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HomeMy WebLinkAbout28 - General Plan Update - Arts & Cultural Resources and Historic Resources and Historic Resources Optional ElementsCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item Nos. 28 January 10, 200 6 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Gregg B. Ramirez, Senior Planner (949) 644 - 3219, gramirez (D- city.newport- beach.ca.us SUBJECT: General Plan Update Committee Recommendation to Reconsider the Arts and Cultural Resources and Historic Resources Optional Elements RECOMMENDATION Reconsider the inclusion of the optional Arts and Cultural Resources and Historic Resources Elements and give direction to the staff. DISCUSSION The comprehensive General Plan Update includes the drafting of new General Plan elements, or chapters, as required by State Law. In addition to the seven required elements (Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation and Natural Resources, Recreation and Open Space, Noise and Public Safety) staff and the consultant team prepared drafts of two optional elements, Historical Resources and Arts and Cultural Resources. This was consistent with the recommendation of the General Plan Update Committee (GPUC) and the scope of work for the General Plan Update approved by the City Council in June 2003. Once adopted, each optional element carries the same legal weight as the required elements, must be consistent with the other elements and future projects and environmental reviews must be evaluated against them. The two optional elements were initially reviewed by the General Plan Advisory Committee on October 1, 2005. GPAC's recommendations were then presented to the Planning Commission and City Council on October 4, 2005. The City Council ultimately directed staff to not include either element in the General Plan Update. The Council determined that issues and programs identified in the two draft elements could continue to be implemented through existing or updated Council policies. At their meeting of November 12, 2005, GPAC voted to recommend that the City Council reconsider their previous decision. GPAC believes that both of these elements are important and request that the City Council include them. General Plan Update — Optional Elements January 10, 2006 Page 2 If the Council decides to stay with the original decision to not include these elements in the current comprehensive update, they could direct staff to bring the draft elements back to them for review following action on the required elements, or at some time in the future. This would allow more time for groups such as the Arts Commission and the Heritage Committee to work on the elements. Attached herein are copies of the draft Arts and Cultural Resources and Historical Resources elements. The Historic Resources element shows GPAC's recommendations and language discussed by the Council. The Arts and Cultural element shows GPAC's recommendations and those of the Planning Commission. The Council did not discuss the individual goals and policies of the Arts and Cultural element at their previous meeting. Each element contains a series of goals and policies that provide the City with long term guidance in relation to each of the topic areas. Environmental Review An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is being prepared as part of the General Plan Update process. Public Notice No public notice is required. Prepared by: 4;ltl ^ Gregg a nirez, XrGor Plann Attachments: Submitted by: Sharon Z. Wo Assistant City Manager A. Draft Arts and Cultural Resources B. Draft Historical Resources C. Letter from Lila Crespin and Kirwan Rockefeller Attachment A Draft Arts and Cultural Resources 5 GPAC changes indicated by blue -eou t and underline Planning Commission changes indicated by highlighted blue r,_�ut and underline Arts and Cultural Resources INTRODUCTION Arts and cultural activities play an important role in community life and have been a valued component of Newport Beach for over 125 years. Newport Beach has a wide range of art and cultural organizations, resources, attractions, and activities that are a source of community pride and enrichment. These achievements have evolved over time and have been the result of the dedication and involvement of numerous individuals, groups, and organizations. However, without intervention, coordination, preservation and promotion, art and cultural activities and resources can easily be lost through destruction, indifference, or through unintended land use decisions or policies. The goals and policies of the Arts and Culture Chapter are intended to be a guide for meeting the fume cultural needs of the community. Future challenges in Newport Beach require maximizing the community's cultural arts potential by coordinating with various community groups, businesses, agencies, citizens and the City to create an active and cohesive cultural and arts programs. The Chapter is intended to serve as a mechanism for integrating these resources in order to provide improved and expanded arts and cultural facilities and programs to the community. