City of Fresno  
City Hall  
2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Monday, November 22, 2021  
6:00 PM  
Regular Meeting  
In Person and/or Electronic  
Room 2165N (Conference Room A)  
Historic Preservation Commission  
Chair - Jason Hatwig, LEED, AP, BD C  
Vice Chair - Robin Goldbeck  
Commissioners:  
Christopher Rocha, Paul Halajian, AIA; Don Simmons, PhD; C. Kristina  
Roper, M.A.; James Sponsler;  
Staff:  
Mike Sanchez, AICP, MCRP, Assistant Director; Mary  
Raterman-Doidge, Senior Deputy City Attorney; Alicia C. Gonzales,  
Historic Preservation Specialist; Janice Monroe, M.A. II  
PUBLIC ADVISORY  
THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND CITY HALL WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT  
A LIMITED CAPACITY.  
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.  
You can also participate in the meeting on our City’s website click on the URL  
https://fresno.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.  
Members of the public are encouraged to participate electronically because of  
reduced capacity of seating in the Chambers to allow for social distancing. Masks will  
be required for the vaccinated and unvaccinated.  
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 City Clerk’s Office, 559-621-7650 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. eComment at https://fresno.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.  
a) eComments is a tool for citizens to use to make comments on agenda items. It will  
be open during the Council meeting and closed at the end of the meeting and will be  
a part of the official record. The User Agreement and Procedures document for  
eComment can be accessed by the URL https://www.fresno.gov/cityclerk/  
b) eComments will be a maximum of 450 words.  
OR  
2. Join online webinar on ZOOM  
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. Please use URL:  
https://zoom.us/j/95457849931  
b) Those addressing the Commission must state their name and address for the  
record.  
OR  
3. Join by Phone  
a) Dial:  
US: 1 669 900 9128  
Enter Webinar ID: 954 5784 9931  
b) Those addressing the Commission must state their name and address for the  
record.  
OR  
4. Email  
a) Attendees may also email comments to mike.sanchez@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, 2021 - 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.  
The City of Fresno thanks you in advance for taking all precautions to prevent  
spreading COVID-19 virus.  
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL  
6:01 PM  
Present 6 -  
Chair Jason Hatwig, Vice Chair Robin Goldbeck,  
Commissioner Christopher Rocha, Commissioner Paul  
Halajian, Commissioner Don Simmons, and Commissioner  
James W Sponsler  
II. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES  
6:03 PM  
October 25, 2021, Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting  
Minutes  
II.-A.  
ID 21-895  
On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner  
Sponsler, that the above Action Item be approved. The motion carried  
by the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha,  
Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Roper and  
Commissioner Sponsler  
III. APPROVE AGENDA  
6:04 PM  
On motion of Commissioner Halajian, seconded by Commissioner  
Roper,the above action was approved. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha,  
Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Roper and  
Commissioner Sponsler  
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR  
6:05 PM  
Historic Preservation Commission 2022 Regular Meeting Schedule  
IV.-A.  
ID 21-896  
On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Commissioner  
Rocha, that the above Action Item be approved. The motion carried by  
the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Chair Hatwig, Vice Chair Goldbeck, Commissioner Rocha,  
Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Roper and  
Commissioner Sponsler  
V. CONTINUED MATTERS  
VI. COMMISSION ITEMS  
6:06 PM  
REVIEW & COMMENT for zone clearance # P21-05554 located at 429 E.  
VI.-A.  
ID 21-832  
Harvard Avenue, Fresno, CA 93704 (APN 44323313) for a proposed  
addition to the house, front porch, and garage pursuant to Fresno Municipal  
Code (FMC) Sections 12-1606(a)(2), 12-1606(b)(23) and 12-1610.  
Vice Chair Goldbeck recused self at 6:06 PM.  
Emily Morillo was present as the applicant's representative for this item and  
made a presentation.  
Ms. Gonzales stated for Simmons that this property is part of a proposed  
Historic district.  
Simmons asked about the closest historic resources to the property and how  
the proposed improvements would affect those resources.  
Chair Hatwig noted that if there are existing home/properties that are  
adjacent, the commission would want to make sure there is no distraction to  
those views. He approved of the style, and supported improvements and  
enhancements.  
The assigned Planner, Aubrie Richardson, was also present and offered to  
answer any questions.  
Sponsler reported that a newspaper search provided no significant events in  
the home, but there were a lot of newlyweds in the home.  
STAFF UPDATE on the removal and replacement of Citibank’s Abacus,  
ID 21-825  
VI.-B.  
located at 4191 N Blackstone Avenue, Fresno, CA 93726 (APN  
43409202).  
