CC SR 20220419 03 - Hatano Farm Update
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 04/19/2022
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on the Hatano Farm Area at
Upper Point Vicente.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Direct staff to pursue the following programs to nominate the Hatano Farm for
historic designation:
a. National Register of Historic Places;
b. California Register of Historical Resources; and
c. California Point of Historical Interest
2. Provide direction on which potential option the City should pursue to allow Mr.
Martinez to continue farming as a non -commercial operation beyond the August
16, 2022 lease termination date
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
REVIEWED BY: Same as above
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. February 15, 2022, Staff Report
B. Public Comments since February 15, 2022 (Page B -1)
BACKGROUND:
On February 15, 2022, after considering the information presented, the City Council
directed Staff to proceed with the termination of the lease agreement with Mr. Martinez
for the commercial agricultural use of the Hatano Farm at Upper Point Vicente (UPV) with
the effective date of August 16, 2022. For background on this issue, read February 15,
2022, staff report (Attachment A). The City Council also directed Staff to return with more
information on how the City can preserve the farm as a historic site while allowing Mr.
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Martinez to potentially continuing the farm operation in some capacity beyond August 16,
2022 (lease termination date) other than a commercial operation.
This evening, the City Council is being asked to direct staff on pursuing national and state
historic designation of the Hatano Farm and provide direction on potential options that
could allow Mr. Martinez to continue farming while the historic designation is pursued.
DISCUSSION:
1. Historic Designation of the Hatano Farm Area at UPV
At the February 15 City Council meeting, Staff presented a summary of potential historic
designation options. Since that meeting, staff has further explored historic designations
at national and state levels. Tonight, Staff is presenting information on these programs. It
is important to note that the City does not have to apply for one level of designation or
another. Thus, staff is recommending that the City Council pursue multiple nominations
to better the farm’s chances of obtaining the designation, as described below.
a. National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places remains a viable option for the Hatano Farm.
Staff is scheduled to meet with staff from Congressman Lieu’s office on April 18 to discuss
their support in pursuing this option. Staff will present an update of that meeting to the
City Council during the presentation of this staff report.
As discussed on February 15, the National Register of Historic Places designation
includes sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history,
architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. Properties currently listed have
significance to the history of their community, state or nation. The process to initiate this
process begins with a nomination. Nominations for listing historic properties come from
State Historic Preservation Officers, Federal Preservation Officers for properties owned
or controlled by the United States Government, and Tribal Histor ic Preservation Officers
for properties on Tribal lands.
Staff believes that the Hatano Farm property meets the National Register Criteria for
Evaluation, which is:
• Age and Integrity: Is the property old enough to be considered historic (generally
at least 50 years old), and does it still look much the way it did in the past?
• Significance: Is the property associated with events, activities, or developments
that were important in the past? With the lives of people who were important in the
past? With significant architectural history, landscape history, or engineering
achievements? Does it have the potential to yield information through
archeological investigation about our past?
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Staff will also schedule meetings to seek support from the offices of Assemblymember
Muratsuchi, Senator Allen, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hahn.
b. California Historic Designation
The State of California has several historic designation programs, including the California
of Historical Landmarks designation. However, the Hatano Farm may not qualify for such
designation because it is not a building or structural landmark. Thus, based on staff’s
review of these programs, it is recommended that the City Council pursue nominating
both the California Register of Historical Resources and California Point of Historical
Interest as described below:
California Register of Historical Resources
The California Register program encourages public recognition and protection of
resources of architectural, historical, archeological, and cultural significance, identifies
historical resources for state and local planning purposes, determines eligib ility for state
historic preservation grant funding and affords certain protections under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff believes that the Hatano Farm may be eligible
for this program as the farm not only played a significant role in the Japanese farming
community on the Peninsula and is the only such remaining farm.
Staff seeks direction from the City Council to proceed with nominating the Hatano Farm
to the California Register of Historical Resources. This nomination will assist the City in
submitting a nomination to the California Point of Historical Interest, as described below.
California Point of Historical Interest
California Points of Historical Interest are sites, buildings, features, or events that are of
local (city or county) significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political,
architectural, economic, scientific or technical, religious, experimental, or other value. The
Hatano Farm is considered to be a site of great cultural and historical significance in the
City. To be eligible for designation as a Point of Historical Interest, a resource must meet
at least one of the following:
• The first, last, only, or most significant of its type within the local geographic region
(City or County).
• Associated with an individual or group having a profound influence on the
history of the local area (emphasis added).
• A prototype of, or an outstanding example of, a period, style, architectural
movement, or construction or is one of the more notable works or the best surviving
work in the local region of a pioneer architect, designer, or master builder.
