REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
December 27, 2021
FROM: MIKE SANCHEZ, Assistant Director Planning & Development Department
BY: ALICIA GONZALES, Historic Preservation Specialist, Planning & Development
Department
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING TO CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS ON DEVELOPMENT PERMIT P21-04497 for the exterior fa?ade improvements and rehabilitation to the Liberty Theatre (HP #171) located at 944 Van Ness Avenue, pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Section 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1617.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission takes the following actions:
1. APPROVE Application P21-104497 for the rehabilitation of the Liberty Theater's primary fa?ade which faces West toward Van Ness Avenue located at 944 Van Ness Avenue, pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Sections 12-1617, with the following conditions applied:
a. Staff will be allowed to photograph before, during, and upon completion of the project and
b. Any changes to the approved project will be submitted to the Historic Preservation Specialist prior to the commencement of any related work.
2. ADOPT Environmental Assessment, a Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15331/Class 31(Historical Resources Restoration/Rehabilitation) .
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Liberty Theater consists of 19,856 square-feet with a building fa?ade of primarily brick and terracotta cover over concrete. The project proposes rehabilitation of the Liberty Theater's primary fa?ade which faces West toward Van Ness Avenue. This primary fa?ade is an example of an adaptive reuse which embodies both periods of significance; The Liberty Theater and the Hardy's Theater, will be considered integral to the preservation of this Historic building. The proposed scope of work includes alteration, minimal demolition, removal, and rehabilitation of features on all stories of this building. The Western fa?ade on Van Ness Street is highly decorated with composite order pilasters, the fir...
Click here for full text