COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA HISTORIC LANDMARKS ADVISORY COMMISSION Meeting Time: 10:00 a.m. APPROVED MINUTES The regular hearing of the Santa Barbara County Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission was called to order by Chair John C. Woodward, at 10:00 a.m., in the Santa Barbara County Administration Building, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 4 th Floor, 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, California. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: JOHN C. WOODWARD, CHAIR SUE ADAMS BOB CUNNINGHAM DEBORAH ACEVES GERRY B. SHEPHERD EILEEN WYCKOFF THOMAS HOM RANDY MELCOMBE AT LARGE 1 st DISTRICT 2 nd DISTRICT 3 rd DISTRICT 3 rd DISTRICT 4 th DISTRICT 4 th DISTRICT 5 th DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Mary McMaster, Deputy County Counsel Anita Hodosy-McFaul, HLAC Secretary Julie Harris, Planner Kimberley McCarthy, Planner Anne Almy, Supervising Planner REPORTERS: None. NUMBER OF INTERESTED PERSONS: Approximately 10 people present. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA 1. ROLL CALL: All Present. 2. MINUTES of June 14, 2010 were considered as follows: ACTION: Commissioner Wyckoff moved, seconded by Commissioner Aceves and carried by a vote of 7 to 0 (Hom abstains) to approve the minutes of June 14, 2010.
Page 2 3. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR ACTION: Commissioner Shepherd moved and carried by a vote of 8 to 0 to elect Commissioner Woodward as Chair, effective July 12, 2010. ACTION: Commissioner Shepherd moved and carried by a vote of 8 to 0 to elect Commissioner Cunningham as Vice-Chair, effective July 12, 2010. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT: Gregory Hubbard, regarding the Little Red School House, County Historic Landmark #5. DECISION ITEMS 5. Determine whether to approve or request modifications or impose conditions upon proposed work affecting the Juarez-Hosmer Adobe, County Historic Landmark #34, consistent with Resolution 98-265 as deemed necessary. The proposal includes the rehabilitation of the adobe/redwood addition, tower/lean-to, and cottage, as well as proposed additions to the existing tower, adobe, and cottage, and construction of a new barn, entrance gate, gateposts and fence. The property is a 0.81 acre parcel zoned 2-E-1 and shown as Assessor s Parcel Number 009-710-019, located at 461 San Ysidro Road, in the Montecito area, First Supervisorial District. (Continued from 12/14/09, 4/12/10 & 6/14/10) Staff presentation by Julie Harris. At this time, all land use issues have been resolved. The following changes have been made since HLAC s last review: The driveway entrance gates, pilasters, pilaster lighting and pedestrian gate remain the same except that the wing wall north of the pedestrian gate has been reduced in length by approximately 10 feet; A six-foot high wrought iron fence has been proposed; The fence location has been revised to be spaced between buttress roots of the landmark Ficus tree and is to be aligned with the trunk, An informal pedestrian gate has been added to the northeast corner; Detailed plantings with emphasis on the native plant species or cultivars, with low growing species along the south end of the street frontage and taller growing plants to screen the north half of the property from the street have been proposed; Rhoicissus capensis has been proposed at five locations along the proposed wrought iron fence. The asphalt floor, if it exists, will be photo-documented and preserved. Applicant presentation by Clay Aurell, Architect, and Chris Gilliand, Landscape Architect, from AB Design Studios. Commission Comments: Complimented the applicants for the fence design, spacing the wrought iron fence between buttress roots and alignment to the middle of the Ficus tree. Discussed the 6-foot height of the fence and compromised on a height of 5 ½ feet. Prefer a less ornate gate design more in keeping with the informal setting of a 19 th Century farmstead. Reconstruction of the barn is a great addition. The water tank and tower are visually authentic. The applicant should be commended for preserving the landmark while adapting the property for livability. ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Wyckoff, seconded by Commissioner Aceves and carried by a vote of 6 to 0 (Cunningham and Hom abstain) to approve the plans as proposed with fence height and plantings at 5 ½ feet.
Page 3 6. Determine whether to approve or request modifications or impose conditions upon proposed work affecting Val Verde, County Historic Landmark #38 which consists of interior alterations to two accessory buildings: Architect s Cottage #1 (Caretakers Cottage) and Architect s Cottage #2 (Bunny s Warren); interior and exterior alterations (window and door changes, an increase in the roof pitch and new sky lights) to Architect s Cottage #3 (Millie s Cottage); and the construction of a tennis court located on the northern portion of the parcel, northwest of Architect s Cottage #1. Construction of the tennis court requires approximately 200 cubic yards of cut and 200 cubic yards of fill. Retaining and court walls/fencing ranging from approximately four feet to a maximum of ten feet are proposed along the perimeter of the tennis court. The property is an 8.87 acre parcel zoned 5-E-1 and shown as Assessor s Parcel Number 011-120-003 located at 2549 Sycamore Canyon Road, in Montecito, First Supervisorial District. Staff Presentation by Kimberley McCarthy. All interior alterations to Cottage #1, Cottage #2, Cottage #3, and alterations to the interior of the mansion s one-story service wing are exempt from the Land Use Permit. The exterior alterations to Cottage # 3 and the proposed tennis court require a land use permit. The Phase I and II Historic Resources Letter Report for this property located at 2549 Sycamore Canyon Road was prepared by Post/Hazeltine Associates. The report indicates that the proposed alterations, both interior and exterior and the tennis court have no historic impacts. Representation: Dr. Pamela Post and Timothy Hazeltine, historians, were present for questions. Don Nulty, Architect for the project, explained the dynamics of the proposals, that the property will not be developed; rather the open space will be cherished. The applicant s interests are to legalize the cottages for legal residence for staff and gardeners. The alterations will add a new surface to survive for generations. The tennis court location was chosen to add to the circulation of the overall estate. Additions to the roadway will be introduced at a later review. There are no long range plans to develop the mansion rather a proposal for deferred maintenance. Derrik Eichelberger, Landscape Architect, was present for questions. Commission comments: Discussed the history of Cottage # 3, how unstable the structure is and how it could be disassembled and reconstructed. The interiors are not specified in the Landmark Resolution and may be exempt from review. A site visit is suggested to witness some of the elements and spiritual sense of the historic estate. The estate was designed with specific view corridors and the siting of the tennis courts needs to be studied so as not to impede those views. ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Shepherd and carried by a vote of 6 to 0 (Melcombe abstained, Cunningham recused) to approve the plans as proposed to alter the interiors of Cottage 1 and Cottage 2 and the London Flat (one story wing on the east corner of the mansion).
