HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/03/09 - Agenda Packet al
• �e S' THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
LA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
L, AGENDA
RANCHO
CUCAMONGA MARCH 9, 2011 — 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 Munoz Vice Chairman Howdyshell
• Fletcher_ Wimberly _ Oaxaca
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 23, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes
IV. DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
A. STATUS REPORT REGARDING THE INSPECTIONS OF SWEETEN
HALL AND THE CHINA HOUSE - ORAL REPORT
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.
• VI. COMMISSION BUSINESS/COMMENTS
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7 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 0
L AGENDA
RANCHO
MARCH 9, 2011
CucAmoNGA Page 2
IVII. ADJOURNMENT
I, 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 March 3, 2011, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting per Government Code
Section 54964.2 at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamon a.
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
http://www.ci.rancho-cueamoncia.ca.us
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•
•
IMIIf 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 Meeting
March 9 , 2011
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CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
•
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
February 23, 2011
Chairman Munoz called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Historic Preservation
Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers at Rancho
Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Chairman Munoz
then led in the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Frances Howdyshell, Lou Munoz,
Francisco Oaxaca
ABSENT: Ray Wimberly
STAFF PRESENT: Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner; Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney; Dan
James, Senior Civil Engineer; Mayuko Nakajima, Assistant Planner; Lois
Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; Mike Smith, Associate Planner;
Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner; James Troyer, Planning Director
• . . . . .
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Oaxaca, carried 4-0-1 (Wimberly absent), to approve the
minutes of February 9, 2011.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. MILLS ACT APPLICATION DRC2011-00057-CHRISTOPHER AND SARA BACKER-A request
to implement the use of the Mills Act to reduce property tax for the Bartholow House,a Designated
Historic Landmark in the Low Medium Residential District, located at 12920 Bartholow Drive -
APN: 1100-021-33. Related Files: Historic Landmark Designation DRC2003-00102 and
Landmark Alteration Permit DRC2003-00103.
Mayuko Nakajima,Assistant Planner, presented the staff report and PowerPoint presentation(copy on
• file).
Chairman Munoz noted the maintenance projects are listed on page 17 of the staff report. He invited
the applicant to speak and she declined. He opened the public hearing and seeing and hearing no
Ilr
comment, closed the public hearing.
Vice Chairman Howdyshell said she is pleased to see this application. She said she has been in the
home several times and recalls how it looked prior to their major renovation. She said these are good
improvements and important towards maintaining the historical integrity of the home.
Commissioner Oaxaca said he lives nearby and appreciates seeing the home. He said he recalls when
it was on Base Line Road and seeing the grazing sheep on the property. He thanked the applicants for
preserving it, and he expressed appreciation of the owner's commitment.
Commissioner Fletcher agreed with the other Commissioners and he said it is good to apply for the
Mills Act and take advantage of that benefit. He said scheduled work and repairs on a timeline is nice.
Chairman Munoz offered congratulations to the applicants for taking advantage of the tax code while
maintaining the home.
Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Fletcher to adopt the Resolution Recommending
Approval of Mills Act Contract DRC2011-00057 to be forwarded to the City Council for final action.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, OAXACA
•
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: WIMBERLY carried
B. HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION DRC2011-00040-ROSIE SOSA-A request todesignate •
the Pearson House as a Designated Local Landmark in the Very Low Residential District located
at 6956 Etiwanda Avenue - APN: 108-908-118. Related File: Mills Act Agreement
DRC2011-00042.
C. MILLS ACT APPLICATION DRC2011-00042-ROSIE SOSA-A request to implement the use of
the Mills Act to reduce property tax for the Pearson House, currently applying for Historic
Landmark Status, in the Very Low Residential District located at 6956 Etiwanda Avenue - APN:
108-908-118. Related File: Historic Landmark Designation DRC2011-00040.
Mayuko Nakajima,Assistant Planner, presented the staff report and PowerPoint presentation(copy on
file).
Chairman Munoz asked if the applicant was present and there was no response. He then opened the
public hearing for comment and hearing and seeing none, closed the public comment period.
Commissioner Fletcher commented that the house qualifies for designation and he also expressed
support for the related Mills Act application.
Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney said the items would be acted upon separately.
Commissioner Oaxaca agreed and said this is an example of the appropriate use of the Mills Act and
also on landmarking the structure. He said there is a commitment of the property owner to take on
designation of a historic property. He commended the owner and pointed out that the structure is not •
as old as some, but it is a style that is now rare and we do what we can to preserve.
HPC Minutes -2- February 23, 2011
• Vice Chairman Howdyshell concurred and said it is important as a Commission to also have this
commitment. She expressed support of the designation and the Mills Act request.
Chairman Munoz said he is very pleased that the applicant brought this application to the Historic
Preservation Commission by their own volition rather than staff trying to persuade the property owner to
• do this. He congratulated them and noted that the condition of the house 3-4 years ago was not the
best and now it has made a big turn around. He gave kudos to the property owners. He mentioned
that the applications being brought forward make everyone aware of the preservation efforts that are
happening here.
Motion: Moved by Oaxaca, seconded by Howdyshell, to adopt the Resolution Recommending
Approval of Historic Landmark Designation DRC2011-00040 be forwarded to the City Council for final
action. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, OAXACA,
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: WIMBERLY - carried
Motiori: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Howdyshell, recommending approval of Mills Act Contract
DRC2011-00042 to be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Motion carried by the following
vote:
AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL,.MUNOZ, OAXACA,
NOES: NONE
•
ABSENT: WIMBERLY - carried
DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
• D. STATUS REPORT ON THE HISTORIC CUCAMONGA SERVICE STATION
Mayuko Nakajima, Assistant Planner, gave the staff report.
