CITY OF 0)AI HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting Thursday, September 10, 2015 Call to Order Chair McCredie called the regular meeting of the Ojai Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2015, in the Ojai City Hall Council Chambers, 401 South Ventura Street, Ojai, California. Roll Call On a call of the roll, the following Historic Preservation Commissioners were present: Chair McCredie, Vice Chair Walker and Commissioners Aikens, Bisaccia, Hill, and Roney. Absent: Commissioner Boggs Staff present: Kathleen Wold, AICP, Community Development Director Matthew T. Summers, City Attorney, Kathleen Mallory, Contract Planner. Museum Liaison Mark Lewis. Pledge of Allegiance

Chair McCredie

Public Communication

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Consent Items 1. Minutes of the May 28, 2015, Special Meeting Motion: Vice Chair Walker moved and Commissioner Roney seconded the motion to approve consent item #1 with a minor correction. The motion passed as follows: AYES: Aikens, Bisaccia, Hill, McCredie, Roney, Walker NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Boggs 2.

Minutes of the July 9, 2015, Special Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission

Motion: Chair McCredie moved and Commissioner Bisaccia seconded the motion to approve consent item #2 with a minor correction. The motion passed as follows: AYES: Bisaccia, Hill, McCredie, Roney, Walker NOES: None ABSTAIN: Aikens ABSENT: Boggs

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Minutes of the August 13, 2015, Regular Meeting

Motion: Commissioner Aikens moved and Chair McCredie seconded the motion to approve consent item #3 as submitted. The motion passed as follows: AYES: Aikens, Bisaccia, Hill, McCredie, Walker NOES: None ABSTAIN: Roney ABSENT: Boggs Disclosure of Site Visits and Ex-Parte Contacts The Commissioners who attended the site visit reported. Public Hearing Items 4. Miscellaneous Permit (MISC 15-13) for Historic Preservation Commission's recommendation to City Council to designate as a Historic Landmark the "The Aliso Adobe House" located at 307 and 307A E. Aliso Street, Assessor's Parcel Number 0210-113-110. The General Plan Land Use Designation and Zoning Classification of the property is Village Mixed-Use (VMU). Property Owner/Applicant: Robert and Tiese Quinn. Chair McCredie turned the time over to Ms. Mallory to present the staff report. Commissioner Aikens expressed his displeasure with the way the staff report was written with regards to the site visit comments. Staff acknowledged his concerns. Chair McCredie opened the public comment portion of the item. Mitch Stone addressed the Commission and reviewed the Historic Report. Tiese Quinn, owner and applicant addressed the Commission and explained her desire to have her property be designated a historic landmark. She also noted there are a number of different names that have been listed in various reports and she would like to official request the name be designated as, "The Aliso Street Adobe." Commission Questions/Comments/Discussion Chair McCredie • Asked the applicant if she knows the age of the tile roof. Mrs. Quinn answered that she does not know the age of the roof Commissioner Roney • Requested to be included if another site visit was scheduled. Vice Chair Walker • Asked why they do not have the veranda and roof line listed as exterior features.

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Ms. Wold explained the list provided was just the starting point to begin dialog with the Commission to see what the Commission would like added to the list, so those two items could be added if so directed. Bob Quinn, owner and applicant said he did not know why veranda and roof line were not on the list, but is fine with adding them. Chair McCredie • Even if the Spanish roof tiles are being mentioned he is of the opinion that they are incorrect. The tile is a lighter weight and thinner tile that was installed at some point. He stated a more correct tile would be heavier and thicker. So if the roof tiles are added as protected, he feels they would be in conflict with themselves when the time comes that the roof needs to be replaced. He would like the wording to read, "A clay barrel tile roof."

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After discussion the following revised wording was decided on, "Clay barrel tile roof on the front intersecting gable on the right wing. The rear intersection gable does not have clay tile roof." Opened a discussion on the front yard landscaping and ask Commissioner Bisaccia if he knows the age of the low wall in the front yard or when the landscaping was planted.

