City of Fresno

City Hall

2600 Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93721

Meeting Minutes - Final

Monday, March 24, 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://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 6:00.

Also present were Jennifer Clark, Ashley Atkinson, & Janice Monroe

Present 5 -

Chair James W Sponsler, Vice Chair Jason Hatwig,

Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Elizabeth Laval,

and Commissioner Sarah Johnston

Absent 2 -

Commissioner Julie Federico, and Commissioner Ryan

Eddings

II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ

6:00pm

Chair Sponsler read the procedures aloud.

III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES

February 24, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting

Minutes

III-A

ID 25-336

6:02pm

Monroe reported no changes to the minutes.

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 Laval and Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 2 - Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Eddings

IV. APPROVE AGENDA

6:02pm

Monroe reported no changes to the agenda.

On motion of Commissioner Laval, seconded by Commissioner

Johnston,the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the

following vote:

Aye: 5 -

Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,

Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Johnston

Absent: 2 - Commissioner Federico and Commissioner Eddings

V. CONSENT CALENDAR

n/a

VI. CONTINUED MATTERS

n/a

VII. COMMISSION ITEMS

Review and discuss removal of stained glass at 1115 U St (HP#220)

VII-A

ID 25-131

6:02pm

Atkinson provided a brief history on the situation, providing before and after

photos.

The Commission talked about how the stained glass was not likely an

original feature but added later, at an unknown time.

Sponsler suggested looking at HPC minutes from 1994 when the property

was registered to see if the windows were discussed in great detail.

Halajian also suggested reaching out to the firm who did the addition in the

60s.

Peter Uchil (applicant) told the Commission he was unaware the property

was historic at the time of purchase and that they did not keep the removed

glass. He voiced concern about costs to replace the windows that were

removed.

The Commission discussed options and decided they wanted to update the

DPR to reflect the changes and did not want to remove it from the Local

Registry, citing the building as the emphasis, which remained intact. They

asked that Uchil remove the paint from the amber glass panes remaining on

the front facade of the chapel. The Commission asked that the applicant use

a professional painter to remove the paint so as to preserve the condition of

the glass.

Atkinson acknowledged the concern of the Commission about properties

unaware of their Historic status and notified them that Staff would be

sending out mailers, similar to last year, to all properties on the Local

available.

Review and discuss items found during demolition of the Bow On

ID 25-390

VII-B

Association Building/Bow On Tong Joss House, located at 934 F St.

6:40pm

Atkinson made a presentation on the items found. She talked about walking

the site with Hatwig & Halajian, the condition of the building/items, and the

uncertainty of Staff in regards to the importance & history of each item.

Laval spoke about her existing Chinese exhibit and how they did not restore

items, but cleaned them. She said she would talk to her team about these

items and get back with Staff on how they could assist.

Johnston voiced her appreciated of the condition of the items from an

archeological standpoint.

Sponsler used artificial intelligence to read the writing on items and

identified names on the large item/sign.

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

ID 25-391

VII-C

located at 5901 W. Shaw (APN 51004038).

6:53pm

Atkinson made a brief presentation on the condition of the site, noting a

quote was received for the City to properly tarp the site.

The Commission discussed with Staff what is needed to move forward. The

Commission cannot ask for more, but they can elaborate on the way the

conditions are met in regards to the two walls. They discussed their concern

with the rapidly degrading condition. Staff explained they are working with

Code Enforcement and will report back.

Update on the plans for Historic Preservation Month

ID 25-329

VII-D

7:11pm

Sponsler mentioned the list of events that are currently on the table. He

asked for donations to use in the Pub Quiz as prizes and asked for details

on the Archeological Event by end of week.

Laval encouraged all Commissioners to attend the Kickoff event and asked

for participation in the various events.

VII-E

ID 25-360

Update on Regular Monthly Topics:

1. Staff Updates

2. Proposed Historic Districts

3. Architectural Review Subcommittee Updates

7:18pm

1. Atkinson went over the monthly statistics, reported a new application for

the Local Register, and mentioned her plan to send out letters to all

Registered Properties. She noted that in regards to the conversation last

month on the G sign, neon is both legal and feasible if they were interested

for this project or another in the future. She also said that funding for the

Historic Preservation Specialist position is in the proposed budget for the

upcoming fiscal year and that she would report back when the position was

posted.

2. Atkinson reported the plan to use an outside consultant for the Proposed

Chinatown Historic District survey to achieve the previously set goals.

3. Johnston touched on the 5 projects the subcommittee reviewed in the

last month.

VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

n/a

IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS

IX. - A. Members of the Commission

7:26pm

Laval thanked Staff for stepping up in the absence of a Specialist. She also

talked about the plans for the Archive on Kern, including the funding

progress thus far.

IX. - B. Staff

n/a

IX. - C. General Public

n/a

X. NEXT MEETING

04/28/2025

XI. ADJOURNMENT