Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - August 18, 2021
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Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting - August 18, 2021
The Preservation Commission of Sacramento met virtually on August 18, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. local time (the meeting record indicates a start time of 13:45 UTC) to consider a consent calendar item, two public hearings on landmark nominations, and a discussion of draft objective design standards for historic districts. All items were approved or recommendations were made.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Approved the minutes of the April 21, 2021 meeting via a unanimous voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 (2131-2132 Q Street – Beehive Building): Christian Sharban (development manager for Shop Off Realty Investments) opposed the landmark nomination, arguing the building's interior had been substantially altered and that designation would prevent housing development. Wesley Sagewalker and Daniel (Gateway Development Company) also opposed, citing the loss of interior features (e.g., interior patio, redwood siding) and the need for housing. William Berg (President of Preservation Sacramento) supported the nomination, stating the building retains sufficient integrity and that designation does not preclude housing on the adjacent parking lot. Ansel Lundberg (co-chair of House Sacramento, a YIMBY group) opposed the listing, arguing the building's integrity is compromised and that designation would be a detriment to new housing.
- Item 4 (Objective Design Standards): William Berg commented that the prohibition on copying historic architectural styles should be removed, claiming it is overly broad and violates state law (SB330).
Discussion Items
- Item 2 (2681 Montgomery Way Landmark): Staff presented the nomination for the Chin Havim House, a Spanish Colonial Revival residence associated with the National Better Homes movement. The building was recommended for listing under City Code Criteria 1 (events) and 3 (architecture). No public comments were received. The Commission unanimously passed a motion to recommend City Council approval, including the identified character-defining features: arched windows and doors, rough textured plaster, tile roof, decorative chimney, and recessed attic vent.
- Item 3 (2131-2132 Q Street – Beehive Building Landmark): Staff presented a detailed nomination for the Beehive Building, citing significance under Criteria 1 (women's activism and Eleanor McClatchy's role), Criteria 3 (Googie-style architecture embodying distinctive characteristics of a type/period), and Criteria 4 (work of master architects Cox, Liskey, Beck, and King). The owner objected, citing interior alterations and the site's designation as an opportunity site in the Central City Specific Plan, arguing that designation would hinder housing. Staff countered that the building retains sufficient integrity and that the parking lot (majority of the parcel) could still be developed with housing. After public comment, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend listing to City Council with the character-defining features: exaggerated canopy supported by thin simple columns, smooth redwood siding, cement block cladding, unique fenestration pattern along Q Street, and single-story massing.
- Item 4 (Final Draft Objective Design Standards): Urban Design Manager Bruce Monighan presented the final draft of objective design standards for historic districts, developed to comply with SB35 and SB330 for streamlining housing projects. The standards are based on the Historic District Plan (HDP) and aim to be clear, measurable, and objective. A key point of discussion was the provision in section 31.3 (alley-facing infill) stating that "New construction may not copy historic architectural styles." Commissioners and the public raised concerns that the term "copy" is subjective, not objective, and could lead to arbitrary rejections. The Commission recommended removing that prohibition entirely, as the HDP already provides subjective guidance through the Secretary of the Interior Standards, and the objective standards should not prohibit designs that are harmonious but not replicas. Staff agreed to also correct a typo in section 30.10 (changing "are allowed" to "are not allowed" regarding hitching posts and upping stones) and to ensure consistency of the prohibition across all sections if retained. The Commission's comments will be incorporated before the document goes to City Council.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Approved (unanimous).
- Item 2: Recommended to City Council for landmark designation (unanimous).
- Item 3: Recommended to City Council for landmark designation (unanimous).
- Item 4: Commission directed staff to remove the prohibition on copying historic styles, correct the typo in section 30.10, and ensure consistency. Staff will update the draft and present it to City Council in early October.
- Director's Report: Preservation Director Sean de Courcy announced new interns, pending hiring for his former position, and three active grants: a $21,000 CLG grant for preservation outreach (near completion), a $10,000 CLG grant for commissioner training (October 21-22, 2021), and a $50,000 National Trust for Historic Preservation grant for African American cultural heritage survey (in partnership with Sacramento State). Three Mills Act contracts (1500 F Street, 2222 2nd Street, 3135 D Street) will be recommended to City Council on September 14, 2021.
Meeting Transcript
Chair staff is ready when you are great, thank you. We have the commissioners uh on video. Thank you. All right. I will uh call to order the August 18th, 2021 meeting of the preservation commission. Welcome everyone. It has been a while. Uh so we thought uh given that it has been a little while, we would go ahead and start with our uh reminder of the powers and duties of the preservation commission. Um we are here to uh recommend the council policies and programs in support of historic preservation, including the goals and policies for the general plan and updates of the preservation programs, uh also the to evaluate and provide comments or recommendations on proposed plans, public and private development projects, and environmental reviews that are not subject to review under uh this chapter, but that potentially affect physical development and historical preservation of the city. Uh and also uh mention we assume the duty is assigned by the council pursuant to the certified local government provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act. So a few reminders given that we're in a new uh webinar kind of setup here as well for staff commissioners, applicants, or appellants uh that are logged into the meeting. Please remember to mute yourself except when you're speaking. Uh, for members of the public tuning in, in addition to submitting e-comments on the website, you have the option to join the Zoom meeting from the link on the meeting agenda. Um public participating via Zoom. If you'd like to speak on an agenda item, please use the Zoom raise your hand feature when the item begins in order to be uh able to provide the public comment. You'll be the clerk will call on you and allow you to speak. You will have three minutes to address the commission, and if you go over, the clerk will let you know to make your final comment and then you'll be muted. Uh and there's more information on tonight's agenda about how to do the raise your hand feature if you have questions, and uh if you need to also speak on a subsequent item, you will need to raise your hand again when that item is up. Uh so we will move on with our agenda. There are no modifications to it. So, Chairman, Chair Mayor Cal May I call roll to establish a quorum. Yes. Thank you. Commissioner Carter. Present. Commissioner Lemon. Commissioner Miller. I'm here. Commissioner Whitelum. Here. Thank you. Vice Chair Miller Cruises will be absent this evening, and Chair Villenia. Here. You have a quorum. Thank you. Uh so there is one item on the consent calendar, item one to approval of the April 21st, 2021 minutes. Do I have any comments on them? Or can I have a motion? Um, I I move to approve the minutes. Thank you. A second. Second the motion. Thank you. Uh will the clerk please call the roll. Thank you. I have a motion by um Commissioner Whitlam, second by Miller. Commissioner Carter. Yes. Commissioner Lemon. Yes.
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