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS Cultural Arts Organizations and Programs Newport Beach's nonprofit arts community includes a broad array of organizations, and a substantial number of arts programs and activities. There is a diverse range of artistic disciplines and a strong focus on programs for children and youth. Through its grant program, the City of Newport Beach distributes funds to arts organizations on a yearly basis, which enables them to expand their cultural programs offered in the community. Through its Department of Recreation and Senior Services, the City also provides year -round educational programs for adults and children in music, dance, arts and y crafts, and drama. Newport Beach's arts community also contains various private and nonprofit arts organizations and arts groups. These groups include the Newport Beach Film Festival, Newport Theatre Arts Center, Baroque Music Newport Theatre Arts Center This non -profit community theatre company provides a variety of theatrical productions throughout the year. The plays and shows are affordable 10 all economic segments of this community and offer residents a unique opportunity to attend or participate in theatrical productions. V\ Festival, Newport Beach Arts Foundation and the Newport Beach Theatre Company. Include discussion of libraaystem as cultural resource with content to be reviewed by the Library Board of Trustees. City of Newport Beach Arts Commission The City of Newport Beach Arts Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council on all matters pertaining to artistic, aesthetic, and cultural aspects of the City. Established in 1972, as the Newport Beach Arts Committee and in 1974 in the City Charter as the Newport Beach City Arts Commission, the Commission recommends to the City Council ordinances, rules, and regulations as it may deem necessary for the administration and preservation of the arts, performing arts, and historical, aesthetic, and cultural aspects of the community. The Arts Commission, working with staff in the Cultural Arts Office, provides free or low -cost programs for cultural enrichment including temporary art exhibits at City Hall and the Central Library, juried art exhibitions, permanent art collections for City facilities, summer concert in the park series, arts lectures for the public, cultural festivals, and performances, educational seminars and workshops. Nakayosh"ood Friends. Located in front of the Central Library, this Japanese friendship statue was a gift from Newport Beach's sister City Okazaki. Japan. It depicts two children embracing and Sits on a large granite base with a plaque describing the piece and declaring the citizens of Newport Beach and Okazaki as friends. The Arts Commission also participates in the designation of historical landmarks, and reviews design elements for public sculpture, fountains, murals, benches, and other fixtures. Performing and Visual Arts Facilities The primary performing arts facilities in Newport Beach are those that are associated with local cultural arts organizations and programs. They include the Newport Theatre Arts Center and the Orange County Museum of Art, which has an auditorium that seats 120 people. Local schools have auditoriums and other facilities that can be used as performing arts spaces, such as Loats Auditorium at Newport Harbor High School. In addition, the Balboa Performing Arts Theater is a planned facility, which will seat approximately 350 people. Civic facilities in Newport Beach, such as the library and City Hall, have exhibition spaces that display the work of local artists. The Central Library visual arts gallery displays different exhibitions of local artists monthly. The library also hosts a variety of programs for adults, including Sunday musicals, art exhibitions, author appearances, lecture series, book discussions, and Internet workshops. ARTS AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 2 Museums In addition to the numerous galleries throughout the City, Newport Beach is also home to a variety of museums. Located in near the Fashion Island Shopping Center, the Orange County Museum of Art, features modern and contemporary art. The museum houses a permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, photography, and changing installations, all documenting California's artistic heritage. The Orange County Museum of Art moved to its current location in Newport Center in 1977. The Museum serves as the premier visual ads organization in Orange County. and is especially noted for organizing important exhibitions of contemporary art. Events and Festivals The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum is located in the "Pride of Newport, "a 190 -foot paddle wheeler docked in Newport Harbor. The museum focuses on industrial and recreational history and features local photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia. Sherman Library for California History, located in Corona del Mar, features detailed exhibits on the history of the Pacific southwest, as well as a public garden. The