Sacramento Preservation Commission Regular Meeting — June 21, 2023

The Sacramento Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall Complex, 915 I Street, Sacramento, CA. The meeting was called to order by Chair Max McSlavkin at 5:32 PM and adjourned at 7:25 PM. All five commissioners were present: Chair Max McSlavkin, Vice Chair Garret Root, and Commissioners Brian Burns, Joshua Montemayor, and Margo Nayyar. The commission reviewed the Sacramento 2040 General Plan draft, the proposed South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District, the African American Experience History Project, and received a presentation on the Certified Local Government (CLG) program. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement honoring the Nisenan, Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, and Wilton Rancheria peoples, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 — Approval of Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2022-02440): The commission unanimously approved the Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes of May 17, 2023. Motion by Commissioner Nayyar, seconded by Commissioner Montemayor. Vote: 5-0 in favor.

Discussion Items

Item 2 — Public Review Draft of the Sacramento 2040 General Plan and Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (File ID: 2023-00776):

• Senior Planner Remi Mendoza (joined remotely by Victor P. Randall, Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Project Manager) presented the citywide multi-year update. The draft was released for public review on April 28, 2023.
• The General Plan is a state-required 20-year blueprint. The Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAP) sets targets for carbon neutrality by 2045. Sacramento is projected to grow by over 69,000 housing units and 77,000 jobs by 2040.
• The Historic and Cultural Resources element contains 33 policies, including Policy 1.13 (indigenous cultures) and implementation action A4 (historic context statements and surveys covering underrepresented communities).
• The draft General Plan is over 500 pages. Two informational webinars drew about 100 total participants; the online self-guided workshop remains open through the end of August. A master Environmental Impact Report is expected in September, with City Council adoption hearings in early 2024.
• Commissioner responses: Vice Chair Root noted that most preservation education is "stuck in 50 years ago" and recommended more modern approaches. Chair McSlavkin asked about resources for tribal outreach and quoted William Berg: "the greenest building is the one that's already been built," emphasizing that historic districts are key to meeting climate goals. Commissioner Montemayor expressed satisfaction with the draft and asked about participation goals.
• Public comment — William Berg (Preservation Sacramento): Stated that definitions of "landscapes," "sites," "cultural resources," and "built environment" are missing from the General Plan, and that photos of historic resources are lacking. He also noted that large portions of the city, including neighborhoods in South Sacramento and northern Sacramento (e.g., Oak Park, Colonial Heights, Del Paso Heights), have never been surveyed for historic districts.

Item 3 — Draft South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Evaluation and Proposed Historic District Plan (M19-002, File ID: 2023-00724):

• Preservation Planner Henry Fuse presented. The district, identified in the 2016 mid-century modern historic context statement, covers a tract of 60 homes developed by Joseph Eichler in 1955. It includes 48 contributing resources and 12 non-contributing resources. The district is proposed for listing under criteria 1, 3, 4, and 5 for architectural significance, association with Joseph Eichler, and its non-discriminatory housing practices.
• A public meeting was held May 4, 2023, at the Belle Coolidge Library with about 30 attendees. Three public comments supported the listing; one letter of opposition was received; one comment requested additional information.
• Commissioner Nayyar recommended clarifying which window replacements are exempt from staff review and adding graphics throughout the plan. Commissioner Montemayor asked about benefits for the opposing property owner (Director de Courcy cited the Mills Act with ~40% property tax reduction, the California Historic Building Code, plaque program, and street topper signs).
• Public comment — William Berg (Preservation Sacramento): Expressed support for the nomination, noting the neighborhood's enthusiasm and Eichler's role in defying racial covenants.
• Public comment — Curtis Chong (physician, resident of a non-contributing home at 6361): Opposed inclusion of his home in the district, citing homeowner autonomy, a desire to opt out, safety concerns (including a loaded gun found across the street), and the desire to build a fence without additional review. He noted the neighborhood has "two camps" on the issue.
• The item was for review and comment only; no action was taken.

