September 23, 2019
FROM: DANIEL ZACK, AICP
Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: LAURA GROVES van ONNA
Historic Preservation Specialist
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS ON APPLICATION P19-02591 FOR REHABILITATION OF THE SUN STEREO WAREHOUSE (HP #242) LOCATED AT 736 FULTON STREET PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1617.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission approve Application P19-02591 for rehabilitation of the Sun Stereo Warehouse (HP #242) located at 736 Fulton Street pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1617 with the following conditions:
1) Objects placed or installed on the sidewalk to mitigate encroachment on the public right-of-way by storefront entry doors shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation Specialist for review;
2) Staff will be allowed to photograph before, during and upon completion of the project; and
3) Any changes to the approved project will be submitted to the Historic Preservation Specialist prior to the commencement of any related work.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The owner of the Sun Stereo Warehouse has requested that Application P19-02591 for rehabilitation be considered for Historic Review. Because this project proposal is a substantial alteration, it requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission. The applicant submitted a Pre-Application, consisting of conceptual rehabilitation plans, in May 2019. The Commission provided review and comment on these conceptual plans at their regularly scheduled meeting on May 20, 2019. Primary concern for Staff is the façade of this commercial building, as it consists of the character-defining features of this historic resource that are readily visible from the public right-of-way. Pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1618(h)(1), Staff requests that the Commission consider and make findings on Application P19-02591.
BACKGROUND
The owner of the Sun Stereo Warehouse has requested that Application P19-02591 for rehabilitation be considered for Historic Review. This request entails exterior alterations visible from the public right-of-way which could affect the significance of a historic resource. Because this project proposal is a substantial alteration, it requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission. The applicant submitted a Pre-Application, consisting of conceptual rehabilitation plans, in May 2019. The Commission provided review and comment on these conceptual plans at their regularly scheduled meeting on May 20, 2019.
The rehabilitation plans entail a program for the building that includes ground floor restaurant/microbreweries and upper story office spaces within the Brewery District in Downtown Fresno. These plans essentially consist of tenant improvements on the façade of the building that include the existing brickwork, terra cotta inlays, and intricate cornices to remain or be restored as needed; replacement of infill within the existing storefronts along the first story with bulkheads, fixed hollow metal glazing, entry doors, awnings, and clerestory windows; and replacement of the existing aluminum windows along the second story with true double-hung windows with energy efficient glazing that returns this portion of the façade closer to how it was originally designed. The central storefront would be recessed behind a centered open-grid-patterned fencing that meets the overall setback of the building, framed by a partially-recessed metal gated entry on each side.
Upon initial review of Application P19-02591 for the Sun Stereo Warehouse, Staff finds that the façade of this commercial building is the primary concern as it consists of the character-defining features of this historic resource that are readily visible from the public right-of-way. The rehabilitation as proposed appears to comply with the Purpose and Façade Design Development Standards as put forth in the Development Code under Chapter 15, Article 15 for Downtown Districts and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standard’s for Rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation plans as currently proposed appear to be consistent with, and enhanced from, the conceptual plans submitted and commented upon by the Commission in May 2019. Therefore, Staff recommends approval with conditions.
The Sun Stereo Warehouse (1920) located at 736 Fulton Street consists of a two-story commercial building, constructed of brick masonry, that exhibits elements of the Italian Renaissance Revival architectural style in Downtown Fresno. The period of significance identified for this property is 1920, the year of its construction.
The Resolution designating the Sun Stereo Warehouse to the Local Register of Historic Resources was adopted by Fresno City Council on June 17, 1980. The property is greater than 50 years of age and possesses integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association (FMC 12-1607). Additionally, it is significant under Local Register Criterion i because it is associated with early 20th century commercial development in Fresno and Criterion iii because it is an excellent example of an early 20th century Commercial property type in Fresno.
Duties and Powers of the Commission:
The City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance is located at Chapter 12, Article 16 of the Fresno Municipal Code.
Section 1606 outlines the duties and powers of the Commission. Section 1606(a)(2) specifically refers to the duties entailing review of alterations to historic resources:
(a)(2) The regulation of exterior alterations visible from a public right-of-way including demolition, relocation and new construction, and interior alterations which would affect the significance of Historic Resources or Historic Districts.
Section 1617 outlines the Historic Resource Permit Review Process.
Historic Review Application Submittal Check List
The Submittal Check List for the Historic Review Application includes the following:
¨ Current photographs
o At least one overall view of the property
o A detailed view of each historic feature that involves the proposed work
¨ Construction Documents
o An existing site plan (and a proposed site plan if different from existing), drawn to scale, which clearly indicates all structures located on the parcel; and, the parcel’s North, South, East, and West property lines
o Detailed drawings, visuals, and descriptions for the proposed work
Attachments
Exhibit A: State of California Survey Forms for the Sun Stereo Warehouse 736 Fulton Street Prepared August 1978 by William E. Patnaude for the City of Fresno.
Exhibit B: State of California Survey Forms for the Sun Stereo Warehouse 736 Fulton Street Prepared October 8, 2007 by Caitlin Harvey, Page & Turnbull, Inc. for the South Stadium Project Area Historic Properties Survey Report.
Exhibit C: Historic Review Application Submittal from the owner representative of the Sun Stereo Warehouse (HP #160) located at 736 Fulton Street, August 2019.