Commissioner Bisaccia • Spoke about some history of the site, but did not know the age of the wall or when the landscaping was planted. Ms. Wold asked the Commission to detail what they would like to be landmarked and any character defining features. Vice Chair Walker • Thinks it is a good idea to list the character defining features and to list the items they do not want touched and they want preserved. • Quoted Section 4-8.17 'Permit Criteria' of the City's Municipal Code and wants to call attention to any new construction on the property and included this section in the resolution and wants the items that the Commission wants preserved also added to the resolution. Ms. Wold requested the Commission be specific in what they would like to see regarding architecture with any addition to the property. • Feels using the Secretary of the Interior Standards is the best direction to follow if someone wants to do an addition to the residence. Mr. Summers would like the Commission to indicate exactly how they want for the re-roof. When the composition tiles are pulled off the back portion of the roof do they want them replaced with Spanish tile or not. He stated the Secretary of the Interior Standards can be interpreted in different ways. Regarding the re-roof: 1) one way to read the Standards, if replaced with tile is could be considered

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incompatible because it would be considered faux historic, or 2) another way to read the Standards, compatible tiles were not the same, but not faux historic. Feels comfortable without being specific and just following the Secretary of the Interior Standards and have the project be reviewed by the HPC as a Work Permit. Mrs. Quinn spoke stating it is her understanding that once her 10-year work plan is approved she would not need to come back to the Commission for Work Permits. Vice Chair Walker feels ordinary repair and maintenance would not require a Work Permit. If they were proposing to change the design then the Commission would want to review it.

Commissioner Hill • Reviewed her proposed 10-year work plan and reviewed the list item by item and provided his opinion on each item. Commissioner Aikens • Would like the olive trees included as a character defining element in the resolution. The rest of the Commission agreed to this addition to the resolution. Chair McCredie closed the public comment portion of the item.

Chair McCredie moved item 9 up on the agenda as it relates to the previous item 9. Mills Act Maintenance and preservation plan for 307-307A East Aliso Street. Ms. Wold clarified that the majority of items on the proposed 10-year plan are routine repair and maintenance and will most likely not come back to the Commission for a Work Permit. The long term portion of the work plan will be required to be approved by the HPC through a work permit. Chair McCredie was in agreement with Ms. Wold's comments. Ms. Mallory confirmed that the Commission wants the veranda and roof tile be included as an object of record and be included in the documentation and a photo. Also a provision will be included to protect the olive trees requiring any tree permit submitted for this landmarked property will require review and approval by the Planning Commission and potentially the Historic Preservation Commission. If any of the protected olive trees die the same species of tree will be required as replacement. Chair McCredie closed item 9 and moved on to item 5. 5.

Historic Work Permit (WP 15-03) for proposed work affecting Historic Landmark No. 9, (Neff Lounge), consisting of removal of the veranda from the north facing wall of the Neff Lounge, and restoration of the north facing wall to original condition including the roof and façade at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, 905 Country Club Road. Assessor's Parcel Number: 024-0-010-110. The General Plan Land Use Designation of the site is

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Institutional Recreational (I-R) and Zoning Classification of the site is Institutional Recreational (I-R-3). A Categorical Exemption has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. Property Owner: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, LLC. Applicant: Brian Skaggs. Chair McCredie turned the time over to Ms. Wold to present the staff report. She asked the Commission to provide comments on the conditions of approval included in the resolution. Chair McCredie opened the public comment portion of the item. Will Sheppard showed the PowerPoint presentation explaining the proposed exterior details. ' Commission Questions/Comments/Discussion Commissioner Bisaccia • Asked how the outside façade connects to the interior roofline. Mr. Skaggs answered there are no rafters on the inside to extend. Commissioner Roney • Asked if they were to create rafter tails on the exterior would they be faux rafter tails? Mr. Skaggs answered that is correct. Vice Chair Walker • Was of the understanding that the proposal was to restore the character defining rafter tail features. William Delvac, Attorney for the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, spoke and explained it is of his opinion that the best choice is not to restore the rafter tails. Vice Chair Walker • Requested Mr. Stone's opinion if the rafter tails are a character defining feature. Mr. Stone answered it is his opinion that the proposed design to remove the veranda is restoring the Neff Lounge closer to the original design. Commissioner Bisaccia • Asked for clarification on the proposed door and window openings. Chair McCredie • Is of the opinion that the rafter tails should be restored. Chair McCredie closed the public comment portion of item 5. Chair McCredie requested a motion.

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Motion: Commissioner Aikens moved and Vice Chair Walker seconded to adopt the Historic Preservation Commission Resolution No. 15-02 approving the required findings for Work Permit WP 15-03, including CEQA findings; determining the project to be categorically exempt from review under CEQA; and approving Work Permit WP 15-03 subject to the conditions of approval with the modification to condition number 2 to read as follows: • The historic eave treatment and roofline along the whole length of the façade should be restored to its documented historic appearance including reconstructed rafter tails; and • Delete condition No. 4. The motion passed as follows: AYES: Aikens Bisaccia, Hill, McCredie, Roney, Walker NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Boggs

Chair McCredie moved item 8 up on the agenda as it relates to the previous item 8.

Information item for Historic Preservation Commission comment. Design Review Permit for removal of a historically insignificant exterior veranda attached to the Neff Lounge, pergola, service hut and low stem wall and the construction of a new dining area and renovation of the Oak Courtyard located at 905 Country Club Drive. Chair McCredie turned the time over to Ms. Wold and Ms. Wold introduced Will Sheppard, Architect who showed a PowerPoint presentation. Commission Questions/Comments/Discussion Commissioner Roney • Asked what the new materials are to replace the plastic hanging down that protects from weather. Mr. Sheppard answered they are proposing sliding glass doors. Vice Chair Walker • Inquired as to how the windows are stored when not in use. Mr. Sheppard answered that deliberations are still open on how they are going to address the storage of the windows. A couple of options are sliding or accordion. • Asked if it was a conscious decision to design the building ultra modern rather than Spanish style. Mr. Sheppard answered the Inn is not of the opinion that the design is ultra modern. Commissioner Hill • Feels the proposed building looks like a lunch area at a public school. Commissioner Aikens

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Indicated it was his understanding that the building was intended for the purpose to serve more customers in the event of rainy days, but mentioned that sunny days are more prevalent in the City of Ojai. Mr. Sheppard explained the building is designed with an open trellis feel to accommodate those customers trying to get out of the sun as well as an opaque look for protection. Inquired about the buildings around the pool.

Vice Chair Walker • Has concern with the trees in the courtyard area between the two buildings blocking the view shed of the Neff Lounge Mr. Sheppard explained the proposed trees will be mature with the tree canopies higher so as not to block views and will actually open the views because the tree are taking the place of existing umbrellas. • Would like to recommend the Planning Commission ask the applicant to take the design back to the drawing board. • Prefers the building remain sunken. Chair McCredie • Can't imagine a less compatible structure. • Feels the design shows a level of contempt for the Neff Lounge. • Stated for the record in the strongest possible terms a recommendation to the Planning Commission to deny this project. • Thinks this is a hyper modernistic structure inserted in to a bucolic Mediterranean revival campus. Discussion Items 6. Nomination of Annual Historic Preservation Award Nominations 2015 Chair McCredie turned the time over to Ms. Wold to present the staff report. Commission Questions/Comments/Discussion Commissioner Aikens • Asked if the Commission received the list of recipients. Ms. Wold answered it was emailed to the Commission. After discussion it was unanimously decided to elect Julie Tumamait-Stenslie for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Vice Chair Walker • Elected Elise DePuydt for the Annual Historic Preservation Award. After discussion it was unanimously decided to elect Elise DePuydt for the Annual Historic Preservation Award.

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Commissioner Aikens volunteered to write the biography for Elise DePuydt. The Commission decided they would like Dawn Thieding to prepare the biography for Julie Tumamait-Stenslie. Ms. Wold said the deadline to submit the biography would be the week before the Commission next October 8, 2015 meeting. Chair McCredie closed this item and moved on to item 7. 7.

Historic Sites of Merit Chair McCredie opened the item for discussion. Commission Comments/Discussion Chair McCredie • Recommended HSOM #4 the Smith Hobson house to proceed with the landmarking process • Recommended HSOM #5 the Ojai Grammar School to proceed with the landmarking process Vice Chair Walker • Does not want to put it in the context that these are buildings the Commission is going to landmark, but rather it should be in the context that the Commission wants a Phase 1 historic report prepared for these properties. • Goal is to do a Phase 1 on every HSOM on the list and as they work their way through the year the City Council may consider giving the Commission additional money to have a Phase 1 prepared for each properties. • It would be a much more objective report rather than when the owners pay for the report. Would accurately reflect the best interest of the City. Ms. Wold mentioned a request for proposal (RFP) would be the best way to move forward. Commissioner Aikens • Asked if Twice Sold Tales is landmarked.

Informational Items This item was moved up to be reviewed after item 5. 8. Information item for Historic Preservation Commission comment. Design Review Permit for removal of a historically insignificant exterior veranda attached to the Neff Lounge, pergola, service hut and low stem wall and the construction of a new dining area and renovation of the Oak Courtyard located at 905 Country Club Drive. Discussed after item 5

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This item was moved up to be reviewed after item 4. 9. Mills Act Maintenance and preservation plan for 307-307A East Aliso Street Discussed after item 4 Future Agenda Items 10. The Commissioner reviewed the list provided in packet Council Liaison

No Council Member liaison was in attendance.

Commissioner Comments Commissioner Museum Representative Report Mark Lewis left earlier in the meeting. Commissioner Aikens reported in lieu of Mr. Lewis. Adjournment There being no further business brought before the Commission, Chair McCredie adjourned the meeting at 8:40 pm.

Prepared and submitted by:

ekAkiLLA athleen Wold AICP, Community Development Director

Approved by: Darwin McCredie, Historic Preservation Commission Chair