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It should be noted that, on May 1, 1992, the site
of the first Japanese American farm on the
Palos Verdes Peninsula was designated a
Point of Historical Interest. This site is located
at Founders Park located on what is today the
grounds of Trump National Golf Club. The site
honors the Kumekichi Ishibashi family as the
the first and last Japanese American
farmhouse in 1906.
Since the City already has one Point of
Historical Interest site dedicated to the first and
last Japanese American farm on the Palos
Verdes Peninsula, it cannot nominate the
Hatano family farm as the “last” Japanese
American farm. However, the most likely
approach would be to consider the Hatano
farm as a site having a profound influence on the history of the local area in its own right.
In other words, preserving the site as a designated agricultural landscape, a farm, by
listing current elements (irrigation systems, equipment, improvements, overall landforms,
fields) older than 50 years, all of which still exist.
Staff also seeks direction from the City Council to proceed with nominating the Hatano
Farm as a California Point of Historical Interest. It is important to note that the City must
first nominate the Hatano Farm to the California Register of Historical Resources and
meet the eligibility criteria before nominating it as a California Point of Historical Interest
2. Status Update Allowing Mr. Martinez to Continue Farming as a Non-
Commercial Operation
As the City pursues designating the Hatano farming operation as a historic designation,
the City Council asked staff to explore how Mr. Martinez and the farming operation can
continue beyond the lease expiration date of August 16, 2022 as a non -commercial
operation. This evening, Staff is presenting a status update on the options last presented
on February 15. It should be noted that in order to achieve this without impacting Mr.
Martinez’s livelihood, his services should be compensated.
Cacti Garden
Cacti is known to be suitable planting for very high fire hazard severity zones such as
Rancho Palos Verdes. Additionally, prickly pear cacti, the host plant habitat for the cactus
wren, is currently farmed at UPV along with cholla cacti. To assist with the City's fuel
modification program and planting cacti in open space areas designated as high fire
hazard zones, the City Council could enter into an agreement with Mr. Martinez to grow
and maintain cacti, particularly the prickly pear. Placing cacti in a fuel modification zone
can reduce fire risk and provide wildlife habitat. The City could retain the services of Mr.
Martinez as a consultant with a specialized skills to manage the cacti for the City and
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perhaps including replanting in certain areas. Such a contract would have to go before
the City Council for consideration if desired.
It is important to note that Mr. Martinez is a subject matter expert in that he is familiar with
the current cacti growing on the property. He is also familiar with irrigating the farm soil
and maintaining ditches, pipes, and pumps, as he dug and installed them with Mr. James
Hatano decades ago. In addition to his expert knowledge of the land, Mr. Martinez has
the resources on-site to operate and service the farm, such as machinery and tools. He
is a suitable candidate as a contractor for this specialized trade.
To ensure the passive recreation and interpretive component is included, as required by
the POU, Staff has approached the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District
(PVPUSD) to seek their participation. Such participation can be in the form of potentially
hosting field trips and/or ongoing programming for elementary and intermediate students
to learn about the history of Japanese farming on the Peninsula and partake in farming.
Staff will continue to explore such possibilities with the PVPUSD and will continue to
update the City Council.
Native Plant Seed Farm
The PVPLC continues to have an interest in using the site for growing native plants and
seeds to be used in its habitat restoration projects throughout the Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve. If the City Council elects to pursue this option, the PVPLC could possibly
onboard Mr. Martinez as a contractor or employee (depending on Mr. Martinez’s
preference) to oversee the operation of a native seed farm due to his expertise with
cultivating the property. Furthermore, if a native plant seed farm is of interest to the City
Council, the operation could comprise of all of the approximately 5 acre site at UPV or a
portion of the site in order to allow the cacti garden to occur.
Staff seeks direction from the City Council on whether to proceed with one or both options.
Based on Council’s direction, staff will return before the expiration of the August 16 lease
agreement with the appropriate action for Council consideration. In addition, staff will
ensure these options meet the requirements of the Program of Utilization (POU), which
is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and the General Services
Administration (GSA), and the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve’s Public Use Master Plan
(PUMP) requirements.