Newport Sports Collection Museum, located in Newport Center offers several educational programs to motivate youth to stay in school and be active in athletics. Various festivals and events occur throughout the year in Newport Beach. Some of these attractions include the Newport Beach Jazz festival, Concerts in the Parks hosted by the City Arts Commission, Newport Beach Festival of the Arts, Shakespeare by the Sea, Balboa Island Art Walk, Southern California Plein Air Painter's Association (SOCaIPAPA), yearly Sandcastle contest, the countywide Imagination Celebration, and the Newport Beach Film Festival. GOALS AND POLICIES Goals CA 1 Participation in Culture and Cu4ufal -Arts Active and vital arts and cultural activities and programs that enrich the community. Policy CA 1.1 Public Projects Require Eneettrage the incorporation of public art into -public projects that enhance the City's community character as well as its built environment, through public art donations, and working with local artists, students, and community groups to create public art projects. ARTS AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 3 ring art wofit to be . and roj "£he Cis she-Ad _:a,._ c_.....:__ speeial dis"iets WI-.0re ilia; re required re inee Policy CA 1.2 Private Projects The City should encourage art work to be installed and funded by private developers for larger residential and commercial projects. Policy CA 1.32 Promotion of Cultural Arts G ouny' "r°_„ in -` ' Build public awareness and encourage participation in the City's arts and cultural activities. Policy CA 1.43 Events and Programs Encourage the continuation and expansion of cultural arts events and programs such as festivals, seminars, workshops, concerts in the parks, and community cultural festivals. Policy CA 1.54 Arts Education Partner with the community to encourage and strengthen arts education for children, youth, adults and senior in the City. Goal CA 2 Provision of Physical Facilities Adequate physical facilities and venues that support cultural art programs. Policy CA 2.1 Facilities Explore opportunities to accommodate current or emerging cultural arts programs within existing and new facilities by working with community groups for sharing of performance and exhibit space and considering the potential for new facilities. Policy CA 2.2 Shared Venues Continue the use of shared exhibit space for the display of arts exhibitions such as the Central Library and City Hall. Goal CA 3 Funding EstablishA a broad range of public and private funding sources to support cultural arts goals and activities. ARTS AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 4 '1 Policy CA 3.1 Public and Private Sources Support the efforts of non - profit, private and community organizations to apply for public and private grants and promote donations to support art and cultural activities. Policy CA 3.2 Volunteer Opportunities Promote and support volunteer opportunities for public involvement in arts and cultural programs and events. Policy CA 3.3 Additional Resources Utilize cultural resources outside of Newport Beach. Continue to promote the Newport Beach Sister City Association and other cultural exchange programs. Policy CA 3.4 Cultural Tourism POlicv CA 3.5 Promote cultural and historic tourism in Newport Beach to attract visitors and tourists interested in cultural events. Encourage the City Council to increase funding for the arts and maintain consistent levels of funding. ARTS AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 1J q Attachment B Draft Historical Resources A GPAC changes indicated by blue strikeout and underline City Council /Planning Commission changes indicated by highlighted blue #rikpRil and underline Historical Resources This Chapter addresses the protection and sustainability of Newport Beach's historic and paleontological resources. Goals and policies presented within this Chapter are intended to recognize, maintain, and protect the community's unique historical, cultural and archeological sites and structures. Presen•ing and maintaining these resources helps to create an awareness and appreciation of the City's rich history. For manv gears, Newport Beach's scenic location, attractive neighborhoods and active commercial areas has continued to place many of the City's original buildings, paleontological resources and historical sites under extreme development pressures. Many of the community's early structures and archeological sites have since been demolished or altered. However, a significant number of historical sites and buildings have been preserved that are representative of the community and the region. Many of these historical resources have been recognized as being of statewide or national importance. The preservation of these sites has been the result of active efforts by residents, community groups, private organizations and the City of Newport Beach. As recently as 1947, lands surround Newpod°s Upper Bay were developed tenant farms. Newport Beach 75. A Diamond Jubilee History, James P. Felton. Photo courtesy of the Irvine Company It is