HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-11; Historic Preservation Commission; Minutes,-
I ITEM # 2
MINUTES
MEETING OF:
DATE OF MEETING: March 11,2002
TIME OF MEETING: 530 PM
PLACE OF MEETING:
H I STO RI C P RES E RVATl 0 N CO M M I S S IO N
City Council Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER:
Commissioner Jones called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present : Commissioners, Jones, Ladouceur, Muth, and Trejo
Absent: Commissioner Christiansen
Also Present Were: Assistant Library Director, Geoff Armour
Mark Wisniewski, Arborist
7 Council Member Ramona Finnila
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the meeting held January 14, 2002 were approved as presented.
UPDATE ON HERITAGE TREE SURVEY:
Arborist Wisniewski reported the survey has been completed, the trees mapped and
final draft was submitted to the committee for review. The report includes an
alphabetical listing of the1 IO trees by genus and species recommended for designation
as Heritage Trees by the City Council. The report also includes six other locations
within the study area that have either unusual or significant plants or collections of
plants, also mapped. The City’s GIS provided the color maps of the entire study area
with tree locations identified. The report includes the technical description of each of
the trees, its exact location, including the address of the property, and country of origin
Mr. Wisniewski noted that this had been a very interesting and educational study for
him and that he relied on more than a dozen references to identify each species, and
often found conflicting information. Final phase will be the mock-up of the brochure and
will be completed by the end of the week.
Mr. Wisniewski mentioned he had identified several species in the area that are
unusual for San Diego County; a stand of pines in Holiday Park that come from
Australia and are used as timber trees; a ficus tree at the Army-Navy Academy may
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Minutes of March 11, 2002
rc even be larger than the one noted in the literature at Balboa Park; a huge bougainvillea
at the north end of the Army-Navy Academy; and a Torrey Pine on Highland which may
be a contender for the largest one in the state at possibly more than 100 feet. The
majority of the trees identified are not native to San Diego or California. He noted there
were very few native trees planted in the study area, but there is one Sycamore next to
Maxton Brown Park at the edge of the lagoon. That tree appears to be the only natural
native tree in the study area and probably dates back to the late 1800’s.
Assistant Library Director Armour interjected that the Carlsbad Historical Society is very
interested in the dead Monterey Cypress in the railroad right of way that Mr. Wisniewski
identified at the last meeting. There was a suggestion of cutting down the tree and
taking the wood to use cross-sections of the trunk to produce displays at the library,
City Hall, and schools as an accurate history of the climate of the City.
Assistant Library Director Armour asked the commission for suggestions on publicizing
the report and its findings. There have already been several newspaper articles about
the study as it was being conducted. The Commission had talked about publishing a
walking tour brochure.
Commissioner Muth suggested that once the report has been accepted and approved
by the City Council, the Commission and City Council have a photograph taken in front
of one of the Heritage Trees to accompany a press release about the report. Mr.
Wisniewski reported that he has been contacted by the North County Times for an
article on the study.
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Assistant Library Director Armour also announced that the second phase of the project
will be to expand the original area by establishing new boundaries as follows: Jefferson
and Marron streets to the north; El Camino Real to the East and the lagoon to the
south.
In addition to the expanded area the report would include several specific sites that are
noteworthy but in other parts of the City. It had also been suggested that the City work
through the press to ask residents to identify and nominate specific tress.
Mr. Wisniewski plans to develop the methodology for the public to become involved in
nominating trees as Heritage Trees and getting City Council approval. He will also
develop text and map for the walking tour.
Council Member Finnila suggested that the Commission identify some of the best
looking trees, on public property, and tie ribbons around them as part of the City’s 50fh
Anniversary celebration in July.
Commissioner Ladouceur suggested that the trees should be included in the Third
Grade tours and study of the history of Carlsbad and as acceptable content for the
Third Grade Art Contest. She also suggested that a tree planting ceremony be
included as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration.
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Minutes of March 11,2002
There was some discussion about planting trees on Arbor Day but according to Mr.
Wisniewski California’s Arbor Day is different from National Arbor Day which are both
different from San Diego County Arbor Day. It was suggested that the Carlsbad
Historical Society discuss the possibility with the school district.
CITIZEN REQUEST FOR HISTORIC PLAQUE:
Assistant Library Director Armour reported that the City Manager’s Office received a call
from Ms. Pfafflin, who requested some manner in which she could commemorate her
recently deceased husband who was the contractor who built the Alt Carlsbad building.
