HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/01/11 - Agenda Packet - HPC THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
AGENDA
RANCHO
CUCAMONGA JANUARY 11 , 2012 - 7:00 PM
Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center
Council Chambers
10500 Civic Center Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, California
L CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Chairman Munoz_ Vice Chairman Howdyshell _
• Fletcher_ Wimberly _ Oaxaca
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 14, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes
III. DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
A. UPDATE TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGARDING MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS OF ALL CITY HISTORIC
LANDMARKS
IV. 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.
V. COMMISSION BUSINESS/COMMENTS
• VI. ADJOURNMENT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
AGENDA
RANCHO JANUARY 11 , 2012
CUCAMONGA Page 2
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 5, 2012, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting per Government Code
Section 54964.2 at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga.
Please turn off all cellular phones and pagers while t e meeting is in session.
Copies of the Planning Commission agendas and minutes can be found at
hftp://www.CityofRC.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.
Vicinity Map
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January 11 , 2012
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Preservation Commission regarding City Hall
maintenance inspections of all City 10500 Civic Center Drive
historic landmarks.
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
• HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
December 14, 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, Ray Wimberly
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney; Tom Grahn, Associate Planner;
Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission
Secretary; Mike Smith,Associate Planner; James Troyer, Planning Director;
Tabe Van der Zwaag, Associate Planner; Desiree Lawson, Office
Specialist II.
• ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Fletcher, carried 5-0, to approve the minutes of
November 9, 2011.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Gwynn Frost reported that Etiwanda was established in 1881, and that 130 years ago George
Chaffey purchased the Chaffey property. She said next year we will celebrate the 130th anniversary
of Etiwanda. She said the Etiwanda Historical Society hopes to partnerwith the City and the School
District to celebrate.
Ed Dietl reported that the Route 66 Gas Station has been broken into and there is evidence of a
vagrant. He also referred to the decaying condition of Sweeten Hall, the China House and the
Route 66 Gas Station and asked for support from the Commission to rectify this. He said he does
not see the City taking action these properties. He expressed concern about what may be
developed on the property adjacent to the Gas Station. He also commented about the Eucalyptus
• trees that were cut down on Hellman Avenue.
Luana Hernandez spoke about her disappointment with respect to the Hellman Avenue Eucalyptus
trees that were cut down.. She said she received a call from Mr. Wittkopf from Public Works who
informed her that an arborist had checked them and they had been deemed diseased and/or a
hazard although she was not convinced of that. She presented photos to the Commission for the
record. She said the homeowners were informed of the intention to cut them but the historical •
group was not told. She said she was upset that neither the Commission nor the Council had been
told and the trees were not marked in any way prior to their being cut. She said she in addition to
requesting a meeting about this, she also wanted the petitioners to be notified.
Ed Dietl added that he felt this was typical in that the City always finds a loophole to do what they
want at the last minute without telling people what they are doing and that the City claims there is a
hazard so they can get rid of what they don't want. He expressed concern about what may be
developed on the property adjacent to the Gas Station. He also commented about the Eucalyptus
trees that were cut down on Hellman Avenue.
COMMISSION BUSINESS AND COMMENTS
James Troyer, Planning Director stated that he plans to meet with Ms. Hernandez and Mr. Wittkopf
in order to show her the documentation with respect to the condition of the trees. He said he would
also be happy to share the information with Mr. Dietl.
Chairman Munoz confirmed there would be a report on the three properties(China House, Sweeten
Hall and the Gas Station) in January
Mr. Troyer confirmed.
Commissioner Wimberly asked if a report from the meeting about the trees would be brought back
to the Commission. •
Mr. Troyer confirmed that would be included in the report.
Commissioner Fletcher spoke regarding the gas station and asked if the City could require the
property owner to add a chain link fence and make an effort to keep vagrants out as it is a public
safety issue there too. He said it is embarrassing to get an e-mail from the public about trees being
cut down after such lengthy discussion about preserving them. He said there was strong desire
from the community to preserve them because the residents wanted to preserve them. He said it
was discussed and advertised. He said that if public works thought there was an issue, they should
have the courtesy to come back to the Historic Preservation Commission and tell us why they need
to come down. He said Ms. Hernandez' pictures did not indicate disease and these also held up
through the last the wind storm. He said this procedure was wrong and they should have let us
know. He said that if they fell, they could do serious damage, but the homeowners wanted them and
they took the risk. He said he would like to hear the excuses as to why it happened and where this
arborist came from. He asked if the same arborist is surveying all City trees. He said he would like
Public Works to come in and explain,that he does not want to hear it second hand. He said the City
needs to look at changing procedure so it does not happen again.
Mr. Troyer said staff will examine the arborist reports, get the information and bring it back to the
Commission.
Commissioner Oaxaca said he shares Commissioner Fletcher's concerns and also how it is being
handled. He said all things considered, this should have been handled with some level of sensitivity
and communication. He said it seems some things did not happen they way they should have. He
said the Planning Department needs to know and they should be communicating with us. •
HPC Minutes -2- December 14, 2011
Y
Vice Chairman Howdyshell spoke about the historic buildings previously mentioned. She said the
Commission cares, but there is no funding to preserve them. She said they need a vehicle. She
• suggested a foundation be established for fundraising similar to the Friends of the Library. She said
they have been very successful in this. She said the historic community needs to put something
together for serious fundraising. She said those buildings are collapsing. She said we have
talented staff that may be able to assist with this.
