HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-18; Historic Preservation Commission; MinutesMinutes transcribed from taped recording but never approved.
Only 1 of the Commissioners present at this meeting were still serving when minutes were transcribed.
MINUTES
MEETING OF: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
DATE OF MEETING: November 18, 2002
TIME OF MEETING: 5:30 PM
PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Ladouceur called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Christiansen, Ladouceur, and Trejo
Absent: Commissioners Jones and Muth
Also Present: Assistant Library Director Geoff Armour
City Council Member Ramona Finnila
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the September 9, 2002 meeting of the Historic Preservation
Commission were approved as submitted.
STATUS OF CYPRESS TREE IN RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY:
The Board discussed the process for removal of one of the trees which are listed in the
Heritage Tree Survey. At the last meeting arborist Mark Wisniewski reported that one
tree is dead and should be removed but suggested cross-sections of the trunk could be
salvaged and displayed in the Magee House or used for furniture or souvenir-type
items. The tree is on North County Transit District property and Assistant Library
Director Armour shared with the Commission the letter he had received from NCTD with
regard to removal of the tree and their stipulations should the City wish to undertake the
project.
There was a great deal of discussion about wherethe salvaged wood could be stored
and who would transform the trunk into usable slabs or display items.
MAGEE BARN AND HOUSE PROJECT UPDATES:
Assistant Library Director Armour reported that renovations to the barn were moving
forward to include replacing the hardware on the large door and replacing some of the
exterior wood to restore it to the original look. Plans are to include the restored buggy,
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Page 2
Minutes of November 18, 2002
the safe, some old farm tools and the anvil in the barn and also discussed was perhaps
the items from the old Pine school and the Twin Inns Chicken.
He also reported that the Carlsbad Historical Society has expanded into the areas of
the house previously occupied by City staff and are making plans for additional exhibits.
They have discovered some leaks in the roof in the kitchen area and a work order has
been dispatched to Public Works for the repairs.
LIBRARY UPDATES:
Assistant Library Director Geoff Armour reported that the staff in the Local History
Room, located in the Georgina Cole Library, has been busily indexing the Carlsbad
Journal newspapers as well as the letters from Florence Magee, and have created a
vertical file for documents and maps. They have also received a donation of 40
photographs of the area from the San Diego Historical Society.
In conjunction with the Carlsbad Historical Society, a number of oral histories have
been collected from local residents, some in video format.
CARLSBAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY UPDATES:
Assistant Library Director Armour announced that the Society's annual holiday event is
scheduled for December 8th at 2 p.m.
He also reported that the current President of the Society met with Council Member
Julie Nygaard to discuss the possibility of the City providing additional support for the
Society by including it in the budget and providing staffing for the Magee House.
The Society was also asking for a formal lease agreement, for a nominal annual fee, to
insure that they would continue to have occupancy of the City-owned Magee House.
Council Member Finnila expressed surprise that the Society would think the City would
turn them out but agreed to speak to the other members of the Council about a formal
agreement.
ANOUNCEMENTS:
Commissioner Ladouceur announced the open house scheduled at the Marron Adobe
on December 13th from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Commissioner Christiansen asked for an update on the Mission Bells project and
Assistant Library Director Armour responded that he was discussing several possible
locations within the City with relevant City staff.
Commissioner Ladouceur asked for an update on the plaque installations for the Gaus
House and the Carlsbad Theatre. Assistant Library Director Armour responded that
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Page 3
Minutes of November 18, 2002
neither had been installed to date and that the owner of the theater was still undecided
about the mounting location for that property.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
NONE
ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA:
• Mission Bell project
• Cypress Tree removal
• Plaques
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Cissie Sexton
Administrative Secretary
ITEM # 3
City of Carlsbad
Carlsbad City Library
October 1,2002
Jim Merritt
Rail Maintenance of Way Manager
North County Transit District
810 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92054
Dear Mr. Merritt:
Although my primary job is Assistant Library Director, I also staff the city's
Historic Preservation Commission and serve as a Director of the Carlsbad
Historical Society. One of the Commission's projects this past year has been
to create an inventory of Heritage Trees in the city, trees that have historic
significance or are of unusual species or size. Mark Wisniewski, an arborist
who specializes in this subject, was hired by the city to conduct this
inventory. In the course of his study, he found a row of Monterey Cyprus
trees on the west side of the railroad tracks. Photographic documentation
proves these trees to be over 100 years old. The arborist noted that one of
these trees is clearly dead and recommended to the Commission that it be
removed and possibly sectioned into rounds that could be used by the
Historical Society or others, possibly for historic plaques or small tables.
I was directed to follow-up on this possibility by first contacting North
County Transit to see what process would be involved in moving ahead with
this project. I spoke briefly with Wayne Penn and Tom Kelleher of the
Transit District and was advised, as a preliminary step, to send you a letter
giving you general background information on this matter. The dead tree in
question is located approximately 45 feet west of the tracks, roughly mid-
way between Walnut and Chestnut avenues.
1775 Dove Lane • Carlsbad, CA 92009-4048 • (760) 602-2011 • Fax (760) 602-7942 • www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us
October 23, 2002
Geoff Armour
Asst. Library Director
Carlsbad City Library
City of Carlsbad
1775 Dove Lane
Carlsbad, CA 92009-4048
Subject: Removal of Dead Cyprus Tree
Dear Mr. Armour:
The District would view the removal of the subject tree along the rail right-of-way at
approximately mile post 229.7 as a mutual benefit.
The tree is indeed within the rail right-of-way, which is 200 feet at that location. The
District will grant permission for the tree's removal with the City of Carlsbad's assurance
that all permitting requirement are satisfied. Additionally, we would ask, in the interest
of safety, that you engage a licensed contractor to perform the removal service. A
flagman must be on site during the removal and cleanup process.
