Preservation Commission Meeting – May 18, 2022
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Preservation Commission Meeting – May 18, 2022
The City of Sacramento Preservation Commission met virtually on May 18, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. (via Zoom due to the COVID-19 local emergency). The commission heard two public hearings and one discussion item, all resulting in unanimous votes. No public comments were received on any agenda item.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 – Approval of Minutes (April 20, 2022): Approved unanimously (5-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke on any agenda item; a caller on Item 2 (420 4th Avenue) was unmuted but did not comment.
Discussion Items
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Item 2 – Ordinance listing 420 4th Avenue (C.G. Hidden Farmhouse) as a Landmark: Staff reported that the 1860s brick farmhouse, a rare example of an agricultural building, was researched by a preservation intern after earlier incorrect research. The owner initiated the nomination. Commissioners praised the property’s integrity and historic setting. The commission voted unanimously (5-0) to recommend City Council approval of the landmark designation.
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Item 3 – Grower’s District (P21-024): The applicant proposes a mixed‑use development on three sites totaling ±5.23 acres, including adaptive reuse of two historic warehouse buildings (former produce terminal and Roulon’s office furniture) and construction of four new buildings with 525 dwelling units and 70,887 square feet of commercial space. The project requires a rezone, site plan and design review, and a tree permit to remove three city trees. Staff recommended approval. The applicant’s team (Ian Barth, Mark Ruin) presented design details, including retention of character‑defining features, setbacks, and a historic interpretation plan. Commissioners discussed building height, tree removal, and impacts on homelessness but supported the project’s contribution to the River District’s revitalization. The commission voted unanimously (5-0) to forward a recommendation of approval to the Planning and Design Commission (and ultimately to the City Council).
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Item 4 – African American Experience Support Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Staff reported a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to create a citywide historic context on the African American experience. The commission created an ad hoc subcommittee (motion carried 5-0) and appointed Commissioners Slavkin and Herrick to serve. The subcommittee will meet monthly for about 12 months to assist staff and consultants.
Key Outcomes
- Item 2: Motion carried 5-0 to recommend City Council adopt an ordinance listing 420 4th Avenue as a landmark.
- Item 3: Motion carried 5-0 to recommend approval of the Grower’s District project (including the site plan, design review, and tree permit) to the Planning and Design Commission and City Council.
- Item 4: Motion carried 5-0 to create the ad hoc subcommittee and appoint Commissioners Slavkin and Herrick.
- Director’s Report: Noted that Commissioner Wisley resigned due to moving out of the city; two commission vacancies are expected to be filled by July/August 2022. Two new preservation interns are being recruited.
- No public comments on matters not on the agenda.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned following the director’s report.
Meeting Transcript
Chair staff is ready when you are. Great. Yeah, please start the 30-second. Hi, Chair. We are live. If uh Commissioners can please turn on your video. We will get started. Great. Good evening. Welcome to the City of Sacramento's Preservation Commission meeting for May 18th, 2022. Clerk, please take the roll and commissioners, please unmute your mics. Thank you, Chair. Commissioners, please unmute and turn on your video. Commissioner Carter. Is absent. Commissioner Herrick. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Slavkin. Here. Thank you. Vice Chair Miller. Here. Thank you. And Chair Bolenia. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. Great. Thank you. I'm going to read the powers and duties of the Preservation Commission. We don't do this every week, but uh given that we have public hearings, we'll do this tonight. So our powers and duties are as follows to recommend to the city council policies and programs in support of historic preservation, including the goals and policies for the general plan and updates of the preservation program. Two to evaluate and provide comments or recommendations on proposed plans, public and private development projects, and environmental reviews that are not subject under this chapter, but that may potentially affect physical development and historical preservation of the city. Three, to review and make recommendations to the state Office of Historic Preservation regarding nominations of property located within the city. Four, assume duties assigned by the city council pursuant to the certified local government provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act and five to consult with advise and report to City Council annually on the Commission's duties and functions. So with that, um for this evening, members of the public uh participating via Zoom. Uh if you'd like to speak on an agenda item, please use the Zoom raise your hand feature when the item begins. Uh and uh the clerk will call on you during public comment and you will have two minutes to speak. So please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands. Commissioner Herrick will read the land acknowledgement. To the original people of this land, the Nissan on people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Blaine's My War, Putwin Wind Tune peoples and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and our appreciation of Sacramento's indigenous people's history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Slavkin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. So we will move on to tonight's agenda. There are no changes to the agenda.
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