Chairman Munoz said with respect to the tree cutting that the Commission will wait for the results of
the investigation. He said it is an excellent idea to privately raise funds. He said the Commission
wants to hear comments from the public and the Commission appreciates the residents being out
there as they may see the community more often than us and the sweaky wheel gets the grease.
He said the Commission needs your help but we have to act within the budget, set guidelines, laws
and codes.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Moved by Wimberly, seconded by Oaxaca, carried 5-0, to adjourn. The Historic
Preservation Commission adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
James R. Troyer, AICP
• Secretary
Approved:
•
HPC Minutes -3- December 14, 2011
STAFF REPORT _
• PL. NNING DEPARTMHNT
RANCHO
Date: January 11, 2012 CUCAMONGA
To: Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation Commission
From: James R. Troyer, AICP„Planning Director
By: Daniel Correa, Assistant Planner
Subject: UPDATE TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION REGARDING
MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS OF ALL CITY HISTORIC LANDMARKS
BACKGROUND: On July 7, 2011, the City Council adopted the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
The new Ordinance requires all historic property owners to maintain landmarked properties in
conformance with the provisions of the Ordinance. Additionally, the new Ordinance requires staff to
inspect all historically landmarked properties to ensure Compliance. The new Duty to Maintain
section of the Ordinance was in response to the community and the Historic Preservation
Commission concerns regarding historical properties being demolished because of neglect.
(R.C.M.C. Section 2.24.110)
UPDATE: Currently, there are 78 landmarked properties in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. The
Planning Department staff has inspected and documented the physical condition of roughly
• 73 landmarked properties. The process took approximately 5 months to accurately document the
condition of each property. This required field inspections including: photographing the
landmarked structures, completing on-site surveys and documentation, and completing a case file
report on the existing condition of each property. Five inspections are still on-going because of
limited access to the site or tall vegetation surrounding the structure on the site.
Staff has determined that although the majority of the properties are in good condition, three
properties are not in conformance with the Ordinance. Staff is currently in the process of initiating
contact with those property owners to bring the properties into compliance.
CONCLUSION: The Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted to uphold the quality of the
City's historic landmarks. The Ordinance added language to the Municipal Code providing for
preservation of structures that have a historical, architectural, and/or cultural importance.
Moreover, the Ordinance is designed to assure that historic landmarks are being properly and
continuously maintained.
Preserving the City's valuable historic resources helps in boosting civic pride, economic prosperity,
and gives the residents, as well as visitors, a visible reminder of our City's significant culture and
heritage. For these reasons, owners of historic designated properties are encouraged to familiarize
themselves with the City's requirements under the current Historic Preservation Ordinance
(R.C.M.C. Section 2.24.110 of the City's Municipal Code).
Staff will continue to work with property owners to encourage them to continue to maintain their
structures.
•
Item A
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
UPDATE FOR MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS OF ALL THE CITY'S HISTORIC LANDMARKS
January 11, 2012
Page 2 •
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission receive the
staff report and file for future reference.
Res ecttully submitted,
Ja es R. Troyer, AICP
Planning Director
JRT:DC\ge
Attachment: Exhibit A — R.C.M.C. Section 2.24.110
•
•
A — 2
1
2.24.110 Maintenance of Historic Landmarks and Contributing Resources,
A. The owner, occupant, or other person having legal custody and control of a
Historic Landmark or Contributing Resource shall keep in good repair all exterior portions
thereof, all interior portions thereof regulated by the applicable designation statement or
adopted conservation plan, and all interior portions thereof whose maintenance is necessary to
prevent deterioration and decay of any exterior architectural feature.
B. The owner, occupant or other person having legal custody and control of a
Historic Landmark or Contributing Resource shall promptly repair such building or structure
consistent with all other applicable local, State, and Federal laws, if it is found to have any of the
following defects as determined by the Building and Safety Official:
1. Building elements in danger of falling and injuring persons or property.
2. Deteriorated or inadequate foundation.
3. Defective or deteriorated flooring.
4. Walls, partitions, or other vertical supports that split, lean, list, buckle, or
are otherwise failing due to defective material or deterioration.
5. Ceilings, roofs, roof supports, or other horizontal members that sag, split,
buckle, or are otherwise failing due to defective materials or deterioration. ,
• 6. . Fireplaces or chimneys that list, bulge, settle, or are otherwise failing due
to defective material or deterioration.
7. Deteriorated, crumbling or loose exterior plaster.
8. Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs,
foundations or floors; including, but not limited to broken windows or doors.
9. Defective or insufficient weather protection for exterior wall coverings,
including lack of paint, or weathering due to lack of paint or other protective covering.
10. Any fault, defect, or deterioration in the building that renders it structurally
unsafe or insufficiently watertight.
C. A Certificate of Appropriateness shall not be issued for the demolition of a
Historic Landmark or a Contributing Resource because of the failure of the owner to comply with
the provisions of this section.
•
Exhibit A A - 3