Preservation Commission Meeting – September 5, 2018

The Sacramento Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:39 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The commission approved minutes, held a public hearing on a multifamily development in the Boulevard Park Historic District, reviewed preliminary concepts for the Eastern Star Building hotel adaptive reuse, commented on a revised Section 110 determination for the John E. Moss Federal Building, and received the Director’s Report.

Consent Calendar

• 1. Approval of Minutes of August 15, 2018: Moved, seconded, and carried (Moffett/Miller) 5‑0 to approve with an amendment to the wording of Item 5: "However, if deficiencies in the project can be addressed such that the standards are met, then the project can be approved. Addressing deficiencies can be worked out with preservation staff based on stated commission concerns."

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2 – Matters Not on the Agenda: William Burg, Board President of Sacramento Heritage Inc., announced two free Preservation Academy workshops: “Preservation 101” on September 9, 2018 (1–5 p.m., Cata Courtyard, 1322 O Street) covering Sacramento Register nominations, Mills Act, and grants; and a window restoration workshop on October 14, 2018 (same location, limited seating). He invited commissioners and the public to attend.
• Item 3 – I & 23rd Multifamily Development (Public Hearing): Six speakers gave public comment:
  • Jameson Parker (Midtown Association) expressed strong support, citing the need for additional housing in the central city and noting 1,000 units under construction. He urged approval to address the affordability crisis.
  • Rick Houston (neighborhood resident) opposed removal of the black walnut tree, describing it as a “living monument” and arguing the project benefits only the developer, not community housing needs.
  • Debra van Hulsteyn (nearby resident) questioned why no photo of the tree in leaf was shown, suggested the tree could coexist with a different design, and noted its age (80+ years) and health. She spoke emotionally about the tree’s value.
  • Jaeme Poncin (neighbor) delivered a poetic statement about the tree’s beauty and significance, urging its preservation. She exceeded her time limit and was asked to conclude.
  • Daniel Pskowski (degreed arborist, 40 years experience) argued the black walnut could be preserved; criticized the lack of root excavation; claimed roots in Sacramento soil often grow straight down; and noted the tree is healthy and a heritage asset.
  • Ryan Wagner (property manager of adjacent building) supported the project, stating the tree’s limbs had damaged cars and its roots had jeopardized the adjacent building’s foundation (verified by city arborists). He said his family owns the neighboring building and strongly supports the development.
• Item 4 – Eastern Star Building Hotel Adaptive Reuse: Three speakers:
  • William Burg (resident) questioned whether the proposed height (zone C2‑SPD) exceeds the 85‑foot limit and noted that loss of interior historic fabric (the auditorium) may constitute a negative impact requiring mitigation.
  • Margaret Piner (representing Eastern Hall/New Hope) stated the Eastern Star name cannot be used for the hotel; requested that the auditorium space—part of the original historic preservation application—be retained; and expressed openness to adaptive reuse.
  • Josh Pane (lifelong resident) praised the adaptive reuse concept, asked the commission to encourage retention of the roof deck element, and urged moving the project forward.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – PB17-067 I & 23rd Multifamily Development (continued from August 15, 2018): Staff presented a proposal for two residential apartment buildings totaling seven units and a seven‑stall garage on a 0.22‑acre vacant lot at 2226 I Street in the Boulevard Park Historic District. The project required deviations for height, setbacks, and trash bins in lieu of an enclosure, plus a tree permit to remove two city street trees, prune five others, and remove a private protected 47‑inch‑diameter black walnut. Staff analysis found the project consistent with Secretary of Interior Standards for new construction, and the deviations met code intent. Urban Forester Kevin Hawker estimated the walnut tree at 60–80 years old, healthy but structurally compromised. Staff received 12 email comments, with most concerns about the tree; Midtown Association and others supported the project. The applicant, architect/developer Ron Verlaccus, described the design as row houses inspired by historic context, with the garage tucked behind to minimize curb cuts. He cited an arborist report rating the tree a hazard (10/12) due to neglect and imminent branch failure. Commissioners discussed the tree’s health, alternative designs, and the balance between infill housing and tree preservation. A motion to approve staff recommendations (CEQA exemption, no significant impact to historical resources, site plan/design review with deviations, and tree permit) was made and seconded. Vote: 4‑0‑1 (Commissioner Marshack recused; Vice Chair Whitelam presiding). The motion carried.

• Item 4 – M18-018 Eastern Star Building Hotel Adaptive Reuse (Preliminary Concept): Carson Anderson introduced the project as a pre‑submittal concept to convert the historic Eastern Star Building at 2719 K Street into a select‑service hotel. The applicant, developer Roger Hume, proposed preserving the front facade, lobby, and grand staircase, adding four stories set back about 30 feet from K Street, and converting upper floors to hotel rooms. The auditorium would be partially retained as a meeting room/bar/lounge with 24‑foot ceilings and historic chandeliers. Commissioners reviewed updated renderings and floor plans. Discussion focused on height compliance (zone limit 85 feet), window preservation (keeping historic windows on the front and side elevations), the loss of the auditorium space (only a small meeting room retained), and the need for a formal analysis against Secretary of Interior Standards. Commissioner Valania noted the building’s National Register significance as an Eastern Star hall—a rare women‑oriented fraternal building—and expressed concern that the proposed loss of interior fabric might compromise its eligibility. Commissioner Moffett appreciated the effort but wanted more study. Commissioner Whitelam suggested retaining one large window in the meeting room to preserve the sense of volume. The commission offered comments for the applicant to consider before a formal application.

• Item 5 – John E. Moss Federal Building Revised Section 110 Determination of Eligibility: Carson Anderson reported that the GSA’s Historic Preservation Officer had originally deemed the building ineligible but, after receiving comments from the City, Sacramento Heritage, SAC/MAUD, the State Office of Historic Preservation, and others, revised the determination to find the building eligible for the National Register. Commissioners praised the outcome and agreed to send a letter thanking GSA for reconsideration and affirming the revised eligibility.

• Item 6 – Director’s Report: Carson Anderson updated the commission on the Mills Act program (city council approved revamped ordinance August 14, effective September 14; public workshop September 9), progress on historic context statements for 20 districts, upcoming meetings with development community and AIA on historic district plans, and staffing updates. He announced that the city’s mid‑century modern survey report received the 2018 Governor’s Award for Preservation.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 – Consent Calendar: Approved (5‑0) with amendment to August 15 minutes wording on Item 5.
• Item 3 – PB17-067 I & 23rd Multifamily Development: Approved (4‑0‑1, Marshack recused). Approval includes the CEQA exemption (Sections 15332 and 15300.2(f)), site plan and design review with requested deviations (height, setbacks, trash bins), and the tree permit for removal of two city street trees, non‑standard pruning of five city trees, and removal of the 47‑inch black walnut, subject to conditions including replanting one 24‑inch box tree and a $17,000 tree replacement fee per code.
• Item 4 – Eastern Star Building Hotel: Received and commented; applicant encouraged to address commission concerns before formal application (height, window retention, auditorium retention, Secretary of Interior Standards analysis).
• Item 5 – John E. Moss Federal Building: Reviewed and commented; commission directed staff to draft a letter to GSA affirming the revised eligibility determination.
• Item 6 – Director’s Report: Received and filed.
• Commissioner Comments – Item 7: Commissioner Whitelam requested a future report on SB 35 and its implications for infill design guidelines in historic settings. Staff noted the item would be brought back from long‑range planning.