Page 4 7. Determine whether to approve or request modifications or impose conditions upon proposed reconstruction of the Campbell Bridge (destroyed in the Jesusita Fire) in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, County Historic Landmark #24. The bridge would be 10-feet wide and ADA accessible, and would include a new ADA accessible stone seating area and stone-veneered retaining wall on the east side of Mission Creek. The bridge would be constructed of redwood railing and decking material with steel I-beam supports. The parcel is zoned REC and shown as Assessor s Parcel Numbers 023-340-013, -015 located at 1212 Mission Canyon Road, in Mission Canyon, First Supervisorial District Staff Presentation by Anne Almy. HLAC needs to determine the appropriate proportions for the reconstruction of the Campbell Bridge in context with the Botanic Garden. The bridge was the design of noted landscape architect Lockwood de Forest. Applicant Presentation Andrew Wyatt, Acting Director of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, presented proposed bridge elements that reflect the original 1941 wooden bridge and the 1988 reconstruction. Surrounding elements were used in the proposed rebuild. Elements of the original Campbell Bench were incorporated into the design of a new bench and retaining wall proposed at the east end of the bridge and flagstone will replace the existing pavers to prevent erosion. The width of the bridge has been reduced from 10 feet to 7 feet. The length of the reconstructed bridge is 8 feet longer than the original bridge. Public Comments: Marc Chytilo, representing Friends of Mission Canyon Barbara Bonadeo Paulina Conn Commission Comments: Commissioners Woodward, Adams and Cunningham met with Mr. Wyatt at the site of the proposed bridge. Discussed various ways to engineer construction, such as cantilevering, that could allow for a shorter bridge more in keeping with the original design. Suggested eliminating the proposed stone bench and retaining wall as it is very important not to add new, incompatible elements to the historic landmark. Discussed appropriate construction materials, availability and detailing. Commissioner Aceves stated that the proposed railings are oppressive. Discussed the proposed width of the bridge for gardening vehicles and public usage. Commissioner Cunningham suggested using wire mesh as an alternative to the railing design. The mesh could be 10-gauge steel painted black and would have an almost invisible effect. Treated eucalyptus prior to construction should last a long time. Redwood mimicking construction of 1941 could be appropriate. Seven foot width is not appropriate for reconstruction of a 1941 bridge. Caissons are not needed for a pedestrian bridge; modify construction without widening, retaining wall or bench; explore other possibilities. Commissioner Hom stated preference to preserve as landmarked with original materials and construction, and to reinforce and use the old stone abutments. Commissioner Melcombe questioned whether a new design would be appropriate as the bridge has been designed several time before.
Page 5 ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Cunningham, seconded by Commissioner Wyckoff and carried by a vote of 8 to 0 to continue the proposed rebuild of the Campbell Bridge to August 9, 2010. Design to focus on faithful reconstruction of the 1941 version of bridge. 8. Consideration of the nomination of Mattei s Tavern as a Landmark. The property is a 5.45 acre parcel zoned Highway Commercial and shown as Assessor s Parcel Numbers 135-073-003, -005, and 135-064-002,-011,-020, -021 located at 2326 Railway Avenue and 2329 Jonata Street, in Los Olivos, Third Supervisorial District. (Continued from 5/10/10 & 6/14/10) Gregory Hubbard Chairman Woodward reported that the owners of Mattei s Tavern have met again with the HLAC subcommittee to draft a proposed Landmark resolution. Progress has been made, and the owners have asked that the matter be continued for further work on the draft resolution. MOTION: Commissioner Shepherd moved, seconded by Commissioner Wyckoff and carried by a vote of 6 to 0 (Cunningham recused, Hom abstains) to continue, at the request of the owners, the nomination of Mattei s Tavern as a County Historic Landmark to the meeting of August 9, 2010. 9. HLAC Monthly Budget Report and Decisions 10. DISTRICT REPORTS : Budget Report Staff Support and Office Expense Travel Historic Surveys & Contracts First District. Chairman Woodward reported that on June 28, 2010 the Carpinteria City Council designated the Carpinteria Valley Baptist Church as a City of Carpinteria Landmark. Third District. Commissioner Aceves reported the City of Goleta has 46 possible Landmarks or Places of Historic Merit. The City is moving toward forming a landmarks commission. Fourth District. Commissioner Wyckoff reported that Highway 246 from Buellton to Lompoc will be widened for passing lanes. First District. Chairman Woodward announced the resignation of Audrey Mussell from HLAC and the commission expressed appreciation for her years of service. Respectfully submitted by, Anita Hodosy-McFaul Secretary, HLAC G:\GROUP\PC_STAFF\WP\HLAC\MINUTES\Minutes--2010\7-12-10HLACMinutes.doc