HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.21.19 HPC Agenda Packet
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING OF MAY 21, 2019
AGENDA
MEETING 4:00 P.M
City Hall North, 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield California
First Floor, Conference Room B
A. ROLL CALL
B. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of the January 15, 2019, meeting for approval.
D. CLOSED SESSION
None
E. CORRESPONDENCE
None
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of
Bakersfield to consider the building permit application by Neil Galyan for an
alteration of property located at 1811 20th Street, also known as the “Jastro House”
listed on the Bakersfield Register of Historic Places in the City of Bakersfield.
G. REPORTS
None
H. OLD BUSINESS
1. Community Outreach: The Commission to discuss community outreach activities
and materials.
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING OF January 15, 2019
MINUTES
Vice Chair Montgomery called the regular meeting of the Historic Preservation
Commission to order on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at 4:03 p.m. at Conference Room
B, 1600 Truxtun Avenue. Roll call was as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Stephen Montgomery
Susan Stussy
Cathy Butler
MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Fieber
STAFF PRESENT: Cecelia Griego
Joshua Rudnick
Christine Gutierrez
Nicholas Vu
PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Maria Fatima Bugharian was introduced by Commissioner Stussy.
Fatima Bugharian stated that she is interested in applying for the Commission vacancy.
She works for the County and will be speaking with her supervisors about the
application.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve minutes from the October 16, 2018 meeting.
CLOSED SESSION:
None
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
REPORTS:
None
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS
1. Historic Property and Community Outreach: The Commission to discuss
community outreach activities and materials.
Cecelia stated that she printed the map and photo copies that will be
displayed for the public to view at various events the Historic Preservation
Commission sets up a table.
Cecelia informed the Commission that the Mills Act letters had been
signed by Scott and mailed out at the beginning of January.
Commissioner Stussy made a request for the map to be larger if possible
to be able to view more detail. Cecelia made the comment that she can
get the enlargement done.
Commissioners discussed the timeline of the next steps for contacting the
recipients of the letters and the form of response.
A personalized letter of interest
A form letter
Email (hpcbakersfield@bakersfieldcity.us)
Commissioners Butler and Stussy agreed to put something together for
contact responses.
COMMISSION STATEMENTS:
Commissioner Butler: On March 19-21, 2019 the Downtown Association & IDA will
be hosting the West Coast Urban District Forum at the downtown ACE Hotel in
Los Angeles.
Commissioner Butler: On the second Saturday in February (2/9/2019) the Stories
on the Sidewalk will be in Downtown Bakersfield. If the group is interested, the
HPC can set up a table at the event. If so, she can speak with David Gordon to
find out what can be done.
Commissioner Stussy: Introduced Fatima Bugharian as a visitor to the meeting
and mentioned that she is interested in the Commission vacancy.
Commissioner Stussy: A banner or tablecloth with lettering to present the
Commission would be a good addition to the HPC table at various events if
funding is available.
Commissioner Montgomery: He will speak with Commissioner Fieber in regards to
planning a charrette for the Mills Act which would include a live speaker. This
charrette would be set up for property owners from older parts of town.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m. by Commissioner Montgomery.
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A D M I N I S T R A T I V E R E P O R T
Meeting Date: May 21, 2019 Agenda Section: Public Hearing Agenda Item: F. 1.
TO: Historic Preservation Commission
FROM: Development Services Department
DATE: May 13, 2019
SUBJECT: Public Hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of
Bakersfield to consider the building permit application by Neil Galyan for an
alteration of property located at 1811 20th Street, also known as the “Jastro
House” listed on the Bakersfield Register of Historic Places in the City of Bakersfield.
RECOMMENDATION:
Motion to approve the building permit for the installation of solar panels on the roof of the Jastro
House.
BACKGROUND:
On March 9, 2005, the Jastro House was designated a cultural resource and placed on the
Bakersfield Register of Historic Places. The property, constructed in 1875, is noted to have
architectural significance, being one of the only surviving examples Gothic Victorian Cottage
architecture in Bakersfield. In addition, the original owner of the house was Henry A. Jastro, a
prominent figure in Bakersfield’s history as former manager of the Kern County Land Company,
long time member of the Kern County Board of Supervisors, and a friend and business partner
with Col. Thomas Baker. Due to these characteristics, the property was designated having met
the following criteria for a cultural resource:
It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city’s or a community’s or
neighborhood’s historical, archaeological, cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic,
engineering or architectural development; and
It is identified with persons or events significant in local, state or national history; and
It embodies distinctive characteristics of style, type, period, or method of construction, or
is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; and
Its unique location or singular physical characteristic(s) represents an established and
familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community of the city.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Before a building permit causing an alteration of a designated cultural resource is issued, a
public hearing considering proposed alterations is required in Bakersfield Municipal Code
(BMC). Per the BMC, the alteration of a designated cultural resource shall not be approved
unless the following conditions are found to exist:
The proposed work will not adversely affect the architectural features of the structure,
where specified in the designation; nor will the proposed work adversely affect the
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special character or special historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or the
relationship and congruity between the subject structure or feature and its neighboring
structures and surroundings, where specified in the designation.
In the case of the Jastro House, this would mean maintaining what is left of the Gothic
Victorian Cottage architecture, such as front porch with ornamented baluster spans, the three
paned, half-round arch window on the second story, the main gables on the left and right of
the house, the windows around the house with sill molding, and shiplap siding. Much of the
original gothic ornamentation is no longer part of the house. In addition, the wood shingling
that use to be on the roof top has been replaced with modern asphalt shingles.
