Title
Historical Advisory Board Draft Meeting Minutes - September 1, 2022
Body
DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA HISTORICAL ADVISORY BOARD
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
1. CONVENE
Chair Thomas Saxby called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, codified at Government Code Section 54953, Historical Advisory Board members can attend the meeting via teleconference.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Saxby, Vice-Chair Jones and Board Members Lau, Sanchez and Wit.
Absent: None.
3. MINUTES
3-A 2022-2331 - Historical Advisory Board Draft Meeting Minutes - April 7, 2022
3-B 2022-2332 - Historical Advisory Board Draft Meeting Minutes - May 5, 2022
3-C 2022-2333 - Historical Advisory Board Draft Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2022
Board Member Norman Sanchez corrected Lynn Jones title.
Chair Saxby opened public comments.
There were no public comments.
Board Member Jennifer Wit made a motion to approve the April 7th minutes and Board Member Sanchez seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
Board Member Sanchez made a motion to approve the May 5th minutes and Board Member Alvin Lau seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
Board Member Jones made a motion to approve the June 2nd minute and Board Member Sanchez seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed 4-0 with Board Member Jones abstaining due to her absence at the meeting.
4. AGENDA CHANGES AND DISCUSSION
None.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATION
None.
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
7. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
7-A 2022-2328
PLN21-0469 - Certificate of Approval -950 West Mall Square - Applicant: City of Alameda. Public hearing to consider Certificate of Approval application to allow the conversion of lawn to, drought-tolerant landscaping at the grounds of City Hall West. Pursuant to Alameda Municipal Code Section 13-21.5 a Certificate of Approval by the Historical Advisory Board is required for alterations to Historic Monuments including trees and plantings. This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304(b) - Minor Alterations to Land, which consists of new gardening or landscaping, including the replacement of existing landscaping with water-efficient landscaping.
Allen Tai, City Planner, introduced this item and introduced Erin Smith, Public Works Director, who gave a brief presentation. The staff report and attachments can be found at <https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5778627&GUID=E7CFCD3B-549C-4C7B-8E00-C181C44A35CE&FullText=1>
Todd Ainsworth, the landscape architect, also presented.
Allen Tai, City Manager, discussed the historic significance of the landscaping at City Hall West.
Chair Saxby opened the board clarifying questions.
Chair Saxby discussed his concerns of having a too natural looking landscaping.
Speaker Ainsworth discussed requirements and what native plants they would be using. He went into detail about ground cover and how everything would work together. He also discussed the reason behind the plant selection.
Board Member Sanchez asked about the historic significance of the trees. He also wanted to know about seating. He also wanted to view the cultural landscape report, he discussed a photo showing ice plant and a row of trees. He was very happy with the direction they had taken.
Speaker Ainsworth said the magnolia trees and crape myrtles were planted more recently. They are not native but they had value. He discussed that he would want seating with a historical look.
Staff Member Tai answered that none of the original landscaping was intact.
Chair Saxby wanted more clarification on the ground cover.
Speaker Ainsworth discussed the ground cover in detail from maintenance and to how the color would come in.
Chair Saxby opened public comment.
There were no public speakers.
Chair Saxby closed public comment and opened board discussion.
Chair Saxby was glad to hear how this plan would relate to the historic qualities of the Naval Air Station and could support this plan.
Board Member Sanchez asked for clarification on what would happen if another established bus zone came along in the future.
Board Member Wit thought this was a beautiful plan and that it would look wonderful.
Board Member Sanchez asked if the trees would be watered differently.
Speaker Ainsworth said they would be and explained how that would happen.
Board Member Lau really liked what had happened at City Hall on Santa Clara so he was excited.
Vice Chair Jones discussed the design choices she liked and where that “in order” look would come from.
Speaker Ainsworth discussed his use of color and choice of plants.
Board Member Sanchez made a motion to approve the proposed landscaping for City Hall West and Vice Chair Jones seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
7-B 2022-2329
PLN22-0260 - Certificate of Approval - 1205 Post Street - Applicant: Angela Klein. Public hearing to consider a Certificate of Approval to allow a 581 square foot second story addition at the rear of an existing 933 square foot home built prior to 1942, which will require demolition of more than 30% of the structure’s current value, as determined by the Building Official. The project site is located in the R-1, One-Family Residence, Zoning District.
Deirdre McCartney, Planner II, introduced this item and gave a presentation. The staff report and attachments can be found at
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5778628&GUID=92219F41-8CD8-4C97-B62F-E598DEF8024D&FullText=1>.
Chair Saxby opened board clarifying questions.
Board Member Sanchez wanted information on the existing siding.
Staff Member McCartney explained existing materials and new proposed materials.
Chair Saxby asked about the second story plate height.
Staff Member McCartney discussed what the Objective Standards called for.
Vice Chair Jones asked about the windows and if they were original to the building. She wanted to know more about the historic characteristics.
Staff Member McCartney said the windows had been replaced many times. She then discussed more of the history of the building.
Chair Saxby opened public comments.
There were no speakers.
Chair Saxby closed public comment and opened board discussion.
Board Member Sanchez discussed the character defining features of the home and the neighborhood it was in. He was in support of this project.
Board Member Lau agreed with Board Member Sanchez about the features of the home. He was concerned about the house not fitting in the neighborhood.
Staff Member Tai discussed the zone and what height was allowed.
Chair Saxby thought it worked together really well.
Vice Chair Jones thought it was charming and was glad it had the support of the neighbors.
Board Member Wit thought it was a great design and elevated the simple cottage.
Vice Chair Jones made a motion to approve the demolition of more than 30% of the property and Board Member Lau seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
7-C 2022-2330
Board Elections
Chair Saxby acknowledged that Board Member Wit would no longer be with the board and thanked her for all her hard work.
Board Member Wit thanked everyone.
Staff Member Tai gave thanks from staff.
Chair Saxby nominated Board Member Sanchez for the new Chair and Board Member Wit seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
Board Member Sanchez nominated Vice Chair Jones to remain Vice Chair and Board Member Lau seconded that motion. A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0.
8. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
None.
9. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Staff Member Tai announced that the mayor would be nominating two positions for this board at the September 6th council meeting.
Board Member Lau discussed that this might be his last meeting.
The board and staff thanked him for his hard work.
10. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Saxby adjourned the meeting at 8:35 pm.