Name: Petaluma Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee meeting, Jun 4, 2024
Start: 2024-06-04
Location: City of Petaluma

Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee

Tue, June 4, 2024

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee — June 4, 2024

This was a regular meeting of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee (HCPC), held at Petaluma City Hall. Four of five members were present (Paul Pitingaro was absent), and the session ran from 4:00 to 5:17 p.m.

Presentation: Henry L. Chenault and Tools for Cultural Recognition

Guest speakers John Sheehy, Faith Ross, and Carol Eber presented to the committee on Henry L. Chenault, a Petaluma-connected former Buffalo Soldier — a member of the historic Black U.S. Army regiments that served after the Civil War. The presentation was framed around the broader question of whether the HCPC needs additional tools and criteria to formally recognize historical figures and cultural contributions that may not fit neatly into existing preservation frameworks.

The committee expressed enthusiasm for advancing the project concept and discussed how such recognition might be formalized. Vice Chair Van Ommeren encouraged the project proponents to partner with other local community-based organizations to build broader community support. All members present agreed that the HCPC should support a future formal proposal — either through a letter to the City or a committee resolution — when one is brought forward.

No public comments were offered on this item.

Approval of Minutes — May 7, 2024

The committee approved the minutes from its May 7, 2024 meeting without any amendments.

Vote: Carried 4–0. Moved by Committee Member Whitley, seconded by Vice Chair Van Ommeren. Yes: Rinehart, Perlis, Van Ommeren, Whitley. Absent: Pitingaro.

Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations on Zoning Ordinance Amendments — Nonbinding Feedback and Dissolution

The committee took up nonbinding feedback on recommendations developed by its own Ad Hoc Committee for amendments to two key preservation-related regulatory documents: Chapter 15 of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance (Preservation of the Cultural and Historic Environment) and Section 7 of the SmartCode (Historic Resource Conservation & Preservation). The Planning Division had prepared a review and response memorandum dated April 30, 2024, which staff summarized alongside Chair Rinehart.

Following discussion, committee members offered two notable directional recommendations: first, that the City pursue Certified Local Government (CLG) designation — a state and federal program that strengthens local historic preservation programs — before completing the ongoing General Plan Update; and second, that a specific item referenced as "Memorandum Item 6A" be recategorized as a long-range goal rather than a near-term priority.

No public comments were offered on this item.

Having concluded that the Ad Hoc Committee's assigned work was complete, all members voiced support for disbanding it. The Ad Hoc Committee was formally dissolved at this meeting.

*Note: The minutes do not detail the specific content of individual committee members' questions or comments during discussion, so the full scope of the deliberation is not captured here.*

Key Takeaways

Henry L. Chenault recognition: The HCPC signaled support for a future formal recognition project honoring this Buffalo Soldier with ties to Petaluma, and will consider a resolution or letter to the City when a proposal is brought forward.

New recognition tools under discussion: The Chenault presentation highlighted a broader gap — the committee is exploring whether current preservation criteria adequately capture diverse cultural and historical contributions.

CLG designation prioritized: The committee recommends the City pursue Certified Local Government status before finalizing the General Plan Update, which could strengthen Petaluma's formal preservation infrastructure.

Ad Hoc Committee dissolved: Having completed its review of proposed zoning ordinance amendments, the Ad Hoc Committee was officially disbanded.

Zoning amendment feedback provided: The committee offered nonbinding guidance on preservation-related code changes, including deprioritizing one item as a long-range goal rather than an immediate action.

AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.

Agenda items (3)

General Business

1General BusinessRecommendation that the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee (HCPC) receive a presentation about Henry L. Chenault, a former Buffalo Soldier; and discuss the need for other "tools and criteria for recognition" that respond to community goals.

Procedural (1)

2ProceduralApproval of Minutes for the meeting of May 07, 2024.

