HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/01/23 - Agenda Packet'f
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THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
AGENDA
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CUCAMONGA JANUARY 23, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center
Council Chambers
10500 Civic Center Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, California
I. CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Chairman Stewart Vice Chairman Fletcher
Munoz _ Howdyshell _ Wimberly
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
.III. APPROVAL,.OF MINUTES . ,
.January 9, 2008 Meeting Minutes
IV.: DIRECTOR'S REPORTS.;, ~. - .
A. POLICY REGARDING OPENING ALL HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION MEETINGS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
- V. PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time and place for the general public to address the commission. Items to be
discussed here are those that do not already appear on this agenda.
VL COMMISSION BUSINESSYCOMIVIENTS V' °'',
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
AGENDA
~cHG JANUARY 23, 2008
G'UGAMONGA Page Z - ~'
VIL ADJOURNIVIENT
1, Lois J. Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary of the City of Rancho Cucamonga,
or my designee, hereby certify that a true, accurate copy of the foregoing agenda was
posted on January 17, 2008, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting per Government Code
Section 54964.2 at 10500 Civic Center Drive,
Ran
cho Cucamonga. 'i
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Please turn off all cellular phones and pagers while the meeting is in session.
Copies of the Planning Commission agendas and minutes can be found at
htpa/www.ci.rancho-cucamonga.ca.us
If you need special assistance or accommodations to participate in this meeting,
please contact the Planning Department at (909) 477-2750. Notification of 48
hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to
ensure accessibility. Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired.
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VICINITY MAP
Historic Preservation Commission
January 23, 2008
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Meeting Location:
City Hall
10500 Civic Center Drive
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CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
• HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
January 9, 2008
Chairman Stewar[ called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning
Commission to order at 7 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers at Rancho
Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Chairman
Stewart then led in the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Frances Howdyshell, Lou Munoz, Pam
Stewart, Ray W imberly
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Pei-Ming Chou, Associate Planner; Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney;
Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Rina Leung, Senior Planner; Mayuko
Nakajima, Planning Aide; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director;
Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; Denise Sink, Office
Specialist II; Mike Smith, Associate Planner; James R. Troyer, Planning
Director
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• ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Wimberly, carried 5-0, to approve the minutes of
November 28, 2007.
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DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
A. CONSIDERATION OF DEMOLITION PERMIT DRC2007-00999 -RALPH AND MAXINE
STRANE - A review of historic and cultural significance in response to proposed demolition of
the Emery House barn in the Neighborhood Commercial district located at 7403 Archibald
Avenue - APN: 1077-011-43.
Mayunko Nakajima presented the staff report.
Chairman Stewart asked if this site is a National Registered Landmark.
• Ms. Nakajima reported that it is a local landmark with no registered designation. She added that the
Rains House has the National Registered designation.
Chairman Stewart asked if the Etiwanda Historic Society made comment on the staff report.
Ms. Nakajima stated that this property is not near the Etiwanda district and therefore they were not •
asked for comment.
Ralph Strane, 7403 Archibald Avenue, the property owner, gave a short summary of the history of
the barn and its past uses such as a place to raise pheasants, Pidgeon, wood ducks and purebred
fancy poultry.' He mentioned a failed attempt to open an antique shop in the barn because County
inspectors would not approve the building for the use because of its unsafe condition.
Chairman Stewart reported for the record that no one from the audience wished to speak. She
added that she has not visited the barn. She asked staff to comment on the significance of the barn.
Ms. Nakajima said that staff believes it is more significant than not. It is the only barn of this type still
standing, and although it is deteriorating and in need of repair, there is history there and it is the only
remaining barn of its type in the City. She said staff realizes the time and money needed to bring it
to code for commercial purposes and that the decision could go either way.
Commissioner Howdyshell commented that it is difficult because the documentation does not
indicate it is of landmark status. She said it may be an example of the idea to consider properties as
a whole as in this case with a home and an associated out-building. She asked why the home was
identified as a landmark but not the barn and that perhaps this would set a precedent for the future
to be more inclusive.
Chairman Stewart asked if staff is aware as to why that occurred,
Ms. Nakajima said we do not know.
Chairman Stewart asked if the barn could be moved. •
Ms. Nakajima responded that she did not personally think so because the barn is in pretty bad
condition.
Chairman Stewart asked if it was left in place, could it be rehabilitated or would that impact the
development.
Ms. Nakajima said it is possible that it could be used for parking or warehousing, but would take
much time and effort to get it to code.
Commissioner Munoz asked if it is true that structures even more damaged than this have been
moved and fully restored and that if this one could be moved to another location regardless of the
commercial application and then be restored.
Ms. Nakajima stated that is true and staff could investigate the possibility.
Vice Chairman Fletcher commented that the applicant would have to find a buyer that would payfor
the rehab and the move. He said there have been times where we allowed the demolition of the
structure and then have it replicated with new construction.
Ms. Nakajima said that has been done in the past but she added that she believes the setting of the
barn is important as well and by moving it,,it could lose its historic integrity.
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HPC Minutes -2- January 9, 2007
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Commissioner Munoz clarified that the Commission is being asked to determine its historic
significance but not necessarily look at the barn for landmark status even though that question may
be appropriate.
Mr. Strane commented that the two orange trees in front of the house, which are over 100 years old,
should be considered for their historic significance.
Commissioner Munoz commented that regarding the demolition permit, he said based on the facts
presented by staff, that the building has historical value, it is associated with an important person in
this town, and that its previous use is associated with the citrus industry. He said he did not know if
this structure had a sense of beauty, but the barn says as much about the citrus industry as the
home. He commented that if the building were kept, it would not be an issue of "hamstringing" a
buyer. He said all considered, he would not approve the demolition of the barn.
