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Record of Proceedings

Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting: Mid-Century Landmarks and A Street Annex Delisting on October 17, 2018

Preservation Commission — Wednesday, October 17, 2018
BodySacramento, California
SessionPreservation Commission
DateWednesday, October 17, 2018
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:03

Okay.

0:04

I'm going to call good evening.

0:07

The October 17th meeting of the City of Sacramento's Preservation Commission is called to order.

0:13

Before we start, I'll review our procedures.

0:16

Copies of the agenda for tonight's meeting are on the kiosk just outside the door.

0:23

The commission will refer to each of the items according to the order provided on the agenda.

0:29

There are no changes to the agenda.

0:32

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.

0:42

Second, a presentation by the applicant if they choose, followed by questions of the applicant by the commission.

0:49

Then three will have an opportunity for public comments.

0:53

Speaker forms for members of the public are on the table in the back of the room.

0:58

If you would like to speak, please fill out a form.

1:01

Note the agenda item number on which you would like to speak and bring it up to the clerk to the left of the dice.

1:08

Right there.

1:09

You will be called to speak at the appropriate time.

1:12

There is a three minute limit to public comments.

1:15

Members of the audience may address the commission on items that are not on the agenda, which is agenda item two, public comments matters not on the agenda.

1:26

At this time, we ask that you please turn off all cell phones or paging devices.

1:37

So can we have a roll call?

1:41

Commissioner Bones.

1:43

Commissioner Miller.

1:45

Commissioner Moffitt.

1:46

Here.

1:47

Commissioner Volania.

1:49

Here.

1:50

Commissioner Marshak.

1:53

And Chair Whitlam.

1:55

Here.

1:56

Or immatined.

1:57

Okay.

1:57

I I would just mention before we start that we do have a full agenda tonight.

2:02

So I would appreciate any speakers being succinct if they can.

2:07

Certainly if there's any particular issue you feel we need to hear, we wish to hear it.

2:12

But we also want to get through all the items on the agenda this evening.

2:19

So the first item is the consent calendar.

2:23

The commission can approve these items without dis I'm reading the instructions to myself.

2:27

I'm sorry.

2:28

Anyway, so we're going to have the consent items, and the only item on the consent calendar is approval of the September 5th, 2018 meeting minutes.

2:41

Do any commissioners have questions or comments?

2:46

Okay.

2:51

Who does that?

2:53

Literally you do, as the chair.

2:55

Okay.

3:00

Apologize for this.

3:01

I don't run the machines very well.

3:04

Okay.

3:05

Thank you.

3:06

Go ahead.

3:07

Under item five, the uh Moss Federal Building Review.

3:10

I had recused myself from that discussion.

3:14

It wasn't voted on, so I don't know that it necessarily needs to be in the minutes, but where other people have recused themselves, it's mentioned.

3:22

Okay.

3:24

Are there any other comments on the minutes?

3:35

May I have a motion to uh approve the minutes with uh Alice's um comment noted.

3:48

Somebody want to make a motion?

3:50

Oh, sorry.

3:51

I'll get it.

3:52

Okay.

3:52

I move that we uh accept the uh what is the date here?

3:59

The September 5th meetings with the in uh the notation noted by Commissioner Vellania uh that she abstained from item five used recusal, yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████51%
Land Use Planning████████████14%
Public Comments██████████11%
Procedural████████9%
Urban Design███████8%
Personnel Matters██2%
Transportation Safety█1%
Public Health█1%
Parks and Recreation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - October 17, 2018

The Sacramento Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Jacqueline Whitelam (Chair Ryan Marshack absent). Commissioners present: Caru Bowns, Ryan Miller, Chad Moffett, Alice Valania, and Jacqueline Whitelam. Staff present included Preservation Director Carson Anderson, Associate Planner Sean de Courcy, Urban Design Manager Bruce Monighan, and Senior Deputy City Attorney Kourtney Burdick. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, public comments, two public hearings (four mid-century modern landmark nominations and the A Street Annex delisting and demolition request), a preliminary concept review for N Street Townhomes, and the Director's Report.

