REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 24, 2022
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING TO CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS on application B22-04282 for construction of new accessible ramps at east entries at the old US Post Office (HP#50) located at 2309 Tulare (APN 46612208T).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) take the following actions:
1. ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15331/Class 31 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines
2. APPROVE: Application B22-04282 for the construction of new accessible ramps at east entries at the old US Post Office (HP#50).
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On behalf of the owner, Andrew Corral of Darden Architects filed application B22-04282 on March 31, 2022. Project contemplates construction of new accessible ramps at east entries at the old US Post Office (HP#50) located at 2309 Tulare (APN 46612208T).
Staff recommends approval.
BACKGROUND
H.P. #50
US Post Office (1939)
2309 Tulare St
Lewis A. Simon & William Dewey Foster, Architects
Monumental Modern
This was Fresno's main post office until the mid-1970s and housed Federal courtrooms and offices. The building features numerous examples of artwork funded by the Works Projects Administration. It now houses administrative offices for the Fresno Unified School District.
Project Proposal
On behalf of the owner, Andrew Corral of Darden Architects filed application B22-04282 on March 31, 2022. Project contemplates construction of new accessible ramps at east entries at the old US Post Office (HP#50).
Project Analysis
HP#50 US Post Office located at 2309 Tulare St. is an individually listed historic resource on the Local Register of Historic Resources therefore any proposed project with a scope of work which proposes alterations to the resource is subject to review by the Commission pursuant to FMC Section 12-1617.
The project was originally reviewed by Alicia Gonzales, Historic Preservation Specialist; prior to her departure from the City, she provided a list of concerns and comments to the applicant. The applicant responded to the concerns; the responses can be found in the attachments. Additionally, the Architectural Subcommittee met with the project applicant in September to review the proposed scope of work.
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings (2017) identifies best practices for accessibility features on historic resources. While additional ramps are not required for access to this resource, the public nature of the Fresno Unified School District necessitates compliant building access. The M Street ramps do not meet the current accessibility standards. The District is requesting that new ramps be constructed along the Tulare St façade to accommodate code compliant access. Per the best practices below, the proposed ramps are designed to minimize impact to the historic features of the building.
The scope of the project included previously approved interior renovations. These were approved by Alicia Gonzales, Historic Preservation Specialist, on June 10, 2022 and include:
• 1st Floor: Remodel of Existing lobby and Mail area into a new department office and reception area. As well as the creation of a new lobby area for two other departments. Including the remodel of the elevator Cab at the main entry lobby.
• 2nd Floor: Remodel of Existing Board Room, Board Room Lobby and Adjacent hallway. Including the replacement of Floor Finishes, Ceilings, and replacement of the board room dais and platform installation of new Audio-Visual system.
Notice of Historic Preservation Commission Hearing
In accordance with Section 12-1617 of the FMC, the Planning and Development Department mailed
Notices of this Commission hearing to surrounding property owners within 2,000 feet.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The project is consistent with a Class 31 finding of exemption. 15331 Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation can be applied to this project as it is consistent with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings (2017), Grimmer.
FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS
The Commission must make one of the following findings. Based upon analysis of the application, the required findings by the Historic Preservation Commission to approve application permit B22-10883 FMC Section 12-1617 (h) are as follows:
FINDING 1 can be made because the proposed work is found to be consistent with the purposes of this article and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, not detrimental to the special historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the Historic Resource.
Standards 9 and 10 can be made since the exterior alterations will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. Additionally, the new work is differentiated from the old but is of compatible massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. The new additions will be undertaken in a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the resource will be unimpaired.
FINDING 2 can be made as the action proposed is a correction of an unsafe or dangerous condition on the property.
FINDING 3 cannot be made because there is no evidence that the denial of the application will not result in unreasonable economic hardship to the owner.
FINDING 4 can be made because the site is a public use which will directly benefit the public health, safety, and welfare.
FINDING 5 is not applicable because this is not an application for relocation of an Historic Resource.
Staff Recommendation:
Based upon analysis of the application, staff recommends approval of application B22-04282 for construction of new accessible ramps at east entries at the old US Post Office (HP#50) located at 2309 Tulare (APN 46612208T).
CONCLUSION
The appropriateness of the proposed project has been examined with respect to its consistency to the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Section 12-1617, The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and The Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The proposed project has been described and analyzed above and by the accompanying environmental assessment. Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approve application B22-04282 for construction of new accessible ramps at east entries at the old US Post Office (HP#50) located at 2309 Tulare (APN 46612208T).
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Original Site Plans and Drawings [03/31/2022]
Exhibit B - Revised Elevations [8/31/22]
Exhibit C -- Response to Concerns [06.20.2022]
Exhibit D -- Application
Exhibit E -- FMC Findings
Exhibit F - Secretary of Interior’s Standards
Exhibit G -- DPR Form