important to continue to protect Newport Beach's heritage and to identify and safeguard historical resources worthy of protection and ensure that new development enhances rather than alters or eliminates reminders of Newport Beach rich heritage. CONTEXT -EARLY HISTORY Add discussion of more recent history and Newport Tomorrow. Heritage Committee shall review historical backeround. The community of Newport Beach has a rich and diverse history. The picturesque coastline of community and its close proximity to the water have played a large role part in the development of the City. Early inhabitants thousands of years ago were aboriginal hunters and gatherers were first drawn to this area by the rich bounty of the bay and ocean. The most recent native people were the Tongva (Gabrielinos) and the Acjachemem Quanenos), who lived in small villages around the bay. Z In July of 1769, the expedition led by the Spaniard Gaspar de Portola reached the boundaries of present -day Orange County. Father Junipero Serra, a member of the expedition, dedicated the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, Orange County's first permanent settlement, on November 1, 1776, The Mission's chapel and adjoining structure were the first signs of civilization erected upon the Santa Ana Region. Decades later in the 1800's, land holdings of the Capistrano Mission were parceled out as Spanish and Mexican land grants to war heroes and aristocratic families. Later, many Spanish and Mexican landowners were forced to sell large tracts of their land. The most prominent landowners of the area, Don Sepulveda and Don Bernardo Yorba, men whose combined holdings comprised Newport Beach's upper bay and lower bay, sold their tracts to American entrepreneurs by the names of Flint, Bixby, Irvine and McFadden. The first stirring of commerce began in the community of Newport Beach began in 1870, when a small stern wheeler from San Diego named "The Vaquero" made its first trip to a marshy lagoon to exchange lumber for hides, tallow, livestock and gain. James McFadden and other ranch owners in the Lower Bay decided from then on that the area should be called "Newport." In 1888, James McFadden changed the isolated settlement by building a wharf that extended from the shallow bay of the peninsula to deeper water where large steamers could dock. Shipping activity increased dramatically and for the next eight years, the McFadden Wharf area was a booming commercial and shipping center and a company town began to grow. However, in 1899, the Federal Government allocated funds for major improvements to a new harbor at San Pedro, which would become Southern California's major seaport. The McFadden Wharf and railroad was sold to the Southern Pacific Railroad that same year, signaling the end of Newport Bay as a commercial shipping center. In 1902, James McFadden sold his Newport townsite and about half of the Peninsula to William S. Collins, who saw Newport Bay's resort and recreation potential. Collins took on Henry E. Huntington as a partner in the Newport Beach Company. Huntington had acquired the Pacific Electric railway system and used it to promote new communities outside of Los Angeles. Soon after, the Pacific Electric Railroad established itself in Newport Beach in 1905, connecting the City of Los Angeles by rail. Rapid transit brought new visitors to the waterfront, and small hotels and beach cottages were developed that catered to the tourist industry. At about the same time, the McFadden brothers sold their holdings of Peninsula land. Between 1902 and 1907, many of Newport Beaches' waterfront communities were subdivided, including West Newport, East Newport, West Newport, East Newport, Bay Island, Balboa, Corona del Mar, Balboa Island and Port Orange (at old Newport Landing), and in August 1906, residents in the booming bay town voted to incorporate. Parts of Newport Heights and Corona del Mar were annexed soon after the turn of the century. Between 1934 and 1936, the federal government and the county undertook work around the harbor. They dredged the Lower Bay, extended jetties, and created the present day contour of Newport Beach. In 1936, community members dedicated the City's main harbor, named Newport Harbor. During World War II, the harbor became a vital hub as naval ships were built and repaired in its coastal waters. The Santa Ana freeway, built in the 1950s, triggered further growth. During this time, housing development began to spread northward from the waterfront to the hills and mesa areas. The community's economic industry changed, as the fishing industry, once the backbone of Newport Beach's economy, gradually declined to be replaced with new businesses and commercial centers. Beginning in the 1970s, the building of shopping centers such as Fashion Island, hotels, high - scale restaurants, offices, and many new homes lead to the creation of many active employment, HISTORICAL RESOURCES t, 1� retail, and residential areas that characterizes much of Newport Beach today.' However, while Newport Beach is no longer a small resort community, the bay and beach