April 22, 2019
FROM: DANIEL ZACK, AICP
Assistant Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: LAURA GROVES van ONNA
Historic Preservation Specialist
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS ON THE APPLICATION BY THE CUSTODIAN FOR RELOCATION OF THE CALIFORNIA MERCI TRAIN BOXCAR (HR #025) LOCATED AT 3509 N FIRST STREET PURSUANT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF FRESNO AND THE GRAND DU CALIFORNIA OF LA SOCIETE DES 40 HOMMES ET 8 CHEVAUX (SEPTEMBER 21, 2004) AND FMC 12-1619.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Commission deny the Application by the custodian for relocation of the California Merci Train Boxcar (HR #025) located at 3509 N First Street pursuant to the Agreement between City of Fresno and the Grand du California of La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux (September 21, 2004) and FMC 12-1619 with the following recommendation:
1) The custodian shall not relocate the Boxcar to the Palm Springs Air Museum and shall continue to work with the City of Fresno in pursuit of a more appropriate location for it within the Fresno area.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The custodian of the California Merci Train Boxcar has requested that their Application for relocation to the Palm Springs Air Museum be considered for Historic Review. Because this project proposal is a substantial alteration to a Heritage Property, it requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission. Primary concerns for Staff include the removal of a historic resource from Fresno city limits, Fresno County, and the Central Valley. Furthermore, according to the Agreement between City of Fresno and the Grand du California of La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux (September 21, 2004), the City of Fresno has the right to require that the Boxcar remain on public display in Fresno, or the City may exercise a reversionary right to retake custody of the Boxcar. Pursuant to the 2004 Agreement and FMC 12-1619, Staff requests that the...
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