City of Fresno

City Hall

2600 Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93721

Meeting Minutes - Final

Monday, December 18, 2023

6:00 PM

Regular Meeting

In Person and/or Electronic

City Hall, Room 2165

Historic Preservation Commission

Chair - Jason Hatwig

Vice Chair - James Sponsler

Commissioner - Paul Halajian

Commissioner - Don Simmons

Commissioner - Julie Federico

Commissioner - Elizabeth Laval

Commissioner - Sarah E. Johnston

Staff:

Jennifer Clark, Director; Lisha Chen, Historic Preservation Specialist;

Janice Monroe, M.A. II; Myrna Rivas, Administrative Clerk

THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION WELCOMES YOU TO ROOM 2165A,

LOCATED IN CITY HALL, 2ND FLOOR, 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 in one of the two

following ways:

1. Participate In Person: Room 2165, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street,

Fresno, CA 93721

a. To speak during a Commission meeting in person: You may approach the

speaker podium upon the Chair’s call for public comment.

2. 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.

b. To speak during a Commission meeting while attending remotely in the

Zoom application, click on the icon labeled “Participants” at the bottom of the

screen. Then select “Raise Hand” at the bottom of the Participants window. Your

digital hand will now be raised. You will be asked to “unmute” when your name is

called to speak. You will not be visible via video and there will be no opportunity to

share your screen.

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 PLANNING 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

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

At 6:00 P.M. Chair Hatwig called the meeting to order.

Also present were Jennifer Clark, Dr. Lisha Chen, Janice Monroe and

Myrna Rivas.

Present 6 -

Vice Chair James W Sponsler, Chair Jason Hatwig,

Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Don Simmons,

Commissioner Julie Federico, and Commissioner Sarah

Johnston

Absent 1 - Commissioner Elizabeth Laval

II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ

Chair Hatwig read the procedures aloud at 6:01 P.M..

III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES

6:02 P.M.

On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Vice Chair

Sponsler,the above MINUTES were APPROVED. The motion carried

by the following vote:

Aye: 6 -

Vice Chair Sponsler, Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Federico and

Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Laval

September 25, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes

III-A

III-B

ID 23-1761

ID 23-1771

October 23, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting

Minutes

November 27, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting

Minutes.

III-C

ID 23-1805

IV. APPROVE AGENDA

6:03 P.M.

On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner

Federico, that the above Agenda be APPROVED. The motion carried

by the following vote:

Aye: 6 -

Vice Chair Sponsler, Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Federico and

Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Laval

V. CONSENT CALENDAR

N/A

VI. CONTINUED MATTERS

CONTINUED FROM November 27, 2023

VI-A

ID 23-1789

Consideration of the removal of the Historic Dale Bros. Coffee Can Sign

(HP#247), located on the Benham Ice Cream Company building (HP# 248)

at APN 46620511 (including but not limited to 1420 H St.).

Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) take

one of the following actions:

1. ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections

15331/Class 31 of the California Environmental Quality Act

guidelines.

2. APPROVE: Request to donate the Sign to the Fresno County

Historical Museum with the condition that the applicant develop a

preservation plan including but not limited to the relocation of the

resource, the restoration of the resource, and the ongoing

preservation of the resource along with the written approval of the

Fresno County Historical Museum for the placement of the resource.

Or:

2. DENY: Request to donate the Sign to the Fresno County Historical

Museum.

6:03 P.M.

Commissioners Halajian and Sponsler recused themselves from this item.

Director Clark introduced the item with a welcome to applicants JP Maroot,

property owner and his legal representative, Todd Wynkoop. Clark gave a

brief introduction of their request to remove the sign and the options before

the Commission.

Commissioner Johnston said that relocating the historic sign to the

fairgrounds would affect the historic significance. The Commissioners had a

lengthy discussion regarding the potential 3 options; take the sign down and

to donate it to the Museum, take the sign down and replace the logo with

Maroot's company logo, take the sign down and repair the original logo on

one half and Maroot's company logo on the other half all options requiring

the sign be taken down for repair as Maroot explained that it would be too

costly and dangerous to repair in place.

