June 24, 2019 FROM: DANIEL ZACK, AICP Assistant Director Development and Resource Management Department BY: LAURA GROVES van ONNA Historic Preservation Specialist Development and Resource Management Department SUBJECT: ..Title REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED LOCATIONS AND OPTIONS FOR THE BELMONT AVENUE AND TRAFFIC CIRCLE INTERPRETIVE EXHIBIT FROM THE CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1606(b)(6). ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Commission review and comment on the proposed locations and options for the Belmont Avenue and Traffic Circle Interpretive Exhibit from the California High-Speed Rail Authority pursuant to FMC 12-1606(b)(6). The purpose of this review and comment is to initiate discussion and to provide advisement before moving forward in preparation for a proposed project. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The California High-Speed Rail Authority has requested that their proposed locations and options for the Belmont Avenue and Traffic Circle Interpretive Exhibit be reviewed and commented upon by the Historic Preservation Commission. Primary concerns for Staff are the placement, design, and materials of the exhibit. Staff encourages discussion in pursuit of optimal design that enhances, and minimizes any potential adverse effects to, the historic character of the property. Pursuant to FMC 12-1606(b)(6), Staff requests that the Commission review and comment on the proposed locations and options for the Belmont Avenue and Traffic Circle Interpretive Exhibit from the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the purposes of initiating discussion and providing advisement before moving forward in preparation for a proposed project. BACKGROUND The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) proposes to construct, operate, and maintain an electric-powered high-speed train (HST) system in California. Two of the nine sections of the 800-mile route meet here in Fresno; a Merced to Fresno HST Project would connect a Merced station and a Fresno station. A Fresno to Bakersfield HST Project would connect Fresno with Bakersfield to the south. Due to federal funding, the project meets the definition of a "federal undertaking," pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800.16(y). As a consequence the Project must comply with both federal and California environmental laws and protocols. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the lead agency for compliance with both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as other federal laws. The California High-Speed Rail Authority is serving as a joint-lead agency under NEPA and is the lead agency for compliance under the California Environmental Quality Act. In August 2011 the joint agencies released an EIS/EIR for the two sections, Merced to Fresno and Fresno to Bakersfield. As part of the technical studies for these environmental reports, historic surveys were prepared that identified and evaluated the cultural resources within the Project's Area of Potential Effect (APE), with "cultural resources" defined as including "prehistoric archaeological site, historic-era sites, traditional cultural properties as well as historic buildings, structures, landscapes, districts and linear features." Pursuant to FMC 12-1606(b)(5) and (6) the Historic Preservation Commission has the authority to participate in environmental reviews and to comment on land use and planning as they may affect designated Historic Resources, Historic Districts, and Heritage Properties "as the Commission deems appropriate." In addition, both federal and State statutes ensure public participation. In December 2011 Mayor Ashley Swearengin signed an Agreement with the California High-Speed Rail Authority accepting Consulting Party status for the City of Fresno pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act. On August 22, 2016 staff from the California High-Speed Rail Authority presented their proposed design for the new Belmont overcrossing to the Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission felt that the design should be modified to "better capture the feeling" of the historic Belmont Avenue Subway. A subcommittee was formed to address this issue consisting of Patrick Boyd and Paul Halajian. A letter from Chair Boyd which memorialized and specified the concerns of the Commission was sent to the California High-Speed Rail Authority on August 31, 2016. According to the modifications to the proposed Belmont Overcrossing design submitted by City staff and the Subcommittee from the Historic Preservation Commission and presented at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 22, 2018, the following was provided regarding the Interpretive Display: "The plaque will be placed on the eastern end of the overcrossing near the beginning of the ascent, with the greatest possible pedestrian accessibility." The California High-Speed Rail Authority has requested that their proposed locations and options for the Belmont Avenue and Traffic Circle Interpretive Exhibit be reviewed and commented upon by the Historic Preservation Commission. The conceptual locations and options entail the following: Location 1 (view: west) - This site is located west of the proposed overcrossing on an approximately 5' wide walkway leading from the sidewalk to the exhibit. The exhibit would not impede foot or bicycle traffic on the nearby sidewalk. This location provides flexibility in the selection of exhibit design with sufficient space for a side-by-side option. Dimensions of exhibit shown are either approximately 6'6" wide or 4' wide, 3' deep, and 4' tall. Location 2 (view: west-northwest) - This site is located on the sidewalk of the proposed overcrossing. A narrow exhibit would not impede foot or bicycle traffic using the sidewalk as the proposed overcrossing design calls for a minimum sidewalk width of 8'. Dimensions of this exhibit are approximately 3'6" wide, 3' deep, and 4' tall. Location 3 (view: west-northwest) - This site is on the south side of the proposed overcrossing on an approximately 5' wide walkway leading from the sidewalk to the exhibit. The exhibit would not impede foot or bicycle traffic on the nearby sidewalk. This location provides flexibility in the selection of exhibit design with sufficient space for a side-by-side option similar to what is pictured. Dimensions of the exhibit shown are either approximately 6'6" wide or 4' wide, 3' deep, and 4' tall. All design options among these locations entail an exhibit panel and the plaque from the Belmont Avenue Subway, and they utilize the surface material of concrete or field stone. Locations 1 and 3 also offer the option of incorporating a design in the concrete that is reminiscent of the Belmont Avenue Subway. Upon initial review, Staff finds that Location 2 would impact sidewalk and pedestrian travel ways and that Location 3 is placed in an area that has the potential to fall outside of the City of Fresno right-of-way in the future. Location 1 is most preferred as it would not impede a path of travel or have the potential to fall outside of the right-of-way. Staff also finds that the utilization of concrete or field stone would be appropriate for the exhibit, and encourages discussion regarding which material would "better capture the feeling" of the Belmont Avenue Subway. Furthermore, Staff recommends that a crosswalk be incorporated across Belmont Avenue in order to provide safe and direct pedestrian access to the exhibit. Staff encourages discussion in pursuit of optimal design that enhances, and minimizes any potential adverse effects to, the historic character of the property. Attachments Exhibit A: Belmont Subway and Traffic Circle Interpretive Exhibit, California High-Speed Rail Authority, June 2019.