new ventura county cultural heritage board agenda october 12, … · 2 days ago · october 12,...

In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact Dillan Murray, Cultural Heritage Program Planner, at 805-654-5042 or [email protected]. Reasonable advance notification of the need for accommodation prior to the meeting (48 hours advance notice is preferable) will enable us to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board

Agenda October 12, 2020 Meeting

Notice is hereby given that on Monday, October 12, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) will convene for a public tour to be held at Nye Ranch, 8442 Santa Ana Road, Ventura, CA 93001. After the tour, the CHB will break before reconvening for an online Public Hearing at 1:15 p.m. using video conference and teleconference formats. Members of the public are welcome to attend the tour and the public hearing. Please refer to the instructions below.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS, FACE MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES DURING THE PUBLIC SITE TOUR. IN ADDITION, PARTICIPANTS MUST MAINTAIN 6-FEET DISTANCE BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS WILL BE LIMITED FOR ANY INTERIOR PORTIONS OF THE TOUR. STURDY, CLOSED-TOE SHOES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. IN RESPONSE TO THE DECLARED STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCIES DUE TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S ORDERS AND THE COUNTY OF VENTURA HEALTH OFFICER’S LOCAL ORDERS, THE HALL OF ADMINISTRATION IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. THE CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE CONDUCTED ONLINE USING VIDEO CONFERENCE AND TELECONFERENCE FORMATS. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING LISTENING TO THE MEETING ONLY, VIEWING THE MEETING, AND PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW.

LISTENING TO THE MEETING ONLY

If you do not have access to a computer or if you would like to listen to the meeting by phone, please follow the steps below:

1. If you are in the United States, dial (669) 900-9128 or (346) 248-7799 or (646) 558-8656 or (253) 215-8782 or (301) 715-8592 or (312) 626-6799. If you dial a number near your current location, you may receive higher audio quality;

October 12, 2020 CHB Agenda

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2. Enter Webinar ID: 861 5098 6455, when prompted; and

3. Listen to the meeting.

VIEWING THE MEETING ON YOUR COMPUTER OR TABLET

To view the meeting on your computer or tablet, follow the steps below:

1. Turn on your computer or tablet, open your internet browser;

2. Navigate to the following webpage:

https://ventura-org-rma.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cQYjZj9NTBum8d6D_WXXRw;

3. You must register to participate. Please complete the registration information;

4. Upon successful registration, you will be given the information needed to access the meeting. Click the link on the screen following the title “Please click this URL to join”. You will be placed in the meeting;

5. Listen to the meeting.

PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT

Written Comments:

1. While written comments may be submitted by e-mail during the hearing, the public is encouraged to submit comments no later than 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2020, to Dillan Murray via email at [email protected]. Comments may not exceed 250 words. All comments received prior to the deadline which are 250 words or less will be read into the record by staff. Comments greater than 250 words will be distributed to the Cultural Heritage Board at the hearing and included in the public record;

2. Comments submitted must include the following information:

a. Name;

b. Item you are addressing with your comment; and

c. Your mailing address.

Comments Provided at the Public Meeting:

https://ventura-org-rma.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cQYjZj9NTBum8d6D_WXXRw

https://ventura-org-rma.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cQYjZj9NTBum8d6D_WXXRw

mailto:[email protected]


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1. If you are accessing the hearing via phone and would like to speak on an item, dial *9 to raise your hand or *6 to send a request to be unmuted to provide comment. If you are accessing the hearing online, select the “raise hand” function;

2. Interested speakers will be called upon in the order received;

3. Comments submitted must include the following information:

a. Name;

b. Item you are addressing with your comment; and

c. Your mailing address.

AGENDA

1. 11:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE VENTURA COUNTY CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD AT NYE RANCH, 8442 SANTA ANA ROAD, VENTURA, CA 93001 FOR A PUBLIC TOUR

2. ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM 3. ADJOURN UNTIL 1:15 P.M. 4. 1:15 P.M. RECONVENE THE MEETING OF THE VENTURA COUNTY CULTURAL

HERITAGE BOARD USING VIDEO CONFERENCE AND TELECONFERENCE FORMATS

5. ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM

6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

6a. Vote to approve the October 12, 2020 Agenda 6b. Vote to approve the September 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes 6c. Vote to approve the October 14, 2019 Meeting Minutes

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS This time is set aside for public comment on items not otherwise on this agenda

which are within the purview of the Cultural Heritage Board (CHB). Speakers wishing to address the Board shall be allowed a maximum of three minutes for their comments. The Board is prohibited from taking action on any item that is not part of the printed and published agenda.