Assistant Library Director Armour has contacted the current owner who is not interested
in having a plaque on his property. The proposal was also discussed with several long-
time members of the Carlsbad Historical Society and community and the consensus
was that it would not be appropriate to publicly recognize one individual on a project
that involved many others. It was then suggested that the Commission send a letter to
Ms. Pfafflin recognizing Don Pfafflin’s contribution to the project. The commission
directed Assistant Library Director Armour to write the letter on their behalf.
ANNUAL THIRD GRADE ART CONTEST AND TOURS:
,- Assistant Library Director Armour reported that the letter, approved by the
Superintendent‘s office, has been sent to all third grade classes. The process will be
the same as last year with the Carlsbad Historical Society sponsoring tours prior to the
art contest. Due to the shortage of docents, the actual tours will be limited to the
Magee House and the Marron adobe. This is the first year Ms. Carron has opened the
adobe for tours and it is not open to the public.
The teachers have received their packets of information of subject matter for the
contest entries and a list of noteworthy sites. Additionally, Susan Gutierrez has put
together a book “Beckett‘s Walking Tour for Third Graders” with maps and
photographs, which will be distributed to the children as well.
The tours are scheduled for May with the deadline for the artwork as June 3rd. The
judging is scheduled for June 8‘h and the annual awards set for the City Council
Meeting of June 11 th.
CONGRESS OF HISTORY EVENT:
Assistant Library Director Armour had provided a program from the two-day event that
was held at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane. This major event included all the
Historical Societies and Historical Preservation groups from both San Diego and
Imperial counties. Members of the Carlsbad Historical Society attended and expressed
an interest in bringing some of the presenters back for additional programs. The event
is usually held in San Diego but the organizer for the event this year was Ann Marie Cox
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Minutes of March 11,2002
- of the Vista Historical Society and she chose the library location. A former president of
the Carlsbad Historical Society, Amelia Irvine, was awarded the Ben Dixon award, the
most prestigious award from the Congress of History.
UPDATE ON CITY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
The commission received a draft of the schedule of events for the celebration and
Assistant Library Director Armour reported that the history book written by Susan
Gutierrez has been sent to the printer. He said that the book contains photographs as
well as bits of information never before published, and will be available the first of July.
Commissioner Muth asked if there were any plans to change the population sign on 1-5
to the current number.
CARLSBAD SANTA FE DEPOT:
Commissioner Jones commented that he had heard the railroad wanted the land for
additional parking.
Council Member Finnila responded that the leases all along the right-of-way are being
re-negotiated by NCTD.
7 Assistant Library Director Armour reported that the land on which the Depot and Rotary
Park are built belongs to NCTD, and plans for double tracking may require additional
room and possibly require moving the Depot. In that event, our agreement with NCTD
requires a five-year advance notice, according to Housing and Redevelopment Director,
Debbie Fountain. The Depot is on the national register of historic buildings and would
not be demolished and every effort would be made to keep it in the vicinity of its current
location.
CARLSBAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY ACTIVITIES:
Assistant Library Director Armour reported on the following activities planned by the
board:
0 April - Annual Membership tea
0 May - school tours
0 June - High School Essay Contest
0 July - Friday Sundowner on the porch
0 August - Ice Cream social and lecture
0 October - Annual Membership Meeting & Brunch
0 November - Thanksgiving weekend - decorations working party in
preparation for December event
0 December - Annual Victorian Christmas event
Sundowner on the porch of the Magee House
Sunday afternoon lecture and ice cream social
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Minutes of March 11,2002
- Gary Nessim has been elected as the new president of the Society and they are
working on a new strategic plan. Also in the works is a new membership directory.
Commissioner Jones asked for an update on the barn renovations project.
Assistant Library Director Armour reported that volunteer Raoul Tarango has finished
nearly half of his portion of the work, which involved shoring up of the footings, laying
some concrete and doing some work on the floor. He expects to be finished by the
end of March at which time the contractor will begin his portion. It is anticipated the
project will be completed within two months and will include several displays of historic
farm tools, the Twin Inns Chicken and the safe.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
NONE
ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA:
0 Follow up on dead tree
0 Znd phase Historical Tree Survey
0 3rd Grade Art Contest Judges
0 Availability of State offered training for Historic Preservation
Commissioners
f- 0 Election of officers
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.
Administrative Secretary