Flagging service will be provided by the District at a rate of approximately $70.00 per
hour. Please make your request for right of entry and flagging service to the District,
Manager of Real Estate, Jim Cunningham at (760) 966-6538.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
James R. Merritt
Manager (MOW)
JRM/kft
NORTH COUNTY TKAM5IT liSS'fRiCT
8)0 M i s s I o n Avenue, Oceanside, C A 9205 4
760-967 2828
CARLSBAD HERITAGE TREE LIST - 2002
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES AND TREES
GENUS /SPECIES COMMON NAME LOCATION/ADDRESS ORIGIN
CHORISIA SPECIOSA FLOSS SILK TREE #26-421 GRAND AVE. South America
.Thick spines on the heavy trunk are just one unique characteristic of this deciduous tree. Hibiscus-like flowers,
which appear after leaf drop in the fall, are 4" across and may be pink, burgundy or a purplish rose in color. The
"silk" from the opening seed pods is the source of kapok which has been used for stuffing pillows and mattresses.
CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA CAMPHORTREE #51-3091 JEFFERSON ST. China & Japan
One of the best shaped trees in the study area. The full canopy of this evergreen tree covers most of the
residence. This beautiful specimen appears to have required or received little pruning during its lifetime. The
young leaves are a pinkish bronze color when they first open. They then turn a light green and in the winter have a
yellowish-bronze cast. The leaves and twigs of this species are the source of commercial camphor. When crushed,
the leaves give off a pleasant camphor odor.
CITRUS SINENSIS ORANGETREE #43-2777 ROOSEVELT ST. China
'VALENCIA'
This evergreen tree, located in the south end of the patio near the sidewalk, appears to be a remnant of a home
orchard. The fragrant white blossoms appear in the spring while the orange colored fruit from the previous season
is still ripening and hanging on the tree. The fruit is used primarily for its juice, especially in Florida.
UPRESSUS MACROCARPA MONTEREY CYPRESS #5-357 CHESTNUT AVE. California
Located in the Railroad Right-of-Way - One of nine live and one dead evergreen trees remaining from plantings that
once lined the railroad tracks in town. Some of the earliest photos show numerous trees 3'-5' tall. As they grew
this wall of green must have been quite attractive as well as serving as a wind break from prevailing ocean winds.
Trees were also planted in stands and as street trees along roads. Many trees appear to have been pruned as
hedges and topiaries in residential gardens. This species grows naturally only on the Monterey peninsula where it
is found in picturesque wind shaped stands and as contorted individual trees at Cypress Point and in Point Lobos
State Park often growing right at the edge of ocean cliffs. "Its distribution is the most restricted of any California
iree and perhaps of any conifer in the world. ...Monterey cypress is listed in the California Native Plant Society's
Inventory as endangered in part of its range." (McClintock pg. 75)
DODONAEA VISCOSA HOP BUSH #28-2956 ROOSEVELT ST. #3 Arizona - Hawaii
(aka HOPSEED BUSH) & New Zealand
Usually seen in the landscape as a shrub, this small evergreen tree at the southwest corner of the building in this
location has gray shaggy bark and dark green willow-like leaves. Widely distributed in the warmer parts of all
continents except Europe and Antarctica. Early Australian settlers used the fruits as a substitute for hops.
(McClintock pg. 82) Papery seed capsules, which may be red, pink, yellow, tan or green, form in late spring or
summer following inconspicuous flowers. The seed capsules are used for leis in Hawaii.
DOMBEYA WALLICHII DOMBEYA #50-3048 JEFFERSON ST. Madagascar
(variety - 'BITTERNETIA HYDRANGEA LIGHT' note: spelling not verified)
HESS HOUSE - This tree is located in front of the house along the south side of the property where the branches
overhang both the house and the sidewalk. The tree is covered with large pendulous pink hydrangea-like flowers
with dried flowers remaining on the tree. This amazing tree sports a maze of branches because of the relatively
little pruning it has received over the years. Some pruning to provide an arbor-like passage for pedestrians on the
sidewalk and more severe pruning from the adjoining commercial property have taken little away from this
remarkable tree. Reported by Craig Turner, a resident on the property, to have been planted by Mrs. Hess over 75
years ago. He also reported that the variety was identified by Virginia Tacket, the niece of the original owner.
This tree is in the same plant family as the Brachychiton discolor - Tree #46.
17
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
Oral History Projects Completed
Kay Christiansen - early resident and local historian.
Allen Kelly - member of pioneer family.
Ede Westree - early school board member, macadamia nut grower, husband
first park employee.
Al & Afton Jandro - owned land where Plaza Camino Real is located.
Joyce West Smith - longtime school secretary, raised in Carlsbad.
Kentner children - descendants of pioneer family that owned Twin Inns.
• Dede Kentner Lee
• Jackie Kentner Miller
• Eddie Kentner
Mig Cheney - League of Women Voters.
Gladys Vance - friend of Florence Shipley Magee.
Jane Strauss - niece of Hugh Magee.
Jim Knox - his mother painted murals in Twin Inns.
Louse Curly Getze - father was first doctor in Carlsbad.
Margaret Brownley - longtime resident, active in civic and library affairs.
Antonia Trejo Segovia - sister-in-law of Connie Trejo.
Vera Soto - member of original Barrio family.
Dorothy Ede - wife of early commandant of Army & Navy Academy.
Jan Slater - wife of early City Manager John Slater.
Marge Howard-Jones - local historian.
Norm Schultz - son-in-law of E.G. Hummel (cactus and bromeliad expert).
John Henley - son of minister of original Wesleyan church in Barrio.
Allen W. Kelly - descendant of pioneer Kelly family.