City of Fresno

City Hall

2600 Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93721

Meeting Minutes - Final

Monday, October 28, 2024

6:00 PM

Regular Meeting

City Hall, Room 2165

Historic Preservation Commission

Chair - James Sponsler

Vice Chair - Jason Hatwig

Commissioner - Paul Halajian

Commissioner - Julie Federico

Commissioner - Elizabeth Laval

Commissioner - Sarah E. Johnston

Commissioner - Ryan Eddings

Staff:

Jennifer Clark, Director; Ashley Atkinson, Assistant Director;

Lisha Chen, Historic Preservation Specialist; Janice Monroe, M.A. II

THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION WELCOMES YOU TO ROOM

2165A, LOCATED IN CITY HALL, 2600 FRESNO STREET, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA

93721.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Any interested person may appear at the public

hearing and present written testimony or speak in favor or against the matters

scheduled on the agenda. Public participation during Fresno City Historic

Preservation Commission meetings is always encouraged and can occur by

attending a meeting in Room 2165A, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street,

Fresno, CA 93721. When called to speak during a meeting, you may approach the

speaker podium upon the Chair's call for additional public comment.

All public speakers will have up to 3 minutes to address the Commission

pursuant to Rule No. 13 of the Historic Preservation Commission Bylaws of the

City of Fresno (available in the City Clerk’s Office).

VIEWING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETINGS

(non-participatory) – For your convenience, there are ways to view Historic

Preservation Commission meetings live:

1. Community Media Access Collaborative website: https://cmac.tv/

2. Cable Television: Comcast Channel 96 and AT&T Channel 99

3. Participate Remotely via Zoom using the following link:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cAUGlBe2SYygn3isiCuy4w

a. The above link will allow you to register in advance for remote

participation in the meeting via the

Zoom platform. After

registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing additional details

about joining the meeting.

Should any of these viewing methods listed above experience technical

difficulties, the Commission meeting will continue uninterrupted. Commission

meetings will only be paused to address verifiable technical difficulties for all

users participating via Zoom or in person.

The City of Fresno’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA). Anyone requiring reasonable ADA accommodations, including sign

language interpreters, or other reasonable accommodations such as language

translation, should contact the office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or

clerk@fresno.gov. To help ensure availability of these services, you are advised

to make your request a minimum of 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Chair Sponsler called meeting to order at 6:00pm.

Johnston arrived at 6:02pm

Also present were Jennifer Clark, Ashley Atkinson, Lisha Chen, & Janice

Monroe

Present 6 - Chair James W Sponsler, Vice Chair Jason Hatwig,

Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Julie Federico,

Commissioner Elizabeth Laval, and Commissioner Sarah

Johnston

Absent 1 - Commissioner Ryan Eddings

II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ

6:01pm

Chair Sponsler read the procedures aloud.

III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES

6:02pm

September 23, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting

Minutes

III-A

ID 24-1335

Johnston arrived at 6:02pm

On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Laval,

that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the

following vote:

Aye: 5 - Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval

Absent: 2 - Commissioner Johnston and Commissioner Eddings

IV. APPROVE AGENDA

6:02pm

Chen requested a change in the agenda, withdrawing item VII-C (24-1463)

at the request of the applicant.

On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner

Federico,the AGENDA was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 - Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Federico, Commissioner Laval and

Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Eddings

V. CONSENT CALENDAR

N/A

VI. CONTINUED MATTERS

N/A

VII. COMMISSION ITEMS

Consideration of approval of request by property owners to enter into a

VII-A

ID 24-339

Mills Act historical property contract pursuant to FMC 12-1706:

1. The Clayton & Emily Chandler Home located at 610 E Pine Ave.

(APN 45111401), in the Wilson Island Historic District

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission hold a

public hearing and that the Director of Development enter into

Historical Property Contract for the subject property pursuant to FMC

12-1706.

6:03pm

Chen made a presentation on the background of the property in the Wilson

Island Historic District. She also talked about the features, Fresno Municipal

Code (FMC) findings, and Staff recommendations.

No Public Comment was given.

After noting the good condition and plan of the home owner, Halajian made

a motion to approve.

