pages: HistoricalAdvisoryBoard/2007-06-07.pdf, 7
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
HistoricalAdvisoryBoard | 2007-06-07 | 7 | Chair Anderson inquired whether there was a way for the HAB to have more meaningful and effective responsibilities, either through ordinance or City Charter. She sometimes felt as though it was a waste of her time to review projects that had already gone through design review, and that the scope of the HAB's abilities was limited to stating whether a building could be torn down, or which portion of the building could be demolished. She did not feel that the HAB had any power or ruling over how a building could be preserved; she believed that the reason for the existence of the HAB was to state how buildings could be kept intact. Vice Chair Miller echoed Chair Anderson's comments, and noted that was the reason he joined the Board. Ms. Eliason noted that she could examine the HAB's charter, and that the City was working under the present ordinance. Staff will continue to examine revisions, most of which were related to penalty sections and dealing with properties such as 1343 Fernside and similar demolitions. She suggested bringing the concern to City Council, especially in defining where the HAB's authority stopped, and where the Planning Board's authority started. She acknowledged that tensions between the purviews of other Boards, such as the Economic Development Commission and the Transportation Commission, with the Planning Board in terms of authority. She noted that those questions are appropriately addressed by the community. Chair Anderson suggested that it may be appropriate to call in the HAB prior to the Design Review Board to review the actual design that would take place in a demolition and restoration of a building. She believed that there were several homes in Alameda that should be preserved without having to be historical monuments. She believed that in some instances, the Planning Board, Planning staff and City Council, as well as the other authorities in Alameda take the recommendations by the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society first over the recommendations of the HAB. She added that the HAB has been selected by the Council and the Mayor to serve on the Board, and that they were part of the City. She was disturbed to see a private organization to have so much power, which sometimes undermined the HAB's role. Vice Chair Miller noted that the pair of buildings on Ninth Street had great potential to be brought back, and that it was appealed to City Council. He noted that he attended that Council meeting, and that the item was brought back to the HAB. Before that occurred, it went to the Planning Board, which he viewed as a misconception by the Council of the HAB's purview. He added that many of the HAB's determinations did not go to other boards. Board member Lynch noted that as work continued on the theater, she had fielded questions by residents regarding its progress. She inquired whether there was a tour Minutes of June 7, 2007 Regular Historical Advisory Board Meeting Page 7 | HistoricalAdvisoryBoard/2007-06-07.pdf |