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8. CONTINUED ITEMS

None

9. NEW BUSINESS

9a. Location: Nye Ranch, 8442 Santa Ana Road, Ventura, CA 93001 (unincorporated Ventura County; Supervisorial District 1—Bennett).

Action: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) (Cultural Heritage Ordinance (CHO) §1366) for comprehensive rehabilitation of the existing 5,498-square-foot main house at Nye Ranch in order to partially abate violations associated with unpermitted work. (Case No. CH20-0017).

9b. Location: Unincorporated Ventura County.

Action: Receive a report on the Administrative Approvals and Exemptions issued by Staff from 2018 to 2020 pursuant to CHB Resolution 2017-2.1, provide comment on the information presented, and provide direction to Staff regarding the issuance of Administrative Approvals and Exemptions within the unincorporated Ventura County.

10. REPORTS

10a. Board Member Reports 10b. CHB Program Updates from Staff

11. NEXT MEETING The next regularly scheduled meeting is October 26, 2020.

12. ADJOURNMENT

Note: The following is a summary of actions taken by the CHB at their public meeting and not a verbatim transcription. 1. 1:17 P.M. CONVENE THE MEETING OF THE VENTURA COUNTY CULTURAL

HERITAGE BOARD FOR AN ONLINE PUBLIC MEETING USING VIDEO

CONFERENCE AND TELECONFERENCE FORMATS


CHB Members Present: Gary Blum (Chair), Ricki Mikkelsen (Vice-Chair), John Kulwiec, Linda Plaks, Miguel Fernandez, and Stephen Schafer. CHB Members Absent: None Staff Present: Dillan Murray, Cultural Heritage Program Planner, Ventura County Planning Division Denice Thomas, AICP, Cultural Heritage Program Manager, Ventura County Planning Division Charmaine Buehner, Assistant County Counsel

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MEETING MINUTES

3a. Vote to approve the September 14, 2020 Agenda: Vice-Chair Mikkelsen made a motion to approve the September 14, 2020 Agenda.

Board Member Schafer seconded the motion. Motion passed; 6-0. 3b. Vote to approve the June 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes: Board Member Fernandez noted grammatical corrections to the minutes. Board

Member Schafer made a motion to approve the June 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes, as corrected. Vice-Chair Mikkelsen seconded the motion. Motion passed; 6-0.

3c. Vote to approve the August 10, 2020 Meeting Minutes: Board Member Fernandez noted grammatical corrections to the minutes. Board

Member Schafer made a motion to approve the August 10, 2020 Meeting Minutes, as corrected. Vice-Chair Mikkelsen seconded the motion. Motion passed; 6-0.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

5. CONTINUED ITEMS

Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) Minutes

September 14, 2020 – Item 6b County of Ventura • Resource Management Agency • Planning Division

800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009-1740 • (805) 654-5042 • vcrma.org/divisions/planning

CHB Minutes September 14, 2020

Page 2 of 4 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

None.

6. NEW BUSINESS

None.

7. REPORTS 7a. Board Member Reports:

Vice-Chair Mikkelsen did not have anything to report. Board Member Kulwiec reported that the Rotary Club of Santa Paula is exploring adding LED lighting to the “SP” sign on South Mountain near the City of Santa Paula. Board Member Kulwiec noted that the sign was likely installed in 1922 and redone in 1986 and 2002. Board Member Kulwiec inquired as to what approvals may be needed. Denice Thomas, Planning Division noted that Planning approvals may be required. Charmaine Buehner, Assistant County Counsel recommended that Board members offer information items only at this point in the hearing; any items requiring discussion or deliberation should be agendized at a future date. Board Members Plaks reported that she is planning to meet with City of Simi Valley staff to become acquainted and establish a working relationship. Board Member Schafer reported that the Scholle farmhouse in the City of Camarillo will be retained, although moved around 250 yards to its southwest. The farmhouse will be rehabilitated for use as a single-family residence, consistent with the Secretary’s Standards. Additionally, Board Member Schafer noted a few other mitigation measures related to cultural resources were identified in the relevant environmental documents prepared by the city, including installing an interpretive display and listing the property as a City of Camarillo landmark, potentially the first such landmark.

Board Member Fernandez noted there is a project slated to take place near 6th Street in Oxnard and deferred to Chair Blum for the report.