Item 4 — African American Experience History Project Final Draft Historic Context and Status Update (File ID: 2023-00722):

• Director Sean de Courcy presented in place of staff member Carson Anderson (who joined via Zoom). The project was funded by a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation plus $10,000 for community stipends over a 12-month period.
• Deliverables include an African American historic context (from city founding to ~1980), oral histories housed at the Center for Sacramento History, and a survey documenting landmark properties. Outreach included six city-sponsored public meetings, two community-sponsored meetings, a mayor's-sponsored pastor summit, three oral history recordings at Shiloh Baptist Church, and distribution of over 400 hard copies of the draft to public libraries and churches.
• The project mission includes acknowledging racial justice, documenting Black history, and recording Black voices. Related spin-off projects include oral histories of original Shiloh Baptist congregants and retired Black police officers.
• Next steps: The commission will make a recommendation at its August 16, 2023 meeting to the City Council's Racial Equity Committee, followed by full City Council consideration.
• Vice Chair Root commended the effort as a model for other cities. Chair McSlavkin praised the inclusion of positive Black historical figures (e.g., James Beckwourth and William A. Leidesdorff) and asked how to uplift stories without physical buildings.
• Public comment — Carson Anderson (via Zoom): Noted the project was "a quarter of a million dollar job with a $50,000 grant," crediting volunteer and student support, Page & Turnbull (especially Claire Flynn), and the community. The commission thanked him for his work.
• The item was received and filed.

Item 5 — Certified Local Government (CLG) Overview and Local Government Preservation Incentives (File ID: 2023-00746):

• Shannon Pries, new CLG Program Coordinator for the California Office of Historic Preservation, presented. Sacramento was certified on October 21, 1996, among the first large cities in California (predating Los Angeles and San Francisco). There are 69 CLGs statewide.
• CLG requirements include enforcing state/local legislation, maintaining a qualified preservation commission, survey systems, and public participation. Benefits include 10% of the federal Historic Preservation Fund passed through to local governments; grants up to $40,000 require a 40% local match.
• Key announcement: The City of Sacramento was awarded a 2023-2024 CLG grant of $40,000 for an LGBTQ+ context statement — word arrived that afternoon.
• Pries discussed the Mills Act (minimum 10-year contracts running with the property title), the California Historic Building Code, and the upcoming state Historic Preservation Tax Program (regulations comment period closed; program expected within about six months).
• Commissioner questions covered grant funding levels (Pries acknowledged $40,000 is insufficient and under review), National Register nomination comment processes (Director de Courcy noted the Montgomery Way district nomination is being heard by the State Historical Resources Commission on August 4, 2023, but could not be agendized due to the July recess), and tribal/native American context statement best practices (Los Angeles and San Francisco are both developing similar projects).
• The item was received and filed.

Director's Report

• Director de Courcy reported that the May Preservation Month symposium (May 25, 2023) drew approximately 70 attendees at City Church.
• The PNP committee of the City Council recommended Ian Merker for the architect position on the commission; appointment anticipated by August.
• Two new interns from Sacramento State's public history graduate program joined: Ella Cross (continuing as paid intern) and Derek Roberts (first day June 21, 2023).
• The commission will recess in July 2023; no meeting will be held.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (minutes of May 17, 2023) approved unanimously 5-0.
• Item 2: Commission reviewed and commented on the Sacramento 2040 General Plan and CAP drafts; comments to be incorporated into the hearing draft.
• Item 3: Commission reviewed and commented on the Eichler Historic District plan; staff will incorporate commissioner feedback (e.g., clarifying window replacement exemptions, adding graphics, adjusting driveway concrete language) and continue outreach to the opposing property owner.
• Item 4: African American Experience History Project received and filed; commission will consider a formal recommendation at the August 16, 2023 meeting.
• Item 5: CLG presentation received and filed; Sacramento awarded $40,000 CLG grant for the LGBTQ+ context statement.
• No public comments were made on matters not on the agenda; the meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.