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 P19-03329 FOR REHABILITATION AND ADAPTIVE USE OF THE ELIA HOME (HP #311) LOCATED AT 634-640 VAN NESS AVENUE PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1617.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission approve Application P19-03329 for rehabilitation and adaptive use of the Elia Home (HP #311) located at 634-640 Van Ness Avenue pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1617 with the following conditions:
1) The landing depicted on top of the ancillary restroom structure shall be omitted from the proposed plans per the request of the property owner;
2) Final materials and finishes shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation Specialist for review;
3) Staff will be allowed to photograph before, during and upon completion of the project; and
4) 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 Elia Home has requested that Application P19-03329 for rehabilitation and adaptive use 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 adaptive reuse plans, in August 2018. The Commission provided review and comment on these conceptual plans at their regularly scheduled meeting on August 27, 2018. Primary concerns for Staff are the façade of the residential building and its setback, as they are character-defining features of the 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 P19-03329.
BACKGROUND
The owner of the Elia Home has requested that Application P19-03329 for rehabilitation and adaptive use 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 adaptive reuse plans, in August 2018. The Commission provided review and comment on these conceptual plans at their regularly scheduled meeting on August 27, 2018.
The rehabilitation and adaptive use plans entail maintenance measures for the existing residential building and commercial building on the property as well as a conversion of the property to a bar and speakeasy. These plans essentially consist of in kind exterior paint and a re-roof for the existing buildings; an extension of the front porch to the west property line with ramp access from the side (south) elevation; alterations to the rear portion of the property including construction of a deck and installation of one-story ancillary structures for restrooms and an outdoor bar; and interior rearrangements to accommodate the new proposed use.
Regarding the additional porches on the front and rear elevations of the property, they will be raised on a board-formed concrete platform to align with the level of the existing first-story porch; flooring would likely be painted redwood or a Trex/Trex-like material; railings would be painted or stained. The ancillary structures will likely exhibit painted plywood or painted cement siding in order to be distinguished from the historic fabric of the property.
Upon initial review of Application P19-03329 for the Elia Home, Staff finds that the façade of the residential building and its setback are the primary concerns as they are character-defining features of the historic resource that are readily visible from the public right-of-way. Therefore, the proposed alteration entailing the extension of the front porch would be the most prominent alteration.
The extension of the front porch as currently proposed appears to be an improvement upon the conceptual plans submitted and commented upon by the Commission in August 2018. For example, the originally-proposed front entry steps have been removed from the front porch extension, while retaining only the side entry ramp for access, in order to simplify and thereby call less attention to the façade alteration. The proposed design and materials for the front porch extension would distinguish it from the historic fabric of the property, and they would be understated in order to not detract from the historic character of the property. The project as proposed would be in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Therefore, Staff recommends approval with conditions.
The Elia Home (1915, 1935) located at 634-640 Van Ness Avenue consists of a two-story duplex, or multiple-family residence, that exhibits elements of the Fold Victorian and Colonial Revival architectural styles with the addition of a one-story storefront commercial building that exhibits elements of the Art Deco architectural style in the Armenian Town neighborhood in Downtown Fresno. The period of significance identified for this property is 1915-2001. The Elia family occupied the property from the time of its construction up until the death of Anna Elia in 2001.
The Resolution designating the Elia Home to the Local Register of Historic Resources was adopted by Fresno City Council on May 24, 2018. 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 the early development of the Armenian Town neighborhood and Criterion iii because it has distinction as a Live/Work property type.
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 Elia Home 634-640 Van Ness Avenue Prepared April 9, 2018 by Laura Groves van Onna for the City of Fresno.
Exhibit B: Historic Review Application Submittal from the owner of the Elia Home (HP #311) located at 634-640 Van Ness Avenue, August 2019.