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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022613-special joint_CCv0001.pdf MINUTES: of a special joint meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission of the City of Redlands held in the Council Chambers, Civic Center, 35 Cajon Street, on February 26, 2013 at 5:00 P.M. PRESENT: Pete Aguilar, Mayor Paul Foster, Mayor Pro Tem Jon Harrison, Councilmember Bob Gardner, Councilmember Pat Gilbreath, Councilmember John James, Chairman, Planning Commission Carol Dyer, Commissioner Steven Frasher, Commissioner Conrad Guzkowski, Commissioner Jan Hudson, Commissioner Ken Jeske, Commissioner Julie Rynerson Rock, Commissioner David Van Deist, Chairman, Historic & Scenic Preservation Commission Nathan Gonzales, Commissioner Shan McNaughton, Commissioner Matt Millett, Commissioner Paige Peyton, Commissioner Geneil Vines, Commissioner ABSENT: None STAFF: Enrique Martinez, City Manager; Dan McHugh, City Attorney; Sam Irwin, City Clerk; Robert Dawes, City Treasurer; Carl Baker, Public Information Officer; Oscar Orci, Development Services Director Mayor Aguilar offered everyone present the opportunity to address the assembled bodies on the subject of the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT: Signage — Mario Saucedo, representing the North Redlands Visioning Committee, asked for a an historic designation of the Terrace Park area and further asked for a program of placing descriptive signs in those areas around Redlands which may no longer have significant buildings, but have historic importance. HISTORIC PRESERVATION WORKSHOP: Mayor Aguilar called the City Council workshop to order at 5:00 P.M. and deferred to Chairmen Miller and Van Diest to call their respective commissions to order. Special Joint Meeting February 26,2013 Page 1 Preservation Forum Recap — Ron Running, of the Redlands Area Historical Society, Inc., opened the workshop and introduced Donn Grenda, who for reasons of a scheduling conflict, presented first a status report on the Certified Local Government application of the City of Redlands. Certified Local Government (CLG) — Mr. Grenda listed the benefits of a CLG status for Redlands in that it provides ease of processing for Federal grants and more local control of a historical preservation program. Redlands has accomplished many of the prerequisites of the CLG application and is well on the way to completion by the end of 2013. At this point, Councilmember Harrison stated his concern that an effective preservation program requires adequate funding and highly dedicated well trained manpower. Recap Continued—Mr. Running reviewed the chronology of Redlands' historic preservation efforts dating back to 1976 and attributed the authoritative documents used to develop our preservation program. These efforts have resulted in the surveying of 2,000 houses and commercial buildings, the identification of over 5,000 structures over 50 years old in Redlands, and the designation of 8 Historic Districts within the City. Accomplishments in 2012 were listed as adoption of the Mills Act, development of the Historic Rehabilitation Brochure, update of the Historic Preservation Ordinance, and programs presented by the Redlands Conservancy. Mills Act—Development Services Director Oscar Orci provided an overview of the implementation of the Mills Act with in the City of Redlands. The pilot program is underway. Applications are currently being received until March 31, 2013, for the first 7 properties to enter into contracts with the City whereby property tax relief will be given to owners of historical buildings as an incentive to restoration. Historic Rehab Brochure — Shan McNaughton, of the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission, reviewed the key points of a brochure developed by the Commission to provide general guidelines to property owners and contractors for rehabilitation and historic preservation of significant buildings. Redlands Conservancy Programs — Sherli Leonard, of the Redlands Conservancy, provided a quick look at programs held in 2012 to promote historic and scenic preservation awareness. Historic Preservation Week is scheduled again for May 2013 and will include walking tours of the Historic Districts. Workshop Wrap-up —As a vehicle to stimulate discussion, Ron Running posed questions as to the importance of Certified Local Government status, continued historic resources survey work, the need for more design guidelines for both residential and downtown areas, and consideration for more historic preservation districts. As a public comment, Tom Atchley provided his Special Joint Meeting February 26,2013 Page 2 perspective on the history and value of preservation efforts in Redlands. He suggested several goals for consideration as part of the 125th Anniversary Celebration. Mayor Pro Tem Foster articulated the goals he would like to see for 2013 as (1) Complete the CLG process and apply for a grant; (2) Challenge the Historical Society to nominate more Historic Districts; (3) Form a joint subcommittee to the Planning Commission and the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission to look at architectural guidelines; and (4) Get the Chamber of Commerce and the Redlands Conservancy together to discuss ways to combine the goals of historic preservation and economic development through adaptive reuse of existing structures in the downtown area. Discussion ensued as to the funding and manpower requirements to adequately support the historic preservation needs identified by the workshop. All agreed these needs would have to compete and would be addressed in the context of other priorities to be discussed during deliberations on the budget. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, this meeting was adjourned at 6:45 P.M. The Council will reconvene at their regular meeting, on March 5, 2013, at 5:00 P.M. Special Joint Meeting February 26,2013 Page 3