continue to play an important role in the community's character and economy and the City continues to be a destination for visitors. RELEVANT AND RELATED PROGRAMS Federal Programs The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 is a federal law that establishes the legal and administrative context to encourage preservation of historic resources associated with the country's history and heritage. The NHPA establishes criteria for inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) which is an inventory of the United States' historic resources maintained by the National Park Service. Structures and features must usually be at least 50 years old to be considered for listing on the NRHP, barring exceptional circumstances. Properties listed in the NRHP, or determined eligible for listing, must meet certain criteria for historical significance and possess integrity of form, location, and setting. State Programs The California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR) was created to identify resources deemed worthy of preservation on a state level and was modeled closely after the NRHP. The criteria are nearly identical to those of the NRHP but focus upon resources of statewide, rather than national, significance. The CRHR automatically includes resources listed on the NRHP as are State Landmarks and Points of Interest. California Health and Safety Code (Sections 7050.5, 7051, and 7054) These sections collectively address the illegality of interference with human burial remains (except as allowed under applicable sections of the Public Resources Code), as well as the disposition of Native American burials in archaeological sites and protects such remains from disturbance, vandalism, or inadvertent destruction; establishes procedures to be implemented if Native American skeletal remains are discovered during construction of a project, treatment of the remains prior to, during and after evaluation, and reburial procedures. California Senate Bill 297 (1982) This bill addresses the disposition of Native American burials in archaeological sites and protects such remains from disturbance, vandalism, or inadvertent destruction; establishes procedures to be implemented if Native American skeletal remains are discovered during construction of a project; and establishes the Native American Heritage Commission to resolve disputes regarding the disposition of such remains. History of Newpon Beach. Newpon Beach Real Estate. webpage: http://www.realestatenewponbeach.com/relocafion/history.php HIST0R1rAL RESOURCES 3 I� Local Regulations— Newport Beach City Council Policy Manual HISTORICAL RESOURCES Reflective of Newport's unique history, several properties in the City exhibit significant heritage distinction. Twelve sites have been listed or designated eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or California Register of Historical Resources, or otherwise listed as historic or potentially historic in the California Historic Resources Information System (CHRIS) maintained by the Office of Historic Preservation. Nationally Recognized Resources Four properties within the City have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ■ Balboa Inn —Built in 1929, the Balboa Inn is representative of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and beachfront tourist development. ■ Balboa Pavilion — Constructed in 1905, the Balboa Pavilion has been the site of numerous social and cultural activities over the turn of the century. It is one the state's last surviving examples of great waterfront recreational pavilions. ■ Crystal Cove Historic District —The Crystal Cove Historic District is a 12.3 - acre coastal portion of the 2,791 -acre Crystal Cove State Park. The federally listed Historic District is an enclave of 46 vintage rustic coastal cottages originally built in the 1920's and 1930's that are nestled around the mouth of Los Trancos Creek. It is one of the last remaining examples of early 20th century Southern California coastal development. One of the City's first landmarks was the Balboa Pavilion constructed in 1905. Today it is listed on the National and State Historic Registers. (Newport Beach 75: A Diamond Jubilee History, Photo courtesy of Phil Tozer) ■ Lovell Beach House —Built in 1926, the Lovell Beach House was designed by Rudolf Schindler and is considered the first pure International Style house built in America. State- Recognized Resources In addition, four properties within the City have been listed as California Historical Landmarks. ■ Old Landing — Established by Captain Dunnells in the 1870s, it was the site of the first shipping business in Newport Bay. ■ Site of First Water -to -Water Flight — Commemorates the May 10, 1912, flight of pioneer pilot Glenn L. Martin who flew from the waters of the Pacific Ocean at Balboa to Catalina Island; on a primitive hydroplane; the first water -to -water flight. Today a plaque at the foot of the Balboa Pier honors the memory of Glenn Martin. HISTORICAL RESOURCES 4 0 • McFadden Wharf —The site of the original wharf built in 1888 by the McFadden