DEPARTMENT: Office of Historic Preservation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Shanon Shea Miller
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 1
SUBJECT:
Resolution to initiate landmark designation for 1206 W Agarita
SUMMARY:
This resolution requests direction from City Council to move forward with historic landmark designation for the property at 1206 W Agarita. On November 4, 2020, the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) agreed with the finding of historic significance and supported the designation of the property as a local landmark.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On August 31, 2020, a demolition application was submitted to the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) by Juan Pina on behalf of the property owner of the structure at 1206 W Agarita, located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood conservation district (NCD-5) of District 1. On September 29, 2020, the Beacon Hill Area Neighborhood Association, represented by President Cynthia Spielman, submitted a Request for Review of Historic Significance. The property owner withdrew the demolition application on October 8, 2020. The Demolition & Designation Committee (DDC) held a virtual site visit on October 27, 2020. The request for a finding of historic significance was heard by the HDRC on November 4, 2020.
1206 W Agarita is a single-story, front-gabled Craftsman residence built in 1921 for the Tassos Family. Sale Smart Homes Inc currently owns the property. The structure meets criteria 3, 5, and 13, meeting the eligibility requirements for local landmark designation outlined in the UDC.
On November 4, 2020, the HDRC agreed with the finding of historic significance, recommended approval, and requested a resolution from the City Council to initiate the designation process. The property owner does not support designation.
ISSUE:
1206 W Agarita meets the criteria and is eligible for landmark designation. If Council approves a resolution to proceed with landmark designation, OHP would apply for a change in zoning to include a historic landmark overlay for the properties. The change in zoning requires approval from the Historic and Design Review Commission, Zoning Commission, and City Council. If approved by Council, the property would become a local historic landmark. Rehabilitation work would qualify for local tax incentives, and all future proposals for the property would require HDRC review.
ALTERNATIVES:
Landmark designation would help protect and preserve this structure. If Council does not approve a resolution to proceed with landmark designation, the designation process would come to an end and the HDRC’s recommendation would not be required for any demolition requests. New construction on the property would not require review by the HDRC.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Historic Preservation requests a waiver of the required zoning fees in an amount of $842.70 that would otherwise be paid to the City’s Development Services Fund. Should Council not approve the resolution, this amount would be paid to the Development Services Fund by the Office of Historic Preservation General Fund FY 2021 Adopted Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
The property is eligible for historic designation. The HDRC recommends that City Council initiate the historic designation process.