Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - May 17, 2017

This meeting of the City of Sacramento Preservation Commission convened at 5:35 p.m. on May 17, 2017, at City Hall. The commission addressed items including the approval of prior minutes, welcome of a new commissioner, recognition of an outgoing commissioner, the director's report, and an oral report from the Ad Hoc Committee on Alley-Side Infill Development. The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (April 19, 2017): Approved with two amendments. One correction related to the discussion item number for the Ad Hoc Committee update (changed from "item three" to correct reference). Another correction added a note under Member Comments that Chair Marshak requested a workshop with former preservation director Deering on preservation background. Vote: 4–0–2 (Commissioner Fuller absent; Commissioner Abrahams abstained).
• Welcome New Commissioner Mark Abrahams and Recognize Outgoing Commissioner Matthew Piner: The commission received and filed this item. Remarks were made by staff and commissioners thanking Commissioner Piner for his service and welcoming Commissioner Abrahams, who shared his background in construction, law, and neighborhood associations. Vote: 5–0–1 (Commissioner Fuller absent).
• Director's Reports: Received and filed. Preservation Director Carson Anderson provided updates on: the Heibrunn House (retained on site, no demolition/relocation), the Moran York nomination (to be sent to National Park Service after edits, with letter of support to be issued), Memorial Auditorium (temporary use as swing space, with reversible modifications), the Mid-Century Modern Historic Resources Survey (volunteer training workshops held, data collection to begin), and other planning and training activities. Public comment by William Burg requested follow-up on the letter of support for the Moran York nomination; staff confirmed the letter would be sent within two days.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William Burg (on Director's Report): Noted that the Moran York nomination had been reviewed by the State Historical Resources Commission and requested the letter of support from the commission to be included with the submission to the National Park Service.
• Matt Piner (on Ad Hoc Committee Update): Spoke as a former commissioner and longtime Midtown resident, expressing concern about infill development leading to speculation and loss of historic lot configurations (e.g., 40' x 160' lots) and quality of life. Cited the case of 2218 Capital Avenue, where a developer obtained entitlements, settled with neighbors, and then sold the property at a profit without building. Urged preservation of spatial relationships within historic districts.
• William Burg (on matters not on the agenda): Encouraged attendance at the upcoming Preservation Roundtable event.

Discussion Items

• Ad Hoc Committee Update on Alley-Side Infill Development (Oral Report): Commissioner Whitelam reported that the committee had sent a letter with 12 points to the Downtown Specific Plan project manager on May 3rd. Topics included: clarification of regulatory review changes, need for historic district infill development standards, key policy initiatives in the Central City Design Guidelines, request for maps of opportunity sites and zoning overlays, adaptive reuse guidelines, preservation incentive program amendments, and consideration of affordable housing alternatives in historic districts. The committee is reviewing several documents (e.g., infill development draft, Central City Neighborhood Design Guidelines, Preservation Area Plan) and aims to bring recommendations to the full commission by July 2017 for timely input on the Downtown Specific Plan before the August deadline.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved with amendments (4-0-2, one abstention).
• New commissioner welcomed and outgoing commissioner recognized (5-0-1).
• Director's reports received and filed with no formal action.
• Ad Hoc Committee update received for comment; no formal vote taken. The committee will continue its work and report back at future meetings.
• Member Comments: Commissioner Moffett requested a future agenda item on the status of the City Cemetery task force. Commissioner Whitelam requested follow-up design documents for the Capitol Avenue and Boulevard Park (2010 F Street) projects; staff will work on providing these in a manner consistent with the Brown Act. Chair Marshak noted that staff will compile letters sent on the commission's behalf for inclusion in future agenda packets.