[MindHub] COM: City of Fresno Historic Preservation Commission meeting, Monday, August 25, 2008, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, City Hall, 2600 Fresno St, City Council Chambers on 2nd floor

[Randy Nelson]

City of Fresno Historic Preservation Commission meeting, Monday, August 25,
2008, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, City Hall, 2600 Fresno St, City Council Chambers on
2nd floor

Notes (not minutes). Attendance:  50+

Commission Members:
Don Simmons, PhD, Chair*
Molly LM Smith, Vice Chair*
Kevin Enns-Rempel, MA*
Cam Maloy*
Michele Randall, AIA, CSI*
Vacancy
Vacancy

Jack Van Patten, Recording Secretary*
Nick Yovino, Director, Dept of Planning & Development
Darrell Unruh, Secretary*
Karana Hattersley-Drayton, MA Historic Preservation Project Manager*

*Present

I. Update on the nomination of the Fulton Mall to the National Register of
Historic Places   
 A. Fact Sheet: 
National Register Nomination for the Fulton Mall
Prepared by Karana Hattersley-Drayton, Historic Preservation Project Manager

Fresno's Fulton Mall, a 6-block publicly owned urban park, has been
nominated by the Downtown Fresno Coalition to the National Register of
Historic Places.  The following attempts to answer many of the questions
posed by property owners and public, regarding the benefits and constraints
of listing.  

What is the National Register of Historic Places?
.	The National Register of Historic Places was established by the
United States Congress in 1966.  It is considered an "authoritative guide"
for the identification of the Nation's cultural resources.  There are 28
buildings in Fresno on the National Register
(see attached list).

What is the History of the Fulton Mall? 
.	The Fulton Mall is a pedestrian Mall and urban park in downtown
Fresno and was developed in 1964.  It is six blocks in length (with three
partial cross streets) and was designed by Garrett Eckbo for Victor Gruen
and Associates, as the intended centerpiece for a transformation of Fresno's
downtown area.

Why Was It Nominated for Historic Status?  What were the Criteria for the
Nomination?
.	The Fresno Fulton Mall was nominated by the applicant under
Criterion C of the National Register as 1) the finest example of pedestrian
mall design from the 1960s; 
     2) as a major achievement of Garrett Eckbo, one of the leading
landscape architects of
     the 20th century; and 3) as an excellent example of Modernist
(post-World War II) 
     design.

.	Because the Mall is less than 50 years of age it must also meet the
threshold under Criterion G, as a property of "exceptional importance."  To
prove this, the applicant must provide comparative analysis with other
pedestrian malls and landscape designs.

Who Prepared the National Register Nomination?
.	The nomination of the Fulton Mall was prepared by the Downtown
Fresno Coalition, a private consortium.  Although a property may not be
placed on the National Register over the objections of a private property
owner, properties owned by the public may be listed over the owner's
objections.

Why Should Folks Care About This Nomination?
.	The Fulton Mall is a publicly-owned space, held in trust by the City
for the approximately 480,000 citizens of Fresno.  In addition, there are
numerous property owners along the Mall who have questions about the impact
which the National Register listing may have on their ability to develop
their property. 

What are the Benefits of Being Listed on the National Register?
.	Historic designation allows use of the California Historical
Building Code, which provides greater flexibility in meeting health and
safety requirements.
.	Property values may increase for historic properties.
.	Historic sites are important in heritage and cultural tourism.
.	National Register properties are eligible for special grants and
funds.
.	A designated historic property is protected under local and state
law.

What are the Constraints of Listing?
.	As a historical resource under CEQA (the California Environmental
Quality Act),
it would be more difficult to make significant changes or improvements to 
           the Mall.  
.	All projects on or adjacent to the Mall would have to consider the
potential for impact to the historical resource.  Although heightened review
would be required under CEQA, an EIR (Environmental Impact Report) would not
necessarily be required.

What Changes Would Be Allowed if the Mall Was Designated?
.	Generally, historic properties must use the Secretary of Interior's
Standards. Normally one repairs or replaces in kind, but changes are also
possible, as with the new "backpack" addition to the National Register
Fresno Bee (Met) building. 

How Would NR Designation for the Mall Affect the Buildings Along the Mall?
.	Designation of the Mall would NOT extend to the buildings that line
the Mall, only the urban park, its landscape features and infrastructure.
.	It is unclear whether a designation that would encourage keeping the
pedestrian mall intact would negatively impact buildings on the mall by
contributing to higher vacancy rates and discouraging rehabilitation and
reuse. 

What are the Economic Impacts to Downtown Development?
.	The question of economic impacts is complex and multifaceted: How
have pedestrian malls fared throughout the United States?  Why is the Fulton
Mall not economically successful now and how do we define "success." 
.	Are there compromise solutions that could allow listing and economic
viability?  

What Happens Next?
.	The City of Fresno and the Downtown Association are conducting
numerous public workshops over the next several months.  The Historic
Preservation Commission will be asked to make a recommendation on the
nomination at their October 27th meeting.
.	The nomination of the Fulton Mall to the National Register will then
be reviewed at the November meeting of the State Historical Resources
Commission.

