REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 24, 2022
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING TO CONSIDER Development Permit P22-01922 for the adaptive reuse and interior renovations of the Helm Building (HP#168) located at 1097-1123 Fulton Street (APN 46621204).
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 P22-01922 for the conversion of uses at HP#168 Helm Building located at 1101 Fulton St. (APN 46621204).
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On behalf of the owner, Vincent Palacios filed application P22-01922 on May 16, 2022. The applicant proposes to convert the Helm Building to a mixed-use building with retail spaces on the ground level and convert floors 2 through 10 into 99 studio apartment units at the Helm Building (HP#168) located at 1101 Fulton St. (APN 46621204).
Staff recommends approval.
BACKGROUND
H.P. #168
Helm Building (1914)
1101 Fulton St
George Kelham, Architect
Renaissance Revival
This building was originally known as the Griffith-McKenzie Building, named for its original owners. It was renamed when Frank M. Helm purchased it. The broad, ornate cornice is one of the building's most remarkable features.
Project Proposal
On behalf of the owner, Vincent Palacios filed application P22-01922 on May 16, 2022. The applicant proposes to convert the Helm Building to a mixed-use building with retail spaces on the ground level and convert floors 2 through 10 into 99 studio apartment units at the Helm Building (HP#168) located at 1101 Fulton St. (APN 46621204).
Project Analysis
HP#168 Helm Building located at 1101 Fulton 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 applicant proposes to bring new life to this historic resource by activating all levels of the building. The first floor will remain active spaces with storefronts onto Fulton St while the upper levels will be reimagined as not just offices but live/workspaces. These spaces were designed to fit within the existing interior hallway partition walls to minimize interior demolition. Each unit was designed to maximize tenant use of the ample windows.
This project has been heard by the Commission on prior occasions both for consultation and for the façade restoration. The action requested is the interior conversion of office spaces to living units from floors 2 through 10. The approval of this application is consistent with prior findings of the Commission related to the use and restoration of the building.
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 (1995), Weeks and 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 1, 2, and 5 of the SOIS can be applied in this application as the project acknowledges the need to alter the interior of this historic property to meet changing uses while retaining the property’s historic character. The primary defining characteristics including the columns and brickwork, which have been restored to their period of significance and removed evidence of other periods, and retention of the primary feature, the broad ornate cornice along with the original pattern of fenestration. Its new use minimizes the changes to defining characteristics by maintaining the column and window pattern while restoring life and energy to the building.
FINDING 2 is not applicable as the action proposed is not 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 is not applicable because the site is not required for a public use which will directly benefit the public health, safety and welfare and will be of more benefit that the Historic Resource.
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 P22-01922 for the conversion of uses at HP#168 Helm Building located at 1101 Fulton St. (APN 46621204).
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 P22-01922 for the conversion of uses at HP#168 Helm Building located at 1101 Fulton St. (APN 46621204).
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Operational Statement
Exhibit B - Site Plan
Exhibit C - Elevations
Exhibit D - Floor Plans
Exhibit E - DPR Form
Exhibit F - Fresno Municipal Code Findings
Exhibit G - Secretary of Interior’s Standards