Chair Blum reported that there a number of affordable housing projects in the works in Oxnard near Meta, 6th, and 7th Streets. Chair Blum noted the project area is being screened for historic resources; as part of that process, Chair Blum noted that he provided initial findings to San Buenaventura Conservancy for forwarding to the relevant historic resources consultant. These findings included information from a survey of commercial properties in the area which found the area to be potentially eligible as a historic district.

7b. CHB Program Updates from Staff:


Page 3 of 4 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dillan Murray reported that Charmaine Buehner was recently appointed by Governor Newsom as a judge in the Ventura County Superior Court. Mr. Murray thanked Charmaine for her legal assistance to Staff and the CHB on a number of complex issues. Additionally, Mr. Murray reported that Staff is exploring a number of potential trainings for the CHB to take part in this month as part of the County’s Certified Local Government (CLG) certification. Denice Thomas echoed Mr. Murray sentiments and wished Charmaine success in her new endeavor. Ms. Thomas reported that the County is currently in the process of finalizing their review for the contract for cultural heritage services with the City of Oxnard to continue functioning as their Cultural Heritage Board. Ms. Thomas reported that the County received an application for a reroof of one of the buildings at Strathearn Park in the City of Simi Valley which CHB Staff is currently processing. Next, Ms. Thomas provided an update on the Burro Flats Cultural District National Register Nomination. Ms. Thomas reported that the nomination cleared the State Office of Historic Preservation and will be forwarded to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Historic Preservation Officer. From there, the nomination is anticipated to be forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register and will be listed in the Federal Register. Ms. Thomas noted that Staff is tracking the Federal Register postings and will advise the Board when the nomination is pending. In addition, Ms. Thomas reported that Staff is trying to figure out the logistics of conducting CHB site visits which would be beneficial for two upcoming projects. Ms. Thomas noted that the site tours would double as public outreach opportunities and could be done in a socially distanced way or with a combination of aerial drone photography. Ms. Thomas requested that CHB members share any concerns, ideas, or limitations regarding site tours with Staff. Lastly, Ms. Thomas sought to discuss CHB Resolution 2017-2.1, noting that many ministerial applications that come across the Planning Counter do not fit neatly into the adopted provisions for administrative approval or exemption. Ms. Thomas sought feedback from the Board as to whether CHB members would prefer amending the resolution or amending the administrative rules and bylaws to create a type of consent agenda for administrative approvals. Ms. Thomas explained the current process and difficulties experienced by Staff, which resulted in the desire to further streamline the cultural heritage review process in a manner consistent with the CHB’s intended direction. Chair Blum noted the high volume of cultural review screenings he has received and recognized the desire to see them approved more quickly, while at the same time understanding the need for a timely report of Staff-level actions to the CHB. Chair Blum noted that he feels Staff recommendations he typically screens are on point. Chair Blum stated that many new projects are


Page 4 of 4 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and that the types of projects have been evolving and changing since 2017.

Board Member Fernandez requested to be provided by Staff a representative list of example projects approved at the Staff level over the past 2-3 years. Board Member Fernandez felt this information would familiarize the CHB with the bulk of what Staff are approving prior to weighing in on any resolution amendments.

Charmaine Buehner, Assistant County Counsel advised against any substantive discussion on this matter and recommended that the issue be agendized at a future meeting of the CHB for direction. Denice Thomas, Planning Division stated that Staff will bring forward an agendized item at a future meeting regarding past Staff-level approvals for CHB discussion and direction. Chair Blum noted that Resolution 2017-2.1 was understood to be flexible at time of adoption and stated that adjusting the resolution may be the preferable route. Board Member Schafer requested an update from Staff regarding a District 1 CHB appointee. Denice Thomas stated she has reached out to the Clerk of the Board informing them of the need for a District 1 CHB appointee. Ms. Thomas noted that the Clerk’s office is aware of it, but the appointment will likely be the choice of the succeeding Board of Supervisors member from District 1, set to take office in January 2021.

8. NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting is September 28, 2020. 9. ADJOURNMENT

At 1:44 p.m., the Cultural Heritage Board concurred to adjourn.

____________________________ Gary Blum, Chair ATTEST:

__________________________________________ Denice Thomas, Cultural Heritage Program Manager

Note: The following is a summary of actions taken by the CHB at their public meeting and not a verbatim transcription. 1. 1:15 P.M. CONVENE THE MEETING OF THE VENTURA COUNTY CULTURAL

HERITAGE BOARD

Public Meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by Chair Gary Blum at the Ventura County

Government Center, Administration Building, Second Floor, Atlantic Conference Room.


