Board questions why remodel of Julia Morgan-associated house did not come before HRB; staff says permit review covered work

During discussion of the CLG annual report, a board member raised concerns that a remodel of a property associated with architect Julia Morgan had not been reviewed by the Historic Resources Board. The member said the front facade remained but that substantial work elsewhere raised questions about whether the property would still be considered a Julia Morgan design.

Stephen, the historic preservation planner, responded that the work had proceeded through a building permit and was processed as a non-discretionary action. "That project was reviewed by staff and by a historic preservation consultant," he said, and offered to re-send the historic resources evaluation and related documentation by email. Stephen added that larger or discretionary projects would be elevated to the board; by contrast, routine building permits and additions are typically handled at the staff level.

Board members asked whether there could be a courtesy notification to the board when notable historic resources are affected by staff-level permits; Stephen said staff could consider adding such notification and suggested the issue could be further discussed or agendaized in the CLG report or at a future meeting.

The board did not take formal action on this item but directed staff to provide the evaluation documents and to consider how to notify the board about significant staff-level permit work affecting historic resources.