HPB 08/19/2015 MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
4:00 p.m. -Wednesday
City Council Chambers
AUGUST 19, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Walter called the Historic Preservation Board Regular Meeting of Wednesday,
August 19, 2015, to order at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, located at 70
North First Street, Campbell, California, and the following proceedings were had to wit.
ROLL CALL
Board Members Present:
Todd Walter, Chair
George Niczewicz, Vice-Chair
Susan Blake
Laura Taylor Moore
Board Members Absent:
JoElle Hernandez
Staff Members Present:
Cindy McCormick, Senior Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Niczewicz made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of July
22, 2015 as amended. Board Member Moore seconded. Motion Passed 4-0-1
(Hernandez absent).
ORAL REQUESTS
None
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August 19, 2015
Page 2 of 4
PUBLIC HEARING
• Growers National Bank/ 400 E. Campbell Avenue: Modification (PLN2015-202) to a
previously-approved Conditional Use Permit (PLN2014-207) and a Historic
Exception (PLN2015-203). City staff planner Daniel Fama gave the report, indicating
that the application had two parts; 1) a modification of the historic property's use
permit for a ground level restaurant and a new upper floor office, and 2) a Historic
Exception permit. The adaptive reuse of the historic building needs a historic
exception to exceed the allowable floor area ratio (FAR), considering both the
restaurant .and the office uses. The floor area exception is nominal, and the floor
area already exceeds City Code allowance. Furthermore, the project would reduce
the intensity of the restaurant by expanding an existing mezzanine into a full second
floor office. As indicated by Mr. Fama, the goal of the HPB review is to ensure the
historic resource is preserved and that the proposed improvements are warranted
and create a greater degree of historic integrity in consideration of the exception.
The applicant indicated that approval is needed because the space is difficult to
lease due to the lack of visibility into the building from the street, and also due to the
odd shaped mezzanine.
The HPB discussed the application and was in support of the proposed use of the
building and the .Historic Exception for the. additional floor area, and had the
following comments:
• Restore the entry door with metal, not wood
• Otherwise, maintain the exterior with no additional changes
• Ensure the project retains the integrity of the building so as to be eligible for
potential listing as a Historic National Trust property
• Maintain the interior barrel ceiling and consider exposing the trusses to highlight
the barrel ceiling
• Ensure that the windows are not covered up and should draw customers into the
building, through the use of lighting, for example.
HPB member Blake made a motion to recommend approval of the change in use
and the historic exception for floor area, on the condition that the entry door be
restored to its original design and material as determined by the HPB, and that the
interior barrel ceiling be retained. Board Member Moore seconded. Motion Passed
4-0-1 (Hernandez absent).
NEW BUSINESS
1. 2220 S. Winchester Blvd: Discussion regarding the historical significance of a
building that is not currently on the Historic Resource Inventory (HRI). The owner is
proposing a restaurant on the property which would require demolition and
reconstruction of the rear half of the structure and exterior alterations. City staff
Historic Preservation Board -Special Meeting Minutes
August 19, 2015
Page 3 of 4
planner Daniel Fama gave the report, indicating that the HPB should discuss
whether or not the building may warrant consideration for preservation. If the HPB
feels the building may warrant preservation, the item would need further analysis
and would need to come back to the HPB for a formal decision.
The architect for the proposed restaurant conveyed that he had experience with
historic architecture in the City of Campbell, indicated the building had undergone
several additions /modifications, and further declared that the building was not
architecturally or culturally significant.
The HPB discussed the property and determined that while the property is located
near the Alice Avenue Historic District, the building had little to no architectural
integrity and did not warrant further discussion for preservation.
2. 146 Alice Avenue: Discussion regarding potential work on this property located in
the Alice Avenue Historic District. City staff planner Cindy McCormick gave the
report, indicating that the owners would like to restore the home to its "historically
correct style" and was seeking non-technical advice from the Board regarding the
work which would include repairing the foundation, the driveway, the hardwood
floors, the roof, and the eaves and pillars. The owners are also considering a future
application for a Mills Act Contract. While no decision was required or rendered, the
HPB did express appreciation for the homeowner's intentions for preservation. Ms.
McCormick indicated that she would work with the homeowner if they desired to
apply for the Mills Act.
OLD BUSINESS
3. None
ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS
1. Update on the brochures (tri-fold brochures for realtors. etc.):'
Chair Walter and Board Member Moore provided a handout, outlining the outcome
of their subcommittee meeting. The brochure should look like a public relations
piece with pictures and creative fonts. It should read like an inviting article with key
information, not rules and regulations. The brochure should highlight historic
properties in the City, encouraging interest and questions, and providing website
links and references for additional information. The HPB should distribute the
brochure to realtors and encourage realtors to advocate for historic preservation,
noting properties in the City whose property values have gone up, partially as a
result of preservation, and also noting the property tax benefits of the Mills Act.
Additional ideas should be emailed to staff planner Cindy McCormick. The HPB
indicated that a copy of a draft brochure. may have been given to the former
Planning Manager.
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August 19, 2015
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2. Update on historic plaques in Downtown Campbell: Board member Blake indicated
that the plaques should be ready soon and installed in October. There will also be an
article about the plaques in the Campbell Express.
3. Staff updates: Staff planner Cindy McCormick indicated that on August 18, 2015, the
City Council approved the rescission of the HRI designation of the property at 119 S.
Second Street.
4. HPB Member updates: Board member Blake indicated that she would be attending a
workshop in Capitola and would provide a report on the workshop to the HPB during
the September 23~d HPB regular meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:30 p.m. to a regular meeting to be held on September 23 2015, at 4:00
p.m., City Council Chambers, 70 North First Street, Campbell, California.
PREPARED BY: J ~G ~,O-~ Vl.t,~~--
Cindy M ;err~ick, Senior Planner
APPROVED BY:
To~~,~, Chair