Meeting Summary
Present: McCattin, Bissaccia, Walker, Aikens, Neeson, Moore
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Historic Preservation Award Presentation
- The Commission presented the annual award to Steve Adams for his documentation of Ojai events and archival bequest.
- A biography highlighting his volunteer work was read before the Mayor presented the plaque.
Election of Officers
- Chair McCattin was nominated and elected to continue serving in the role for another term.
- Loran Sims was nominated and elected to serve as the new Vice-Chair.
Pedestrian Barriers (Informational Item)
- Staff presented a Caltrans proposal to install concrete planter pots with native plantings at specific street corners.
- Commissioners discussed aesthetic concerns, maintenance requirements, and the need for a planting plan review.
- No vote was taken as the item was informational, but comments were provided to staff for consideration.
Sign Permit 26004 (Ojai Music Festival Pennants)
- The Commission reviewed a request to change the color of pennants for the festival's 80th anniversary.
- Approval was granted for the temporary signage following the withdrawal of a previous lantern request.
Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
- Commissioners discussed potential funding for Historic Resource Reports, education, and a National Register plaque.
- The group agreed to research specific costs and finalize the budget request at a future meeting.
Ojai Railroad Heritage Trail Signage
- The project name was changed to "Ventura and Ojai Valley Railroad Heritage Trail" to reflect historical accuracy.
- Approval was granted for the name change to encourage collaboration with the City of Ventura.
Historic Survey Update
- Staff provided an update on the kickoff meeting with the contracted firm for the historic survey.
- The firm is developing a context statement focusing on underrepresented groups and specific historical periods.
Notification of Proposed Director Approval: 718 Foothill Road
- The committee reviewed a minor work permit for reroofing the O.W. Robertson House with a darker shingle shade.
- No vote was taken as the item remains with the director for final approval pending the appeal period.
Notification of Proposed Director Approval: 1000 Foothill Road
- The committee reviewed a minor work permit to replace faux cedar shake shingles on the Libby House.
- The proposed replacement was deemed acceptable as it maintains character-defining features.
Future Agenda Items
- The committee discussed reviewing arcade paint colors to ensure historical accuracy and design integrity.
- Options were explored to streamline the landmarking process for contributing properties within the State Historic District.
- A motion passed to create a presentation recommending a new "City Beautiful Edward Drummond Libby Award of Excellence."
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in this meeting summary.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Agenda Approval
- The Historic Preservation Commission regular meeting was called to order. A motion was made to approve the agenda with a modification to move the item regarding pedestrian barriers to the third position, immediately preceding the public hearing item. The motion was seconded. The agenda was approved by a roll call vote.
Historic Preservation Award Presentation
- The Commission presented the annual Historic Preservation Award to Steve Adams. A biography was read noting Adams' documentation of Ojai events, volunteer work with local non-profits, and his bequest of a photographic archive to the Ojai Valley Museum. The award plaque was presented to Adams by the Mayor.
Election of Officers and Term Expirations
- Staff reported that the election of the Chair and Vice-Chair was overdue and noted that the terms of Commissioner Walker and Chair McCattin were expiring in May, requiring reappointment applications.
- Chair Election: A nomination was made for the current Chair, McCattin, to continue in the role. No other nominations were received. A motion was made to elect Chair McCattin, which was seconded. The motion passed via roll call vote.
- Vice-Chair Election: A nomination was made for Loran Sims to serve as Vice-Chair. No other nominations were received. A motion was made to elect Loran Sims as Vice-Chair, which was seconded. The motion passed via roll call vote.
Public Communications
- One member of the public addressed the Commission regarding the Arcade property, requesting that the Commission be included in future communications regarding the site and asking that the matter be placed on a future agenda for discussion.
Museum Report
- The Museum representative reported on the closing of an exhibit regarding women in the Ojai Valley and announced the upcoming "Ojai Mystique" landscape exhibition featuring new works by local artists. The opening reception was scheduled for April 17th.
Approval of Minutes
- The Commission reviewed the minutes from the March 12th meeting. A clarification was noted regarding the recording of Commissioner Walker's comments on the "City Beautiful Ward" discussion. A motion was made to approve the minutes as corrected, which was seconded. The motion passed via roll call vote.
Pedestrian Barriers (Informational Item)
- The Commission received an informational report from the Public Works Director regarding the installation of pedestrian barriers at the corners of East Ohio Avenue and North/South Signal Street. The project, under Caltrans jurisdiction, proposes concrete planter pots with native plantings to address safety concerns and replace proposed steel handrails. Public comment was received expressing concerns regarding the lack of an engineering study, potential trip hazards, maintenance, and aesthetic impact. The Public Works Director explained that the project was developed in collaboration with Caltrans to mitigate trip hazards at curb ramps and clarified that the planters would be 33 inches tall, made of concrete in a terracotta color to meet durability standards. Commissioners discussed the necessity of the barriers, potential trash accumulation, and the aesthetic choice of plant material. One Commissioner noted that Arcade Design Guidelines require live foliage and regular maintenance for planters and require a planting plan review by the Commission. Another Commissioner expressed a preference for handrails over unmaintained planters. As an informational item, no vote was taken. The Commission provided comments and suggestions to staff regarding the project.
