HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/03/09 - Agenda PacketWEDNESDAY
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
AGENDA
MARCH 9, 1994
7:00 P.M.
P~NCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER
COUNCIL CHAMBER
10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA
III·
IV.
VI.
VII ·
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Chairman Barker
Vice Chairman McNiel
Commissioner Lumpp
Commissioner Melcher
Commissioner Tolstoy
Announcements
Approval of Minutes
February 9, 1994
V. Public Hearings
The following items are public hearings in which
concerned individuals may voice their opinion of
the related project. Please wait to be recognized
by the Chairman and address the Commission by
stating your name and address. All such opinions
shall be limited to 5 minutes per individual for
each project. Please sign in after speaking.
ae
LANDMARK DESIGNATION 94-01 - ST. CLAIRE OF
ASSISI - A proposal to designate the Ernst
Mueller Family Home, a Potential Local Landmark
located at 6563 East Avenue, as a local
Landmark - APN: 227-071-17.
Public Comments
This is the time and place for the general public
to address the Commission. Items to be discussed
here are those which do not already appear on this
agenda.
Co~mission Business
STATUS OF HISTORIC/CULTURAL RESOURCE MITIGATION
PROGRAM
VIII. Adjournment
VICINITY MAP
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Fr~y
CITY HALL
CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
BY:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation Comission
Brad Buller, City Planner
Anthea M. Hartig, Associate Planner
LANDMARK DESIGNATION 94-01 - ST. CLAIRE OF ASSISI - A proposal
to designate the Ernst Mueller Family Home, a Potential Local
Landmark, located at 6563 East Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, as a
local Landmark - APN: 227-071-17.
The Los Angeles diocese of the Episcopal Church purchased the southeast corner
of East and Highland Avenues in order to establish St. Claire of Assisi Church
under the vicarship of Rev. Elizabeth Habecker. On this site stands the
Mueller family home which is still surrounded by an orange grove and
demarcated by a ninety year old row of magnolia trees along East Avenue.
Because the site lies adjacent to the planned freeway right-of-way for the
Route 30 extension, architectural historians from CalTrans reviewed the
property and determined that the house and site were eligible for listing on
the National Register of Historic Places, (see Exhibit HPC-1, the State
Historic Resource Survey Form for the results of the State's survey). St.
Claire's has submitted an application for a Conditional Use Permit required to
establish a church on this site, as well as this landmark application. If
designated, the church would be required to process a Landmark Alteration
Permit along with the Conditional Use Permit.
SI~'E l~TIO~ AIqD DF~ION
ao
Location and Description: The square, relatively flat, 5-acre parcel is
located at the southeast corner of East and Highland Avenues in the
historic community of Etiwanda. Most of the 5 acres continues to be
devoted to citrus cultivation.
Site Land Use, Zoning, Specific Plan Designations: Per the Etiwanda
Specific Plan the underlying land use of the site is Low Residential (2-4
dwelling units per acre).
Ce
Surrounding Land Use, Zoning, General Plan/Specific Plan Designations:
Directly to the north of the Mueller house site lies the Route 30
corridor and land to the north of the freeway right-of-way has a land use
categorization of Very Low Residential. To the east, south, and
southwest of the subject parcel is land denoted by Low Residential land
use, while land directly west of the site is planned for Very Low
Residential use.
