Meeting Summary
Present: McCattin, Hanson, Aikens, Walker
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
Agenda Approval
- The commission approved the agenda with modifications, including the addition of "Commissioner Comments" as Item 12.
- The presentation by Division Fire Chief Cleary was noted as rescheduled to a future date.
Museum Report
- Commissioner Aikens reported on an upcoming "Our Town" presentation at the museum.
- The event will feature Mark Lewis and Evan Austin discussing Thornton Wilder’s connection to Ojai.
Item 2: Sign Permit for The Naturalist
- Staff recommended approval for a hanging sign, but commissioners raised concerns that the clear film graphic did not align with the historic character.
- The commission continued the item to the next meeting, requiring the applicant to return with a sample where the flower detail is painted on the wood.
Item 3: Annual Historic Preservation and Lifetime Achievement Awards
- The commission approved the resolution for the awards, correcting the recipient's name to Rob Tucker.
- The resolution was recommended for forwarding to the City Council for ratification.
Item 4: Heritage Trail
- Artwork for the first four Heritage Trail signs has been uploaded to the fabrication company with a five-week turnaround.
- The commission discussed displaying the signs at Ojai Day for public viewing and potential sponsorship.
Item 5: Historic Resources Inventory Survey Update
- The context statement for the survey is approximately 75% complete and open for public comment for one additional week.
- The surveying company completed half of the reconnaissance survey in August and will return to finish the remaining work.
Item 6: Scanning of Historic Resource Reports (HRRs)
- The commission agreed to proceed with an ad hoc effort to gather existing HRRs, as no master list currently exists.
- Commissioner Aikens volunteered to catalog the HRRs held by the museum and bring the list to the next meeting.
Item 7: Ojai Day
- The museum confirmed it would provide tables and chairs for the event without charge.
- The commission agreed to revisit sponsorship and donation procedures at the next meeting after a related council item was postponed.
Item 8: Maintenance and Protection of City-Owned Landmarks
- Staff reported that graffiti tags and outdoor seating violations in the Arcade Plaza are being addressed by the Community Development Department.
- Commissioners reported on the condition of the jail and museum courtyard, noting recent pruning and maintenance activities.
Item 9: 109 Taormina – Ministerial Review for Junior ADU
- Legal counsel explained that ministerial reviews require approval if objective standards are met, bypassing discretionary planning evaluations.
- The commission noted the city is due for an ADU ordinance update and could consider incorporating protections for historic districts.
Item 10: Education Update
- Staff reminded the commission of an upcoming webinar on disaster preparedness and public engagement scheduled for September 15th.
- The chair suggested commissioners watch the webinar to prepare for the upcoming presentation by the Fire Battalion Chief.
Future Agenda Items
- The HRR cataloging effort was added to the "Active Ad Hocs" list with Commissioners Aikens and Sims assigned.
- The Heritage Trail sign installation and a potential ribbon-cutting event were placed on the November agenda.
Commissioner Comments
- Commissioner Aikens provided an update on the Edward German Libby City of Ojai City Beautiful Award, noting the presentation to the City Council was moved to December 8th.
- The chair clarified that the HPC is responsible for the content and presentation of the award, while staff will prepare the formal agenda item.
- Councilmember Mang offered assistance with cataloging tasks and expressed interest in compiling the Heritage Trail signs into a book.
Full summary
Agenda Approval
- The commission reviewed the agenda, noting that the presentation by Division Fire Chief Cleary was rescheduled to a future date. A request was made to add "Commissioner Comments" as Item 12. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda with these changes. The motion passed.
Public Comment
- Public comment was opened. One citizen spoke in support of historic preservation, referencing local history books and the importance of maintaining the town’s character. Another citizen offered a personal remembrance related to September 11th. The chair closed public comment.
Museum Report
- Commissioner Aikens reported on an upcoming "Our Town" presentation at the museum featuring Mark Lewis and Evan Austin, discussing Thornton Wilder’s connection to Ojai.
Consent Calendar: Minutes
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The motion passed.
Item 2: Sign Permit for The Naturalist (208 East Ojai Avenue)
- Staff presented a request for a hanging identification sign for The Naturalist, located within the Ojai Arcade. The proposed sign features walnut and white oak materials with a California poppy graphic applied via clear film. Staff recommended approval based on compliance with Arcade Design Guidelines. During discussion, several commissioners expressed concern that the clear film application did not align with the historic character of the early 1900s arcade, suggesting that the graphic be painted or etched into the wood instead. The applicant stated they would consult with the sign maker regarding the feasibility of painting the detail. A motion was made and seconded to continue the item to the next meeting, requiring the applicant to return with a sample of the sign where the flower detail is painted on the wood rather than applied as a sticker. The motion passed.
