City of Fresno  
City Hall  
2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Monday, February 27, 2023  
6:00 PM  
Regular Meeting  
In person and/or Electronic  
Room 2165N (Conference Room A)  
Historic Preservation Commission  
Chair - Jason Hatwig, LEED, AP, BD  
Vice Chair - James Sponsler  
Commissioner - Christopher Rocha  
Commissioner - Paul Halajian, AIA  
Commissioner - Don Simmons, PhD. M.A.  
Commissioner - Julie Federico M.A.  
Commissioners - Elizabeth Laval  
Staff:  
Jennifer Clark, Director; 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.  
The meeting can also be viewed live at 6:00 P.M. on Comcast Channel 96 and  
AT&T channel 99.  
Chambers, located in City Hall Room 2165A, are open for public participation.  
Pursuant to the Executive Order, and in compliance with the Americans with  
Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in the Commission  
meeting, please contact the General Planning Department, 559-621-8277 within  
48 hours of the meeting.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
The following options are available for members of the public who want to attend  
and /or address the Historic Preservation Commission:  
1. You are invited to a Zoom webinar.  
a) If you would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the meeting  
remotely from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device.  
b) Those addressing the Commission must state their name and address for the  
record.  
OR  
2. Join by Phone  
a) Dial:  
US: 1 669 900 9128  
Enter Webinar ID: 999 5534 5236  
b) Those addressing the Commission must state their name and address for the  
record.  
OR  
3. Email  
a) Attendees may also email comments to Historic.Preservation@fresno.gov to  
be read during the meeting. Please include the agenda date and item number you  
wish to speak on in the subject line of your email (e.g., January 25, 2023 - Item  
A). And, please include your name and address for the record at the top of the  
body of your email.  
b) Emails are not to exceed 150 words.  
c) All comments received will be distributed to the Commission prior and during  
the meeting and will be a part of the official record.  
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.  
If you challenge these matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those  
issues you or someone else raised in oral or written testimony at or before the  
close of the hearing.  
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL  
6:01 P.M.  
Commissioner Halajian arrived at 6:05pm  
Present 6 - Vice Chair James W Sponsler, Commissioner Christopher  
Rocha, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Don  
Simmons, Commissioner Elizabeth Laval, and  
Commissioner Julie Federico  
Absent 1 - Chair Jason Hatwig  
II. PROCEDURES - PROCEDIMIENTOS - KEV SAB LAJ  
6:01 P.M.  
Vice Chair Sponsler read procedures out loud.  
III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES  
January 23, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting  
Minutes  
III-A  
6:03 P.M.  
On motion of Commissioner Rocha, seconded by Commissioner Laval,  
that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 5 - Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner  
Simmons, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Federico  
Absent: 2 - Chair Hatwig and Commissioner Halajian  
IV. APPROVE AGENDA  
6:04 P.M.  
On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Commissioner  
Federico,the above AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by  
the following vote:  
Aye: 5 - Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner  
Simmons, Commissioner Laval and Commissioner Federico  
Absent: 2 - Chair Hatwig and Commissioner Halajian  
V. CONSENT CALENDAR  
N/A  
VI. CONTINUED MATTERS  
N/A  
VII. COMMISSION ITEMS  
HEARING TO CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS on application  
VII-A  
B23-01042 for the demolition of the carriage house at the Collins Home  
(HP#041) located at 1101 R St. (APN 46606607).  
STAFF RECCOMENDATION:  
Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)  
take 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: Application B23-01042 for the demolition of the  
carriage house at HP#041 Collins Home located at 1101 R St.  
(APN 46606607) with conditions.  
a. Removal contractor will protect the main structure from  
damage during demolition; and  
b. Property owner will document the current exterior condition of  
the Collins Home to update the Historic Resource record; and  
c. Any proposed future site work including but not limited to  
additional structures and fencing will be submitted to the  
Historic Preservation Specialist prior to the commencement of  
any related work.  
6:04 P.M.  
Commissioner Halajian arrived at 6:05 P.M.  
Director Clark reported the current state of the property and the fire damage  
at the carriage house. She informed the Commission of Code  
Enforcement's notes and Staff's recommendations.  
Vice Chair Sponsler reiterated, the protection of the main home is most  
important now.  
No public comments. Applicant/Owner was not present for hearing.  
