CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD
DRAFT MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2026, 3:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON/TELEPHONE
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
DRAFT Cultural Heritage Board Minutes – January 21, 2026 1
BOARD MEMBERS
PRESENT: K. Castellanos, C. McDoniel, D. Nelson, G. Ramirez, D. Crohn ABSENT: J. Brown, A. Hudson
STAFF: S. Watson, T. Torres, B. Norton, S. Dougherty
Chair McDoniel called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Dave Stolte, President of the Old Riverside Foundation, presented to the board his concern for missing artifacts/objects from the Mission Inn collection. Requested there be action taken to take formal inventory of all items and locations. The Board will investigate what jurisdiction they have regarding Mr. Stolte’s request and discuss adding this as a discussion item for a future meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar was unanimously approved as presented below affirming the actions appropriate to each item.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of April 15, 2026 were approved as presented.
ABSENCE
The absence of Board Member Ramirez from the April 15, 2026 regular meeting of the Cultural Heritage Board was excused.
Motion by Board Member Nelson and Seconded by Board Member Castellano to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion Carried: Ayes, Noes, Absent, Abstention
AYES: Castellanos, McDoniel, Nelson, Ramirez, Sisson
NOES: x
ABSENT: Hudson, Brown
ABSTENTION: Ramirez
CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD
DRAFT MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2026, 3:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON/TELEPHONE
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
DRAFT Cultural Heritage Board Minutes – January 21, 2026 2
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PLANNING CASE PC -2026-00408 – Title 20 Amendment (AMD): Proposal by the City of Riverside to amend Title 20 (Cultural Resources) of the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) to implement minor, non- substantive clarifications and corrections. The Community & Economic Development Department recommends that the C ultural Heritage Board recommend that the City Council determine that this proposal is exempt from further California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule), as it can be seen with certainty that approval of the project will not have an effect on the environment . Clarissa Manges, Assistant Planner , presented the staff report. There was no Public Comment. Following discussion, it was moved by Board Member Ramirez and seconded by Board Member Crohn. Chair McDoniel advised of the appeal period.
The Cultural Heritage Board’s decision is final unless appealed to City Council.
A City Council public hearing is required for final approval.
Motion Carried: Ayes, Noes, Absent, Abstention
AYES: Castellanos, McDoniel, Nelson, Ramirez, Crohn
NOES: x
ABSENT: Brown, Hudson
ABSTENTION: x
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
PLANNING CASE – PR-2023-001469 - CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS – Twelve parcels located on the east side of Commerce Street between Mission Inn Avenue and 5th Street, WARD 1
Proposal by Darrin Olson of Iron Lofts, LLC to consider a Certificate of Appropriateness request for infill development within a historic district (Seventh Street East Historic District) and the integration of a Structure of Merit (Barely Mills Building), located at 3596 Commerce Street, into the overall development consisting of the construction of a Mixed-Use development consisting of 291 residential dwelling units and 9 live/work units. The 7.03-acre project site consists of 12 parcels, a 0.63-acre portion of 6th Street, and 0.15-acre portion of an alley and is partially developed with industrial buildings. The project site is located on the east
CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD
DRAFT MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2026, 3:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON/TELEPHONE
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
DRAFT Cultural Heritage Board Minutes – January 21, 2026 3 side of Commerce Street between Mission Inn Avenue and 5th Street, in Ward 1 . Scott Watson, Historic Preservation Officer, presented the staff report . There was no Public Comment. Following discussion it was moved by Board Member Ramirez and seconded by Board Member Crohn to recommend that the City Council determine that th e proposal is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Rule) and 21084.1 (Historical Resource), as it can be seen with c ertainty that there is no possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment. Chair McDoniel advised of the appeal period.
The Cultural Heritage Board’s decision is final unless appealed to City Council.
A City Council public hearing required for final approval.
Motion Carried: Ayes, Noes, Absent, Abstention
AYES: Castellanos, McDoniel, Nelson, Ramirez, Sisson
NOES: x
ABSENT: Brown, Hudson
ABSTENTION: x
PLANNING CASE - PC-2026-00458 – CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS - 3356 LEMON STREET, IN WARD 1.
Proposal by Robyn Peterson, Museum of Riverside Director, to consider a Certificate of Appropriateness request for rehabilitation of the Harada House ( National Historic Landmark and City Landmark #23), consisting of lifting the house to rebuild the foundations, structural stabilization, leveling of the house, reinstallation of salvaged and stored siding and other original elements, and rehabilitation of all interior and exterior surface. The project site is located at 3356 Lemon Street on the east side of Lemon Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets, in Ward 1. Scott Watson, Historic Preservation Officer, presented the staff report. There was no Public Comment.
Following discussion it was moved by Board Member Crohn and seconded by Board Member Ramirez to recommend that the City Council determine that the proposal is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Rule) and 21084.1 (Historical Resource), as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment. Chair McDoniel advised of the appeal period.
CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD
DRAFT MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2026, 3:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON/TELEPHONE
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
DRAFT Cultural Heritage Board Minutes – January 21, 2026 4 The Cultural Heritage Board’s decision is final unless appealed to City Council.
A City Council public hearing required for final approval.
Motion Carried: Ayes, Noes, Absent, Abstention
AYES: Castellanos, McDoniel, Nelson, Ramirez, Sisson
NOES: x
ABSENT: Brown, Hudson
ABSTENTION: x
Update on the status of the architectural design for Harada House, Phase I, and the Harada House Interpretive Center (formerly known as Robinson House) presented by Robyn Peterson, Museum of Riverside Director.
COMMUNICATIONS
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS AND UPDATE FROM CITY PLANNER AND BOARD MEMBERS Brian Norton, Acting City Planner, briefed the Board on upcoming agenda items including the designation of Lionhead, Havens Residence, and Edie as City Landmarks.
Chair McDoniel thanked Scott Watson for his presentation at the 50th annual California Preservation Conference. Board Member Crohn reiterated his appreciation.
Brian Norton welcomed Laurel Reimer as the new City Planner, Mrs. Reimer introduced herself to the Board and expressed her excitement in this new role and being a part of this city.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m. to the meeting of May 20, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.