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City to contract Rincon Consultants as preservation specialist; Chinatown survey project under way
Summary
Ashley Atkinson told the commission the city retained Stantec for a Chinatown Historic District survey update and is preparing to contract Rincon Consultants to perform the historic preservation specialist function while the city’s vacancy remains open; staff also reported three Mills Act applications.
Ashley Atkinson, assistant director for planning and development, updated the commission on several staff initiatives that affect local preservation work.
Atkinson said the city has retained Stantec to conduct the Chinatown Historic District survey update; the firm held a kickoff meeting on May 28 and is in the information‑gathering phase. She asked commissioners to share any documentation or resources they believe Stantec should include.
On staffing, Atkinson said the city has not yet filled a vacant historic preservation specialist position and has received many applications but no hire. To ensure continuity of technical review and to meet Certified Local Government (CLG) obligations, the City Council approved a contract to use Rincon Consultants’ staff as the preservation specialist function. Atkinson said Rincon will be routed projects through planning and that the consultants will operate through the city’s usual review pipeline.
Atkinson also reported that the Mills Act program application deadline was June 1; the city received three applications and staff expect to schedule inspections in August and bring Mills Act contracts to the commission in October. She noted a mitigation program application was completed in April and that mitigation program funds are largely exhausted for the fiscal year.
Separately, Atkinson said the city is continuing discussions with the Brewer Adobe property owner to pursue minimum maintenance and preservation options; staff are also completing Section 106 reviews and processing planning entitlements for buildings older than 50 years.
Commissioners asked how the public should make inquiries; Atkinson directed people to historic.preservation@fresno.gov as the starting point so staff can route requests to Carrie or Rincon as appropriate.
No formal actions were taken; the report was informational and commissioners discussed next steps for subcommittee involvement and agenda scheduling.
