REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 1, 2016
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, AICP, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
THROUGH: DANIEL ZACK, AICP, Assistant Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: KARANA HATTERSLEY-DRAYTON, M.A., Historic Preservation Project Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Downtown Fresno (Fulton Corridor) Historic Resources Survey
1. RESOLUTION- Adopt the Downtown Fresno (Fulton Corridor) Historic Resource Survey
2. Authorize the Director of Development and Resource Management Department to forward the survey to the California Office of Historic Preservation pursuant to FMC 12-1606(b)(7) and the terms of the approved Certified Local Government agreement
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The Development and Resource Management Department (DARM) recommends that the Council adopt the completed Downtown Fresno (Fulton Corridor) Historic Resources Survey and direct department staff to forward it to the State Office of Historic Preservation.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2009 the City embarked on a visionary goal to create several new plans and codes: a General Plan, a Fulton Corridor Specific Plan, a Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan as well as a Citywide Development Code and the Downtown Development Code. Several special reports were also generated from this work including the attached Downtown Fresno (Fulton Corridor) Historic Resources Survey.
This historic survey was completed by consultants Historic Resources Group in December 2011 and revised in April 2014 and included a historic context as well as 303 survey forms prepared on State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Department templates for properties within the Fulton Corridor Specific Plan area. The purpose of the survey was to inform the City, other municipal agencies, community groups, property owners and developers about properties that are considered architecturally or historically significant. The survey data was subsequently entered into the City’s Historic Preservation Database. Pursuant to FMC 12-1606(b)(7) and the City’s Certified Local Government agreement, the survey must be presented to the City Council and if adopted, a copy forwarded to the California State Office of Historic Preservation.
BACKGROUND
Fresno’s Historic Preservation Ordinance calls for the preparation of historic surveys to State of California standards. Historic surveys are intended to create a baseline for land use planning and an inventory of potential historic resources in a particular project area. Surveys do not constitute a final determination as to the actual historic or cultural value of the properties. Nevertheless, all property owners in the Fulton Corridor project area were sent the survey forms for their parcel with a letter and invitation to attend a public meeting of the City’s Historic Preservation Commission. Several property owners attended the meeting held at City Hall on June 23, 2014.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Historic surveys are not a “project” for the purposes of CEQA Guideline section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this did not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Downtown Fresno (Fulton Corridor) Historic Resources Survey was funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Attachments:
1. Resolution Adopting the Downtown Fresno (Fulton Corridor) Historic Resources Survey.
2. Downtown Fresno (Fulton Corridor) Historic Resources Survey December 2011 (Revised April 2014).
3. Compiled DPR surveys