Public Hearing

3Public HearingDiscussion Item – Recommendation to the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee (HCPC) to Provide Nonbinding Feedback on HCPC Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations for Amendments to Implementing Zoning Ordinance Chapter 15 – Preservation of the Cultural and Historic Environment and SmartCode Section 7 – Historic Resource Conservation & Preservation, Discuss Planning Division’s Review and Response Memorandum Dated April 30, 2024, and Consider Dissolution of the Ad Hoc Committee. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Approval of Minutes for May 07, 2024

aye 4 · absent 1

Alice Van Ommerenaye

Bill Rinehartaye

John Perlisaye

Paul Pitingaroabsent

Thomas Whitleyaye

Verbatim transcript available

3 transcript segments indexed

CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC & CULTURAL PRESERVATION MEETING City Hall Council Chamber 11 English Street Petaluma, CA 94952 MINUTES Tuesday, June 04, 2024 CALL TO ORDER - (4:00 PM) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Alice Van Ommeren, Chair Bill Rinehart, John Perlis, Thomas Whitley ABSENT: Paul Pitingaro GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT- (4:01 PM) During General Public Comment, the public is invited to make comments on items of public interest that are within the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction and that are not listed on the current agenda. Public comments are limited to up to three minutes per person. Depending on the number of persons wishing to address the Committee, time will be allocated in equal shares totaling no more than twenty minutes, subject to the Committee’s discretion (Cal. Gov’t. Code §54954.3(a), Petaluma City Council Rules, Policies and Procedures, III). Chair Rinehart opened public comment. No general public comments were provided. Chair Rinehart closed public comment. Chair Rinehart closed the Meeting Item and continued with the agenda. PRESENTATIONS - (4:01 PM) 1. Meeting Item 1 - Presentation – The Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee (HCPC) received a presentation about Henry L. Chenault, a former Buffalo Soldier, and discussed the need for other "tools and criteria for recognition" that respond to community goals. Chair Rinehart announced that this item was not a public hearing; therefore, no ex-parte communications disclosures were required. Chair Rinehart introduced Meeting Item 1 and invited guest speakers to present. Guest Speakers, John Sheehy, Faith Ross, and Carol Eber presented on Meeting Item 1. Chair Rinehart opened Committee questions and comments for Staff and Guest Speakers. Vice Chair Van Ommeren

Committee Member Perlis Chair Rinehart opened public comment. No public comments were provided. Chair Rinehart closed public comment. Chair Rinehart brought the item back to the Committee for discussion. The Committee expressed support for advancing the project concept as directed by City staff. Vice Chair Van Ommeran recommended that the project proponents consider working with other local community-based organizations to enhance community support for the project concept. All members present recommended that HCPC support a future project proposal either through a letter to the City or a Committee resolution. Chair Rinehart closed Meeting Item 1 and continued with the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - (4:40 PM) 2. Meeting Item 2 – Approval of Minutes for the meeting of May 07, 2024. Chair Rinehart invited Committee Members to provide amendments. No amendments were provided. Committee Member Whitley motioned for a vote, and Vice Chair Van Ommeren seconded the motion. Chair Rinehart requested a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken: Vote: Carried 4-0 Yes: Chair Rinehart, Perlis, Van Ommeren, and Whitley No: None Absent: Pitingaro Recused: None Chair Rinehart announced that the minutes were approved by a vote of 4-0. Chair Rinehart closed Meeting Item 2 and continued with the agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION - (4:41 PM) 3. Meeting Item 3 – Discussion Item – Recommendation to the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee (HCPC) to Provide Nonbinding Feedback on HCPC Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations for Amendments to Implementing Zoning Ordinance Chapter 15 Preservation of the Cultural and Historic Environment and SmartCode Section 7 – Historic Resource Conservation & Preservation, Discuss Planning Division’s Review and Response Memorandum Dated April 30, 2024, and Consider Dissolution of the Ad Hoc Committee. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024 Chair Rinehart announced this item was not a public hearing and did not require disclosing any ex-parte communications. Chair Rinehart and staff summarized the status of this meeting item.

Chair Rinehart opened Meeting Item 3 to public comment. No public comments were provided. Chair Rinehart closed public comments. Chair Rinehart opened Meeting Item 3 to Committee Member questions for staff. Committee Member Perlis Vice Chair Van Ommeren Chair Rinehart Chair Rinehart brought the item back to the Committee for discussion. Committee members recommended pursuing Certified Local Government designation prior to completing the General Plan Update and requested that Memorandum Item 6A be recategorized as a long-range goal. After concluding the discussion, all Committee members recognized that the work of the Ad Hoc Committee had been completed and voiced support for disbanding the Ad Hoc Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee was disbanded. Chair Rinehart closed Meeting Item 3 and continued with the agenda. COMMITTEE COMMENT - (5:09 PM) Chair Rinehart Committee Member Perlis Vice Chair Van Ommeren Chair Rinehart closed the Meeting Item and continued with the agenda. STAFF COMMENT - (5:15 PM) Andrew Trippel, Planning Manager ADJOURNMENT Chair Rinehart adjourned the meeting at 5:17 p.m.