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Councilmember Narum said the Council had talked about having an historic expert or planning <br /> department representative and she asked and confirmed that when applications come through they go <br /> through Mr. Otto and at times he confers with the Director. Mr. Weinstein added that staff is undergoing <br /> succession planning to staff which will address staff being informed on historic resources. <br /> Vice-Mayor Brown said she understands new construction in the DSP needs to follow the 12 styles or <br /> what is identified in the historic context statement. She referred to a situation for a major remodel and <br /> where a homeowner was keeping one wail and asked if they would have to adhere to the 12 identified <br /> styles for remodels and new construction. Mr. Otto said the style could not be changed for an historic <br /> home. For non-historic homes, the question would be whether to match existing or could they change it <br /> to another style that exists in the Downtown. <br /> Vice-Mayor Brown said if she has a small, non-historic resource home of 850 square feet and builds a <br /> new house, she asked and confirmed that if building a new house the guidelines apply to a style listed <br /> in the guidelines. If she instead removes everything except one wall and does a major remodel for that <br /> same non-historic resource home, she confirmed it is the same process which is to work with those 12 <br /> styles. <br /> Mayor Thorne opened the public hearing. <br /> Heidi Bailey said she lives at 306 Neal Street and is against the proposed code amendment to expand <br /> design review authority to the exterior of non-historic single family homes. She feels that the proposal is <br /> excessive and not necessary to ensure the quality of remodeling done in Pleasanton. She thinks the <br /> processes in place gives quality to the remodeling that is done and making these changes will put a <br /> financial burden on homeowners. She also thinks she would be forced into a historic homeowners <br /> association where she would be bound by rules restricting her to do things with her home. There are <br /> people concerned that the non-historical homes will bring down the value of the historical part of the <br /> City and she does not think this is true. <br /> Linda Garbarino, Historic Preservation Task Force member, said Item 10 of the items the task force <br /> brought forward was consideration of protecting homes for those for the lower 10 feet. She agreed <br /> there were many homes not designated as historic resources, but the bigger issue is those homes in- <br /> between that have no protection. Because of Mr. Dolan's diligence of a home on First Street the house <br /> was stripped to the studs before the City even knew it happened. This home would have most likely <br /> been a historic resource but there was no City authority. There are also homes not as charming and <br /> she displayed photographs of homes with significant changes made to them which did not protect their <br /> historical value. She then presented a home which was demolished and replaced with a home of <br /> significant size, scale and mass and overwhelming to the neighborhood. Lastly, she commended staff <br /> for their knowledge of design review which has led to enhancement of City home values and <br /> investment. <br /> Christine Bourg said she and her husband have lived in the Downtown for over 40 years on Second <br /> Street. Their goal was always to keep the historic character of their home. She was happy to see their <br /> house qualifies for the historic register, that over 88 homes also would qualify and that many have <br /> survived. The Downtown historic homes are popular and appreciated by residents and visitors and she <br /> spoke of historic tours and annual Halloween events. She applauded the City for beginning this process <br /> and work to amend the Municipal Code and urged the Council to approve the amendment and consider <br /> a code amendment or discussion regarding the homes that did not make the list. She asked to consider <br /> some kind of differentiation which would cover window placement, doors, massing, and other things <br /> which would guarantee that all houses would maintain their values. <br /> John Ribovich said his house was one of the 88 historic homes on the list and he is delighted. They <br /> learned their house was actually an 1888 house and one of the oldest properties in Downtown <br /> Pleasanton. He found a comparable house in records and great history and he thanked the consultant <br /> City Council Minutes Page 10 of 16 November 3, 2015 <br />