Chairman Munoz commented that a portion of the rear building collapsed; the owner has been given
approval for a demolition permit to demolish the rear building but the owner has not responded to the
City in this regard.
Ms. Nakajima confirmed they have been authorized to pull the permit because it is a hazard at this point
but they have not responded.
Vice Chairman Howdyshell asked if there is a timeline for the owner to respond.
James Troyer, Planning Director, said staff will continue to review this from a property maintenance
standpoint; they have had the permit for 3 weeks and have done nothing and at some point it could
become a property maintenance case. He said staff is in discussions with the Building Official
regarding this. He said there is a safety issue and an appearance and potential property maintenance
issue.
Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney, said that keeping it there in its current state/falling down is a
public danger could be considered public nuisance issue. He said if they do nothing the City could
abate but that would require court order and would take some time.
Commissioner Fletcher asked if there is animosity or a problem between the property owner and the
• City.
HPC Minutes -3- February 23, 2011
•
Mr. Troyer said that staff has been cooperative with the property owner. He said there is a balance of •
trying to protect property as it has landmark status and also be sensitive to the issue of public safety.
He said there is no animosity between staff and Lamar Advertising (the property owner)and we hope
they do not have animosity towards staff.
Commissioner Fletcher asked if this is a negotiating tool with them and if other discussions are taking
place with them.
Mr. Troyer said he could not speak to that.
Chairman Munoz noted the issue of the front structure that needs to be protected and nothing has been
done to it. He said it continues to get weaker with the rain. He said if we do not request the owner to
do anything about that then it would be possible to end up with the same situation. He asked if there is '
a requirement with respect to general property maintenance that could be enforced through our Code
Enforcement Department. Chairman Munoz said it is his belief that any property owner has the
requirement to maintain their property.
• Mr. Flower said he would look at the issue with staff and look at the options in the current Code. He
noted that this is why stronger language is being developed for the new Historic Preservation
Ordinance to help prevent this from happening in the future.
Vice Chairman Howdyshell expressed her disappointment with the property owner because the City
has worked so hard to maintain partnerships and create alliances with corporations here recognizing
the importance of corporate partnerships here. She said it has been a tug of war in this case. She said
she finds it so odd that a corporate citizen is so resistant in partnering with the City, the Commission
here, and with the historic preservation community as a whole. She said she really struggles with the •
fact that they are unwilling to work with us in any direction.
Chairman Munoz duly noted her comments. He requested that the Commissioners comments be
forwarded to the City Council. He said this property owner does business with the City,the City Council
approved their use on the property and we worked with them but this has been one way street with this
particular property owner. He said the Council should move this owner and they have the latitude to do
so where the Commission does not.
Vice Chairman Howdyshell commented that a Council goal (Agenda packet Page A-2) indicates a
video sign being installed by 2012. She said it might not be related to this particular issue/property
owner but that it should be noted with respect to being a corporate citizen.
Chairman Munoz agreed that they need to be a good corporate citizen.
The secretary received and filed the report.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ed Dietl said he is more than disappointed because we have nothing. He said the sign owners don't
care about the property and it will be difficult to do anything with them. He said the Ordinance needs
more teeth. He said these people are not our friends and all they want is that sign. He requested a
report on Sweeten Hall, the China House, the Biane Winery, the Route 66 name change, and the
Historic Ordinance changes. He said they have talked about an additional committee for historical •
review and nothing has been done. He asked for help and attention from the Commission because he
HPC Minutes -4- February 23, 2011
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• is getting nothing. He reported that the City of Ontario has a mothballing process that is used often in
Guasti. He said they wrap the buildings and seal them to save them until repairs can be continued.
Bob Scheu stated he is involved with historic preservation in another community. He encouraged the
Commission to preserve the gas station as the rain and weather will destroy it. He said once its
destroyed, it can't be put together after that. He said they should take a close look before tearing it
down.
Luana Hernandez also reported that Ontario uses a plastic wrap around their structures. She asked if
the City could wrap the front gas station building. She said it might slow the deterioration of the
building.
COMMISSION BUSINESS/COMMENTS
Commissioner Fletcher asked that staff be proactive regarding the gas station, the China House and
Sweeten Hall. He said the roof on the China House is sagging noticeably and may cave in. He said he
would like someone in the near future to go out on inspection. He said he was recently planning a trip
to Canada and discovered they have rental cars that have special GPS units that target historical sites
and provide directions in addition to information. He suggested that something like this could be
provided at the library and possibly integrated with our Local History program and could be readily
available to the public.
James Troyer, Planning Director, said staff has performed inspections of the China House and
• Sweeten Hall and will provide a report at the next meeting.
Chairman Munoz remarked about the tenor of the comments made about this Commission. He said the
Commission and staff are extremely active and trying like crazy to do all we can but we live in a country
of laws and must follow the advice of our attorney. He said this does not make this Commission anti-
historic. He said reports are being prepared on the China House and Sweeten Hall. He said that to
say we are not doing anything is a mischaracterization and staff is working hard.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Oaxaca, carried 4-0-1 (Wimberly absent), to adjourn.
The Historic Preservation Commission adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
James R. Troyer, AICP
Secretary
Approved:
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HPC Minutes -5- February 23, 2011