brothers. • Balboa Pavilion--described above Four additional properties are also listed in the CHRIS database: • BX Stone Building —one of the oldest commercial structures in Newport Beach. • Balboa Island Firehouse No. 4 —early police and fire station for the Balboa Peninsula • Bank of Balboa /Bank of America —Bank of Balboa, Bank of America, provided services from 1928 -1984 (now demolished) • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Locally Recognized Resources Properties that are not listed on the NRHP or CRHR may also be considered historical resources. The City of Newport Beach has established the Newport Beach Register of Historical Property ("City Register ") to recognize structures or properties of local historical or architectural significance. The City has listed seven properties in the City Register in recognition of their local historical or architectural significance, as described above. In addition to the Balboa Pavilion and the Balboa Inn, which are also listed in the NRHP and CRHR, the City Register includes the following: • Rendezvous Ballroom Site —A popular Balboa Dance Hall that featured numerous famous Big Bands of the 1930's and 1940's. It was destroyed by fire in 1966. • Wilma's Patio (formally Pepper's Restaurant)— Located on Balboa Island, the exposed structural components of Wilma's Patio are timbers used in the original Balboa Island Bridge and McFadden Wharf. • Balboa Theater —Built in 1928, the Balboa Theater is a former vaudeville theater that at one time housed an infamous speakeasy during the prohibition period. Currently, the theater is under renovation. • Balboa Saloon —The 1924 building is representative of the nautical history and Main Street commercial masonry style of Newport Beach. • Dory Fishing Fleet —The Dory Fishing Fleet is located adjacent to Newport Pier. The fleet and open -air fish market have operated at this location since the founding of the fleet in 1891 by Portuguese fishermen. The last remaining fleet of its type, it is a historical landmark designated by the Newport Beach Historical Society. It is a general policy of the City that an area immediately west of the Newport Pier be reserved for the Newport Dory Fishing Fleet. Additionally, in 1991, City Council established an Ad Hoc Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (AHHPAC) to investigate the historic resources of the community and make recommendations regarding preservation. The AHHPAC completed its assignment on May 12, 1992, and reported its findings, which included a Historic Resource Inventory of 61 properties, to City Council June 8, 1992. The inventory categorized the properties surveyed in five hierarchical "classes" of significance: HISTORICAL RESOURCES 5 1 `� • Class 1 —Major Historic Landmark • Class 2— Historic Landmark • Class 3 —Local Historic Site • Class 4— Structure of Historic Interest • Class 5 —Point of Historic Interest Under this system, Class 1 to Class 3 would be eligible to use the State Historic Building Code; Class 4 and Class 5 properties would be listed for recognition purposes only. The inventory was never officially adopted by the City, and the structures were never placed on the City Register, but the inventory still serves as a useful guide to potentially historic properties that may have historic or cultural significance to the City. Left: In 1953, the Intemafional Boy Scout Jamboree was held where Newport Center and Fashion Island are now located. Thousands of tents were pitched in the area reachable only by a two-lane muddy trail. A memorial plaque located at what is now Fashion Island commemorates the event (Below) HISTORICAL RESOURCES 6 GOALS AND POLICIES Goal H1 Recognize and protect Mhistorically significant landmarks, sites, and structures protected. Policy H1. GT 1 Historical peso . s PFese at;an Maste Nan ]Master Plan policy language T deleted by City Council) Policy H1.24 Historical Resources Inventory Maintain and periodically update the Newport Beach Register of Historical Property for buildings, objects, structures, and monuments having importance to the history or architecture of Newport Beach and require photo documentation of inventoried historic structures prior to demolition ta—he ineluded in the Nfaffer44afl- Policy H1.33 Preservation or Re -Use of Historical Structures Encourage the preservation of Diseettrage the demohnon o structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places and /or the list of California Historical Landmarks, and /or the Newport Beach Register of Historical Property. Provide incentives, such as grading reductions or waivers of application fees, permit fees, and /or any liens placed by the City to properties listed in the National or State Register or the Newport Beach Register of Historical Property in exchange for Preservation easements. Policy H1.43 Historical Landmarks Encourage the placement of historical landmarks, photographs, markers, or plaques at areas of historical interest or value. Create a Landmark Plan widtin 4 e— M*ste- T, . , that will recognize and designate culturally important heritage sites that