Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - December 16, 2020

The Sacramento Preservation Commission held a regular meeting on December 16, 2020, starting at 5:43 p.m. (delayed from the scheduled 5:30 p.m. start due to a quorum issue) and adjourning at 8:00 p.m. The meeting was conducted via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioners present: Chair Jacqueline Whitelam, Vice Chair Alice Valania, Caru Bowns (audio issues initially), William Carter, Ryan Miller, Christine Miller-Cruiess. Commissioner David Lemon was excused. The commission considered a consent calendar, three public hearings (landmark designation, rooftop sign, and a third-party appeal), and a discussion calendar item.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 – Approval of November 18, 2020 Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Valania. Passed unanimously (6-0).
• Item 2 – Approval of 2021 Meeting Calendar: Motion by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Miller. Passed unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received on the consent calendar or on any of the public hearing items (Items 3, 4, 5). No callers dialed in for those items.
• For Item 5 (Third-Party Appeal), the appellant's representative, Catherine Strait, argued that the proposed 1928 21st Street apartment project violates the Secretary of the Interior Standards (especially Standards 1 and 9) and the Poverty Ridge Historic District Plan. She claimed the building's setbacks, massing, and two-facade design are incompatible with the district, and that the project would obscure adjacent contributing resources. She also raised concerns about parking, trash service, and inadequate notice to neighbors. The appellant, Michael West, owns the adjacent property at 1922 21st Street.
• The applicant's architect, Mike Malinowski, and owner Mike Gile responded that they had conducted neighborhood outreach and made design changes based on feedback, and that the appellant declined to meet. They asserted the project is compatible and compliant with standards.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Ordinance Listing Nisei VFW Hall Post 8985 (1515 4th Street) as a Landmark: Staff presented the building's history as a restaurant built by African American entrepreneur Felix Flowers, later acquired by Japanese American veterans (Nisei) in 1955 for a VFW post. The Preservation Director noted it is one of the few remaining pre-redevelopment buildings associated with Sacramento's Japanese American community. No opposition. Commission unanimously recommended City Council approve the landmark designation (6-0).
• Item 4 – Forty Acres (Oak Park) Placemaking Roof-top Sign (3428-3436 3rd Avenue): Staff described a 30-foot-wide by 11-foot-tall yellow neon sign on the historic Lewis Building, set back 10 feet from the parapet. The sign is part of the 40 Acres complex, revitalized by St. Hope Development. Conditions included limited illumination hours and 3,800 Kelvin color temperature. Commissioners Miller and Miller-Cruiess recused themselves (Miller – professional conflict; Miller-Cruiess – neighbor relation). The commission approved the recommendation to the Planning and Design Commission (5-0-2).
• Item 5 – Third Party Appeal: 1928 21st Street Apartments (Poverty Ridge Historic District): This was an appeal of the Preservation Director's approval of a six-unit, three-story apartment building on a 0.07-acre corner lot. Staff argued the project complies with the Secretary of the Interior Standards and the Housing Accountability Act. The appellant opposed, citing incompatible setbacks, massing, and two facades. Commissioner Miller recused (firm worked with architect); Chair Whitelam recused (was hearing officer). Commissioner Bowns, Valania, and Carter expressed support. The commission voted to approve the project and deny the appeal (5-0-1, with Miller recused). A corrigendum to update the flood finding to the 2020 resolution was included.
• Item 6 – Discussion Calendar: The Los Angeles African American Heritage Initiative Proposal: Preservation Director Carson Anderson reported on a December 1, 2020 online forum he attended. The initiative aims to increase recognition of African American heritage in Los Angeles, addressing low representation (only 2% of city monuments reference African American history). Topics included alternatives to formal landmarking, design integrity challenges, and community engagement. The commission reviewed and commented; a written synopsis is expected.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved minutes and 2021 meeting calendar (both 6-0).
• Item 3: Unanimous recommendation to City Council to adopt an ordinance listing the Nisei VFW Hall as a local landmark (6-0).
• Item 4: Recommended approval of the Forty Acres rooftop sign to the Planning and Design Commission (5-0-2, with two recusals).
• Item 5: Approved the project and denied the third-party appeal (5-0-1). The project will proceed with a corrected flood finding.
• Item 6: Reviewed and commented on the Los Angeles African American Heritage Initiative; future discussion expected.
• Director's Report: Noted COVID-19 impacts on city operations, updates on the General Plan update (including a revised land use map to be presented to City Council on January 5, 2021, and a Preservation Commission discussion on January 20, 2021), and upcoming nominations for Thomas Jefferson School and North Sacramento School.
• Commissioner Comments: Chair Whitelam reported on a chairs/vice-chairs meeting that resulted in recommendations to the City Council regarding board and commission rules and procedures.