City of Fresno  
City Hall  
2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Monday, December 23, 2024  
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;  
Lisha Chen, Historic Preservation Specialist; 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://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  
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 6:00pm.  
Also present were Jennifer Clark, Ashley Atkinson, Lisha Chen, & Janice  
Monroe.  
Present 5 -  
Chair James W Sponsler, Vice Chair Jason Hatwig,  
Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Sarah Johnston,  
and Commissioner Ryan Eddings  
Absent 2 -  
Commissioner Julie Federico, and Commissioner Elizabeth  
Laval  
II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ  
6:01pm  
Chair Sponsler read the procedures aloud.  
III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES  
October 28, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting  
Minutes  
III-A  
ID 24-1498  
6:02pm  
Monroe reported no changes to the minutes.  
On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner  
Johnston, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 5 -  
Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,  
Commissioner Johnston and Commissioner Eddings  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval  
IV. APPROVE AGENDA  
6:03pm  
Monroe reported no changes to the agenda.  
On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner  
Halajian,the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 5 -  
Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,  
Commissioner Johnston and Commissioner Eddings  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval  
V. CONSENT CALENDAR  
Consideration of the Fresno City Historic Preservation Commission  
Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2025  
V-A  
ID 24-1466  
On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Vice Chair Hatwig,  
that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 5 -  
Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,  
Commissioner Johnston and Commissioner Eddings  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Laval  
VI. CONTINUED MATTERS  
N/A  
VII. COMMISSION ITEMS  
2025 Priorities for Survey Updates  
VII-A  
ID 24-1265  
6:04pm  
Clark briefly introduced the item and Atkinson went into further detail on the  
viable funding options and plan to work in-house on the surveys. She also  
explained the expected timeline.  
Hatwig noted that the properties would come before the Commission even if  
they were not in the district officially and emphasized the importance of  
moving the Hitching Post District up on the list.  
The Commission discussed the choice of whether or not Blackstone  
Corridor or Hitching Post Districts should be moved to the second priority  
When Sponsler asked Chen what she needed from the Commission to  
pursue the Historic Districts she responded with because she is not local  
their oral histories of intangible value would be helpful.  
Halajian suggested using valuable resources outside of the Commission,  
offering to reach out and make some connections/requests.  
Sponsler requested Staff add an action item on the next agenda to alter the  
priority list, moving Hitching Post to the number two slot and shifting the  
remaining list down one. He also would like an ad hoc subcommittee for the  
Blackstone Corridor Historic District.  
Monthly update on the Jose Garcia Brewer Adobe Building, HP #227  
located at 5901 W. Shaw (APN 51004038).  
VII-B  
ID 24-1499  
6:32pm  
Chen reported a new tarp has be installed but that the conditions do not  
meet the necessary standard. She has reached out to Code Enforcement  
and they are starting the abatement process.  
Staff explained to the Commission how this phase will work financially and  
clarified the scope of work now that the City has to take on the work. Clark  
explained that if anyone applies to modify the conditions of approval that it  
would come back to the Commission.  
Johnston asked why the plan is removal and not protecting the walls on site  
and Staff explained the current condition combined with feasibility limited  
their options.  
Halajian suggested salvaging as much as possible to have extra parts  
available when trying to reinstall the two walls and Staff supported the plan.  
Sponsler stated that his goal in 2025 is to pursue a plan to address  
demolition by neglect in the future.  
VII-C  
ID 24-1513  
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  
6:45pm  
Chen talked about the Planning entitlements, Building Permits, and 106  
reviews that came through Historic Preservation since the last meeting in  
October. She also reported closing out two Mitigation Grant applications.  
Hatwig talked about the Roessler Winery project they have been reviewing  
in the Architectural Review Subcommittee and Halajian added they  
reviewed a window replacement at a residence on L St.  
Sponsler talked about a Plaque Subcommittee meeting with the Farm  
Workers' team about the ongoing monument project. He mentioned a goal of  
having a digital system tracking all historic properties and monuments.  
VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT  
6:53pm  
Sponsler reported being reached out from FAA on the Traffic Control Tower  
and responding in a letter about the available options. The draft is currently  
being reviewed by Staff and will be submitted upon finalization.  
He went on to add he has a gift for Commissioners in a future meeting and  
that next year is the 140th year of the City of Fresno.  
IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS  
6:56pm  
There were no unscheduled items.  
IX. - A. Members of the Commission  
IX. - B. Staff  
IX. - C. General Public  
X. NEXT MEETING  
1/27/2025  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:57pm.