Historic Resources Board reviews Empire House, grants, training and awards process; minutes approved

The Historic Resources Board approved the minutes from its March meeting and spent the remainder of the meeting on routine board business including updates on the Empire House project, permit‑flagging for historic properties, grant funding and upcoming community outreach.

Approval of minutes: Board member Munoz moved to approve the minutes of the March meeting and Board member Masgay seconded. During roll call several members said they were not present at the March meeting; other members recorded affirmative votes. The chair announced the minutes were approved. (Individual vote tallies were not fully specified on the record.)

Empire House / 119 Cayuga: A staff update noted confusion in the tracking system about the property’s status. Staff reported the property is listed in the National Register “as locally significant” rather than as nationally or state significant; the property has new owners planning interior remodels and limited exterior updates to an addition. Staff said one prominent change—removal of an exterior staircase that had been added during a conversion—was restored to the original window and a new ADA ramp and deck were installed to meet code. The project has an active building permit and staff said future exterior permit applications that constitute “major alterations” would come to the board for a finding of consistency under the city’s historic-resources code.

Flagging and survey work: Board members asked how the city will ensure National Register and local historic properties are properly flagged in permit software. Staff said Monterey County and local departments are developing training and that staff are conducting an audit of the permit system; staff said the Page & Turnbull update to the citywide historic survey is being paid from the general plan/zoning-code maintenance fee (permit fee revenue), not a federal grant.

Funding and grants: Staff described the funding for 3438 Soledad as coming from Regional Early Action Planning grants administered via the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and from a local entitlement allocation; staff said writing those grants required substantial staff time. Board members noted the city currently does not have a dedicated grant-writer for historic resources and encouraged identifying staff or resources to pursue available preservation funding.

Chinatown open house and Republic Café: Staff reported TF Design’s scope was expanded to include 45 Soledad (a nearby parcel formerly an unreinforced masonry building that had been demolished) and that staff plans a community open house—targeted for late this month or early May—at the Buddhist temple to present designs and solicit feedback. Staff also said the Republic Café building will remain boarded for the upcoming Asian Cultural Experience walking tour (April 26) and that the city is coordinating with ACE organizers on encampment clearance in front of that property.

Other items: Staff reported the Fox Theater mural on the rear wall (facing Monterey Street) was reviewed previously and found consistent by the board last year; staff noted the city is pursuing California Preservation Foundation membership and the board’s continuing-education logs may recognize internal presentations for training credit.

Ending

Staff said it will provide follow-up information on permit-flagging, certified-local-government questions and notify the board when the Chinatown open house is scheduled.