REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 26, 2026
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, AICP, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: ASHLEY ATKINSON, AICP, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Hearing to Consider and make findings for the window replacement at the:
George and Adelphia Rowell Home (HP #268) located at 153 North Effie Street (APN 459-332-06T)
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The George and Adelphia Rowell Home located at 153 North Effie Street is Historic Property #268. Thomas and Kendall Adlard, as property owners, request authorization for the replacement of windows at the home. This project represents a substantial alteration to the resource and is subject to review by the Commission pursuant to FMC Section 12-1617.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) take one of the following actions:
ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15331/Class 31 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines
And
APPROVE: the request of the homeowners and authorize the replacement of the residential windows at the George and Adelphia Rowell Home (HP #268) located at 153 North Effie Street (APN 459-332-06T).
Or:
DENY: the request to authorize the replacement of the residential windows at the George and Adelphia Rowell Home (HP #268) located at 153 North Effie Street (APN 459-332-06T).
BACKGROUND
The property located at 153 North Effie Street in Fresno, known historically as the George and Adelphia Rowell Home, is a distinguished two-story American Foursquare residence constructed in 1903 within the Villa Addition subdivision. Designed by prominent Fresno architect Alexander Culbertson Swartz, the home blends Colonial Revival and Queen Anne influenced features, reflecting an early phase of Swartz’s architectural career. The property is closely associated with the Rowell family, George B. Rowell, a prominent early Fresno sheep rancher...
Click here for full text