City of Fresno  
City Hall  
2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Monday, April 28, 2025  
6:00 PM  
Regular Meeting  
City Hall, Council Chambers  
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;  
Janice Monroe, M.A. II  
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION WELCOMES YOU TO COUNCIL  
CHAMBERS, 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  
the Council Chambers, 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://fresno.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_tqMujg_eQtKcM0qDC4Qbvg  
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  
the meeting.  
about joining  
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 the Chambers.  
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 6:01pm.  
Also present were Jennifer Clark, Ashley Atkinson, & Janice Monroe  
Present 6 -  
Chair James W Sponsler, Commissioner Paul Halajian,  
Commissioner Julie Federico, Commissioner Elizabeth Laval,  
Commissioner Sarah Johnston, and Commissioner Ryan  
Eddings  
Absent 1 - Vice Chair Jason Hatwig  
II. PROCEDURES  
6:02pm  
Chair Sponsler read the procedures aloud.  
III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES  
March 24, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting  
Minutes  
III-A  
ID 25-461  
6:03pm  
On motion of Commissioner Johnston, seconded by Commissioner  
Laval, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried  
by the following vote:  
Aye: 6 -  
Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner  
Federico, Commissioner Laval, Commissioner Johnston and  
Commissioner Eddings  
Absent: 1 - Vice Chair Hatwig  
IV. APPROVE AGENDA  
6:03pm  
On motion of Commissioner Laval, seconded by Commissioner  
Eddings,the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 6 -  
Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner  
Federico, Commissioner Laval, Commissioner Johnston and  
Commissioner Eddings  
Absent: 1 - Vice Chair Hatwig  
V. CONSENT CALENDAR  
N/A  
VI. CONTINUED MATTERS  
N/A  
VII. COMMISSION ITEMS  
Review and provide comments to on the Draft Initial Study/Mitigated  
VII-A  
ID 25-392  
Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Peacock Building located at 937 F  
St. pursuant to FMC 12-1606(b)(5)(6).  
6:04pm  
Clark noted that exhibits A, B, & C were removed from the record and not be  
a part of the current discussion.  
Phil Skei presented on the proposed project, current condition of the  
building, and building history.  
Laval asked about potential artifacts and while Skei said they are limited on  
their current access to the property that Staff agreed with the Commissions  
interest in preserving any found artifacts.  
Johnston requested an updated DPR to represent the current state of the  
building, addressing archeological resources.  
Halajian asked if adaptive reuse was considered but Skei said it wasn't  
feasible in the current condition.  
Commissioners voiced concern that the acquisition and demolition will  
affect the Proposed Historic District, citing the difficulty in maintaining  
integrity. They were worried this will negatively affect the registering of  
Chinatown's District. They voiced an interest in having a building that was a  
good example of what was there, not a fake representation. They ended the  
conversation with citing the importance of a clear definition of boundaries of  
the Chinatown Historic District.  
Update on the plans for Historic Preservation Month  
ID 25-513  
VII-B  
6:27pm  
Chair Sponsler reviewed the calendar and reminded everyone that the  
Proclamation would be held at 1:30 on 5/1 in Council Chambers. He also  
suggested people visit Pat Hunter's studio to view several paintings of  
historic properties.  
Update on the stained glass at 1115 U St (HP#220)  
VII-C  
ID 25-539  
6:29pm  
Atkinson showed before and after photos of the amber windows and  
reported no damage as a result of the paint removal. She noted they have  
plans for future work and it will be reviewed by Historic Preservation.  
The Commission voiced appreciation for the well done work.  
Monthly update on the Jose Garcia Brewer Adobe Building, HP #227  
ID 25-532  
VII-D  
VII-E  
located at 5901 W. Shaw (APN 51004038).  
6:32pm  
Atkinson reported no change in condition to the property and that Staff is  
working with the City Attorney's office on potential intervention.  
ID 25-467  
Update on Regular Monthly Topics:  
1. Staff Updates  
2. Proposed Historic Districts  
3. Architectural Review Subcommittee Updates  
6:34pm  
1. Atkinson reported March statistics. She noted that a letter was sent out to  
all registered historic properties inviting them to participate in the economic  
incentive programs and included the flyer on Historic Preservation Month  
events. She also reported that the demolition at the BowOn Tong building  
was complete and additional artifacts had been found. The collection will be  
transferred to the Historic Society to combine with their existing collection  
on Chinatown. She ended with an update on the Historic Preservation  
Specialist open position.  
2. Atkinson noted a conversation on the boundaries of Chinatown was to  
come and that Chinatown's Proposed Historic District is still a priority.  
3. Johnston reported on the 2 properties reviewed in the last month (1844 S  
Cherry & 909 Fulton)  
VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT  
6:43pm  
Chair Sponsler asked that as Historic Preservation Month approaches  
people are mindful of what we have in Fresno and that there is a balance  
between a need for new and respect for the old.  
Halajian added the importance of embracing adaptive reuse as a City.  
Sponsler added that October celebrates Fresno's 140th anniversary.  
IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS  
IX. - A. Members of the Commission  
6:45pm  
Laval told a story about Rosenburg building from when the US joined World  
War II, pointing out that there is a storytelling element in old buildings.  
IX. - B. Staff  
6:47pm  
Clark asked that Commissioners planning on attending the Proclamation  
RSVP to Monroe by tomorrow.  
IX. - C. General Public  
6:48pm  
A member of the public voiced her enthusiasm for visiting Pat Hunter's  
Gallery during Historic Preservation Month, located at 1490 W Shaw Suite  
G.  
X. NEXT MEETING  
5/19/2025  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Sponsler adjourned the meeting at 6:50pm.