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Record of Proceedings

Preservation Commission Meeting April 17, 2019: Landmark Nominations and NPS Rule Changes

Preservation Commission — Wednesday, April 17, 2019
BodySacramento, California
SessionPreservation Commission
DateWednesday, April 17, 2019
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

And welcome to everyone.

0:01

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

0:07

Before we start, I'll review our procedures.

0:10

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

0:15

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

0:20

There are no changes to the agenda.

0:22

Each item in the public hearing portion of the agenda will begin with first a brief presentation by staff and by the applicant if they choose, followed by second questions of staff and the applicant by the commission.

0:37

Then third, there'll be opportunity for public comments.

0:41

And finally, uh four comments by the commission and deliberation toward a decision.

0:47

For non-public hearing items, questions by the commission are combined with commission comments and deliberation after the opportunity for public comment.

0:57

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

1:02

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

1:04

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.

1:10

You will be called to speak at the appropriate time.

1:14

Normally there is a three-minute limit on public comments.

1:18

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

1:29

At this time, I'd ask that you please silence all cell phones and other noise making devices.

1:39

So can we have the roll call?

1:41

Correct.

1:43

Commissioner Bounce.

1:46

Commissioner Carter.

1:48

Commissioner Marshak.

1:50

Here.

1:51

Commissioner Miller.

1:52

Here.

1:54

Commissioner Moffat.

1:55

Here.

1:56

Commissioner Volania.

1:59

And Chair Whitelum.

2:01

Here.

2:02

Or I'm attained.

2:05

Okay.

2:06

So we'll now proceed with the consent items.

2:10

We have one item on the consent calendar, which is approval of the preservation commission minutes of the February 20th, 2019 meeting.

2:23

So I don't know if anybody either has comments on the minutes or if I can have a motion on the consent calendar.

2:34

May I have a second?

2:41

Second.

2:42

Okay.

2:43

All right.

2:44

Are you trying to you're trying to someone's trying to speak?

2:48

I apologize for okay.

2:50

Alice.

2:51

I'm coming up as Alice.

2:52

Okay because of the switch in chairs.

2:54

Or switch in chairs.

2:55

All right.

2:55

Well then, John.

2:57

Comment on comment on the uh on the uh motion.

3:02

Uh there.

3:02

I was hoping that I didn't have this one up on my screen.

3:06

Bring it up real quick here.

3:07

Uh the meeting minutes.

3:10

Um did have an error.

3:14

Hold on a second.

3:15

Oh no, I'm sorry.

3:16

That was another another agenda item we'll get to later.

3:18

Never mind.

3:19

Thank you.

3:20

Okay.

3:21

All right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████66%
Public Comments█████8%
Public Participation█████8%
Procedural█████7%
Personnel Matters███4%
Preservation Commission███4%
Public Records Act█2%
Land Use Planning█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Preservation Commission Meeting – April 17, 2019

The Sacramento Preservation Commission met on April 17, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber, adjourning at 7:21 p.m. The Commission approved the previous meeting minutes, conducted public hearings on two historic landmark nominations (four properties on 38th Street and the Bank of America building at 730 I Street), discussed proposed changes to National Register nomination rules, received reports, and recognized outgoing commissioners Chad Moffett and Jon Marshack.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (February 20, 2019): Approved 5-0-2 (Commissioners Moffett and Valania abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jennifer Holden expressed concerns about the City Cemetery Technical Advisory Committee, alleging that volunteers were not allowed to discuss details and that a non-disclosure agreement was being required. She urged that documents be made public before signing.
  • William Burg announced upcoming preservation events: Sacramento Heritage workshops (April 28 and June 2), Preservation Sacramento Jane Jacobs walks (May 3-5), and the Historic Home Tour (September 15) in Woodlake for the first time.
  • Alice McAuliffe (38th Street resident) spoke in strong support of the four 38th Street landmark nominations, noting that her earlier effort for a historic district had failed due to a tie vote among neighbors. She urged the Commission to help homeowners overcome fear of designation.
  • William Burg (Preservation Sacramento) supported the 38th Street nominations and noted that inquiries about historic districts are increasing citywide.
  • Alejandro Rayburn (Unite Here Local 49) asked the Commission to postpone consideration of the 730 I Street landmark nomination, citing inadequate public notice and unanswered questions about the full mixed-use project and CEQA review.
  • William Burg (Preservation Sacramento) supported the 730 I Street nomination, highlighting the developer’s positive track record and the building’s architectural significance.
  • Gretchen Steinberg (Sacramento Modern) supported the nomination, citing the building’s design by Worcester, Bernardi & Emmons and its mosaics, and praised the developer’s adaptive reuse plans.

