Title
26CP00819 - HISTORIC RED BARN
Public hearing to consider recommending that the Chief of Planning approve an application for the Red Barn rehabilitation project resubmittal to include the estimated extent of panel replacement, detailed evaluation of the existing siding, potential hazards, supporting reference materials, and the requested report contents. The revised plans identify the complete lower siding course on all four elevations, the sliding-door panels, and isolated upper panels requiring replacement based on documented conditions. Existing serviceable siding will be retained and repaired wherever feasible. Proposed replacement material is an Elevate Una-Clad 5V Crimp aluminum panel, to be field painted using the project-specific Red Barn body color.
Project Location: 1000 N Hwy 101, Aromas (Assessor’s Parcel Number 141-013-035-000), North County Inland Area Plan. The property is an approximately 6.5 acres and is located off U.S. Highway 101, located near the residential neighborhood called Ballantrae Estates.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the County of Monterey Historic Resources Review Board (HRRB) adopt a resolution recommending that the Chief of Planning 1) Find the project qualifies for a Class 31 exception pursuant to section 15331 of the CEQA guidelines; and 2) approve the Construction Permit to allow a resubmittal application for clarification of the rehabilitation approach of the Red Barn, to include the estimated extent of panel replacement, detailed evaluation of the existing siding, potential hazards, supporting reference materials, and the requested report contents.
DISCUSSION:
On March 30, 2026, Salvador Muñoz (applicant) filed with the County of Monterey, an application for a Construction permit for the replacement of damaged siding located on the Historic Red Barn. Previous building permits have been issued on the site for structures other than the Red Barn. An Historic Report was prepared by Kent Seavey on March 28, 2026. It states that the subject property is a listed as a contributing resource in the Monterey County Historic Resources Inventory, as approved by the Monterey County Historic Resources Commission in 2010, through California State DPR523. The intent of the current owners is to replace the deteriorated aluminum siding throughout the barn, matching in kind, the historic features. The matter was heard by the Historic Resources Review Board (HRRB) June 4, 2026. However, the HRRB wanted further clarification of the materials being used for the rehabilitation approach of the Red Barn. On July 14, 2026, the applicant submitted an Addendum to the Phase II Historic Assessment and on September 9, 2026, the applicant submitted follow-up revisions to the original application based on the discussion, so staff then scheduled the item for the November 5th HRRB hearing.
The subject property was constructed in 1945 with an exterior wall-cladding of Kaiser aluminum siding over a steel three-hinged arch support method of construction. Existing skylights were added in 1970. Sliding aluminum doors were added on the front & rear elevations in 1976 (see DPR 523A provided for full history of the subject property). Due to age and wear, over time, areas along the exterior wall-cladding have deteriorated and require repair and minor replacement. presently, the subject property retains its historic appearance as its physical appearance in 1976, with the 1970 skylights and1976 aluminum door additions. The only other change that has occurred over time is the decorative applied signage on the building envelope, (as noted in DPR523).
The project consists of the repair and replacement, as required, of damaged exterior metal siding at the existing historic red barn. Work is limited to the building envelope and does not include an expansion, change of use, alteration of the building footprint, or modification of the existing steel, three-hinged arch structural system. The treatment approach is rehabilitation: sound historic siding shall be retained and repaired where feasible, and panels that are perforated, torn, loose, severely deformed, or otherwise deteriorated beyond repair shall be replace as required based on documented field conditions. The Addendum to the Phase II confirms the project would remain consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, including Standard 6, provided the repair and replacement approach in the original assessment and conditions added in the Addendum.
The proposed project has been revised to include: 1) replacement of the complete lower 10-foot siding course on all four elevations; 2) replacement of the 16-foot sliding-door panels; and 3) replacement of isolated upper panels where filed documentation confirms deterioration beyond repair. Option B: Using 10-foot course matching panels is a preservation-conservative basis. Continuous full-height panels may be presented as an alternate only where shown on the approved drawings. Proposed replacement material is an Elevate Una-Clad 5V Crimp aluminum panel, to be field painted using the project-specific Red Barn body color.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (Standards) provides the framework for evaluating the impact of additions and alterations to historic buildings. The Standards describe four treatment approaches: preservation, rehabilitation, restoration & reconstruction. The Standards require that the treatment approach be determined first, as a different set of standards apply to each approach. For the proposed project the treatment approach is rehabilitation. Out of the ten standards for rehabilitation, only the first six apply. (See Resolution)
CEQA
The proposed project qualifies for a Class 31 exemption pursuant to section 15331 of the CEQA Guidelines with no exceptions to section 15300.2. This exemption applies to projects that are for the "maintenance, repair, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, conservation or reconstruction of historical resources” in a manner consistent with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties" ("the Standards") are exempt from CEQA. Additionally, the project will not have a cumulative impact on the environment, there are no unusual circumstances regarding this project that will cause a significant impact to the environment, the project is not visible from any scenic highways, the project is not located on a hazardous waste site and the proposed project will not cause a substantial change to any historical resources.
Prepared by: Elizabeth Gonzales, Permit Center Manager
Reviewed and Approved by: Jordan Evans-Polockow, Assistant Planner
The following attachments are on file with Housing and Community Development:
Exhibit A - Draft Resolution
Exhibit B - Project Plans, Colors and Materials (26CP00819)
Exhibit C - Historic Resources Inventory (DRP523A) prepared by Kent Seavey, Preservation Consultant, dated 2010.
Exhibit D - Phase II Historic Assessment, prepared by Kent Seavey, dated March 28, 2026
Exhibit E - Addendum to Phase II Historic Assessment, prepared by Kent Seavey, dated July 14, 2026
Exhibit F - Supplemental HRRB Response
Cc: Salvador Munoz, Architect