HPC ITEM A
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 94-01 - MUELLER HOME
March 9, 1994
Page 2
Physical Description of Resource: The large, wood-framed, two-story
house faces East Avenue and sits back from that thoroughfare almost
80 feet. A fine example of the Craftsman architectural style, the house
exhibits many of the characteristics of Craftsman styling including a
multi-gabled roof line, overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails and
projecting purlins with horizontal color ties across the gable ends, and
decorative eaves bracketing. Basically syn~netrical in fenestration
patterning and bay width, the house's west-facing (front) elevation is
enlivened by a centered shed-roofed dormer that brings light into the
attic. The house rests upon a stone foundation and other decorative and
structural uses of stone include the front porch railing, living room
fireplace chimney on the south elevation that rises through the porch
roof and southern gable overhang, as well as the high stone rail of a
recessed porch at the northeast corner of the rear wing. Three lap drop
siding sheaths the house, while double hung wood windows with simple
surrounds, over clustered in pairs, characterize the fenestration
detailing. Heavy landscaping and a citrus grove surround the house; the
most notable elements of the landscaping are the row of magnolia trees
that were purportedly planted by Ernst Mueller in 1902, the existing
eucalyptus windrows, and the pair of mature palms marking the front of
the property. Until destroyed by fire in the early 1980s a large barn
and series of chicken houses, all original to the property, remained
standing.
ANALYSIS
A. Historical Background: Ernst Mueller and Katherine Stegmeier were
married in 1894 and by 1904 were living in the young Etiwanda con~nunity
when they purchased the northeast corner of East and Highland Avenues
from the Chaffey Brothers. Ernst Mueller was born in Germany in 1868.
In 1884, during his seventeenth year, he sailed to America where he
worked as a farm laborer in Wisconsin and Minnesota. At the age of 24 he
arrived in Etiwanda and in 1892 purchased his first share of Etiwanda
Mutual Water Company stock. Katherine Stegmeier was the second child and
first girl born to Michael and Katherine Stegmeier in their homeland,
Germany. The Stegmeiers sailed to America in 1880 and after living in
Los Angeles for a short while also moved to the Chaffey's colony in
Etiwanda. The eldest of the Stegmeier children, Jacob, remained in the
area and built a home at what is now 7050 Etiwanda Avenue which is also a
designated local landmark.
Ernst and Katherine Mueller continued to amass and farm citrus acreage,
owning at one time over 70 acres in Etiwanda. Their first, modest home
was built in 1904 on the northeast corner of Highland and East Avenues.
Ten years later, the family including three sons, moved into the newly
constructed large Craftsman home across Highland on East Avenue. In
1913, Mr. Mueller had picked his large crop of lemons earlier than most
other growers and missed the devastating freeze that ruined most southern
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 94-01 - MUELLER HOME
March 9, 1994
Page 3
Be
California crops, and thus made a handsome profit that year. It was with
some of the proceeds of the 1913 crop that Mr. Mueller purportedly funded
the construction of a new home for his family. Another contributing
factor in the family's decision to expand their holdings and build a
larger, more permanent home was the completion of the Pacific Electric
Railway through Etiwanda which meant that local growers no longer had to
haul their citrus fruit by wagon to packing houses located along the
southerly Santa Fe tracks.
The family raised citrus as well as grapes, kept milking cows, and
maintained a flock of several thousand laying hens. Very involved in the
Etiwanda community, the family's participation was spearheaded by Ernst
Mueller's involvement as first a Director and then President of the
Etiwanda Citrus Fruit Association and Katherine Mueller's tenure as
President of the Ladies Aid of the Etiwanda Congregational Church from
1933-1957. Two years after celebrating his fiftieth wedding anniversary,
Ernst Mueller died in 1946; his wife continued to live in the family home
until her death at 97 years of age in 1970.
Significance: Historical and Cultural - The Mueller family members were
important early settlers to the Etiwanda area and their history reflects
both the more micro-patterns of community and agricultural and
development in turn-of-the-century southern California as well as the
macro-, national level of international in~igration and settlement trends
that were occurring simultaneously. One of the few, if not the only,
grove house still surrounded by a citrus grove and related windrows in
the Etiwanda townsite, the Mueller house is a very significant
contributor to our understanding of the area's rich agricultural past.
The row of magnolia trees were said to be a favorite of Hollywood Stars,
in particular Mary Pickford, who used branches and perhaps even an entire
tree as decorations for her garden parties.
Architectural - The Mueller family home stands as one of the finest
remaining examples of local expressions of Craftsman styling from the
early decades of this century.
Environmental Assessment: Landmark designations are except under CEQA
per Article 19, Section 15308.