Discussion Items

  • 38th Street Landmark Nominations (M18-017): Staff presented four properties (1081, 1109, 1308, 1315 38th Street) eligible under City Code criteria. Commissioners noted discrepancies in the draft ordinance regarding construction year (1912 vs. 1922), eaves description, and integrity language. Staff recommended corrections before forwarding to City Council.
  • 730 I Street Landmark Nomination (M19-001): Staff recommended listing the Bank of America building as a landmark for its association with architect Worcester, Bernardi & Emmons and the Byzantine mosaics. Commissioners discussed the adjacent hotel project (not yet submitted) and confirmed that the nomination is separate from future development review. Chair Whitelam confirmed proper noticing per city code.
  • National Park Service Proposed Changes to NRHP Nominations: Staff summarized concerns that the rule changes would hamper state and local input, and allow large property owners to block district nominations. Commissioners discussed amendments to the draft letter, including substituting “the other owners” for clarity, changing “urge reconsideration” to “urge not to adopt,” and adding CCs to Senators Feinstein and Harris and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Commissioner Moffett urged support for the letter.

Key Outcomes

  • 38th Street Landmark Nominations: Motion passed 7-0 to recommend City Council approve the environmental exemption and ordinance listing the four properties, with staff to correct wording on eaves, window features, and integrity for 1081 and 1315 38th Street.
  • 730 I Street Landmark Nomination: Motion passed 7-0 to recommend City Council approve the environmental exemption and ordinance listing 730 I Street, with a correction to the spelling of “citizenship” on page 9.
  • National Park Service Rule Changes: Motion passed 7-0 to direct the Preservation Director to submit a comment letter to the National Park Service as amended by Commissioner Marshack.
  • Certificates of Appreciation: Commission recognized outgoing members Chad Moffett and Jon Marshack for their years of service. Both expressed gratitude and noted they may continue to participate as members of the public.
  • Director’s Report: Staff reported on Sacramento Heritage bylaw amendments (approved March 23), historic district plans (public draft online, future commission review in August/September), city cemetery TAC meeting (April 8, more details at May meeting), and update on 1414 E Street project (Planning and Design Commission approved with some but not all of the Preservation Commission’s conditions; roof decks and height reductions were not adopted). Commissioner Marshak requested preservation training for the Planning and Design Commission.

The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

And welcome to everyone. The April 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 in 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 first a brief presentation by staff and by the applicant if they choose, followed by second questions of staff and the applicant by the commission. Then third, there'll be opportunity for public comments. And finally, uh four comments by the commission and deliberation toward a decision. For non-public hearing items, questions by the commission are combined with commission comments and deliberation after the opportunity for public comment. Speaker forms for members of the public are on the table in the back of the room. If you'd 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. You will be called to speak at the appropriate time. Normally there is a three-minute limit on public comments. Members of the audience may also 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, I'd ask that you please silence all cell phones and other noise making devices. So can we have the roll call? Correct. Commissioner Bounce. Commissioner Carter. Commissioner Marshak. Here. Commissioner Miller. Here. Commissioner Moffat. Here. Commissioner Volania. And Chair Whitelum. Here. Or I'm attained. Okay. So we'll now proceed with the consent items. We have one item on the consent calendar, which is approval of the preservation commission minutes of the February 20th, 2019 meeting. So I don't know if anybody either has comments on the minutes or if I can have a motion on the consent calendar. May I have a second? Second. Okay. All right. Are you trying to you're trying to someone's trying to speak? I apologize for okay. Alice. I'm coming up as Alice. Okay because of the switch in chairs. Or switch in chairs. All right. Well then, John. Comment on comment on the uh on the uh motion. Uh there. I was hoping that I didn't have this one up on my screen.

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