CHB Members Present: Gary Blum, John Kulwiec, Miguel Fernandez, and Darwin McCready CHB Members Absent: Ricki Mikkelsen, Linda Plaks, and Stephen Schafer Staff Present: Denice Thomas, AICP, Cultural Heritage Program Manager, Ventura County Planning Division

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MEETING MINUTES

3a. Vote to approve the October 14, 2019 Agenda: Board Member Kulwiec made a motion to approve the October 14, 2019 Agenda.

Board Member Fernandez seconded the motion. Motion passed; 4-0. 3b. Vote to approve the September 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes: Board Member McCready noted grammatical corrections to the minutes. Board

Member Fernandez made a motion to approve the September 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes, as corrected. Board Member McCready seconded the motion. Motion passed; 4-0.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

5. CONTINUED ITEMS

None.

6. NEW BUSINESS

Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) Minutes

October 14, 2019 – Item 6c County of Ventura • Resource Management Agency • Planning Division

800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009-1740 • (805) 654-5042 • vcrma.org/divisions/planning

CHB Minutes October 14, 2019

Page 2 of 6 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6a. Location: Camp Bartlett, 14665 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd. Santa Paula, CA

93060.

Action: Request for a Certificate of Review (COR) to rebuild a single-family

residence at Camp Bartlett which was destroyed in the Thomas Fire. The

proposed residence includes a 1,066-square-foot (s.f.) dwelling unit and a

400-square-foot (s.f.) garage. This property has not been designated a

Landmark, Site of Merit, Point of Interest or District. The project is brought

before the Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) for review and comment (Case No.

CH19-0026).

Disclosures:

None.

Presentation by Staff:

Denice Thomas presented a PowerPoint presentation outline the project

location, project description, and property background. The project applicant

was in attendance and provided photos.

Staff recommended the following actions:

1. CONDUCT the public hearing, HEAR testimony, CONSIDER the oral and

written testimony, and CONSIDER the CHB staff report and all exhibits and

attachments on this project;

2. REVIEW and COMMENT on the proposed project in accordance with §

1364-12 of the CHO based on the preceding evidence and analysis.

Deliberation and Recommendation:

The project applicant was in attendance and noted that they made efforts to

construct the replacement residence in a similar style to the previous

Craftsman residence. However, due to changes in the fire code and County of

Ventura requirements, there were limitations to using wooden shingles and

replacing the stone patio. In addition, due to flood risk, the structure was

required to be constructed higher off the ground than was done previously.

Board Member Kulwiec inquired as to whether the applicant would rebuild the

garage to the same size as before. The project applicant stated that Planning

Division Staff would not permit them to do so as there were no records

confirming the square footage. Denice Thomas, Planning Division advised that


Page 3 of 6 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

the County adopted special provisions related to the Thomas Fire following

the emergency declaration. These provisions allow an applicant to reconstruct

what is documented.

Board Member Kulwiec stated for the record his view that it was inequitable

for the applicant to not be permitted to reconstruct something larger, similar to

the original structure.

Chair Blum stated the proposed plans are very much in keeping with the

environment at the subject property.

The CHB concluded review and comment on the item and no motion was

required.

ADJOURN AS THE VENTURA COUNTY CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD

CONVENE AS THE FILLMORE CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD

6b. Location: Fillmore, City-wide.

Action: Updates from Kathie Briggs.

Presentation by Staff:

Denice Thomas, Planning Division noted that public comments on items not

otherwise on a CHB agenda are time limited, although Ms. Briggs requested

to be agendized to allow greater time in discussing cultural heritage issues in

the City of Fillmore. Ms. Thomas noted that the CHB is requested to function

as the Fillmore CHB on this matter; however, any enforcement responsibility

rests with the City of Fillmore. If relevant issues are identified, they can be

identified and brought to the City’s attention via correspondence. If actions are

required on an item, an invitation must be forwarded to the Fillmore CHB from

the City of Fillmore, per the contract for cultural heritage services between the

City and County.

Disclosures:

None.

Presentation by Kathie Briggs and Deliberation:

Kathie Briggs, a Fillmore resident and concerned citizen involved with historic

preservation matters, provided a presentation to the Fillmore CHB. Ms. Briggs

stated her concern that the City of Fillmore is not being cooperative with their


Page 4 of 6 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

contract for services with the County related to historic properties. Denice

Thomas, Planning Division explained the contract and billing process in place

and noted the County does not charge a fee for designation of properties as

landmarks.

Ms. Briggs noted her view that additional buildings need to be surveyed in the

City of Fillmore. Ms. Briggs expressed concern related to potential zoning

changes in the commercial area of Fillmore and their effect on historic

buildings within an eligible historic district, particularly related to adaptive

reuse.

