City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Historical & Landmarks Commission
Draft
6:00 PM Virtual Meeting10/07/2021
Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 17, 2020, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City of Santa Clara has implemented the following method for the public to participate remotely:
• Via Zoom:
o https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/97233262035 or
o Phone: 1 (669) 900-6833
Webinar ID: 972 3326 2035
Public Comments prior to meeting may be submitted via email to [email protected] no later than noon on the day of the meeting. Clearly indicate the project address, meeting body, and meeting date in the email. Historical and Landmarks Commissioners and Staff Liaison will be participating remotely.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ZOOM WEBINAR:
Please follow the guidelines below when participating in a Zoom Webinar:
- The meeting will be recorded so you must choose 'continue' to accept and stay in the meeting. - If there is an option to change the phone number to your name when you enter the meeting, please do so as your name will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
- Mute all other audio before speaking. Using multiple devices can cause an audio feedback. - Use the raise your hand feature in Zoom when you would like to speak on an item and lower when finished speaking. Press *9 to raise your hand if you are calling in by phone only. - Identify yourself by name before speaking on an item. - Unmute when called on to speak and mute when done speaking. If there is background noise coming from a participant, they will be muted by the host. Press *6 if you are participating by phone to unmute.
- If you no longer wish to stay in the meeting once your item has been heard, you may leave the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Leung called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Commissioner Amy Kirby, Chair Patricia Leung, Vice Chair Ana Vargas-Smith , Commissioner Michael Celso , Commissioner Megan Swartzwelder , and Commissioner Ed Stocks
Present 6 -
Commissioner Kathleen RomanoAbsent 1 -
10/07/2021Historical & Landmarks Commission Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Vargas-Smith, seconded by Commissioner Swartzwelder to excuse Commissioner Romano's absence.
Aye: Commissioner Kirby, Chair Leung, Vice Chair Vargas-Smith, Commissioner Celso, and Commissioner Swartzwelder
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Romano1 -
Abstained: Commissioner Stocks1 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A 21-1339 Historical and Landmarks Commission Minutes of September 2, 2021 Recommendation: Approve the Historical and Landmarks Commission Minutes of September 2, 2021.
Commissioner Stocks abstained from voting due to his absence at the September 2, 2021 meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Vargas-Smith, seconded by Commissioner Swartzwelder to note and file the minutes.
Aye: Commissioner Kirby, Chair Leung, Vice Chair Vargas-Smith, Commissioner Celso, and Commissioner Swartzwelder
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Romano1 -
Abstained: Commissioner Stocks1 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
10/07/2021Historical & Landmarks Commission Meeting Minutes
2. 21-1301 Public Hearing: Consideration of a Historical Preservation Agreement (Mills Act Contract) for 1390 Madison Street
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Historical and Landmarks Commission find that the Mills Act Application and associated 10-Year Plan for restoration and maintenance accomplish the intent of preserving and maintaining the historical significance of the property; and therefore, recommend Council approval of a Historical Property Preservation Agreement (Mills Act Contract), and the adoption of a 10-Year Restoration and Maintenance Plan included with the Agreement.
Staff Liaison Jeff Schwilk provided an overview of the project.
Applicants Giacomo Russo and Leigh Soutter addressed the Commission in support of their application, and noted that they would have their consultant, William Kostura, Kostura Architectural History, review the comments provided by Historical Advisor Lorie Garcia on history of ownership and use of the home and update the Historic Survey Resources Report (DPR form) accordingly.
A motion was made by Commissioner Vargas-Smith, seconded by Commissioner Swartzwelder to close public hearing.
Aye: Commissioner Kirby, Chair Leung, Vice Chair Vargas-Smith, Commissioner Celso, and Commissioner Swartzwelder
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Romano1 -
Abstained: Commissioner Stocks1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Vargas-Smith, seconded by Commissioner Swartzwelder to approve staff recommendation.
Aye: Commissioner Kirby, Chair Leung, Vice Chair Vargas-Smith, Commissioner Celso, and Commissioner Swartzwelder
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Romano1 -
Abstained: Commissioner Stocks1 -
STAFF REPORT
10/07/2021Historical & Landmarks Commission Meeting Minutes
1. Berryessa Adobe Maintenance
Staff Liaison Jeff Schwilk stated that the City is currently working to renew its contract with Mineweaser & Associates, which will include the preparation of a property condition assessment report for the Adobe building, and also noted that a letter to the Commission was received from Historical Advisor Lorie Garcia, dated October 6, 2021 which had been distributed to the Commission prior to the meeting, and which provided a brief history of the Adobe building including some photos and providing comments on the condition of the property.
The Commission requested that staff report back at the next meeting on the estimated timeframe for completion of the contract and the estimated commencement for the maintenance work. The Commission also requested that staff report back on the possibility of providing for volunteer work such as to help rehabilitate the gardens.
The Commission also requested that staff provide a report at least once every six months on the status of maintenance activities at all five of the City-owned historic properties: the Berryessa Adobe, Harris-Lass House, Headen-Inman House, Jamison-Brown House and the Charles Copeland Morse House.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
1. Subcommittee Reporting - 20 minutes
There were no subcommittee reports.
2. Board and Committee Assignments - 15 minutes
Commissioners present reported on assignments.
Board/Committee Lead/Alternate Santa Clara Arts and Historic Consortium Leung / Romano Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara Vargas-Smith / Leung Old Quad Residents Association Leung / Romano Development Review Hearing Romano / Vargas-Smith BART/ High Speed Rail/ VTA BRT Committee Vargas-Smith / Swartzwelder Zoning Ordinance Update Romano / Swartzwelder El Camino Real Specific Plan Community Advisory Committee Leung Downtown Revitalization Vargas-Smith / Romano
10/07/2021Historical & Landmarks Commission Meeting Minutes
3. Announcements and Other Items - 10 minutes
Commissioner Vargas-Smith made an announcement regarding the Parade of Champions event which would be taking place over the weekend.
4. Commissioner Travel and Training Requests - 10 minutes There were no Commissioner travel and training requests.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Vargas-Smith, seconded by Commissioner Kirby to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
The next regular scheduled meeting is on Thursday, November 4, 2021.
Aye: Commissioner Kirby, Chair Leung, Vice Chair Vargas-Smith, Commissioner Celso, Commissioner Swartzwelder, and
Commissioner Stocks
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Romano1 -
10/07/2021Historical & Landmarks Commission Meeting Minutes The time limit within which to commence any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City is governed by Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, unless a shorter limitation period is specified by any other provision. Under Section 1094.6, any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which such decision becomes final. Any lawsuit or legal challenge, which is not filed within that 90-day period, will be barred. If a person wishes to challenge the nature of the above section in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clara, at or prior to the meeting. In addition, judicial challenge may be limited or barred where the interested party has not sought and exhausted all available administrative remedies.
If a member of the public submits a speaker card for any agenda items, their name will appear in the Minutes. If no speaker card is submitted, the Minutes will reflect "Public Speaker."
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Santa Clara will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities, and will ensure that all existing facilities will be made accessible to the maximum extent feasible. The City of Santa Clara will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities including those with speech, hearing, or vision impairments so they can participate equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities. The City of Santa Clara will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities.
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Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 1 408-615-2220 with your request for an alternative format copy of the agenda or other written materials.
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