City of Fresno  
City Hall  
2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Monday, September 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  
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 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 6:01.  
Also present were Jennifer Clark, Ashley Atkinson, Lisha Chen, & Janice  
Monroe.  
Present 5 - Chair James W Sponsler, Commissioner Paul Halajian,  
Commissioner Julie Federico, Commissioner Elizabeth  
Laval, and Commissioner Sarah Johnston  
Absent 1 - Vice Chair Jason Hatwig  
II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ  
6:02pm  
Chair Sponsler read the procedures aloud.  
III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES  
August 26, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting  
Minutes  
III-A  
ID 24-1197  
6:03pm  
On motion of Commissioner Laval, seconded by Commissioner  
Halajian, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried  
by the following vote:  
Aye: 5 - Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner  
Federico, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Johnston  
Absent: 1 - Vice Chair Hatwig  
IV. APPROVE AGENDA  
6:03pm  
On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner  
Laval,the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 5 - Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner  
Federico, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Johnston  
Absent: 1 - Vice Chair Hatwig  
V. CONSENT CALENDAR  
N/A  
VI. CONTINUED MATTERS  
N/A  
VII. COMMISSION ITEMS  
Consideration of the Property Owner's Request to Recommend City  
VII-A  
ID 24-769  
Council Designation of the following Property to the Local Register of  
Historic Resources and Adoption of Findings Pursuant to FMC 12-1607  
& FMC 12-1609.  
1. 420 E Terrace Ave (Assessor Parcel Number: 443-313-07)  
RECOMMENDATION  
Staff  
recommends  
that  
the  
Historic  
Preservation  
Commission  
recommend to City Council designation of the following property to the  
Local Register of Historic Resources.  
·
420 E. Terrace Ave (Assessor Parcel Number: 443-313-07)  
6:04pm  
Chen made a presentation on the location, context, neighborhood, Spanish  
revival features, Fresno Municipal Code criteria/findings, and Staff's  
recommendations. She also reported on the ownership and occupancy of  
the property, highlighting Dennis B Wheeler & Orville R Taylor  
(Taylor-Wheeler builders).  
The property owner showed her gratitude for the ability to preserve history,  
to which the Commissioners responded with an eagerness to preserve &  
protect the resource.  
No Public Comment was given.  
On motion of Commissioner Laval, seconded by Commissioner  
Johnston, that the above Action Item be RECOMMENDED FOR  
APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 5 - Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner  
Federico, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Johnston  
Absent: 1 - Vice Chair Hatwig  
Consultation regarding the replacement of the vinyl mural on the Bekins  
ID 24-605  
VII-B  
Building (HP#70), located at 301 Van Ness Ave.  
6:13pm  
Kiah Ruvalcaba (applicant) made a brief presentation on the scope of work  
and the proposed updated mural.  
Commissioners discussed the importance of any change in design coming  
to the Architectural Review Subcommittee for review. They also asked why  
the period of time extended from the last time and Ruvalcaba explained the  
positive feedback they received from the first mural.  
Staff explained commercial advertising wasn't permitted but that the  
Commission considered the image a mural/art (originally to be painted but  
vinyl option was preferred by Commission for preservation reasons). They  
asked Staff to send them the definition of Outdoor Advertisements in the  
Code and understood that the definition of mural was at the discretion of the  
Commission and not defined in the Code. They asked to bring up the  
definition of mural in next month's meeting.  
Monthly update on the Jose Garcia Brewer Adobe Building (HP #227  
ID 24-1254  
VII-C  
located at 5901 W. Shaw (APN 51004038).  
6:27pm  
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).  
The Commission voiced concern about the upcoming rainy season and  
asked about the timeline of the property owner. They went on to ask Staff  
about options available to use Code Enforcement to put pressure on the  
property owner with the hopes of speeding up the permanent protection.  
Commissioner Halajian asked about a potential lien and Director Clark  
explained the limits of their authority but promised to talk to Code  
Enforcement about potential options.  
Staff and the Commissioners discussed the expiration of the Conditions of  
Approval and Staff said they would confirm the upcoming expiration date (36  
month term).  
Discussion of pending legislation (AB 2580) that would require analysis  
ID 24-923  
VII-D  
of the impact of historic designations on a city’s ability to meet its  
housing needs  
6:42pm  
Chen gave an overview of AB2580, focusing on the impact of new  
designations and reporting requirements.  
Chair Sponsler reported that it was the final day for the Govener's signature  
and voiced the importance of how this law would influence new Historic  
Districts with any housing element. Commissioner Halajian noticed adaptive  
reuse would be highly affected.  
Commissioners clarified the reporting changes and Sponsler reported from  
his conference how this law would fit it on the local, state, and federal level.  
UPDATE on Regular Monthly Topics:  
ID 24-1196  
VII-E  
1. Staff Updates  
2. Architectural Subcommittee Updates  
3. Plaque Design Subcommittee Update  
4. Economic Incentive Subcommittee Update  
6:54pm  
1. Chen reported 28 entitlements, 8 106 reviews, and provided an update on  
333 N Blackstone.  
2. None at this time  
3. None at this time  
4. Chen reported 6 Mitigation applications (3 denied). She said site visits for  
Mills Act applications were complete and that 2 applicants withdrew from the  
program and one postponed their application. She expected contracts to  
come to the Commission for review in October's meeting.  
VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT  
6:56pm  
Sponsler reported a conversation with Nick Kennedy on the 85th  
anniversary of Tower Theatre. He volunteered assistance with information  
for a potential open house.  
Sponsler reported a conversation with Raul Pickett about the Proposed  
Chinatown Historic District and the 2006 survey that needs updating.  
IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS  
6:58pm  
IX. - A. Members of the Commission  
N/A  
IX. - B. Staff  
N/A  
IX. - C. General Public  
One person spoke on the Vartanian House being moved to Cesar Chavez  
Blvd & Ventura and asked for the next steps needed. Sponsler responded  
that when plans are submitted Staff & the Architectural Review  
Subcommittee will review, citing Chen as his point of contact.  
One person spoke on the silos scheduled for demolition on H St and his  
concern they were not properly reviewed. The Commission asked that next  
meeting they discuss the process of reevaluating a property that has been  
previously determined not of historic value.  
Ryan Eddings introduced himself as the new Historic Preservation  
Commissioner.  
X. NEXT MEETING  
10/28/2024 in Room 2165  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Sponsler adjourned meeting at 7:05pm.