Ms. Briggs identified her concern that projects in Fillmore are not being

reviewed by the County or CHB as part of the California Environmental Quality

Act (CEQA) process. Denice Thomas, Planning Division stated that projects

in Fillmore are not required to be reviewed by the County, although an

opportunity for review and comment may be preferred in such situations. Ms.

Thomas noted that Planning Division Staff met with Fillmore city staff to

discuss the contract for services and establish a working relationship.

Chair Blum encouraged Ms. Briggs to raise her concerns with the Fillmore City

Council, if desired. Ms. Briggs stated she has attempted to do so, and noted

the contract for services is not included in the Fillmore municipal code.

Ms. Briggs encouraged Staff to use survey records for reference. Denice

Thomas, Planning Division stated that CHB Staff uses historic resources

report and survey records (DPR forms) as part of their review process, but

cannot compel the City of Fillmore to follow that procedure.

Ms. Briggs identified her concern regarding the Palm trees on Chambersburg

Road, a local landmark in the unincorporated Ventura County. Ms. Briggs

noted the trees are identified in the Bardsdale survey, not the Fillmore city-

wide survey. Ms. Briggs noted someone is planting trees in between the Palm

trees which may threaten their health. Denice Thomas, Planning Division

stated that she is not aware of a present County violation, although a Code

Compliance officer could be sent out to assess the situation and health of the

trees. Ms. Thomas noted that the trees are located in the public right-of-way

and jurisdiction may rest with either Public Works or Caltrans.

Ms. Briggs stated she will try to continue educating others on the logistics of

historic resource review in the City of Fillmore. Ms. Briggs noted the existence

of social media webpages devoted to the history of Fillmore which she may be

able to work with.


Page 5 of 6 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ms. Briggs discussed developments with the Presbyterian Church project in

the City of Fillmore. Denice Thomas, Planning Division provided an overview

of the typical CEQA review process done by the CHB. Chair Blum noted that

adaptive reuse is increasingly necessary to historic preservation efforts.

ADJOURN AS THE FILLMORE CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD

CONVENE AS THE VENTURA COUNTY CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD

7. REPORTS 7a. Board Member Reports:

Board Member Kulwiec reported he is working on the City of Santa Paula homeless shelter efforts. Board Member Kulwiec commented on State efforts to encourage housing production. Board Member McCready did not have anything to report. Board Member Fernandez did not have anything to report. Chair Blum reported that he, along with Kathie Briggs and other historic resource representatives, attended a recent meeting of the Museum Alliance of Ventura County. Chair Blum noted the group has a new board and is redoing their presentation format. Chair Blum noted one guest speaker of note was the Director of the San Bernardino Museum, who emphasized that museums are not dying; rather, numerous different types of collections are driving viewership. The guest speaker stated that they have five house museums under their organization, each run by a non-profit partner. Chair Blum noted Ventura County does not own or operate house museums although the presentation was an interesting example of a successful program to refer to.

7b. CHB Program Updates from Staff:

Denice Thomas reported the location of the upcoming November CHB meeting. Ms. Thomas stated there is a new CHB appointee for District 4, Linda Plaks, who will join the CHB at that meeting. Ms. Thomas noted that Staff is looking at conducting a potential site tour at that meeting. Ms. Thomas stated that Ashley Cook, former CHB Staff, is longer with the County. Ms. Thomas provided details of Ms. Cook’s departure party and reported that the County is actively recruiting for her replacement. Ms. Thomas reported the 180-day waiting period for the Matilija hot springs request has passed. The Watershed Protection District has pulled a permit to demolish the post office building and is in the process of remediating the site.


Page 6 of 6 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ms. Thomas reported that a cave painting and Native American artifact were found in a resident’s back yard in unincorporated Ventura County near Lake Sherwood. Ms. Thomas noted the painting is consistent with designated paintings in the area; the Chumash Tribe would like the County to study and landmark the resource, although this may not be possible. Ms. Thomas stated the resource came to her attention through a code enforcement issue; the property owner fenced off the resource and crossed a neighboring property line in the process.

8. NEXT MEETING

The next scheduled meeting is November 4, 2019. 9. ADJOURNMENT

At 2:18 p.m., the Cultural Heritage Board concurred to adjourn.

____________________________ Gary Blum, Chair ATTEST:

__________________________________________ Denice Thomas, Cultural Heritage Program Manager

new ventura county cultural heritage board agenda october 12, … · 2 days ago · october 12,...

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