REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 30, 2019
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, AICP, Director
Planning and Development Department
THROUGH: DANIEL ZACK, AICP, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: LAURA GROVES van ONNA Historic Preservation Specialist
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING to consider adoption of resolution related to the designation of a property to the Local Register of Historic Resources
1. *** RESOLUTION - Designating the Ridge Electric Motor Company Building located at 1235 G Street, Fresno, California to the Local Register of Historic Resources (Council District 3) (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The Historic Preservation Commission recommends the City Council approve a Resolution designating the Ridge Electric Motor Company Building located at 1235 G Street to the Local Register of Historic Resources pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code 12-1607 and 12-1609.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The owner of the Ridge Electric Motor Company Building has requested that the property located at 1235 G Street be considered for listing in Fresno’s Local Register of Historic Resources. The property was evaluated with respect to the historic resource criteria of the City of Fresno’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, Article 16 of Chapter 12 of the Fresno Municipal Code, and was publicly noticed in The Fresno Bee as required by the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Historic Preservation Commission held a noticed public hearing on December 16, 2019 and voted to recommend Council approval of the proposal of designation because the property is eligible for listing in the Local Register of Historic Resources. The Commission hereby forwards the nomination to the City Council for consideration.
BACKGROUND
The Ridge Electric Motor Company Building (1968) consists of a one-story commercial building, constructed in the Free-form/Mid-Century Modern architectural style in Downtown Fresno. It was constructed of concrete masonry units clad in smooth stucco ornamented by an eclectic array of sculptural shapes consisting of brilliant blue tiles. The period of significance identified for this property is 1968, the original construction date for the property.
The subject property located at 1235 G Street was previously evaluated in 2011 through the Downtown Fresno (Fulton Corridor) Survey Report prepared by Historic Resources Group for the City of Fresno. In 2011, the property appeared to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation.
Further research supports that the Ridge Electric Motor Company Building is eligible for listing in the City of Fresno’s Local Register of Historic Resources. 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 iii because it represents the work of two masters, architect Robin Gay McCline and ceramics sculptor Stan Bitters.
Local Register Criteria and Protocols:
The City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance is located at Chapter 12, Article 16. Section 1607 outlines the criteria for designation of a resource to the Local Register of Historic Resources. A “historic resource” is “any building, structure, object or site” which is generally more than fifty years of age and “possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, and:
(i) Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
(ii) Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
(iii) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values; or
(iv) Has yielded or may be likely to yield, information in prehistory or history.”
The City’s criteria for assessing significance are patterned after the National Register of Historic Places (1966 as amended) criteria for significance. Fresno’s Local Register is also similar, although not equivalent, to the criteria requirements for the California Register of Historical Resources. The National Register definition of “integrity” is instructive, and defines the term as “the ability of a property to convey its significance.” “To retain integrity a property will always possess several and usually most, of the aspects.” (How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation,” 1988: 44).
The process for designating a historic resource is outlined in FMC 12-1609. In brief, a request to designate a resource to the Local Register may be made by the Council, the Commission, the Secretary to the Commission, the property owner, or an authorized representative of the owner [12-1609(a)]. Here, a request has been made by the property owner. Applications for listing use the state protocol for survey forms with both a DPR 523A (Primary) as well as a DPR 523B (Building, Structure, Object Form) [12-1609(a)(1-9)]. Notice to be published in a local newspaper at least 10 days prior to the hearing and sent to the property owner as well. Commissioners must also physically visit the property prior to the Commission hearing in order to vote on a designation. [12-1609(c)(1)].
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The designation of historic properties is not a “project” for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it will not result in a direct or indirect change in the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this agenda item does not include a bid or award of a construction services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional impact beyond the expenditure of staff time, which is currently budgeted in the FY20 Adopted Budget.
Attachments:
Exhibit A: Designation Criteria for the Local Register of Historic Resources and Local Historic Districts (FMC 12-1607).
Exhibit B: State of California Primary and BSO Forms for the Ridge Electric Motor Company Building located at 1235 G Street, Fresno.
Exhibit C: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fresno, California Designating the Ridge Electric Motor Company Building located at 1235 G Street to the Local Register of Historic Resources.