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The Task Force is recommending that the Context Statement be used as a resource document to help determine whether a residential structure is eligible for listing in the California Register and considered a historic structure. Process Flow Charts The attached flow charts (Exhibit H of Attachment 9) show the City process for a residential addition, a residential tear down and rebuild, new residential construction (i.e., a new house not involving demolition of an existing house), and a residential remodel. The flow charts will be integrated into a new public informational guide explaining the City's historic preservation policies and regulations, submittal requirements, and processes. The informational guide will be completed by staff after the Council takes action on the proposed draft amendments. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION The Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 13, 2013, to review the proposed amendments. Detailed information on this meeting is provided by Attachment 7, draft excerpts of the Planning Commission minutes. Eight members of the public spoke at the hearing (including two Task Force members) indicating either support of or opposition to and/or concerns with the proposed amendments. After receiving public testimony, a majority of the Commission indicated that it supported the proposed amendments with the exception of the proposed mass and bulk compatibility standard. The Commission then approved a motion (4-1 vote) recommending the Council accept the Context Statement and approve the proposed amendments with the exception of the proposed mass and bulk compatibility standard (the Commission indicated that the Specific Plan's existing residential compatibility language would remain). The dissenting Commissioner was concerned with language in some of the new policies such as residential building design and the demolition definition. DISCUSSION Staff supports the proposed amendments as recommended by the Task Force and believes that they will help protect historic residential properties that are valued by the community from possible demolition. The amendments will also help streamline and eliminate uncertainty in the City's review process and eliminate inconsistencies between the Specific Plan policies and Downtown Design Guidelines. The attached Planning Commission staff report presents a more detailed description and discussion of the amendments. This report includes additional discussion regarding: an item not discussed by the Planning Commission regarding garage location; a minor change staff recommends be made to the demolition definition; changes that would need to be made to the Downtown Specific Plan and Downtown Design Guidelines if the Council supports the Planning Commission's removal of the mass and bulk compatibility policy; and two Task Force-recommended items for possible future consideration by Council. Garage Location The Planning Commission did not discuss an item that staff had raised in the Planning Commission staff report regarding garage location. The Specific Plan currently includes a Residential Design and Beautification policy encouraging garages at the rear of lots and the Downtown Design Guidelines state that detached garages are preferred and Page 6 of 11