Commissioners would like the following questions answered from the  
applicant when they make their presentation to the Commission.  
What was the original material on the abacus?  
Would it be moveable or stationary?  
What would be the finish on the proposed abacus? (powder coat, paint, etc.)  
Sponsler noted the rendering showed 4 beads instead of 5 when comparing  
pictures to the original, and the Commission agreed the applicant should  
clarify.  
Commissioners discussed the chain link fence behind the original abacus  
and felt it detoured from the view. They asked if it was possible to remove it.  
If it was installed to detract loitering, Halajian suggested improving the  
lighting and Sponsler suggested vegetation would also help.  
Sponsler suggested that if the applicant was in process of registering the  
property, that they include the mural inside of the building.  
STAFF UPDATE regarding the status of potential Historic Districts and  
ID 21-844  
VI.-C.  
VI.-D.  
Historic Surveys in order to reassess current priority District list, focusing  
on the previously listed top 5 Districts  
Public Comment:  
Keil Lopez-Shmidt (115 Calaveres St., Fresno, CA) offered to help with  
Hitching Post District.  
STAFF UPDATE regarding the mitigation and interpretation plan for the  
ID 21-843  
Casa De Fortuna Building Permits No. B18-01277, B18-01278,  
B18-01279 & B21-01173 located at 5870 W. Santa Ana, Fresno, CA  
93722, and situated near the Jose (Garcia) Brewer Adobe building located  
at 5901 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722, HP #227 (APN  
510-04-038).  
Staff reported property is fenced, with 24 hour security & surveillance.  
However, the structure still does not have a fence or tarp. Staff reported no  
additional mitigation.  
Sponsler complained equipment is not over 50 feet from the building.  
Hatwig requested weekly updates on this topic and asked if public would  
have access to the tribute if located in a gated complex.  
Sanchez suggested there was a sign on Shaw to inform passers-by of the  
historic significance.  
Gonzales reminded the Commission that the two issues that need  
discussion were the suggested path for the applicant by the subcommittee  
on representing the Historic significance in the current state and the  
mitigation problems.  
Staff confirmed Code Enforcement went to site, but would have to check  
when a Building Inspector was last on site. Commissioners requested a  
representative from Building attend the next meeting and Staff confirmed.  
Staff confirmed they could hold the final inspection or hold occupancy in  
Phase I to ensure the applicant's follow through.  
Goldbeck and Halajian stated they wanted the applicant to suggest options  
to shore up the building or for partial restoration. Roper suggested NPF.gov  
as a source.  
WORKSHOP on the application status of Grant Funding, request for  
ID 21-845  
VI.-E.  
VI.-F.  
assistance from Commission.  
Application due January 11, 2022.  
Gonzales asked the Commission for any suggestions of eligible sites for the  
National Registry.  
UPDATE regarding CAMP Training (Commission Assistant and Mentoring  
ID 21-846  
Program), hosted by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions  
(NAPC) from Commissioners Sponsler & Goldbeck  
Goldbeck explained the "Certificate of Appropriation" was a checklist that  
each Historic Preservation Commission developed as a guideline of what's  
appropriate and accuracy of an application. Commissioners voiced interest  
in having a specific plan with mitigation steps.  
Sponsler emphasized the importance of engaging the community and  
raising awareness of the History though ideas such as social media and  
events during Historic month.  
Staff will share any upcoming trainings for the 2022 calendar as they  
become aware.  
WORKSHOP on the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Department of  
ID 21-852  
VI.-G.  
Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) Soil Vapor Sampling at HP# 212 Basque  
Hotel located at 112 F Street (APN 46706208)  
Presenters included Sharon Reackhof and Ellen Hedfield of Jacobs  
Engineering.  
Powerpoint presentation showed state of property and locations of proposed  
testing sites. (5 inside the Basque Hotel and 7 outside).  
Simmons left meeting at 7:43 PM  
Halagian left meeting at 8:00 PM  
VII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT  
VIII. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS  
8:01 PM  
VIII. - A. Members of the Commission  
Sponsler reported visiting Pioneer Town  
Sponsler asked Staff to report on the status of Kutler and Hewitt homes who  
recently burned.  
VIII. - B. Staff  
Staff reminded the importance of Commissioners submitting their resume  
and CLG form for the Annual Survey.  
VIII. - C. General Public  
IX. NEXT MEETING  
December 27, 2021  
X. ADJOURNMENT  
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.  
2021 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE