02/17/2016 Historic Heritage Committee Regular Meeting Adopted 03/16/2016Historic Heritage Committee Meeting
February 17, 2016 at 4:30 P.M.
I. OPEN MEETING
Chair Toby Echelberry called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
II. REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA AND ROLL CALL
Planning Technician Kelsey Heyd reported that the agenda for the Regular Historic
Heritage Committee meeting of February 17,2016 was posted on Friday,February 12,
2016 at 4:36 p.m.
Roll Call:
Present:Chair Toby Echelberry,Vice Chair Edith Edde,Committee Member Steve
Ashford, Committee Member Alex Herrera, Committee Member Terri Aulman
Absent: None
Staff Present:Interim Planning Manager Rebecca Tolentino,Planning Technician
Kelsey Heyd
III. APPROVAL OF ACTION MINUTES
Motion on Item III
Motion: to approve the minutes of January 20, 2016 as written
Moved by Vice Chair Edith Edde,Seconded by Committee Member Steve
Ashford
Vote: Motion carried 3-0-2-0
Yes:Chair Toby Echelberry,Vice Chair Edith Edde,Committee Member Steve
Ashford
No: None
Abstain: Committee Member Alex Herrera, Committee Member Terri Aulman
Absent: None
IV. PRESENTATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Patty Sweeney made a request of the Historic Heritage Committee regarding historic
tree preservation throughout the city and specific requests for heritage tree protection of
a Redwood on her property.
Committee Member Steve Ashford made a motion to agendize the topic of heritage tree
preservation and the Historic Heritage Committee’s role in the preservation process,
seconded by Vice Chair Edith Edde. The motion was supported by the Committee.
V. OLD BUSINESS
None
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A.Discuss possible actions and recommendations to make,if any,to
Planning Commission and/or City Council regarding Miller Red Barn
Carol DeSantis representing the Miller Red Barn Committee spoke to the historical
significance of the barn to Gilroy and asked that the HHC’s prior recommendation in
2007 to demolish the barn be revoked.
Chair Echelberry asked as to the status of the MOU between the City and Miller Red
Barn Committee.
Ms.DeSantis said the MOU is under review by the City’s attorney and will then go to the
Committee’s attorneys for review.She reiterated that the Miller Red Barn Committee is
not asking the City for any funds for rehabilitation of the barn.
Committee Member Steve Ashford spoke to the status of the barn interior and the
reasons why the Miller Red Barn Committee has not been able to assess the interior as
well as they’d like due to potential hazardous materials.He noted his support of
rehabilitation of the barn, noting it as a beautiful aspect of the park.
Committee Member Terri Aulman commended Ms.DeSantis and the Miller Red Barn
Committee on their efforts and made a motion to recommend the Planning Commission
and by extension City Council not demolish the barn.
Interim Planning Manager Rebecca Tolentino let the Committee know that under
advisement of the City Attorney,and due to the HHC previously recommending the
demolition of the barn in 2007,that the HHC would need to make clear findings as to
why they are reversing that decision.She then provided the previous findings the HHC
stated when recommending demolition of the barn in 2007.
Gary Walton,a member of the Miller Red Barn Committee,spoke to the findings made
in 2007 by the HHC and how those findings have now been refuted based on recent
reports from an Engineer on the structural integrity of the building.He also spoke to the
City’s ongoing work with and support of the Miller Red Barn Committee’s restoration
efforts.He finally spoke to the environmental issues cited as a concern of the HHC in
2007 and that the Miller Red Barn Committee’s environmental consultant has
addressed this issue,noting the materials are not toxic and recommending the best
clean up practices.
Chair Toby Echelberry stated that the structural report that has recently been conducted
of the building counteracts the first two findings made by the HHC in 2007.
Committee Member Terri Aulman stated that based on the recent information and
reports provided there is no evidence of imminent danger for the barn which was the
primary concern of the HHC in 2007.
Motion on Item VI.A.
Motion:to reverse the Historic Heritage Committee’s decision in 2007 to demolish the
Miller Red Barn in light of new inspections and reports,and recommend to the Planning
Commission that the Historic Heritage Committee supports the continued efforts of the
Miller Red Barn Committee to restore the building instead of demolition
Moved by Committee Member Terri Aulman,Seconded by Committee Member Steve
Ashford
Vote: Motion carried 5-0-0-0
Yes:Chair Toby Echelberry,Vice Chair Edith Edde,Committee Member Steve Ashford,
Committee Member Terri Aulman, Committee Member Alex Herrera
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B.Discuss possible change to Historic Heritage Committee meeting time
Chair Toby Echelberry opened the discussion noting there have been a couple requests
from members to change the meeting time and asked if any of the other committee
members had recommendations as to what time they would like to change the meetings
to.
Committee Member Steve Ashford noted the difficulty he has attending the meetings at
4:30 p.m.due to his profession as a contractor.He stated his preference would be 5:30
or 6:30 if possible.
Vice Chair Edith Edde noted there would be no issues with the time change for her
schedule.
Committee Member Terri Aulman noted that 5:30 or 6:30 worked for her schedule.
Planning Technician Kelsey Heyd clarified that today’s discussion was to determine if
the committee was willing to change their meeting time and if there was a time that
definitively didn’t work for them,and make recommendations to staff to coordinate the
change.
Chair Toby Echelberry asked if staff would now do a more formal review for the time
change having now been provided a better timeframe to look at.
Planning Technician Kelsey Heyd noted that staff would investigate and coordinate the
new meeting time of 5:30 or 6:30 if available.
Committee Member Steve Ashford asked how staff would notify the committee if and/or
when the time change would become effective.
Interim Planning Manager Tolentino noted that the current agenda notes the next
regular meeting time on March 16,2016 as 4:30p.m.so the March meeting would still
be held at 4:30 p.m.,and staff would coordinate with the committee to inform them if the
proposed time change works.The new time would be noted on the March agenda for
additional notice and take effect for the regular meeting in April, if available.
Motion on Item VI.B.
Motion:to investigate the possibility of moving the regular Historic Heritage Committee
meeting time to 5:30p.m.or 6:30p.m.,and keeping the same meeting day as the third
Wednesday of every month
Moved by Committee Member Terri Aulman, Seconded by Vice Chair Edith Edde
Vote: Motion carried 5-0-0-0
Yes:Chair Toby Echelberry,Vice Chair Edith Edde,Committee Member Steve Ashford,
Committee Member Terri Aulman, Committee Member Alex Herrera
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
VII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
New Committee Member Alex Herrera introduced himself and discussed his experience
growing up in Gilroy and how excited he is to be involved with this committee and help
make positive changes for the City.
Committee Member Terri Aulman noted that she is also excited to now be part of the
committee as a City Council representative and that she appreciates the historical
aspects of Gilroy and looks forward to preservation opportunities.
VIII. ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF THE HISTORIC HERITAGE COMMITTEE
No Action
IX. PLANNING DIVISION MANAGER REPORT
No Action
ADJOURNMENT at 5:14 p.m.to the Next Regular Meeting of March 16,2016 at 4:30
p.m.
_____________________________
Kelsey Heyd, Planning Technician