Maroot reported having insurance problems with the sign in its current

condition. He requested permission to remove the sign. to either donate to

the Fresno County Historical Museum or inspect, repair and rebrand the

sign with the logo of his company.

Wynkoop questioned the idea of preserving the sign because the sign is not

legible.

A member of the public spoke in favor of relocating the sign to the

fairgrounds.

Simmons proposed a Class 31 exemption motion, giving the applicant a

chance to take the sign down and review possibilities, however Simmons

was concerned the Fresno County Historical Museum had not agreed to

take over the financial burden and ownership of the sign and would need to

have a prepared plan in place before starting the renovation.

After a lengthy discussion on various options with the applicant, the

applicant chose to withdraw the request to remove the sign, stating they

would return when/if they had a new proposal to present. Hatwig then told

the applicants he appreciated that they took the time to come to the

meeting.

VII. COMMISSION ITEMS

Consideration of approval of requests by property owners to enter into Mills

Act historical property contracts pursuant to FMC 12-1706:

VII-A

ID 23-678

1. The Ralph & Jenny Watson Home (HP# 284) located at 3537 E

Huntington Blvd, in the Huntington Boulevard District.

2. The Ed and Chrissie Riggins Home located at 655 East Pine

Avenue, in the Wilson Island District.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Staff recommends that the Commission hold a public hearing and

authorize the Director of Development to enter into a Historical

Property Contract for the subject properties pursuant to FMC 12-

1706.

7:12 P.M.

AT 7:10 P.M. HPC meeting paused due to technical difficulties and

restarted at 7:13 P.M.

Dr. Chen introduced the 2023 Mills Act Applicants.

Chen reported that three properties initially applied, however 1 rescinded.

HP #284 located at 3537 E. Huntington Blvd., and 655 E. Pine Ave in the

Wilson Island District.

Elliot Balch, property owner at 655 E Pine Ave., has lived in home for 2

years. He spoke of work he has done recently to his home. He reported

investing over $175,000, and thanked the Commission for their

consideration.

Edward Medrano, property owner at 3537 E Huntington Blvd., He reported

that the 2009 Calendar included a rendering of his home. He talked about

restoring his home back to the mansion of the 1920's.

Simmons added that Mr. Balch did some of the early work regarding the

Mills Act and that it is good to see him benefiting from it and also happy to

see a home from the Huntington Blvd area benefiting as well.

No public comments were made.

On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Vice Chair

Sponsler, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 -

Vice Chair Sponsler, Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Federico and

Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Laval

Hearing to consider and make findings on the request to reframe garage

VII-B

ID 23-1277

doors, replace fence, add new sign, and repave parking lot of the Twining

Laboratories (HP # 58), located at 2527 Fresno St.

RECOMMENDATION:

ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections

15331/Class 31 of the California Environmental Quality Act

guidelines.

APPROVE:

a. Request to install new signage on the Northeast façade with the

condition that the design and installation of the sign meet the

National Park Service requirements. Besides, the façade needs

to be fully documented before any installation work.

b. Request to replace the current chain link fence and repave

parking lot with the condition that the new fencing and parking

pavement are unobtrusive and compatible with the historic

character of the setting. Besides, the site needs to be fully

documented before any construction work.

c. Request to reframe the garage door and add an additional

entrance with the condition that entrances are compatible in size

and scale or detailing with the historical building. Besides, the

additional garage needs to be fully documented before any

construction work.

Or:

DENY: Request to install new signage, request to replace the

current chain link fence and repave parking lot, or request to reframe

the garage door and add an additional entrance

7:24 P.M.

Hatwig recused himself from this item.

Raul Martinez, (applicant) was present for questions and discussion.

Simmons stepped outside the room at 7:32 and reenters at 7:34.

Chen gave a brief description and history of the Twining Laboratories.

Martinez, presented photos and renderings of the proposed projects.

There were no public comments.

On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner

Simmons, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 -

Vice Chair Sponsler, Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Federico and

Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Laval

Consultation regarding Development Permit application P23-01976

located at 1470 E Bulldog Lane.

VII-C

ID 23-60

7:44 P.M.

Hatwig has rejoined the meeting. The applicant for P23-01976 was not in

attendance. Hatwig tabled this item.

Clark continued to next meeting on January 22, 2024.

Discussion regarding site of start of Fresno and San Francisco Mail Route

ID 23-237

VII-D

7:43 P.M.

Vice Chair Sponsler presented an item for future designation of a site, the

Fresno and San Francisco Bicycle Mail Route. Sponsler stated this item

falls under Criteria 1, as an event.

Hatwig and Halajian found this information fascinating. Simmons asked if

this information could be something the State or National Registers would

be interested in.

UPDATE REGARDING HISTORIC “G” SIGN LOCATED AT OLD

ID 23-1790

VII-E

GUARANTEE BUILDING (HP#167), LOCATED AT 1177 FULTON MALL.

8:00 P.M.

Christine Markitarian was present to provide an update on the G Sign. She

wanted clarity on the decision to deny the Demolition Permit, she felt that

she had discussed all elements in the removal of the G sign, however after

discussion she aknowledged the misunderstanding. Markitarian reported at

last months meeting that the G sign would be removed, reingineered and

brought back up. however, the permit was to take down the sign and

relocate it to the Fresno County Historical Museum and the Fairgrounds.

Markitarian added that a replica would replace the G sign of the same size

and shape.

We needed a more clarified plan, Hatwig added. The Commission

discussed being uncomfortable with not having a plan in place. Sponsler

added that at some point there is going to be a tipping point with the

Museum, and struggle for the Museum to be able to keep up with all these

signs.

Markitarian, this sign does not look safe and is a safety issue with this sign

right now.

Simmons asked who is responsible of the sign after it is taken down.

Simmons requested Staff consult with the Museum regarding the signs and

their policy on maintenance and their capacity and intentions. We need to

make sure these signs are accessible to the public. We don't want to

restrict the public's access

Markitarian requests guidance from the Commission about what to do.

Halajian adds, that the G Sign could be an awesome exhibit for the Fair.

Staff reported that the Demolition Permit was rejected, after this clarification

the permit will be approved tomorrow morning.

UPDATE ON REGULAR MONTHLY TOPICS:

ID 23-1791

VII-F

1. Staff Updates

2. Architectural Review Subcommittee Update

3. Economic Incentive Subcommittee Update

4. Plaque & Naming Subcommittee Update

5. Historic Preservation Month Subcommittee Update

9:25 P.M.

Chen reported that she and Eric Frampton, (Professional Engineer) visited

the Adobe Brewer building to confirm that the building is tarped and is

protected from the elements and fenced. She explained the tarp situation

and that there was no fence.

Halajian voiced concern with the heavy weight of the plastic on top of the

already dilapidated building. He said that perhaps the property owner is

using general laborers to do the work instead of restoration specialists.

Hatwig said he hopes to meet with the owner within the next month to help

provide solutions.

Architectural review committee met several times this past month

discussing various other projects such as signs and demolition projects.

Staff reported that the two Mills Act Contracts approved tonight would be

filed with the County within the week.

Historic Preservation Month Committee, as an Ad Hoc Committee, they will

reassign members next month.

VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

N/A

IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS

IX. - A. Members of the Commission

9:37 P.M.

Sponsler reported progress with the Historic Highway 99 project and has

requested it be put on the agenda in January.

Simmons reported that Sally Caglia, who was very involved in historic

preservation, recently passed away. He shared a recipe of hers with the

Commissioners. He also shared that the California Preservation

Foundation is conducting open house for Historic Preservation Month. The

last day to apply is December 19, 2023.

IX. - B. Staff

9:45 P.M.

Clark announced that the Disclosure Subcommittee met and Historic

Preservation Language will be added to the Fresno Municipal Code. We

will be meeting with the Fresno Association of Realtors prior to bring the

item to the Commission. She also announced that the Commission

meetings will start taking place in Council Chambers. Personnel Badges

will be updated soon.