are eligible for the placement of historical landmarks or plaques. The Plan will also identify funding opportunities to support the program such as development fees, corporate or civic sponsorships, donations, or utilizing General Funds. Policy H1.34 Adaptive Re -use A!a cart of the MR e T� 'an, E Encourage alternatives to demolition of historical sites or structures by promoting architecturally compatible rehabilitation or adaptive re -use. Provide incentives such as permit and application fee waivers, flexible building requirements and free technical advice by person(s) qualified in historical preservation. HISTORICAL RESOURCES )U Policy H1.6-5 Historical Elements within New Projects If preservation or adaptive reuse is not a feasible option for a proposed development that is located on a historical site or structure, require that the proposed projects must incorporate a physical link to the past within the site or structural design. For example, incorporate historical photographs or artifacts within the proposed project or preserve the location and structures of existing pathways, gathering places, seating areas, rail lines, roadways, or viewing vantage points within the proposed site design. Goal H2 Identification and protection of important archeological and paleontological resources within the City. Policy H2.1 New Development Activities Require new development to protect and preserve paleontological and archaeological resources from destruction, and avoid and minimize mitigat e impacts to such resources in accordance with the requirements of CEOA. Through planning policies and permit conditions, ensure the preservation of significant archeological and paleontological resources and require that the impact caused by any development be mitigated in accordance with CEQA. Policy H2.2 Grading and Excavation Activities Continue to maintain sources of information regarding paleontological and archeological sites and the names and addresses of responsible organizations and qualified individuals, who can analyze, classify, record, and preserve paleontological or archeological findings. Require a qualified paleontologist /archeologist to monitor all grading and /or excavation where there is a potential to affect cultural, archeological or paleontological resources. If these resources are found, the applicant shall implement the recommendations of the paleontologist /archeologist, subject to the approval of the City Planning Department. Policy H2.3 Cultural Organizations Notify cultural organizations, including Native American organizations, of proposed developments that have the potential to adversely impact cultural resources. Allow representatives of such groups to monitor grading and /or excavation of development sites. Policy H2.4 Paleontological or Archaeological Materials Require new development to donate scientifically valuable paleontological or archaeological materials to a responsible public or private institution with a suitable repository, located within the— Newport Beach, or Orange County, whenever possible. HISTORICAL RESOURCES 8 11 Attachment C Letter from Lila Crespin and Kirwan Rockefeller iW TO: the General Plan Advisory Committee FROM: Lila Crespin, GPAC Committee Member and Kirwan Rockefeller, Chair, Arts Commission, City of Newport Beach DATE: November 12, 2005 Re: An open letter to request re- consideration from the City Council that the Arts Element be included in the General Plan Background Shortly after the GPAC overwhelmingly approved and submitted the Arts Element to be included in the 2006 update of the General Plan for the city of Newport Beach, the City Council held a non - advertised meeting to consider its adoption. Prior to this, the Arts Element was sent to the Planning Commission for its recommendations. The Planning Commission separated Goal 1 into 1.1 and 1.2 and recommended different terminology — e.g., "encourage" rather than "provide" and "support." The funding component of the Element (originally, Goal 10) was rejected by the Planning Commission. Three foci influenced the Council's decision to reject the Art Element: (1) the language of the Arts Element was too general; "it can be covered by a policy statement as it now reads;" (2) having to deal with plub1!g visual art fiscally, i.e., perhaps having to assess a small percentage from new business licenses in the city; and (3) having to deal with aesthetic preferences of corporations and citizens. The latter two issues were considered undesirable. ional for Re- consideration of the Arts Element for the Getter Over decades, research concerning visual and performing arts has Indicated two strong rationales for Including an arts component In the Infrastructure of a city's cultural life: * a city that has a rich environment of performing and visual arts provides a cultural milieu that enriches and augments the quality of life for all of its citizens; furthermore, it entices visitors to want to come and share these qualities. Example: Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa have in -place arts venues that are sponsored and supported