Hold a public hearing to consider a recommendation by the Historic Preservation Commission to adopt a resolution to amend the General Plan to include the Barn at Utter Ranch as a County-recognized Historic Landmark (ZF2021-0047). The Barn at Utter Ranch is located at 50870 Babel Slough Road (APN:044-040-033), approximately 3 miles northwest of Clarksburg. An exemption based on Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, known as the “common sense exemption,” has been prepared for the project. (No general fund impact) (Echiburu/Trebec)

Among the conservation goals identified in Yolo County's 2030 Countywide General Plan is the preservation and protection of cultural resources, which include policies to safeguard important cultural resources and that encourage owners of historical resources to preserve and rehabilitate their properties. To implement those policies, the Yolo County Code provides the procedures and standards for designating historical landmarks in the unincorporated area of the County (Chapter 11 of Title 8, Yolo County Code of Ordinances). Any structure or location proposed for designation as a historic landmark must meet one or more of the criteria listed in Section 8-11.102(a) of the County Code as determined by the Yolo County Historic Preservation Commission. The Barn at Utter Ranch has been proposed to be included in the list of County-recognized historical resources due to its identification with George H. Wilson, who was instrumental in the establishment of the sugar beet industry in Clarksburg and a leader in agriculture at the local, State, national, and international levels. Please refer to the staff report prepared for the Historic Preservation Commission's recommendation, which is included in Attachment E.

At their regular meeting on August 11, 2022, the Planning Commission convened as the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to evaluate the proposal and adopted a resolution to recommend designation of the Barn at Utter Ranch as a County-recognized historical resource by a vote of five in support and no opposition and one absence. As stated in the Historic Preservation Commission's resolution (Attachment B), the HPC found that the proposal merited historic landmark designation as it reflects valued elements of the County's agricultural history and is identified with George H. Wilson, a person of importance in local, State, and national history. Discussion at the meeting included the extent of the HPC review authority and any potential benefits, both to the County and property owner, of the designation. It was confirmed that only exterior modifications of a designated Historic Landmark would be reviewed by the HPC but that most building permit requests for tenant improvements are exempt from HCP review, including installation of rooftop solar panels unless the Director of Community Services determined the Commission's review was warranted. 

Lynn Hooper, the applicant's historic preservation consultant, addressed the HCP's inquiry regarding benefits to the property owner, which included potential tax incentives and waivers to certain building permit requirements, including provisions for obtaining a flood variance from the strict application of FEMA and the County's Flood Protection requirements for making substantial improvements to existing structures located in a flood hazard area. If the Barn at Utter Ranch received historic designation status and the owners were able to obtain a Flood Variance from the County, additional economic benefits to the owner and community from tourism could also be realized.

The applicant discussed a future interest in using the Barn at Utter Ranch as a rural event venue, which would require HPC approval to modify the exterior of the building's access, so the Barn could be modified to change the occupancy type from storage or utility to assembly and allow the public to enjoy Barn's historic elements. Commissioner Byrd, who resides in Clarksburg, noted that the community is supportive of the designation to honor George H. Wilson for all his contributions to the Clarksburg community. Designation of the Barn at Utter Ranch as a County-designated Historic Landmark would recognize the contributions of George H. Wilson as a leader in founding the sugar beet industry in Clarksburg and as a champion of agricultural education at the County, State, national, and international levels.  Additionally, future use of the Barn as a rural event venue would support goals and policies in the Clarksburg Area Community Plan that seek to develop visitor-serving private businesses that retain and compliment Clarksburg's agricultural and historical rural character and that promote the use of historic structures as museums, education facilities, community centers, and other visitor-serving uses.

For the reasons stated above, staff supports the Historic Preservation Commission's recommendation to designate the Barn at Utter Ranch a County historic landmark. In addition to the Barn's designation, staff is also proposing a minor amendment to provide street addresses for all the historic landmark locations included in Table CO-6, County-Recognized Historical Resources in Unincorporated Yolo County, in the Conservation and Open Space Element. The updated addresses were originally noted in 2014 but never adopted into the General Plan.  The proposed General Plan Amendment to include the Barn at Utter Ranch and amend the list of historic resources in Table CO-6 constitutes the first amendment to the General Plan in 2022.  Up to four General Plan Amendments that affect any required Element can be adopted each year - the Conservation and Open Space Element is a required Element of the General Plan, and staff does not foresee any future amendments to the General Plan in 2022 that may inadvertently affect the Board's decision if it chooses to approve the resolution to amend the General Plan as set forth in Attachment D.

Staff worked with County Counsel in preparation of the resolutions. The Clarksburg General Plan Advisory Committee reviewed the designation and voted to recommend the designation to the HPC. Additionally, the Delta Protection Commission and Yocha Dehe Tribal Historic Preservation Officer provided letters in support of the designation.