HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15-2012 NAHCITY OF LAKE ELSINORE
PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES OF MAY 15, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Jordan called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairperson Jordan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Jordan
Vice Chairperson O'Neal
Commissioner Blake
Commissioner Gonzales
Commissioner Morsch
Absent: None
Also present: Acting Community Development Director Morelion, Public Works
Director Seumalo, City Attorney Leibold, Planning Consultant MacHott, and
Office Specialist Herrington.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON AGENDIZED ITEMS - 3 MINUTES
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S)
None.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEM(S)
None.
BUSINESS ITEMS
None.
WORKSHOP
1. City of Lake Elsinore Historic Preservation - Follow-up to May 1, 2012
(including a tour of the Lake Elsinore Historical Society Museum
located in the basement of the of the Cultural Center)
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Minutes of May 15, 2012
Page 2 of 5
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission take the following
actions:
1. Recommend to the City Council that the Council appoint an Ad Hoc
Committee to evaluate and to make recommendations regarding
historic preservation within the City of Lake Elsinore including, but
not limited to, the following:
a. The designation of the Planning Commission as the City's Historic
Preservation Commission.
b. The creation of a voluntary advisory council to make
recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding the
placement of historic structures and sites on a City of Lake Elsinore
list of historical resources.
C. The creation of a City of Lake Elsinore register/list of designated
historical structures or sites.
d. The establishment of criteria for identifying which structures should
be placed on the City's list of historical resources.
e. The establishment of an application process, such as a Certificate
of Appropriateness, that will allow the Planning Commission to
determine and whether modifications to or the demolition of
designated historical structures, and to approve or deny such
applications.
f. Penalties for the unpermitted demolition of designated historic
structures.
g. The implementation of the Mills Act within the City of Lake Elsinore.
h. A current inventory of structures and sites within the City of Lake
Elsinore and its sphere of influence that warrant consideration for
designation as historical resources.
2. Recommend to the City Council that said Ad Hoc Committee
consult with the Planning Commission prior to finalizing and
reporting its recommendations to the City Council.
Alternatively, the Planning Commission may recommend an
alternative approach to address the issues identified in
Recommendation 1, above, for consideration by the City Council.
Planning Consultant MacHott presented the Staff Report.
REQUEST TO SPEAK
Charlene Cleary, Commissioner of the Riverside County Historical Society and
also a member of the Lake Elsinore Historical Society, stated that six years ago
she spoke to former Council Member Thomas Buckley about historic properties
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Minutes of May 15, 2012
Page 3 of 5
that were being torn down. She stated that according to that State and the
Riverside County guidelines, various historic buildings should not have been torn
down and suggested that the City re-establish a Historic Commission.
Joyce Hohenadl of the Riverside County Historical Commission stated that both
of the Riverside County Historical Commission's District 1 Commissioners came
from Lake Elsinore. The two Historical Commissioners are herself and Ms.
Cleary.
Chairperson Jordan asked if an Ad Hoc Committee is established, would Ms.
Hohenadl and Ms. Cleary be interested in being on the Committee. They both
said yes.
Commissioner Morsch asked if the Resolution in 1982 was adopted by the City
Council. City Attorney Leibold stated that they believed it was adopted but was
never implemented. Commissioner Morsch asked if Ordinance 1954 was
approved by the City Council. Planning Consultant MacHott stated that he found
no evidence that it was considered by the City Council. Commissioner Morsch
indicated that the City is in a position to create an Ordinance from scratch without
having to go back and amend an existing Ordinance.
Commissioner Morsch stated that he hopes that the City moves forward with
historical preservation and adopts an Ordinance that gives guidelines. He stated
that it would be a good idea for the Chamber of Commerce to get involved and
he is in agreement with establishing an Ad Hoc Committee. Also, he stated that
he would like to see the Historic Committee consolidated and the Planning
Commission take over that role. The Planning Commission can provide a public
forum, but he is concerned about the work load that this would put on staff and
on the Commission.
Commissioner Blake stated he would like to see the Ad Hoc Committee consult
with the Planning Commission so that they can stay in the loop.
Vice Chairman O'Neal thanked Planning Consultant MacHott for his
presentation. He also stated that it is critical that when the City Council does
appoint an Ad Hoc Committee, the Planning Commission is the final chain,
recommending City Council approval.
Chairperson Jordan asked if the Mills Act Contract shows up on the Title Report
and runs with the land. Planning Consultant MacHott stated that the Mills Act is
a recorded document and does run with the land. City Attorney Leibold agreed.
Chairperson Jordan stated that since a survey regarding Historic Structures was
done 20 or 30 years ago, were new surveys needed. She also asked if there
was a Historic Preservation fund in place to do the survey. Planning Consultant
MacHott stated that there are no City funds to do the survey and noted that the
survey could be very expensive. He also stated that he knows that other cities
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Minutes of May 15, 2012
Page 4 of 5
have used college students with an architectural background and suggested
using college students to conduct surveys but there would need to be some
funding in place.
Ruth Atkins, member of the Historical Society, suggested having an Ad Hoc
Committee and indicated that this Committee is already established in the City's
regulations.
Ms. Hohenadl suggested that the Commissioners go on line to Riverside County
Open Parks and Space District/Historic Commission for the City's historic criteria
which also defines a historic site designation.
Vice Chairman O'Neal stated that if an Ad Hoc Committee is established, they
can explore various types of funding such as grants, etc.
It was discussed by the Commissioners that if an Ad Hoc Committee is
established, the Planning Commission have input over the Committee. City
Attorney Leibold suggested that the Planning Commission inform the City
Council that they should take advantage of its policy to establish an Ad Hoc
Committee and charge that Committee with making a recommendation on a list
of issues related to Historic Preservation.
Commissioner Blake asked if the Planning Commission should have a
Subcommittee. City Attorney Leibold stated the Planning Commission needs to
get direction from the City Council regarding staff and funding resources, and the
Ad Hoc Committee is a mechanism for identifying both. She also stated that the
Subcommittee could contain one or two Planning Commissioners/City Council
members in a volunteer capacity.
Motion was made by Chairperson Jordan, seconded by Commissioner Blake to
present to the City Council establishing an Ad Hoc Committee for Historical
Preservation of the City. Also, the Ad Hoc Committee will research funding, such
as grants, etc. Planning Commission will oversee the Ad Hoc Committee and the
Ad Hoc Committee will include the Planning Commissioners comments to the
City Council regarding Historical Preservation; Motion passed 5-0.
The Planning Commission left the Cultural Center to tour the Historical Society
Museum at 7:00 p.m. City Attorney Leibold stated to the Commissioners that
since no recording was available on the tour, to come back to the meeting after
the tour to deliberate. She also welcomed the public to attend the tour.
The Planning Commission meeting reconvened at 7:30 p.m
STAFF COMMENTS
Director Morelion thanked the Historical Society for the tour.
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Minutes of May 15, 2012
Page 5 of 5
PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS
The Commission thanked the Historical Society for the tour and also thanked
Planning Consultant MacHott for his presentation.
Commissioner Morsch stated that the City had a Pet Walk at the Riverwalk over
the weekend and was fun.
Chairperson Jordan asked what the hours of operation are for the Historical
Society Museum.
Ms. Atkins stated that the Museum is opened on Wednesdays, and Saturdays at
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
CITY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission,
Chairperson Jordan adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. The next regular
meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore will be held on
Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. at the^Cultural Center located at
183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore, California. / I
Warren Morelion
Acting Community Development Director