Item 3: Annual Historic Preservation and Lifetime Achievement Awards
- Staff presented a resolution for the adoption of the Annual Historic Preservation and Lifetime Achievement Awards, selected by the commission in August. A correction was made to the recipient's name, changing it from "Jim and Robs" to "Rob Tucker." A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution with the name correction, recommending it be forwarded to the City Council for ratification. The motion passed.
Item 4: Heritage Trail
- Commissioner Walker reported that artwork for the first four Heritage Trail signs has been uploaded to the fabrication company. The signs will feature historical information about the Ojai Jail, the former depot, Libbey Park, and Matilija Station. The signs are expected to have a five-week turnaround time and will not be installed in time for Ojai Day. The commission discussed displaying the signs at Ojai Day for public viewing and potential sponsorship. No motion was taken; this was a report.
Item 5: Historic Resources Inventory Survey Update
- Commissioner Walker reported that the context statement for the survey is approximately 75% complete and open for public comment for one additional week. The surveying company, Historic Resources Group, completed half of the reconnaissance survey in August and will return to finish it. The next steps involve refining the context statement and narrowing down properties for the final survey. No motion was taken; this was a report.
Item 6: Scanning of Historic Resource Reports (HRRs)
- Staff reported that HRRs are currently stored in individual address files within Community Development, and no master list exists. The commission discussed the need for a centralized list to assist with the new survey. Commissioner Aikens volunteered to catalog the HRRs held by the museum and bring the list to the next meeting. Staff noted that the City Council would need to direct staff to create a formal master list if desired. The commission agreed to proceed with the ad hoc effort to gather existing HRRs. No formal motion was taken; the item was discussed as a next step.
Item 7: Ojai Day
- Staff and commissioners discussed logistics for Ojai Day, including the use of tables, chairs, and shade structures. Commissioner Aikens confirmed that the museum would provide tables and chairs without charge. The commission discussed the placement of Heritage Trail sign displays and sponsorship opportunities. Councilmember Mang noted that a related council agenda item regarding donations and naming rights was postponed and would be discussed at a future council meeting. The commission agreed to revisit sponsorship and donation procedures at the next meeting. No motion was taken; this was a discussion of logistics.
Item 8: Maintenance and Protection of City-Owned Landmarks
- Staff reported that graffiti tags in the Arcade Plaza and outdoor seating violations are being addressed by the Community Development Department. Commissioner Walker noted a wooden structure being built on outdoor seating, which staff confirmed was being reviewed. Commissioner Sims reported an unauthorized painting incident at a landmark, which was stopped by Code Compliance because a work permit was required. Commissioners reported on the condition of the jail and museum courtyard, noting recent pruning and maintenance. No motion was taken; this was a status report.
Item 9: 109 Taormina – Ministerial Review for Junior ADU
- Staff presented a ministerial review for a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) at 109 Taormina, involving an interior conversion and a rear exterior access door. Legal counsel explained that ministerial reviews under state law require approval if objective standards are met and bypass discretionary planning evaluations and CEQA review. Commissioners discussed the impact of ADUs on historic properties, noting that some cities have specific codes requiring ADUs to be located in the rear or match historic materials. The commission noted that the city is due for an ADU ordinance update and could consider incorporating protections for historic districts. The item was presented for informational purposes only, as no discretionary action was required. No motion was taken.
Item 10: Education Update
- Staff reminded the commission of an upcoming webinar by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissioners on disaster preparedness and public engagement, scheduled for September 15th. The chair suggested that commissioners watch the webinar to better prepare for the upcoming presentation by the Fire Battalion Chief. The chair also mentioned other educational resources from the California Preservation Foundation. No motion was taken.
Future Agenda Items
- The commission discussed adding the HRR cataloging effort to the "Active Ad Hocs" list, with Commissioners Aikens and Sims assigned. The commission agreed to place the Heritage Trail sign installation and a potential ribbon-cutting event on the November agenda. The school district item was placed on the November agenda as a placeholder.
Commissioner Comments
- Commissioner Aikens provided a detailed update on the "Edward German Libby City of Ojai City Beautiful Award." He explained that the presentation to the City Council was initially scheduled for September 22nd but was moved to December 8th due to council scheduling conflicts. He expressed frustration regarding the communication process and the expectation that the HPC would prepare all presentation materials, with staff providing only a brief introductory report. The chair clarified that while staff would prepare the formal agenda item, the HPC was responsible for the content and presentation of the award. The chair and other commissioners offered support, including assistance with PowerPoint formatting. Councilmember Mang offered to help with cataloging tasks and expressed interest in compiling the Heritage Trail signs into a book. Commissioner Walker mentioned a new article in the Ojai magazine about Rory Calhoun.