HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCPC Resolution 2022-07 11/15/2022 DocuSign Envelope ID:AOBCA9AA-5210-46D3-B29A-OF5E2FCFFEDC
RESOLUTION 2022-07
CITY OF PETALUMA
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
APPROVING DESIGNATION OF A LANDMARK TREE
FOR A CANARY ISLAND PALM TREE
LOCATED AT 409 WILSON STREET
APN: 007-163-002
FILE NO: PLTR-2022-0013
WHEREAS, BPR Properties, submitted a Landmark Tree Nomination application requesting
Landmark Tree designation of a Canary Island palm tree at 409 Wilson Street (APN 007-163-002)
("Project"); and
WHEREAS, the Arborist report, by Urban Forestry Associates, Inc, dated October 21, 2021 and
revision dated November 8, 2022 (Attachment H) inspected, discussed, and provided recommendations
for the Canary Island palm tree; and
WHEREAS,the Silk Mill Petaluma Historical Summary and Project Evaluation,dated January 17,2022
and revision dated November 4, 2022, by Mark Hulbert, Preservation Architect (Attachment E) noted the
Canary Island palm tree as a "contributing site feature"; and
WHEREAS, the Project is subject to review by the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee
consistent with Section 8.28.070 of Chapter 8.28 of the Petaluma Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2022, the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee held a duly
noticed public hearing to consider the nomination, at which time all persons interested had the
opportunity to be heard; and,
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2022, the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee (HCPC)
considered a staff report analyzing the nomination, including the California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA") determination included therein;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
A. The foregoing recitals are declared to be true and correct and incorporated and are incorporated
into this resolution as findings of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee.
B. Based on the staff report, staff presentation, comments received and the public hearing, the Historic
and Cultural Preservation Committee makes the following findings based on substantial evidence in
the record:
California Environmental Quality Act
1. The Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant
to §15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities) which applies to maintenance of existing landscaping,
§15304 (Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land), §15307 (Class 7 - Protection of Natural Resources),
which applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure maintenance and protection of
a natural resource, and §15308 (Class 8 - Protection of the Environment) which applies to actions
Historic&Cultural Preservation Committee Resolution No.2022-07 Page 1
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taken by regulatory agencies to assure maintenance and protection of the environment The
Project also does not trigger any of the exceptions to the exemption outlined in CEQA Guidelines
§15300.2.
Petaluma Municiral Code
2. The Project is consistent with the Heritage and Landmark Tree standards stated in Chapter 8.28 of
the Petaluma Municipal Code (PMC). The Applicant submitted an Arborist report, by Urban
Forestry Associates, Inc, dated October 21, 2021 and revision dated November 8, 2022
(Attachment H), and a Silk Mill Petaluma Historical Summary and Project Evaluation, by Mark
Hulbert, Preservation Architect, dated January 17, 2022 and revision dated November 4, 2022
(Attachment E), which discussed the existing Canary Island palm tree, located within the site's
outdoor area. Planning staff has reviewed and accepted these reports as part of the Project
application. The nomination meets three required criteria for designation of Landmark Trees in
that:
1) The tree is of exceptional size/age as relates to generally accepted horticultural standards
for the species;
The Arborist report recorded the Canary Island palm tree to be approximately±65-foot tall
with a trunk diameter of 30.5 inches. An archived historic aerial photograph of the former
silk mill dated 1940, courtesy of the Sonoma County Library, recorded the Canary Island
palm tree within the property, indicating the tree is over 80 years old and has not been
relocated. The records which demonstrate the size and age of the tree, therefore,
determine that the tree meets this criterion.
2) The tree is of unusual or distinctive form, character, function or visual impact as related to
the species and setting; and
The tree's distinctive form is described as "one of the tallest Canary Island palms I have
seen locally (taller palms of other species are common). Given the conditions around the
tree base and the history of the site, nearly all the roots of the tree are almost certainly in
the area confined by the raised planter," within the Arborist's report. The report also notes
that the trunk is vertical and uniform in diameter. The tree is also noted as a "contributing
site feature" within the Historical Summary and Project Evaluation. The tree's height and
location within the silk mill site creates a visual impact to its surrounding historic buildings
and to its adjacent properties. As the tree is described to have a distinct height, character,
and visual impact, therefore, the tree meets this criterion.
3) The tree has association with a historically significant person, structure, or event.
The Canary Island palm tree is located in the rear and north edge of the property, facing
Wilson Street within the former Silk Mill site, a listed site on the National Register of Historic
Places (NR#86000386) and the California Register of Historic Resources. The Silk Mill's
National Register nomination form, dated 1986, described its outdoor area as an unpaved
area used for loading and parking which also contained an "imposing Canary Island palm
tree." The tree was kept in its current location during the rehabilitation of a silk mill into a
hotel between 2016 to 2018 and continues to be a prominent and visual feature on the
site and to its adjacent properties. Therefore, the tree meets this criterion.
Historic&Cultural Preservation Committee Resolution No.2022-07 Page 2
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ADOPTED this 15th day of November 2022, by the following vote:
Commission Member Aye No Absent Abstain/Recused
Rinehart X
Perlis X
Pitingaro X
van Ommeren X
Whitley X
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Bill Rinehart, Chair
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Andrew Trippel, Planning Manager Dylan Brady, Assistant City Attorney
Historic&Cultural Preservation Committee Resolution No.2022-07 Page 3