On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner

Laval, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by

the following vote:

Aye: 6 - Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Federico, Commissioner Laval and

Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Eddings

Consideration of approval of request by property owners to enter into a

ID 24-1462

VII-B

Mills Act historical property contract pursuant to FMC 12-1706:

1. The Anderson Residence (HP #130) located at 1120 T St. (APN

46602105)

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission hold a

public hearing and that the Director of Development enter into

Historical Property Contract for the subject property pursuant to FMC

12-1706.

6:07pm

Chen made a presentation on the background of the property, key features

of the property, FMC findings, and Staff recommendations.

Don Standridge, applicant, expressed his passion for the project, noting they

were the 5th owner of the property.

No Public Comment was given.

On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Halajian,

that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the

following vote:

Aye: 6 - Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Federico, Commissioner Laval and

Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Eddings

Consideration of approval of request by property owners to enter into a

ID 24-1463

VII-C

Mills Act historical property contract pursuant to FMC 12-1706:

1. The Aten Residence (HP# 126) located at 1133 S St. (APN

46603502)

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission hold a

public hearing and that the Director of Development enter into

Historical Property Contract for the subject property pursuant to FMC

12-1706.

Item was removed from agenda during Agenda Approval at the request of

the applicant/property owner.

Workshop on process for re-evaluating properties previously considered

ID 24-1097

VII-D

for designation

6:10pm

Atkinson made a presentation discussing the current code provisions, as

well as State & National guidelines. She explained that the internal

administrative procedure is currently not to re-evaluate a project that has

previously been considered by City Council but that they were open to a

discussion with the Commission on this procedure.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions on the process and procedure for

various situations or examples.

Laval asked about a potential list of denied properties over the years and

Staff explained the obstacles to develop this list.

Hatwig asked about properties that were denied because they opted out of a

District and Director Clark explained the process, giving the example of an

inclusion that was performed earlier this year.

Staff also clarified that if a property was denied before reaching City Council,

it would not need Council permission to start the reevaluation process.

Atkinson reported Staff would return with possible changes to the

Administrative process, as requested by the Commission

Monthly update on the Jose Garcia Brewer Adobe Building, HP #227

ID 24-1390

VII-E

located at 5901 W. Shaw (APN 51004038).

6:28pm

Chen showed photos from her most recent site visit and provided an update

on the latest information from the property owner (who was not present).

Commissioners asked if placing a lien on the property was an option and

wanted a plan of action. Clark explained Code Enforcement's plan and

noted the limits of the FMC.

Sponsler reported a disconnect from what is said and done by the property

owner.

Halajian stated this was a clear case of demolition by neglect

, to which Sponsler suggested the Commission develop a clear process for

cases such as these.

Clark said she would meet with the City Attorney's office and report back on

possible steps.

VII-F

ID 24-1267

UPDATE on Regular Monthly Topics:

1. Staff Updates

2. Proposed Historic Districts

3. Architectural Review Subcommittee Updates

4. Plaque Design Subcommittee Update

5. Economic Incentive Subcommittee Update

6:34pm

1. Chen reported 14 planning permits, 11 building permits, & 13 160 reviews

2. Chen reported working on the CLG report (expected to HPC late January)

with the hopes of applying for CLG grant in April.

3. No meetings were held

4. Sponsler reported the progress on the Van Ness Ave sign relocation and

the communication with High Speed rail on the revised plaque. Sign will be

located at Mariposa and H St and continue to read Van Ness Ave.

5. Chen reported 2 Mills Act applications that were approved and completing

their process. She also reported 6 Mitigation Grant applications pending in

various stages of the process.

VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

6:40pm

Chair Sponsler reported the recent 139th birthday of the City of Fresno. He

also said Raul Pickett reached out to him about making a

presentation/workshop at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on

the Chinatown Potential Historic District.

IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS

IX. - A. Members of the Commission

6:41pm

Laval reported a recent conversation she had regarding the Air Traffic

Control tower's possible demolition and Alan Lu exhibit. Clark explained the

Brown Act limitations, ending any conversation on the topic.

IX. - B. Staff