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Ms. Garbarino concurred with Ms. Krichbaum that the City has a certified plan in the <br />Downtown Specific Plan, but questioned if its policies and directives are being followed <br />and if it needs to be amended to address the need to save historic properties in the City. <br />She noted that the DTSP was developed in 2001, and many of the homes pictured in <br />the Plan are no longer in existence. She indicated that some of these homes have <br />been replaced through just saving a wall of the original home, which is a strange way of <br />preserving history, or by saving a small portion of the front of the house but certainly not <br />representing what has been there in the past. She commented that she thinks the City <br />is placing too harsh criteria on what would actually qualify for historic significance. She <br />noted that there are criteria from the National Registry and the California State Registry; <br />however, the City does not have an inventory full of those kinds of homes but a good <br />number in-between those criteria such as cottages and street-side properties, such that <br />each loss is keenly felt and makes holes in neighborhood. <br /> <br />Ms. Garbarino stated that she feels Stanley Boulevard is in a historic, neighborhood <br />crisis, with a Craftsman home slated for demolition to make way for a high-density <br />project. She noted that the existing house is not really a throw-away home and that <br />homes like this have been saved. She showed a picture of a similar home in San Diego <br />where the developer took the original home and remodeled it to make it look <br />presentable as a business. She commented that this was a win/win situation. <br /> <br />Ms. Garbarino stated that the Heritage trees that line Stanley Boulevard are typical and <br />are cared for by homeowners and associations along the street because they value <br />those trees. She indicated that the City has a Heritage Tree Ordinance, but noted that <br />payment of fines for removal of trees for the convenience of the developer is not the <br />hallmark of the Ordinance. She noted that there are heritage trees at the entrance to <br />the property that should be protected and, according to Camp & Camp Associates, have <br />a good potential for longevity. She added that there are six trees in good health and <br />suitable for preservation: three Deodar cedars, one Canary Island date palm, one <br />Douglas fir, and one Coast live oak. She pointed out that the tree report almost sounds <br />like there may be a chance to preserve the trees, but then the recommendation makes it <br />sound like what the City has is a Tree Removal Ordinance. <br /> <br />Ms. Gmpacts to Stanley Boulevard. She stated <br />that the proposed project is more than just a question of an old house and existing <br />trees; it is the loss of a vintage property that can be curbed by the City with thoughtful <br />designation of historic neighborhoods. She noted that no thought is given to truly <br />maintaining and protecting vintage homes, and each demolition becomes a lost <br />opportunity they can never be reclaimed as the house is gone forever. Some added <br />that the home at 4189 Stanley Boulevard presents the Commission with an opportunity <br />to address this issue. She recommended that the DTSP be updated with language that <br />will protect the diminishing inventory of vintage homes, which are the true hallmark of <br />this historic community. <br /> <br />Emilie Cruzan, a neighbor, expressed concern about the trees, the house, and parking. <br />She requested that a question be added to the list with respect to parking allowed on <br />PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MINUTES, February 9, 2011 Page 9 of 41 <br /> <br />