Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting – February 21, 2024
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Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting – February 21, 2024
The Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 5:30 PM at City Hall Complex, 915 I Street, 1st Floor, Sacramento. Vice Chair Margo Nayyar presided with Commissioners Burns, Merker, and Montemayor present; Chair McSlavkin was absent. The meeting lasted approximately 48 minutes, adjourning at 6:18 PM. The primary action was a unanimous recommendation to the City Council to list 1950 Arden Way (Home Savings and Loan Building) on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Meeting Minutes (January 17, 2024): Passed unanimously (4-0) without discussion or public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- William Berg (Preservation Sacramento): Expressed full support for the landmark listing. He noted that the building is 46 years old and argued that the city should conduct a citywide survey so property owners are aware of potential historic significance, using past demolitions of architecturally significant buildings at age 46 (Sacramento Synodomes and El Hambra Theater) as cautionary examples.
- Kathy Strickland (Arden Arcade resident): Voiced strong support for designation, emphasizing the building's extraordinary art and architecture and hoping the decision would educate county leaders about preserving mid-century structures in Arden Arcade, which lacks a preservation commission.
- Amy Higuera (attorney for property owner, Downey Brand): Opposed the listing, summarizing a consultant (Dudek) report that concluded the building does not meet any historic register criteria. She argued: the building lacks key new formalist features and was built after the style's period; Millard Sheets was not the architect (Frank Hamolka & Associates likely architect); the mosaics are not rare (many Home Savings branches exist); the building may not retain integrity; and the owner was not put on notice of potential historic status before purchase.
Discussion Items
- Staff Presentation (Ella Cross, Preservation Intern): Detailed the historical significance of 1950 Arden Way. The building, completed in 1978 (age 46), was identified in the city's mid-century survey. Staff determined it eligible under three Sacramento Register criteria: Criterion 3 (embodies distinctive characteristics of New Formalist architecture), Criterion 4 (work of a creative individual/master – Millard Sheets and his studio), and Criterion 5 (high artistic value). The two mosaics by Millard Sheets Studio depict Sacramento history and are integral to the design. Staff argued the building is exceptionally significant despite being under 50 years old due to its rarity, scholarly interest, and high integrity.
- Commissioner Montemayor: Emphasized the building's significance as a gateway in the Arden area and lamented the potential replacement with a drive-through. He questioned staff about adaptive reuse options; staff cited examples of other bank buildings converted to offices, schools, or restaurants.
- Commissioner Merker: Conducted a detailed analysis of each criterion. Concluded the building is eligible under Criteria 3 and 5, and suggested additional research on Frank Hamolka, Susan Hertel, and Dennis O'Connor to strengthen Criterion 4. He supported the exceptional significance argument due to the building's uniqueness in Sacramento.
- Commissioner Burns: Shared a personal connection (first bank account at Guild Savings and Loan, now this branch). He studied mid-century modernism and visited Millard Sheets sites in Claremont. He agreed the building meets the criteria and emphasized that the Sheets Studio, not necessarily Sheets himself, qualifies as a master. He supported listing.
Key Outcomes
- Motion & Vote (Item 2): Vice Chair Nayyar moved, seconded by Commissioner Montemayor, to recommend the City Council adopt the ordinance listing 1950 Arden Way as a landmark on the Sacramento Register, eligible under Criteria 3 and 5, with a recommendation to update Criterion 4 with further research. The motion passed unanimously (4-0; Chair McSlavkin absent).
- Director’s Report: Preservation Director Sean deCourcy reported:
- North Sacramento School was listed on the Sacramento Register on February 14, 2024, with unanimous City Council support.
- Four new interns have onboarded (two paid, three volunteers).
- The next meeting (March 20, 2024) will have a full agenda, including the nomination of the Southland Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District.
- Public Comments on Non-Agenda Matters: None.
- Meeting Adjourned: 6:18 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Seconds begin. Thirty seconds has begun. Vice Chair. Staff is ready when you are. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the February 21st, 2024 Preservation Commission meeting. It is 5 30. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the rule to establish a quorum? Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioners, please unmute. Commissioner Merker. Here. Commissioner Burns? Here. Commissioner Monte Mayer? Here. Vice Chair Nayer? Here. Chair Mixlovkin. Absolutely. Thank you. We have quorum. Great. I would like to remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. After the speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips. We will now proceed with today's agenda. So please rise for the opening acknowledgements in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley Plains Miwok, and Petwin Wintune 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 appreciation of Sacramento's indigenous peoples history, contributions, lives, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Our first business today is approval of the consent calendar. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Thank you, Vice Chair. I have no speaker's lips for this item. Thank you. Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on this item? Is there a motion and a second for the consent calendar? Motion to approve the consent calendar. Motion to second. Will the clerk please call the roll for a vote? Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioners, please unmute. Commissioner Merker. Yes. Commissioner Burns?
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