Neil Galyan, the current owner of the Jastro House, has proposed energy efficiency alterations
to the exterior of the property. The proposed project will add 36 solar panels with related
electrical upgrades and structural supports added in the attic and existing rafters in order for
the structure to withstand the added weight of the solar panels. No other modifications to the
exterior of the home will be made, besides the installation of the solar panels. In order to
minimize visual impacts, the solar panels will be installed on the secondary slopes of the rooftop
in the rear of the property, facing the alley, unable to be seen from the street frontage. Other
energy efficiency measures, such as electrical replacement, A/C unit replacement and
window replacement, were completed in 2015 as part of a renovation project approved by
the Historic Preservation Commission.
The Commission has adopted the use of The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation to provide guidance in their review of proposed rehabilitation and alterations of
historic buildings, for solar projects it is recommended:
Considering on-site, solar technology only after implementing all appropriate treatments
to improve energy efficiency of the building.
Analyzing whether solar technology can be used successfully and will benefit a historic
building without compromising its character.
Installing a solar device on the historic building only after other locations have been
investigated and determined infeasible.
Installing a low-profile solar device on the historic building so that it is not visible or only
minimally visible from the public right of way: for example, on a flat roof and set back to
take advantage of a parapet or other roof feature to screen solar panels from view; or
on a secondary slope of a roof, out of view from the public right of way.
Installing a solar device on the historic building in a manner that does not damage
historic roofing material or negatively impact the building’s historic character and is
reversible.
Installing solar roof panels horizontally—flat or parallel to the roof—to reduce visibility.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:
Notice of public hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Bakersfield
for the proposed alteration to a designated cultural resource was advertised in The Bakersfield
Californian on May 9, 2019. The applicant and property owners within 300 feet of the project site
were notified on May 9, 2019, by United States Mail of the public hearing in accordance with
Bakersfield Municipal Code.
ATTACHMENTS: Site Plans for Jastro House Solar Project
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A D M I N I S T R A T I V E R E P O R T
Meeting Date: May 21, 2019 Agenda Section: Old Business Agenda Item: H. 1.
TO: Historic Preservation Commission
FROM: Development Services Department
DATE: May 13, 2019
SUBJECT: Community Outreach
Staff has drafted the attached letter to historic property owners with information on cultural
designation and development of a Mills Act program. This letter has been sent to historic property
owners currently designated and to other potential historic properties at commissioner request.
To date, staff has not received any responses to the letters.
To help with public outreach efforts, staff has also printed three historic photos and historic map
for display at community events. Prints of the photos and map will be brought to the meeting.
Staff is currently exploring different venders and getting cost estimates for a table cloth and other
outreach materials.
Recommendation: For Commission Discussion.
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May 21, 2019
SUE DODGIN, OFFICE MANAGER
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BAKERSFIELD
P O BOX 2920
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93303
Re: Your Historic Property located at 1928 19th Street.
Dear Historic Property Owner:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that you possess a property that is either eligible
to be designated or was designated by the City of Bakersfield as a cultural resource due
to its cultural and/or architectural qualities that are significant and/or unique. In an effort
to preserve Bakersfield’s various historic and cultural resources, the City is considering
adopting a Mills Act ordinance that would allow the City to enter into an agreement with
an owner of a qualified historical property who agrees to rehabilitate, restore, preserve,
and maintain the property in exchange for property tax reductions as calculated in
accordance to state law by the Kern County Assessor’s Office.
As background, the Mills Act was enacted in 1972 to help preserve properties designated
as cultural or historical properties, and provide tax savings that benefit both the property
owner and the community at large.
The advantage of owning a historic property
Many of the communities that have a Mills Act ordinance have seen benefits to the
overall increase in property values with a corresponding increase in tax revenue to the
community and increased profits to property owners at the time they sell their homes or
building.
Information about the rights of the property owner
In a Mills Act community, the owner signs a contract that, in exchange for tax
reassessment, agrees to maintain the quality of the property that resulted in its cultural
and historical designation.
The granting of historic or cultural recognition by the City does not restrict a property
owner’s rights to improve and/or repair the property. If the City grants historic or cultural
designation to a property and the owner modifies the property in a manner that removes
that quality that resulted in its special designation, then the cultural or historical
designation may be removed in accordance with the City’s existing historic preservation
ordinance.
If the property owner who has signed a Mills Act contract and then decides it’s in their
interest to either cancel their Mills Act contract and/or modify their property in such a
manner that the historic quality is lost and is no longer eligible to be on the City’s cultural
resource register, the property’s assessed value returns to its pre-Mills Act assessed value,
and pays a one-time 12.5% assessment penalty.
BAKER STREET PUBLIC LIBRARY
Established 1915
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Tax benefits to the community
A Mills Act ordinance that encourages and incentivizes property owners to preserve their
historic properties fosters greater community pride by encouraging the citizenry at large
to take care of their property. Citizens that have pride in their community take better
care of both public and private property thereby reducing costs, such as cleanup, code
enforcement and removal of blight expenses paid by the taxpayers of Bakersfield.
Consulting the Commission
We invite property owners who are thinking about the prospect of rehabilitating and/or
restoring their historic property to contact members of the Historic Preservation
Commission to consult on the matter and send in letters of support for the City to create
a Mills Act Contract program. Please address letters to Bakersfield Historic Preservation
Commission, 1715 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
Supporting the adoption of the provisions of the Mills Act
If you agree that the adoption of a Mills Act ordinance would be a benefit to you and
the community, please contact the City Council member representing your Ward and
share your interest. Office: (661) 326-3767 Email: City_Council@bakersfieldcity.us
Bakersfield City Council Members:
Ward 1: Willie Rivera
Ward 2: Andrae Gonzales
Ward 3: Ken Weir
Ward 4: Bob Smith
Ward 5: Bruce Freeman
Ward 6: Jacquie Sullivan
Ward 7: Chris Parlier
Sincerely,
Stephen Montgomery, Vice Chair
Bakersfield Historic Preservation Commission
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