It should be noted that Mr. Martinez was made aware in early March that the City Council
would consider an update on the status of the farm operation and potential options at
tonight’s meeting. Staff informed Mr. Martinez that it would need to return to the City
Council with a final determination on how to proceed with him continu ing to assist with
the maintenance and preservation of the farm after August 16, 2022, and while the Hatano
Farm is being considered for historic designation. Mr. Martinez is interested in assisting
in a capacity that would allow him to continue working th e farm and honoring the Hatano
family. It was re-iterated to him that the federal restrictions over the land prohibit him from
continuing to operate a commercial farm on the site.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Proposed National Historic Landmark Designation for Wayfarers Chapel
Most recently, Staff was informed that Wayfarers Chapel is to be considered as a National
Historic Landmark (elevated from its current designation status as a historic place) at an
upcoming meeting in May. At this meeting, the National Historic Landmarks Committee
(Landmarks Committee) of the National Park Advisory Board will consider nominations
for properties for designation as National Historic Landmarks. Mayor Bradley along with
Staff will attend virtually in support of Wayfarers Chapel and to learn more about the
process.
It should be noted that Wayfarers Chapel is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places along with Point Vicente Lighthouse and Villa Francesca.
Public Correspondence
Public correspondence received after the February 15, 2022 City Council meeting is
included as Attachment B.
CONCLUSION:
As Staff now has a better sense of potential options for both potentially onboarding Mr.
Martinez and seeking historical designation for the Hatano Farm, Staff recommends the
City Council direct staff to pursue the National Register of Historic Places; California
Register of Historical Resources; and California Point of Historical Interest programs, and
direct staff on which potential option the City should pursue to allow Mr. Martinez to
continue farming as a non-commercial operation beyond the August 16, 2022 lease
termination date
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendations, the following alternative action s are available
for the City Council's consideration:
1. Take no action at this time and direct Staff to return with further analysis.
2. Identify other options for the City Council to consider.
3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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Karina Banales
From:Ara Mihranian
Sent:Monday, April 11, 2022 1:23 PM
To:Karina Banales
Subject:FW: Hatano Farms
Ara Michael Mihranian
City Manager
___________________________________
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-544-5202 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
aram@rpvca.gov
www.rpvca.gov
Do you really need to print this e-mail?
This e-mail message contains information belonging to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, which may be privileged, confidential and/or protected from
disclosure. The information is intended only for use of the individual or entity named. Unauthorized dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If
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From: Ara Mihranian
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2022 1:22 PM
To: Dianne Lee <diannelee4747@gmail.com>
Cc: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: RE: Hatano Farms
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Ms. Lee,
Add to the remarks made by the Mayor, I want to reiterate none of the trails are proposed to be
closed.
And to clarify, the property is part of the City-owned Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and the Palos
Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy is the City’s habitat managers for the Preserve.
Please let us know if you have any further questions or comments.
Ara
Ara Michael Mihranian
City Manager
___________________________________
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-544-5202 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
aram@rpvca.gov
www.rpvca.gov
Do you really need to print this e-mail?
This e-mail message contains information belonging to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, which may be privileged, confidential and/or protected from
disclosure. The information is intended only for use of the individual or entity named. Unauthorized dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If
you received this email in error, or are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.
From: David Bradley <david.bradley@rpvca.gov>
Sent: Saturday, April 9, 2022 8:52 AM
To: Dianne Lee <diannelee4747@gmail.com>
Cc: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>; Barbara Ferraro <barbara.ferraro@rpvca.gov>
Subject: RE: Hatano Farms
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Ms. Lee,
We did not vote to shut down the farm, but rather to restructure the lease arrangement with the current lease holder
(Mr. Martinez). This action in no way effects access to the trail or public enjoyment of said trail. The action that the City
Council took only pertained to the commercial farming operations being performed on city land. The current
commercial farm lease (held by Mr. Martinez) was in violation of the land covenants that were placed upon the land
when it was transferred to the city. If the city didn’t take action, the city could face the real possibility of the Federal
Government either taking back the property, or fining the city, or both, and this could have had dire consequences for
the trail and trail access. The city is in the process of working out a new structure where by Mr. Martinez could continue
to work the land, the city would meet the land covenants and we could also incorporate a educational as well as a
historic aspect into the operations.
During City Council deliberations, there was significant discussion and a strong sentiment to preserve the Japanese‐
American Farm legacy on the peninsula and we are working to highlight and honor this foundational legacy.
Regards
Dave
David Bradley
Mayor and Councilmember ‐ Rancho Palos Verdes
david.bradley@rpvca.gov
(310) 487‐2418 Cell Phone
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
From: Dianne Lee <diannelee4747@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, April 9, 2022 8:28 AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Hatano Farms
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Dear City Council,
I just read about the decision made regarding the historical
site of Hatano Farms. I am shocked this was voted to be shut
down.
It is clearly one of the most beautiful public trails on the hill as
well as a clear remembrance of the rebound of the Japanese
American Injustice in America.