Commissioner Howdyshell asked about consultation with the Historic Society and said she would
find value in that. She asked for feedback from them.
Chairman Stewart commented that although there are two members in the audience, itwould be up
to them if they chose to comment. She asked if she would want to delay the issue before them.
Commissioner Howdyshell stated she is not necessarily in favor of delaying it, but that if there is
reason to move forward<with the preservation then she would like to know why and the significance
of that. She asked if there is reason for them to not want to participate in the demolition of the
structure and then she would like to know why so that the Commission is not criticized down the
road for the decision and for not being receptive to their input.
Chairman Stewart asked Jim and Gwynn Frost if they would like to comment.
Gwynn Frdst said they had just learned of this project last evening, so she was not fully apprised,
however, she noted that this is again another structure and that we are losing too many buildings to
demolition. She remarked that she was speaking from a personal perspective and not as an official
representative of the Historic Society. She added that she appreciated Commissioner Munoz's
comments.
Vice Chairman Fletcher commented that some historical significance could be tied to almost
anything old and there should be some reason to preserve it. He said to put the burden on a future
owner for a barn he is not going to use and no one else is going to use and that cannot be seen
because it sits far back on the lot is not acceptable. He said barns-age, fall apart, rot, fall over in
windstorms, but sometimes you have to let them go. He said he is not suggesting that to say that if
there is not historic significance to this structure that it is also saying that there is not significance to
the house up front; still preserve the history of that but let future owners get rid of something (i.e. the
barn) that is falling apart and is no use to anyone.
Commissioner Wimberly had no further comment.
Chairman Stewart remarked that by looking at the pictures, the structure has problems. She said
that although she is not an expert, that this is not beyond repair given some other sites we have.
seen to be rehabbed. She concurred with Commissioner Munoz.
Vice Chairman asked if this would be demolished in the future or if this would be done by a future
owner.
HPC Minutes
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January 9, 2007
Ms. Nakajima commented that the owners are in the process of selling the home and they do not
want the barn to be a problem for the new owners if they wanted to use the home for commercial
uses. •
Chairman Stewart clarified that the action is to approve or deny the demolition permit.
Commissioner Howdyshell asked if the permit is denied, what happens if they find a buyer, then
would the buyer also receive the barn as part of the parcel.
James R. Troyer, Planning Director affirmed that and he added that if the new owners wanted to
demolish the barn, they would have to come back before the Historic Preservation Commission for a
demolition permit.
Commissioner Howdyshell then surmised that in that case, the new owner would inherit this issue.
Chairman Stewart asked for the motion.
Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by W imberly, to deny the demolition permit 3-2 (Howdyshell,
Fletcher). Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART
NOES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL
ABSENT: NONE -carried
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Frost commented on the reconstruction of historic barns. He commented that there is a park in •
Bakersfield that has dozens of reconstructed historic structures on site. He said it is unfortunate that
this decision may affect the selling price of the property but that he could see that this could come
back to the Commission for other alternatives.- He commented that because it cannot be seen does
not mean it is not there. He said if this barn is not saved, we do know that there will not be another
built like it in Rancho Cucamonga. He said the Commission should put together a book that
documents what we are losing structures similar to the book entitled Capital Loses.
Gwynn Frost commented that the Historic Preservation Commission should open its meeting each
time for comment even if there is nothing agendized because there are people that would like the
opportunity to speak or make announcements.
Mr. Troyer commented that if it is the pleasure of the majority of the Commission, then direction can
be given to staff regarding the request.
Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney, commented that to set this policy forthe next agenda would be'
appropriate.
Vice Chairman Fletcher commented that he is in no way opposed to preserving sites or properties.
He said he does not favor special interest groups or the public imposing financial burdens on future
property owners towards something they may have no interest in. He said if there are organizations
that have funds to preserve them then that is a totally different situation.
Commissioner Munoz commented that property ownership is important. He said that this property
will not be forced on anyone and it will be purchased by someone that has full knowledge.of its _,
historic value and that it will not be a burden to them. He said the owners know that it is a historic .
home.
HPC Minutes -4- January 9, 2007
Chairman Stewart commented that staff is expert in what they do, but that Commission members
are not always given the open welcome to see these sites and so it would be helpful in staff reports
• for the Etiwanda Historic Society and the owners of historic properties to weigh in on these types of
issues with a degree of expertise because the Commission needs a lot of information to make these
decisions.
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Mr. Troyer commented that this could be established as a review criteria and brought back as a
policy.
Commissioner Munoz added that the quality of the pictures available be better than what is shown in
the Xerox copies found in the report.
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ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Howdyshell, carried 5-0, to adjourn. The Historic
Preservation Commission adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
James R. Troyer, AICP
Secretary .
Approved:
HPC Minutes
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January 9, 2007
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T H E C I T Y 'O F
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Staff Report
DATE: January 23, 2008
TO: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning
Commission
FROM: James R. Troyer, AICP, Planning Director
BY: Pei-Ming Chou, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: POLICY REGARDING OPENING ALL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETINGS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
BACKGROUND
The City has been cancelling Historic Preservation Commission meetings when 'no item is
• submitted for the Historic Preservation Commission agenda. However, there have been recent
requests by the public to open the meeting to allow for public comments on preservation issues in
the community.
Based on the request made at the January 9, 2008 Historic Planning Commission hearing, the
Commission took this request into consideration and directed staff to prepare a report for this
request to be considered at a future date.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission direct staff to
open a!I Historic Preservation Commission meetings unless the Planning Commission meeting is
also canceled.
Respectfully submitted,
James R. Troyer, AICP ~Q
Planning Director
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ITEM A