Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting

CITY OF OJAI HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting March 13, 2025 Call to Order Chair McHatton called the regular meeting of the Ojai Historic Preservation Commission to order on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in person and via teleconference. Pledge of Allegiance Chair McHatton Roll Call On a call of the roll, the following Historic Preservation Commissioners were present in person: Chair McHatton, Vice Chair Sims, and Commissioners Aikens, Bisaccia, Leavitt, Moore, and Walker. Absent: None Staff present: The following were present in person: Maura Macaluso, Principal Planner, Aleks R. Giragosian, Assistant City Attorney, and Aida Lawrence, Planning Aide. Public Communication None Museum Representative Report Commissioner Aikens reported. Consent Item(s) 1. Minutes of February 13, 2025, regular meeting. Motion: Commissioner Aikens moved and Vice Chair Sims seconded the motion to approve the February 13, 2025, regular meeting as amended. The motion passed as follows: AYES: Aikens, Leavitt, Moore, McHatton, Sims, Walker NOES: None ABSTAIN: Bisaccia ABSENT: None

Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 13, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 2 of 6 Public Hearing Item(s) 2. Miscellaneous Permits (MISC 24-050 & MISC 24-051) | Designation as a Historic Landmark and Historic Property Agreement Requests for “Mallory Way Bungalows” and provide comments to the Planning Commission on the Proposed Project Analysis located at 412 Mallory Way. Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN): 020-0-071-370. Zoning Classification is Multi-Family Residential (R-2). General Plan Land Use Designation is Medium High-Density Residential (MHR). Property Owner/Applicant: Ojai Bungalows, LP/The Becker Group. Inc. Representative: Jeffrey R. Becker, President. Chair McHatton opened the Public Hearing and turned the time over to staff Staff – Principal Planner Macaluso presented the staff report. Disclaimer of Site Visits and Ex-parte Contacts All Commissioners reported. Chair McHatton opened the item for comments The owner, Jeff Becker, addressed the Commission and answered questions. Speakers: In person: Tim Krout, Anita Kramm, and Maddi Gadsby. Virtually: Hannah Simonson from Page &Turnbull spoke and answered questions. Chair McHatton closed the item for comments The Commission provided comments. 1st Motion: Commissioner Walker moved and Commissioner Leavitt seconded to not approve the proposed project as proposed and forward the HPC recommendations and comments to the Planning Commission and after Planning Commissions review have the project come back to the HPC with the following recommendations: To work with the property owner to find a way to redesign the property including the 58 units but to move the nine units in the central courtyard and seating area to keep the historic “motor court” space clear. Commissioner Leavitt asked to add the first paragraph of the Historic Resources Report to the recommendation to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Aikens asked to amend if the changes to the design are accepted by the owner, would the Commission be agreeable to the changes. City Attorney Giragosian explained to Aikens this amendment is not able to be added. The motion FAILED as follows: AYES: Leavitt, Walker NOES: Aikens Bisaccia, McHatton, Moore, Sims

Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 13, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 3 of 6 2nd Motion: Commissioner Moore moved and Commissioner Aikens seconded the motion to adopt HPC Resolution 25-01 recommending City Council approve the Landmark Designation of the “Mallory Way” as a City of Ojai Historic Landmark. Chair McHatton requested an amendment as follows: “Can we highly suggest that you would consider more open space in the center to have some sort of a feel of a motor court.” City Attorney Giragosian explained to Chair McHatton this amendment is not able to be added, as it does not relate to the Landmarking. The motion PASSED as follows: AYES: Aikens, Moore, McHatton, Sims NOES: Bisaccia, Leavitt, Walker The Commission discussed the Mills Act designation with Staff. The property owner, Jeff Becker, explained how the Mills Act benefits the property. Motion: Commissioner Moore moved and Commissioner Aikens seconded the motion to adopt HPC Resolution 25-02 recommending City Council approve entering into an Historic Property (Mills Act) Agreement between the City of Ojai and the property owners of “Mallory Way” following designation as a City of Ojai Historic Landmark. The motion PASSED as follows: AYES: Aikens, Bisaccia, Moore, Sims, Walker NOES: Leavitt, McHatton The Commission provided individual comments related to the proposed project as follows: McHatton – they look at what is mentioned throughout the report that this is the last motor court in the city to consider open space in the center for the visual and emotional feeling when driving through the court to keep the feel of a motor court. Aikens – Agreed with the comments related to keeping the middle as open area. Walker – to keep it looking historic in that same area. Sims – Agreed with the other Commissioner’s comments to keep the center area open. Bisaccia – Move the units from the middle and the sides somewhere else (not eliminate) and did not understand why the design has not been considered previously. Chair McHatton closed the item.

Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 13, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 4 of 6 Discussion Item(s) 3. California State Downtown Ojai Historic District Recommendation(s): Receive Ad Hoc Committee’s report (McHatton and Walker) Chair McHatton opened the item and turned the time over to staff Staff – Principal Planner Macaluso presented the staff report. Chair McHatton asked staff and attorney if a main ad-hoc committee can have two sub- groups under the heading of one ad-hoc committee, with two members in each sub-group, in which each sub-group focuses on a different aspect, such as: • Main ad-hoc of California State Downtown Ojai Historic District. o Sub-group – focus on Celebration o Sub-group – focus on Benefits to property owners City Attorney Giragosian explained the parameters of an Ad-hoc committee is a temporary group to work on a specific topic (limited purpose and limited time), does not make decisions, and is only advisory. He thinks the sub-groups under the main Ad-Hoc is okay and is not subject to the Brown Act. City Attorney Giragosian asked the chair to identify the purpose and the length of this Ad-hoc committee. Chair McHatton responded the Ad-hoc will expire by December 25, 2025. After discussion it was determined the following would serve: o Sub-group – focus on Celebration (McHatton and Sims) o Sub-group – focus on Benefits to property owners (Aikens) Chair McHatton closed the item 4. Ojai Valley Trail Plaques Recommendation(s): Receive Ad Hoc Committee’s report (Walker and Bisaccia) Chair McHatton opened the item and turned the time over to staff Staff – Principal Planner Macaluso turn the time over to the ad-hoc committee. Commission Discussion Commissioner Walker reported and decided what items they would be forward to the next time it is on the agenda. Chair McHatton closed the item

Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 13, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 5 of 6 5. HPC & CC – Joint Meeting Chair McHatton opened the item Staff – Principal Planner Macaluso turn the time over to Chair to report. Commission Discussion Chair McHatton reported on the items that will be on the agenda for the joint meeting with the City Council. City Council Liaison Kim Mang spoke to the Commission. Planner Macaluso requested a vote by the Commission to include the following item on March 25, 2025, Joint meeting agenda, regarding an update to the Historic Resources Survey, which would include an RFP going out to bid to various qualified historians for the update. On a vote were the following results: AYES: Aikens, Bisaccia, Leavitt, McHatton, Moore, Sims, Walker NOES: Moore Chair McHatton closed the item 6. Education Update Recommendation(s): Receive educational liaison’s report (McHatton) Chair McHatton reported. Chair McHatton closed the item. Informational Item(s) 7. Future Agenda Items Principal Planner Macaluso reviewed the list provided in the packet. Chair McHatton closed the item. Planning Report None

Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting

AGENDA

Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting

Thursday, March 13, 2025

6:00 p.m.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, OJAI CITY HALL

401 SOUTH VENTURA STREET - OJAI, CA

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CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

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MUSEUM REPRESENTATIVE REPORT CONSENT ITEM(S)

1.

Minutes of February 13, 2025, regular meeting. Recommendation: Approve as submitted.

Minutes

DISCLOSURE OF SITE VISITS AND EX-PARTE CONTACTS

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM(S)

2.

Miscellaneous Permits (MISC 24-050 & MISC 24-051) | Designation as a Historic Landmark and Historic Property Agreement Requests for “Mallory Way” and provide comments to the Planning Commission on the Proposed Project Analysis located at 412 Mallory Way. Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN): 020-0-071-370. Zoning Classification is Multi-Family Residential (R-2). General Plan Land Use Designation is Medium High-Density Residential (MHR). Property Owner/Applicant: Ojai Bungalows, LP/The Becker Group. Inc. Representative: Jeffrey R. Becker, President.

1.

Open the Public Hearing, take testimony, and close the Public Hearing; and

2.

Adopt a Historic Preservation Commission Resolution (Attachment A) recommending City Council approve the designation of the “Mallory Way” as a City of Ojai Historic Landmark; and

3.

Provide comments to the Planning Commission regarding the Proposed Project Analysis prepared by Page & Turnbull, dated December 3, 2024.

4.

Adopt a Historic Preservation Commission Resolution (Attachment B) recommending City Council enter into an Historic Property (Mills Act) Agreement between the City of Ojai and the property owners of “Mallory Way” following designation as a City of Ojai Historic Landmark.

Staff Report

DISCUSSION ITEM(S)

3.

California State Downtown Ojai Historic District Recommendation(s): Receive Ad Hoc Committee?s report (McHatton and Walker)

Staff Report

4.

Ojai Valley Trail Plaques Recommendation(s): Receive Ad Hoc Committee’s report (Walker)

Staff Report