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Clearly the city council is not diversified and this vote does not
reflect the wishes of our community. Although the current
city council does not associate with the inequalities done to the
Japanese American community and has not experienced racial
disparity, it is institutional racism that you are closing your
eyes to.
Land conservancy is another reason most people move and live in
Palos Verdes. This is one of the most beautiful trails the public
has access to. Closing this beautiful area would also make this a
loss for those economically challenged not accessible to public
areas such as this
I hope you will reconsider a re-vote again, as this is clearly a
mistake. This has become part of a national social media
forum.
We will look forward to any reconsideration of the City
Council.
This is another clear example of why we need diversity on our
City Council.
B-4
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Karina Banales
From:Eric Hilton <lunadabayhilton@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, February 16, 2022 8:11 AM
To:CC
Subject:Hatano farm
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Dear Council members,
As a child I grew up with the Hatano family and attended St. Peters by the Sea Church. You will never find a nicer family
and the area is already over developed. The money isn't worth the loss of open space or the legacy of the Japanese
farming. The Hataos are without question qualified to steward the land.
I urge you to think in the much longer term and forego the notion of repurposing this remains land. Terminating this
important living part of history would be wrong. At 59 years old l have spent a vast proposition living and working in P.V.
I know the land. Myself and citizens would agree the best for the entire area is to lei it be.
Sincerely,
Eric Hilton
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Karina Banales
From:Megan Barnes
Sent:Wednesday, February 23, 2022 9:26 AM
To:karl bingemann; CC; mhixon@scng.com; dhatano@venocoinc.com
Subject:RE: Hatano Farm
Good Morning Mr. Bingemann,
I am responding on behalf of Deputy City Manager Karina Bañales, who is out of the office. As you know,
because the City Council did not rescind its notice terminating Mr. Martinez’s lease, he may continue
operating the commercial farm through August 16, 2022. We are sensitive to Mr. Martinez’s situation and
mindful that there are many steps involved in historic designation, and the timeline for the process is
unknown. The City Council requested additional information from staff about the City’s options for historic
designation, but did not select a specific historic designation program at this time. Seeking historic designation
for the farm (whether local, state, or federal) and potentially onboarding Mr. Martinez as a City employee or
contractor do not necessarily have to be tied to the same process and timetable, and that is what City staff is
currently looking into. We will have more information in the weeks ahead, but please be assured that City staff
is working expeditiously to gain a better sense of a timeline and what arrangement is possible to achieve the
City Council’s directives under the circumstances. We anticipate returning to the City Council in the coming
weeks.
Thank you,
Megan Barnes
Senior Administrative
Analyst
mbarnes@rpvca.gov
Phone ‐ (310) 544‐5226
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website: www.rpvca.gov
This e-mail message contains information belonging to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, which may be privileged, confidential and/or protected from
disclosure. The information is intended only for use of the individual or entity named. Unauthorized dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If
you received this email in error, or are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.
Due to the current surge of the COVID-19 Omicron Variant, Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall will be closed to
walk-in visitors through February 28, 2022, unless further notification is provided. Several members of the City’s
workforce are being asked to work remotely during this time. Inquiries will continue to be reviewed on a daily
basis. Please be patient with us as there may be delays or minor inconveniences in responding to your inquiry.
From: karl bingemann <krbingemann@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2022 6:03 PM
B-6
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To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>; mhixon@scng.com; dhatano@venocoinc.com
Subject: Hatano Farm
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Dear City Council and Michael Hixon,
I appreciate the thought and effort of weighing all the options discussed during the recent city council meeting
for the future of the Hatano Farm. I also appreciated the opportunity to speak, via Zoom, and all the others who
spoke. Doug Hatano and his wife were at my house during the meeting and it was quite emotional for them. I
understand that having the farm under the authority of the National Parks System and their guidelines of how the
property needs to be used has you somewhat between a rock and a hard place and thus your decision to continue with
the termination of the lease.
My question to you is, will Martin Martinez be allowed to continue farming the land and selling the flowers and
cactus until a plan is approved and started for the property? To me, it makes sense. Otherwise Mr. Martinez will be
jobless, without income and the farm will be unattended falling to potential vandalism, disarray and excessive weed
growth. The decision to proceed with making the site a National Historical Monument will take an indefinite length of
time and may not ever be approved. If it is approved, it will take years to be approved and even longer to
implement. What is Martin Martinez supposed to do from August until this unspecified time?
Regardless of the future land usage, historical monument, native seed production or otherwise, it seems prudent
to let Mr. Martinez remain doing what he does best… farming and maintaining the land and ensuring that he can
continue to support his family without interruption.
Sincerely, Karl R. Bingemann
Sent from Mail for Windows
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