I~C"~ I~OR FINDINGS
Per Section 2.24.090 of the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance, the
following findings are made in support of the designation of the Ernst Mueller
Family Home:
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 94-01 - MUELLER HOME
March 9, 1994
Page 4
A0
Historic and Cultural Significance.
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark is particularly representative of an
historical period, type, style, region, or way of life.
Fact: The Ernst Mueller family homesite reflects superbly the early
citricultural development of the Eti~anda area.
Finding: 2. The proposed landmark was connected with someone renowned
or important or a local personality.
Fact: The Mueller and Stegmeier families played key roles in the history
of Etiwanda from the 1880s to the 1970s.
Finding: 3. The proposed landmark is connected with a business or use
which was once common but is now rare.
Fact: The citrus industry's presence in this region, complete with
related grove houses and landscaping such as the Mueller Home, was once
very prominent and commonplace but has declined severely over the past
thirty years.
Historic Architectural and Engineering Significance.
Finding: 1. The overall effect of the design of the proposed landmark
is beautiful or its details and materials are beautiful or unusual.
Fact: All the major characteristics' of the Craftsman style of
architectural expression are present in the Mueller home and in the level
of detail of the building's design and construction.
Neighborhood and Geographic Setting:
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark materially benefits the historic
character of the neighborhood.
Fact: The architectural styling, the grove, and the magnolia trees lend
a distinctive beauty to the area and the region.
Finding: 2. The proposed landmark in its location represents an
established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community,
or City.
Fact: For ninety years, the Mueller home and groves and related magnolia
trees along East Avenue have been an integral part of the Etiwanda
community.
HPC STAFF REPORT
LD 94-01 - MUELLER HOME
March 9, 1994
Page 5
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission forward its approval to the City
Council to designate the Ernst Mueller Family Home as an Historic Landmark.
BB:AH:mlg
Attachments:
Exhibit "HPC-I" - State Historic Resources Survey Form
Exhibit "HPC-2" - Site Map
Resolution of Approval
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY/EVALUATION FORM
County - Route - Postmile: SBd 30 0.0/22.8
IDENTIFICATION
1.Common Name: Pettilt House
2.Historic Name: Ernst Mueller House
3.Street or rural address: 6563 East Avenue
City: Rancho Cucamonga (Eftwanda)
4.Parcel Number: 227-071-17
Address: 6563 East Avenue
5.Ownership Is: ( ) Public ( x )
6.Present Use: Residential
MAP REFERENCE NO. 42
( ) LISTED ( ) DETERMINED ELIGIBLE
(x) APPEARS ELIGIBLE ( ) APPEARS INELIGIBLE
Zip Coda: 91739 County: San Bernardino
Present Owner: Albert and Nell Pettilt
City: Rancho Cucamonga Zip Code:
Private
Original Use: Residential, citrus ranch
91739
DESCRIPTION
7a.Archltactural Style: Craftsman
7b. Brlefly describe the present PHYSICAL CONDITION of the site or structure and describe any major
alterations from Its original condition:
This large, two-story, wood-frame residence is one of the finest examples of Craftsman architecture in the Eftwanda
area. It was built in 1914 for a prominent local citrus grower, Ernst Mueller, and his family. It rests upon a stone o~
stone- faced foundation; the plan is roughly square, with a side-gabled front section and a cross-ga~:ed extension at
the rear. The dining room and an upstairs bedroom are housed in a small wing which projects from the east half of
the south elevation and is capped by a medium gable with detailing which repeats that of the main gable. The
medium-gabled roof has wide, overhanging saves with exposed rafter ends on the sides and projecting purlins with
open braces and collar ties in the gable ends. The house is sheathed in a three-lap drop siding. The facade, which
faces west, is symmetrical in composition, with the symmetry broken only by a porch which wraps around the
southwest corner; the porch has a stone railing with concrete cap. The porch roof is a combination shed and gable,
and is supported by piers on the south side. Centered over the entrance is a front-gabled porch with expressed
structure and supports rising from stone piers; four concrete steps access the front porch from the walkway which
leads from the street in front. The main entrance is flanked by tri-partite, double-hung windows with simple
surrounds. The second story windows are paired, and flank a small, centrally placed window over the entrance.