Consent Calendar

  • Motion (Moffett/Bowns) to approve the September 5, 2018, minutes as amended, noting Commissioner Valania's recusal from Item 5 of those minutes. Approved 4-0-1 (Marshack absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • William Burg, President of Preservation Sacramento: Invited the commission and public to a walking tour of Del Paso Boulevard on Saturday, October 20, 2018, from 2–4 p.m., starting at Burley Beverages. Described the tour's historical stops and noted it was free and open to the public.
  • Susan Henas: Announced that the Mid-Century Modern in the History of Sacramento context statement and survey received a 2018 Governor's Historic Preservation Award. Congratulated Preservation Director Carson Anderson, Sacramento Modern President Gretchen Steinberg, architectural historians Mark Bowen and Chad Moffett, and many volunteers. Invited the public to the awards ceremony on Thursday, November 1, 2018, from 1–4 p.m. at the Clunie Community Center in McKinley Park.

Discussion Items

Item 3: Mid-Century Modern Landmark Nominations (M18-011)

Staff presented four properties recommended for individual landmark designation on the Sacramento Register: Shepard Garden and Arts Center (3330 McKinley Blvd), Gunther's Ice Cream (2801 Franklin Blvd), the Sacramento County Courthouse (720 9th Street), and the Chase Bank building (4701 Freeport Blvd). These resulted from a citywide survey involving approximately 28 volunteers who documented roughly 1,800 mid-century modern properties. Staff recommended approval.

Public comment included:

  • Gretchen Steinberg (Sacramento Modern President): Expressed full support for all four nominations, highlighting their architectural and community significance.
  • William Burg: Stated Preservation Sacramento's support.
  • Roberta Deering: Supported the nominations and proposed specific amendments to the eligibility findings and significant features for the courthouse (720 9th Street) and the Shepard Garden and Arts Center (3330 McKinley Blvd), including recognition of International Style elements, inset first floor, sunscreen patterning on all facades, and collaborative design. For the courthouse, she also recommended adding mention of exterior precast concrete louvers, Formalist courtyard landscape, interior floor-to-ceiling doorways, and wood paneling. For the Shepard Center, she suggested adding entry walkway pilotis, stone masonry chimney, interior copper fireplace hood, and banks of windows in various configurations.

Staff accepted the suggested amendments. The commission unanimously supported the nominations.

Item 4: A Street Annex Demolition and Site Modifications (PB18-028)

This public hearing addressed the request by Blue Diamond Growers to delist the Annex building (131 North 16th Street) as a contributing resource to the North 16th Street Historic District and to demolish it to allow truck maneuvering and parking. The building was listed as a contributor in 2011 as part of the River District Specific Plan. Staff recommended denial, concluding the building continues to meet criteria for listing.

Applicant Presentation: Blue Diamond representatives (Nick Avdis, attorney; Darrell Nelson, Director of Major Projects; and Alicia Rockwell) argued that a new structural assessment by Dudek showed the building had been significantly altered and no longer warranted contributing status. They emphasized the company's stewardship of historic buildings on their 11-block campus (1.8 million square feet of processing space, $40 million in renovations over five years, 1,500 employees) and the need to improve traffic safety and logistics.

Public Comment: Several speakers opposed the delisting:

  • William Burg (Preservation Sacramento): Argued the Dudek report was flawed and that the building retains historic integrity. He noted that Preservation Sacramento representatives had been told Blue Diamond would not conduct an EIR and would rather go to court.
  • Vivian Gerlach (Central City resident): Questioned why Blue Diamond was avoiding environmental review, stating delisting was an "end run around CEQA."
  • Matthew Piner: Read a statement from Don Cox (Historic Environment Consultants) disputing the Dudek evaluation, noting the building's original brick and concrete elements remain, and that many changes are over 50 years old and have their own significance.
  • Roberta Deering (former Preservation Director): Supported the staff recommendation and urged consideration of adaptive reuse alternatives.

Commission Discussion: Commissioners expressed concern about the process of delisting a contributing resource without full environmental review. Commissioner Moffett stated the Dudek report "missed the mark" and that the building clearly contributes to the district. Commissioner Valania echoed support for staff recommendation. Chair Whitelam emphasized process concerns and the precedent that would be set. The commission approved a motion (Moffett/Valania) to recommend City Council deny the project: (A) CEQA exemption for denial, (B) deny delisting request as the building meets criteria for listing, and (C) deny site plan and design review because demolition is inconsistent with City Code and General Plan policies. However, the commission noted they could not reach a conclusion on Site Plan and Design Review due to insufficient information regarding the project for required findings.

Item 5: N Street Townhomes Preliminary Concept (M18-020)

This was a review-and-comment session for an infill 11-unit, three-story townhome development at 2618-2626 N Street, within the Winn Park Historic District. Two of three parcels are vacant. Staff received one letter of enthusiastic support from the Midtown Association.