Sign Permit 26004 (Ojai Music Festival Pennants)
- The Commission reviewed a request to change the color of previously approved pennants for the Ojai Music Festival's 80th anniversary, to be displayed in the Arcade and Libbey Park Pergola. The applicant had withdrawn a previous request for lanterns. Staff recommended approval of the pennants as temporary signage. A Commissioner noted that the withdrawal of the lantern request allowed the Commission to proceed under the existing pennant policy. A motion was made to approve the sign permit for the pennants. The motion was seconded. The motion passed via roll call vote.
Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
- The Commission discussed potential budget requests to be submitted to the City Council. Topics included funding for two Historic Resource Reports (HRRs), education/training, and a National Register plaque for the Ojai Theater. Commissioners debated the scope of HRRs, suggesting specific sites such as the Arcade Plaza and the Downtown Historic District. The concept of a fund to assist property owners with Mills Act documentation and HRR costs was raised, though concerns were noted regarding the impact on city tax revenue. The cost of a grant writer was also discussed. No formal motion or vote was taken. The Commission agreed to research specific costs for the proposed items and to finalize the budget request at a future meeting before submission to the City Council.
Ojai Railroad Heritage Trail Signage
- The meeting included an update on the creative team's progress regarding the railroad trail signage. Discussion focused on renaming the project from the "Ojai Railroad Heritage Trail" to the "Ventura and Ojai Valley Railroad Heritage Trail" to better reflect the historical name of the railroad and to encourage collaboration with the City of Ventura. It was noted that the Ventura County Museum has agreed to assist with research and provide photographic materials. An update from the Ojai Valley Museum confirmed that the first four of 25 proposed signs have been funded. A motion was made to approve the name change to the "Ventura and Ojai Valley Railroad Heritage Trail." The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Historic Survey Update
- The committee received an informational update on the kickoff meeting held with the contracted firm for the historic survey. The discussion covered the project timeline, goals, and communication protocols, noting that all correspondence would be routed through a designated liaison. The firm is beginning work on a context statement, with a specific focus on including underrepresented groups such as the Chumash and other Native American populations, as well as women's history and Hispanic families. The committee was encouraged to review the context statement and provide historical themes and sources, particularly regarding the period from 1960 to 1985. No formal motion or vote was taken on this informational item.
Notification of Proposed Director Approval: 718 Foothill Road (Landmark #13)
- The committee reviewed a notification regarding a proposed minor work permit for the reroofing of the O.W. Robertson House. The project involves replacing existing shingles with a slightly darker shade of the same style, as the original tile style is no longer available. Discussion arose regarding whether the roof constitutes a character-defining feature and whether the item should have been routed to the commission prior to the 15-day appeal period. Staff clarified that the item was placed on the agenda to allow for public comment before the approval period expires, meaning any comments would be directed to the director rather than requiring an appeal. The committee noted the property's history and interior features. No formal motion or vote was taken; the item remains with the director for final approval.
Notification of Proposed Director Approval: 1000 Foothill Road (Landmark #4)
- The committee reviewed a notification regarding a proposed minor work permit for the reroofing of the Libby House. The project involves replacing existing faux cedar shake shingles with a higher-quality brand of faux cedar shake shingles in a matching color. Discussion confirmed that the existing shingles are also synthetic and that the proposed replacement is a sturdier product. The committee noted that the change would not negatively impact the structure or character-defining features. No formal motion or vote was taken; the item remains with the director for final approval.
Educational Update
- The committee received an update on recent educational activities, including a presentation on photographing historic sites and digital preservation processes. Upcoming educational opportunities were noted as being available via email. No formal motion or vote was taken on this informational item.
Future Agenda Items
- The committee discussed several potential items for the May agenda:
- Arcade Paint Colors: Discussion centered on the need to review the approved paint palette for the downtown arcade to ensure it reflects the late 1800s/early 1900s era and maintains the "City Beautiful" design integrity. It was suggested that the committee consult with the historic survey team for guidance on historically appropriate colors.
- Landmarking Contributing Properties: The committee discussed a proposal to streamline the landmarking process for properties that are already contributing structures within the State Historic District. Options included an ordinance change to automatically grant local landmark status to contributing properties or a procedural change to allow for a simplified application process. The goal is to facilitate Mills Act participation for these properties.
- Public Engagement: The committee discussed the possibility of hosting a workshop or "pop-up" event to engage the public on future goals and priorities without taking formal action. It was determined that such a discussion could be included on a regular agenda under a "Goals" or "Future Agenda" heading.
- City Beautiful Award: The committee reviewed a draft presentation regarding a new "City Beautiful Edward Drummond Libby Award of Excellence." The award is intended to recognize contributions to the city's civic pride and environment that may not fit traditional historic preservation criteria. A motion was made to create a three-minute presentation to take to City Council recommending the approval of this new award. The motion was seconded and passed. It was noted that the specific logistics of the award, including the selection process and criteria, require further discussion and will be added to the May agenda.
Mayor's Comments
- The Mayor provided comments regarding the upcoming budget cycle, suggesting that the committee prepare a budget proposal for review in May to align with the Budget Review Committee's timeline. The discussion also touched upon property tax implications for Mills Act participants. No formal motion or vote was taken on these comments.
Staff Information Distribution
- Staff distributed individually customized email packets to the members containing step-by-step instructions for accessing information on personal computers. The materials included pictures and detailed guidance. Members were instructed to contact City IT for any questions, and a phone number was provided for assistance.
Adjournment
- A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. The motion passed, concluding the meeting.