For more information:  Karana.hattersley-drayton at fresno.gov (621-8520) or
Kelly Riddle 
(621-8814); Downtown Fresno Coalition (Linda Zachritz, 266-1443)

 Fresno Properties on the National Register

Fresno Brewing Company   (100 M Street; 1907; Eugene Mathewson)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church (2226 Ventura; 1914;  Lawrence K.
Cone)
The Warehouse Row Buildings (725-764 P Street; 1903, 1909, 1910)
The Fresno Republican Printery (2130 Kern Street; 1919; Edward Glass and
Charles Butner)
The Bank of Italy Building (1001 Fulton Mall; 1917; R.F. Felchlin Co.
Charles Franklin, architect)
Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (1713 Tulare Street; 1889)
Maubridge Apartment Building (2344 Tulare; 1911; Benjamin G. McDougall)
Santa Fe Railroad Depot (2650 Tulare Street; 1899; W.B. Story, Builder)
The Santa Fe Hotel
The Thomas R. Meux Home (1007 R Street; 1889)
The Rehorn Home (1050 S Street; 1906; Alexander C. Swartz)
The H.H. Brix Mansion (2844 Fresno Street; 1911; Edward T. Foulkes)
The Physician's Building (2607 Fresno Street; 1926; Charles E. Butner)
Twining Laboratories (2527 Fresno Street; 1930; Charles E. Butner)
Old Fresno Water Tower (2444 Fresno Street; 1894; George Washington Maher)
Fresno Memorial Auditorium (2425 Fresno Street; 1936; Allied Architects of
Fresno)
The Fresno Bee Building (1545 Van Ness Avenue; 1922; Leonard F. Starks)
The Pantages (Warnor's) Theatre (1400 Fulton Street; 1929; B. Marcus
Priteca)
The Einstein Home (1600 M Street; 1912; Edward T. Foulkes)
Y.W. C.A. Residence Hall (1660 M Street; 1922; Julia Morgan)
The Romain Home (2055 San Joaquin Street; 1905; Eugene Mathewson)
The Tower Theatre (1201 N. Wishon; 1939; S. Charles Lee)
Kindler Home (1520 E. Olive Avenue; R.F. Felchlin)
The Fresno City College Old Administration Building (1101 E. University
Avenue; 1916; 
     George McDougall)
Forestiere Underground Gardens (5021 W. Shaw Avenue; 1906)
The Hotel Californian (851 Van Ness Avenue; 1923; R.F. Felchlin Co., Raymond
Shaw, architect)
San Joaquin Light and Power Company Building/PGE Building (1401 Fulton
Street; 1923;  
     R.F. Felchlin Co.)
Kearney Mansion (in County)
 B. Informational workshop for property & business owners on Fulton Mall
  1. Staff info:
    a. Facades of historic buildings must be maintained along Fulton Mall
    b. Historic buildings are to be in use
    c. Mayor & commission have equal vote to the State Historic Commission.
    d. State Historic Commission makes final decision
 C. Kelly Riddle, City Manager's Office:
   1. Tax credits do not qualify for publically owned property
   2. Any major change on the Fulton Mall goes through the CEQA/EIR process
  D. Public questions & comments:
   1. Who or what determines what qualifies as a 'major change'? Public
     a. On Sept 22 meeting, question will be addressed. Staff
   2. Why is the Fulton Mall defined architecturally as 'modernism'? In
actuality, the architect just returned from Indonesia & said he was inspired
by the rice paddies there. Rice paddies are thousands of years old & hardly
an example of 'modernism'. Public 
   3. It was my understanding that private ownership of this mall underlies
the public ownership. Public
   4. What grants are available? Public
     a. US & state grants are almost non-existent at the present. They have
been available in the past. Staff
II. Report on the demolition of a potion of 702 P Street (National Register
& Local Register property) pursuant to section 12-1617 of the Fresno
Municipal Code. Based on an interior inspection (Aug 18) & in light of
reports & letters from various building & engineering experts, The Director
is authorizing the demolition of a section of the building located at 702 P
St pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 12-1617 in order "to protect
public health, safety or general welfare."
 A. Staff & Owner comments:
  1. Ice Company building is already demolished. That is the first time in
six years that has happened. Staff
  2. 3 attached expansions to the main cold storage building were
substandard brick with no reinforcement & caused immediate demolition to
this section prior to notification to Historic Preservation. Owner
  3. Roof had collapsed & was not structurally integrated. Owner
  4. Walls were leaning out. Owner
  5. National Register does not preclude demolition. Staff
  6. As it was on city streets as opposed to the country, options were
limited. Staff
 III. Review & make findings on renovation plans & CEQA analysis for
Warehouse Row Project, located at 702-764 P St (National Register of
Historic Places & Local Register HP # 03)
 A. Owner comments:
   1. Significant structural issues
   2. Last 10 months precluded restoration
   3. Plans submitted for restoring remaining buildings of Ice House
    a. Restaurant, offices, large green park, new building between existing
two buildings, new elevator
    b. Add window to cold story building for offices & natural light
    c. Remove 37' narrow add on (1947) building between two existing
building
    d. 1947 building floor elevation is not consistent with adjoining
buildings
 C. Commissioners' comments & questions:
   1. Will the lay person walking by on the street know it's an historic
building? Kevin
  D. Approved with structural analysis part of the report
IV. Review & make recommendations on the Draft Mitigated Negative
Declaration for the Fresno Merger No. 1 Redevelopment Plan Amendments
 A. Staff comments:
  1. This is an extension of time on 1998 properties
  2. 1 billion dollar tour showcases the success of downtown Fresno &
highlights the success of 10 years or Redevelopment Agency progress
  3. There will be no use of eminent domain on occupied house
  4. Buildings 50+ years old that are scheduled for demolition might come
back to this commission for approval
 B. Approved
V. Unscheduled items
 A. Historic plaques for buildings are rather expensive & generic plaques
are half as expensive. Right now, the city has no money. The historic
building owner might contribute half to the plaques as they add considerable
prestige to the property. Staff
 B. Next meeting: Sept 8 at 5:30 pm. South Stadium Project is on agenda
 C. On the Fulton Mall Fact Sheet, "What are the economic impacts to
downtown development", does this commission have any printed report on this
issue? Cam
  1. As there is a draft report that has been prepared on this issue, we
were debating whether to present it to City Council, tomorrow. Staff