Historic Design Review Commission

# MINUTES OF THE

AUBURN CITY HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MEETING January 5, 2016

The regular session of the Auburn City Historic Design Review Commission meeting was called to order on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Luebkeman in the City Council Chambers, 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, California.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Amara, Combs, Dowdin Calvillo, Luebkeman, Kratzer-Yue, Roper

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Green, Vitas, Willick

STAFF PRESENT: Reg Murray, Senior Planner

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT None

V. PUBLIC HEARING

A. HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW AMENDMENT – 1101 HIGH STREET (CENTRAL SQUARE BATHROOMS & PARK) - FILE HDR AMEND 13-8(A). The applicant requests approval of an amendment to the Historic Design Review Permit approved in 2013 (File HDR 13-08) for the construction of a ±400 square foot public restroom at the corner of High Street and Lewis Street. The amendment includes rotating the orientation of the restroom such that the front of the building will face Lewis Street instead of High Street.

Planner Murray presented the staff report, summarizing the history of the bathroom and park project at the corner of High Street and Lewis Street. Due to concerns expressed by neighbors the front of the bathrooms was oriented to face the park and High Street. City Council originally approved the project with this orientation, but due to budgetary issues, the project didn’t move forward.

Planner Murray noted that the applicant, Michael Murphy, is putting forward an alternative orientation for the restroom, which shows it rotated 90 degrees to face Lewis Street rather than High Street. Staff felt that the change warranted additional review by the HDRC. Comments from the HDRC will be presented to the City Council at a future meeting.

Chair Luebkeman asked for clarification about the scope of the HDRC’s review.

Chair Luebkeman opened the public hearing.

Father Brian from the Episcopal Church near the proposed facility addressed two concerns. The first was a concern with the existing sewer line and the plumbing issues experienced by the church. As the church currently experiences blockage and back-up, he wanted assurance that the new facilities would not cause a capacity issue. The second concern was in regards to the park area attracting gatherings, homeless population and intoxicated individuals. Unwelcoming individuals may deter others from going to the church. Furthermore, the increased traffic around the facility may be in conflict with the church.

Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo asked if the church had any concerns with the proposed orientation. Father Brian indicated that the church didn’t specifically review this issue, but he expressed that the High Street orientation seemed to make more sense.

Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo asked if the City was aware of the church’s sewer issues and if adequate capacity was available in the existing sewer line.

Planner Murray commented that the capacity of the lines was probably considered when the project was originally considered, but that staff would defer to the Public Works Department to verify the capacity of the line serving the area.

Mora Rowe, from the California Welcome Center, agreed with the sewer capacity concerns. She also explained that the Welcome Center currently offers concierge services to homeless and elderly people and questioned the need for the restroom at this location; instead, the City could encourage the use of the Welcome Center facilities.

Ms. Row and the Commission mutually agreed that a potential partnership might be a viable option. They also agreed that signage directing traffic to the Welcome Center could be beneficial.

Marge Hire, a volunteer at the St. Luke’s Thrift shop, questioned the location of the restroom and suggested that it be built adjacent to, or possibly connected to, the existing building housing the Welcome Center.

Jeff Ambrosia from Yamasaki Landscaping addressed the facility orientation and site design. The project design precludes the option of constructing the restrooms against the existing building. He also noted that the design works from a security standpoint since the orientation towards Lewis Street allows the Police Department to monitor the entrance area.

* * *

Chair Luebkeman closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo asked whether the new building will offer the opportunity to provide community information, such as an enclosed case where City information could be posted. She also supported the building reorientation for safety reasons.

Commissioner Kratzer-Yue asked whether or not there would be trees in the park.

Chair Luebkeman re-opened the public hearing.

Jeff Ambrosia stated there is a full landscape plan that includes trees and other features.

Chair Luebkeman re-closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Amara MOVED to adopt HDRC Resolution 16-1 as presented.

Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo SECONDED the motion.

AYES: Amara, Combs, Dowdin Calvillo, Kratzer-Yue, Luebkeman, Roper NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Green, Vitas, Willick

The motion was APPROVED.

VI. STAFF FOLLOW-UP REPORTS

None.

VII. HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION REPORTS

None.