both by major donors and the city's General Plans. • the visual and performing arts provide a consistent source of revenue. Witness: the tax resources generated by the visual and performing arts in Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa; residents and visitors consistently patronize galleries, hotels, shops, and restaurants in conjunction with the various arts experiences available in Laguna Beach, a city far smaller than Newport Beach. * Once an Art Element is included in a General Plan, it must be consistently applied in all situations. "Policy' allows for total flexibility and inclusion or exclusion of desired outcomes on a case by case basis as decided at the whim of the City Council. * The policy statement about the arts in the current General Plan does not address what was submitted by the GPAC. Existing policy consists of two simple statements — (paraphrased) "a policy for accepting art for the City" (and) —"a policy for funding the NB Arts Commission' (the latter is a body of seven Newport Beach residents selected by the City Council.) Optimum Immediate Action Requested from the GPAC 1) Ask the City for a time extension of three months (for the purpose of gathering input from the Arts Commission and the public) and for strengthening the wording and emphases of the Art Element so that it reflects important sponsorship as well as what the City Council can support. 2) In February 2006, re- submit the (revised) Art Element to the City Council for inclusion in the General Plan. N`1 01/10/2006 17:01 9497234177 CA PAGE PAGE 01/01 Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society 502 `A' South Bayfront P.O. Box SS Balboa Island, CA 92662 January 10, 2006 Honorable Mayor Don Webb and City Council City of Newport Beach 3300 Newport Boulevard Newport Beach, CA 92663 Dear Mayor Webb and Council Members: "RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PRINTED:" IUf� L1 LL& Tonight you will be evaluating a recommendation from the General Plan Update Committee to reconsider inclusion of the Arts and Cultural Resources and Historic Resources Elements in the General Plan Update. This is item No. 28 on the agenda. On behalf of the Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society, I am writing to encourage you to indeed include this optional element in the General Plan Update. In addition to the fine art and historical organizations mentioned in the Staff Report, the Balboa Island Museum provides a repository for donated historical photos, literature, books, models, and other artifacts. The Museum is staffed by unpaid volunteers and our expenses are paid solely by donations. We are open to the public and there is no admission charge. Our goal is to preserve the history of Balboa Island for the current and past residents of Balboa Island, seasonal visitors, and destination tourists who are interested in visiting the City of Newport Beach. Thank you for your past, current and future support of the Balboa Island Museum. Best regards, President cc: Board of Directors 0 0 :L} 7, ... 1_�p_Olo Honorable Mayor and Council I am Gay Wassall -Kelly Chair Centennial Heritage Sub - Committee Host of Pages from Past Balboa since 1949 We were quite surprised that the historic element was recently omitted from the General Plan Update as was my husband Bill Kelly, a member of the General Plan Advisory Committee who had worked very diligently on the plan advising you to include it. One hundred years has arrived for the City of Newport Beach. The City thought it important to create the Centennial Heritage Sub - Committee during the Centennial celebration. We proposed to dedicated our time to preserve the historical elements with markers /plaques, collecting never before seen photos and oral histories, and assist in any way we could an author with a NB Centennial Book. This group however small has amassed thousands of photos and stories a most valuable asset for the City of NB that we would never have acquired if this committee had not been formed. I feel the Heritage committee should continue, with a budget and appointments to assist the already formed NBHistorical Society, Sherman Library and Gardens and NB Library. We want the families to trust us as the keepers of their family's history and not pass their heritage to other historic societies or simply throw them out! The City is always moving forward. It is time to look back. Our little 2.2 -acre cultural Sherman Library and Gardens (40 years old) (over 3,500 Friends of the Library & Gardens) that also houses the Newport Beach Historical Society draws 65- 70,000 people a year! In OC we have over 90 historic organizations many filled with Newport Beach History. The NBHistorical Society members have authored nine books about Newport Beach, produced VHS tapes, and preserved 33 landmarks with plaques. Pages from the Past has brought 22 cable shows to NB interviewing 88 people. We will loose our momentum if we are dropped from the General Plan Update.... Please support the historic element in the future of the City. Our City is its history, present and future! v