REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: ASHLEY ATKINSON, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING to consider adoption of a Resolution rescinding the Heritage Property Designation of the Haruji Ego Family Building (HR #008) Located at 956 China Alley Due to Loss of Applicability.
1. RESOLUTION - Rescinding the Heritage Property Designation of the Haruji Ego Family Building (HR #008) Located at 956 China Alley Due to Loss of Applicability (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution rescinding the Heritage Property Designation of the Haruji Ego Family Building located at 956 China Alley due to Loss of Applicability.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The property located at 956 China Alley, known as the Haruji Ego Family Building (Ego Building), was placed on the City’s Heritage Property List by the Historic Preservation Commission on February 26, 2007, based on the criteria and process in effect at that time. Following a fire that destroyed the adjacent building, the Ego Building was considered an imminent danger to public safety and was demolished. The demolition resulted in a complete loss of the building and all architectural merit; as such, the property is recommended for removal from the Heritage Property List.
BACKGROUND
Fresno Municipal Code Section 12-1612 provides for designation of Heritage Properties, defined as resources worthy of preservation but which are not proposed and not designated as Historic Resources. Any building, structure, object or site may be designated as a Heritage Property if it is found by the Historic Preservation Commission to be worthy of preservation because of its historical, architectural or aesthetic merit.
The Ego Building was determined to be worthy of preservation because of its embodiment of the distinctive characteristics of a type; in this case, the very narrow, long buildings typically built in the core of Chinatown in the late nineteenth century. The Historic Preservation Commission placed the Ego Building on the City’s Heritage Property List on February 26, 2007.
On December 7, 2025, the Ego Building was affected by a devastating fire in an adjacent building, which shared an adjoining wall. On December 8, 2025, the City’s Chief Building Official inspected the Ego Building and found severe structural fatigue, compromised foundation, and compromised structural components throughout, leading to a high risk of collapse. It was determined the conditions posed an imminent danger to the public and recommended that an immediate emergency demolition be carried out. The demolition resulted in a complete loss of the building and all architectural or aesthetic merit.
Fresno Municipal Code Section 12-1612(f) provides that a Heritage Property designation may be rescinded if City Council finds that the resource does not satisfy the requirements or that circumstances exist to make the Heritage Property designation no longer applicable. Due to its demolition, the Ego Building has lost integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, and can longer convey significance as exemplifying the architectural typology of Chinatown.
FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS
Based on the criteria for Heritage Designation, as set forth in the Fresno Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Article 1612(a)(4), staff recommends City Council make the following finding:
That the Haruji Ego Family Building has been demolished and the property located 956 China Alley is no longer is eligible for designation as a City of Fresno Heritage Property as set forth in the Fresno Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Article 1612 (a)(4).
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This action is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as it will not result in a direct or indirect change in the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution rescinding the designation of the Haruji Ego Family Building located at 956 China Alley as a Heritage Property pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 12-1612.
Attachment:
Resolution rescinding the Heritage Property Designation of the Haruji Ego Family Building