On motion of Commissioner Rocha, seconded by Commissioner Laval,  
that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Vice Chair Sponsler, Commissioner Rocha, Commissioner  
Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Laval and  
Commissioner Federico  
Absent: 1 - Chair Hatwig  
REVIEW  
&
COMMENT for the potential addition of an Accessory  
VII-B  
Dwelling Unit at the McGee-Macias Home (HP#236) located at 115 N  
Calaveras St.  
6:10 P.M.  
Property owner, Keil Schmidt, was available for comments and questions.  
He shared images of proposed options.  
Commissioner Halajian asked about the type of siding, and states that  
between the two ADU's, the two-story scheme preserves more focus space  
and presents better.  
Sponsler stated that siding and windows should be the focus and the ADU  
should not be taller or bigger than the main structure. He pointed out that it is  
rare property owners come to the Commission for these type of requests  
and that HPC would like to create guidelines for ADU's at historic properties.  
Director Clark explained that the state has adopted and strongly supports  
ADU Laws that require the City to approve. She suggested a discrete  
Yes/No checklist and design guidelines that are not ambiguous. She  
recommended that the Architectural Subcommittee come together to  
suggest policies that can be added to the Development Code.  
There were no public comments.  
WORKSHOP on the Historical Significance of the Edison Social Club  
VII-C  
and the founding of the National Farm Workers Association at property  
of interest related Cesar Chavez located at 1405 E California Ave.  
6:24 P.M.  
Paul Garcia and Eddie Barella shared information on 1405 E. California St.  
(The Edison Social Club) and the inaugural convention of the National Farm  
Workers Association on September 30, 1962. Garcia explained the  
contradictory information of this meeting and his interest in proving the  
meeting was held at this location. His presentation laid out various images  
and files to verify his claims and validate his request for recognition of this  
location.  
Clark advised Garcia the adjacent property at 1413 E California St. possibly  
needing .  
There were two people in the public who spoke in favor of this item. They  
talked about how this would benefit the National Farm Worker's Association  
and the history that this project would recognize.  
Sponsler introduced Joseph Podcast, sitting president of the Edison Social  
Club, who stated that he would like to have a plaque at the club to  
commemorate the Association.  
The Commission acknowledged the hard work and research done by the  
presenters. They discussed next steps to move forward and possible  
outreach options. Clark explained the need or the Commission to give Staff  
specific direction. She added that while we have collected the Owner's  
Authorization, to move forward she recommended acquiring the neighboring  
property Owner's Authorization as well since the original Social Hall more  
than likely sat on both parcels.  
Halajian commented that there may be two stories regarding the history of  
the Edison Social Club and what took place there.  
The Commission agreed there were details that still needed to be  
determined, such as who would be responsible for maintenance and back  
up documentation of threshold requirements. They proposed ways to build  
on this potential project and potential obstacle that could be resolved. The  
Commission agreed that until the project has been approved, there was no  
need to solve the maintenance and costs of project. This item should come  
back in 60 - 90 days and then to Council. The Commission said they would  
move forward on  
Clark informed Garcia that his next step should be pursuing the property  
owner's approval at 1413 E. California St.  
VII-D  
UPDATE on Regular Monthly Topics:  
1. Staff Updates  
2. Architectural Subcommittee Updates  
3. Economic Incentive Subcommittee Update  
4. Plaque Design Subcommittee Update  
7:00 P.M.  
Clark reported that the number of building and planning permits continue at  
a high rate and are being processed through Historic Preservation.  
Simmons suggested increased publication of economic incentives, such as  
Mills Act and the Mitigation Grant, to increase awareness and allow more  
people to take advantage of these programs. Clark said Staff will work with  
the City's Communication Director.  
Halajian reported receiving information on the history of the Abacus and he  
will email the Commission the information.  
Plaque Design Subcommittee reported meeting earlier in the month.  
Sponsler presented the different options for the proposed square plaque,  
including the use of symbolic rosettes. He explained the different materials  
available. Simmons suggested using flags with a replica of plaques to easily  
identify historic resources. Halajian suggested the plaque be larger than  
7"x 7". They all agreed size and cost will be determined after receiving  
quotes for the proposed designs.  
VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT  
N/A  
IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS  
IX. - A. Members of the Commission  
7:22 P.M.  
Commissioners had no news to report  
IX. - B. Staff  
7:22 P.M.  
Janice Monroe stated that remaining Commissioners needed to meet  
regarding the Brown Act training.  
IX. - C. General Public  
7:23 P.M.  
No public comments were made.  
X. NEXT MEETING  
Next meeting is March 27, 2023  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
Vice Chair Sponsler adjourned the meeting at 7:23 P.M.