q and R, and should consider properties up to 1970 to avoid missing mid-century resources. Also mentioned potential for a separate R Street East Historic District between 20th and 29th Streets.

Discussion Items

• Director's Report (Item 3): Staff reported that concerns from the October meeting about infill density and alley development have informed recent project reviews. A discussion ensued about forming an ad hoc committee to develop infill policy. Commissioner Whitelam pressed for an agenda item in January or February to establish the committee, and staff agreed to bring back a list of topics for the committee's consideration at the January meeting.
• Certified Local Government (CLG) Annual Report (Item 4): Commissioners provided input on the draft report, emphasizing the need to frame development pressures within the context of city policies like the Downtown Housing Initiative, and to include accomplishments such as the Sacramento Rail Yards recommendations, the Heritage Plaque program, and goals for design guidelines, additional surveys, and preservation staff. The report was received and filed; staff will incorporate comments before submission on January 13, 2017.
• Memorial Auditorium Improvements (Item 5): Staff outlined a temporary use plan for the auditorium to host performances during the theater renovation. Key design principles: no exterior changes, all modifications reversible or temporary (e.g., hanging light bars, acoustic curtains). Permanent upgrades to electrical and HVAC systems are planned. A $10 million budget is allocated. Regarding the pipe organ, staff stated it is not listed as a historic element in the historic structures report, but any removal would be reversible and stored for future reinstallation.
• SMUD Headquarters Improvements (Item 6): The project is behind schedule and over budget. The first phase (demolition and abatement) begins January 2017 and will take about 12 months. The second phase will use a collaborative design-build to reduce costs, with decisions on scope expected by mid-2017. Staff review will apply unless significant historic impacts arise.
• R Street Survey Update (Item 7): The survey is expected to be completed by February 2017. It will identify potential historic district boundaries, individually eligible properties, and opportunity sites. Staff noted the consultant originally limited the period of significance to 1930, but has been asked to consider buildings up to 1970 to capture mid-century resources. The survey is part of the Downtown Specific Plan effort.
• Mid-Century Modern Survey (Item 8): Five proposals were received; two firms have been selected for interviews. The survey will cover 48,000 parcels built between 1940 and 1970 citywide, with a reconnaissance-level effort and development of a historic context statement. The timeline is tight: work begins January 2017 and must be completed by September 2017 to meet grant requirements.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar items approved as amended (minutes and 2017 calendar).
• Director's report received and filed; staff to bring infill policy discussion items to January 2017 meeting.
• CLG annual report received and filed with direction to incorporate commissioner input.
• Memorial Auditorium update received and filed; staff to continue monitoring and seek commission input on final scope.
• SMUD update received and filed; future significant changes may return to commission.
• R Street survey update received and filed; results to be presented in February 2017.
• Mid-Century Modern survey update received and filed; selection of consultant expected by end of 2016.
• Commissioner Piner and Fuller requested information on open commission seats; staff to report back at next meeting.
• Commissioner Whitelam urged early engagement with the Downtown Specific Plan process to ensure preservation concerns are addressed.