VIII. FUTURE HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION AGENDA ITEMS

# AGENDA HISTORIC D 1225 LIN

# OF A REGULAR SESSION CITY OF AUBURN DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION COLN WAY, AUBURN, CA 95603 January 5, 2016 6:00 PM

## Historic Design Review Commissioners

City Staff

| Historic Design Review Commissioners | City Staff | | --- | --- | | Roger Luebkeman, Chair | Reg Murray, Senior Planner | | Sandra Amara | | | Alice Dowdin Calvillo | | | Fred Vitas | | | Nick Willick | | | Cindy Combs | | | Terry Green | | | Kathryn Kratzer-Yue | | | Brenda Roper | |

I. CALL TO ORDER

## I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

## III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

None

## IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

This is the time provided so that persons may speak to the Commission on any item not on this agenda. Please make your comments as brief as possible. The Commission cannot act on items not included on this agenda; however, the items will be referred to City staff automatically.

## V. PUBLIC HEARING

A. HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW AMENDMENT - 1101 HIGH STREET (CENTRAL SQUARE BATHROOM) - FILE HDR AMEND 13-8(A). The applicant requests approval of an amendment to the Historic Design Review Permit approved in 2013 (File HDR 13-08) for the construction of a $ \\pm 4 0 0 $ square foot public restroom at the corner of High Street and Lewis Street. The amendment includes rotating the orientation of the restroom such that the front of the building will face Lewis Street instead of High Street.

* * *

## VI. STAFF FOLLOW-UP REPORTS

A. City Council Meetings B. Future Historic Design Review Commission Meetings C. Reports

## VII. HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION REPORTS

The purpose of these reports is to provide a forum for Historic Design Review Commissioners to bring forth their own ideas to the Commission. No decisions are to be made on these issues. If a Commissioner would like formal action on any of these discussed items, it will be placed on a future Commission agenda.

## VIII. FUTURE HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION AGENDA ITEMS

Historic Design Review Commissioners will discuss and agree on items and/or projects to be placed on future Commission agendas for the purpose of updating the Commission on the progress of items and/or projects.

## IX. ADJOURNMENT

Thank you for attending the meeting. The Historic Design Review Commission welcomes your interest and participation. If you want to speak on any item on the agenda, as directed by the Chair, simply go to the lectern, give your name, address, sign in and speak on the subject. Please try to keep your remarks to a maximum of five minutes, focus on the issues before the Historic Design Review Commission and try not to repeat information already given to the Commission by a prior speaker. Always speak into the microphone, as the meeting is recorded on tape. It is the policy of the Commission not to begin consideration of a project after 10:00 PM. Such projects will be continued to the next meeting.

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Commission after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the Planning Department during normal business hours.

* * *

## ITEM V-A: HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW – 1101 HIGH STREET (CENTRAL SQUARE BATHROOMS AND PARK) – FILE HDR 13-08.

REQUEST: The applicant requests an amendment to the Historic Design Review Permit approved in 2013 (File HDR 13-08) for the construction of a ±400 square foot public restroom at the corner of High Street and Lewis Street. The amendment includes rotating the orientation of the restroom such that the front of the building will face Lewis Street instead of High Street.

## MOTION FOR APPROVAL:

A. Adopt HDRC Resolution 16-1 (Exhibit A) as presented, or as modified by the Historic Design Review Commission, approving an amendment to HDR 13-8 to change the orientation of the restroom to face Lewis Street instead of High Street.

## MOTION FOR DENIAL:

B. Direct staff to amend HDRC Resolution 16-1 for denial of the proposed amendments, based upon substantial evidence in the public record.

## BACKGROUND:

Applicant: Lee Buckingham, Michael Murphy, Jeff Ambrosia

Owner: City of Auburn; 1225 Lincoln Way; Auburn, CA; (530) 823-4211

Location: 1101 High Street (Attachment 1)

Assessor’s Parcel Number: 002-201-001

Lot Size: ±2,666 square feet

Project Site: Zoning: Central Business (C-2) District Existing Land Use: Vacant

Surrounding Zone Districts: North: C-2 East: C-2 South: C-2 West: C-2

Surrounding Land Uses: North: Retail East: Office South: Office West: Bank