Architect Sarah Ellis (Ellis Architects) and developer representative Marissa Colecchi presented conceptual designs with six units fronting N Street and five units accessed from an alley via an internal drive court. Materials include brick and cement plaster, referencing colors of adjacent structures. The project includes two-car garages per unit, raised front porches, and roof decks.

Commission Comments: Commissioners raised concerns about:

  • Massing and scale: The six-unit facade is too large and does not step down to adjacent historic buildings. The flat roof contrasts with the pitched roofs of surrounding historic structures.
  • Side setbacks: Zero lot line conditions and a five-foot pedestrian walkway on the east side adjacent to a landmark (Young Ladies' Institute).
  • Roof decks: Potential for later additions (umbrellas, tents) that could detract from the historic district character.
  • Front setback: While larger than required, it was noted that the design does not respect the rhythm of individual lots in the historic district.
  • Height: The parapet at 31 feet plus the roof access structure (9 feet) may exceed height limits and require a deviation.
  • Lot coverage: Likely over 60%, which may exceed zoning limits.
  • Parking court dimensions: Tight maneuvering space.

Commissioner Moffett recommended engaging a historic preservation professional early in design. The project is still conceptual; developer noted they will consider the feedback.

Director's Report

Preservation Director Carson Anderson reported:

  • Staffing changes: New preservation intern Michelle Trujillo; promotions: Scott Johnson to Senior Environmental Planner, Remy Mendoza to Senior Planner in long-range planning.
  • Historic District Plans: Consultants Paige & Turnbull completed surveys; administrative draft context statement expected soon. Public workshop possibly late November/early December; presentation to Commission scheduled for January 16, 2019.
  • Mills Act Program: Effective September 14, 2018; no applications received yet.
  • Historic Places Grants Program: $200,000 one-time funding; application deadline expected early December 2018.
  • Historic City Cemetery: Subcommittee meeting on horticultural guidelines on October 24, 2018; Technical Advisory Committee meeting postponed to November.
  • Senate Bill 35 briefing to be presented to Commission at a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

  1. Consent Calendar: Approved with amendment noting Commissioner Valania's recusal. (4-0-1)
  2. Mid-Century Modern Landmark Nominations: Motion (Valania/Miller) to approve staff recommendation with amendments from Roberta Deering to eligibility findings and significant features for the courthouse and Shepard Garden Center. Approved 4-0-2 (Marshack absent, Moffett abstained).
  3. A Street Annex (delisting and demolition): Motion (Moffett/Valania) to approve staff recommendation to deny the project, including delisting and site plan review. Approved 4-0-1 (Marshack absent). Staff will include in the report to City Council the Commission's concerns regarding the process of delisting a contributing resource without environmental review.
  4. N Street Townhomes Preliminary Concept: No vote; review and comment only. Commission feedback to be considered by applicant before formal application.
  5. Director's Report: Received and filed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. I'm going to call good evening. The October 17th meeting of the City of Sacramento's Preservation Commission is called to order. Before we start, I'll review our procedures. Copies of the agenda for tonight's meeting are on the kiosk just outside the door. The commission will refer to each of the items according to the order provided on the agenda. 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. Second, a presentation by the applicant if they choose, followed by questions of the applicant by the commission. Then three will have an opportunity for public comments. Speaker forms for members of the public are on the table in the back of the room. If you would like to speak, please fill out a form. Note the agenda item number on which you would like to speak and bring it up to the clerk to the left of the dice. Right there. You will be called to speak at the appropriate time. There is a three minute limit to public comments. Members of the audience may address the commission on items that are not on the agenda, which is agenda item two, public comments matters not on the agenda. At this time, we ask that you please turn off all cell phones or paging devices. So can we have a roll call? Commissioner Bones. Commissioner Miller. Commissioner Moffitt. Here. Commissioner Volania. Here. Commissioner Marshak. And Chair Whitlam. Here. Or immatined. Okay. I I would just mention before we start that we do have a full agenda tonight. So I would appreciate any speakers being succinct if they can. Certainly if there's any particular issue you feel we need to hear, we wish to hear it. But we also want to get through all the items on the agenda this evening. So the first item is the consent calendar. The commission can approve these items without dis I'm reading the instructions to myself. I'm sorry. Anyway, so we're going to have the consent items, and the only item on the consent calendar is approval of the September 5th, 2018 meeting minutes. Do any commissioners have questions or comments? Okay. Who does that? Literally you do, as the chair. Okay. Apologize for this. I don't run the machines very well. Okay. Thank you. Go ahead. Under item five, the uh Moss Federal Building Review. I had recused myself from that discussion.

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