The attic is lighted by a shed- roofed dormer in the canter of the west-facing roof slope. Other stonework includes
the living room fireplace chimney on the south which rises through the porch roof and southern gable overhang, and
the high stone rail of a recessed porch at the northeast corner in the rear wing. The interior of the house is virtually
unaltered, featuring a stone firepiaca in the living room and original woodwork throughout; only the kitchen has been
remodeled. (CONTINUED)
8. Construction date
Estimated: ( ) Factual: (1914)
9. Architect: Unknown
10. Builder: Unknown
11. Approx. property size (In feet)
Frontage: 530' Depth: 660'
12. Date(a) of enclosed photographt
Januar/27, 1989
13.Condition: Excellent (x) Good ( ) Fair( ) Deteriorated( )
14.Alterations: Loss of early barn and chicken houses, remodeling of kitchen, recent subdivision of property
15.Surroundings: (Check more then one if necessary) Open land ( ) Scattered buildings ( x ) Densely built-up (
Residential ( x ) Industrial ( ) Commercial ( ) Other: Citrus grove
16.Thrsststo site: None known ( ) Private Development ( ) Zoning ( ) Vandalism ( ) Public Works Project ( x )
Other:
17.1s the structure: On its original site? ( x ) Moved? ( ) Unknown? ( )
18.Related features: citrus grove, row of magnolia trees, several later outbuildings
SIGNIFICANCE
19.Briefly etste historical and/or architectural Importance (Include dates, events, and persons associated with
the site):
This large Craftsman house was built by a prominent local citrus grower in 1914. Ernst Mueller, born in Germany in
1864, immigrated to the United States in 1884. He lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota before arriving in Etiwanda
about 1892. He met Katherine Stegmeier, also born in Germany, whose family arrived in the United States in 1880;
the Stegmeiers had settled in Los Angeles prior to their relocation to Eftwanda. They were married in 1894. The
Muellers had three sons and a daughter who died as a child. (CONTINUED)
20.Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one
is checked, number in order of importance.)
Architecture ( x ) Arts & Leisure ( )
Economic/Inclustrial ( ) Exploration/Settlement
Government ( ) Military ( ) Religion ( )
Social/Education ( )
( )
21.Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal
interviews and their dates.)
Ftiwanda. The First 100 Years. Etiwanda Historical Society, 1982; A
History of FtiwRnda. by Robert L. Hickcox, 1981, pp. 94-95, 237 (MS
copy in City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Department historical
survey files).
"Designated and Potential Historical Site List', City of Rancho
Cucamonga, March 1988; City historical survey property file for 6563
East Avenue, Planning Department, City of Rancho Cucamonga;
Fairchild Aerial Photo Collection, Whittier College (Photos C-4061-15,
1936; C-5042-19, 3/13/1938); interview, Albert and Nell Pettitt, owners,
January 27, 1989.
22.Date form prepared: February 1, 1989
By: Aaron A. Gallup
Organization: Caltrans
Address: 1120 N Street
City: Sacramento Zip Code: 95814
Phone: (916) 920-7672
Location sketch map (draw & label
site and sun'ounding streets, roads,
and prominent landmarks): See Map 3
CONTINUATION SHEET MAP REFERENCE NO. 42
7b. Brlefly describe the present PHYSICAL CONDITION of the elta or etructure and describe any major
alterations from Its original condition:
The house is set back from the street, surrounded by heaving landscaping and a citrus grove. Other property
features a row of old magnolia trees along East Avenue north of the house, and several small outbuildings. Chicken
houses and a large bern also occupied the property, but were destroyed by fire early in the 1980s. Several sheds,
which appear to be relatively recant in construction, are located just north and east of the house.
19.Briefly state historicel and/or architactural Importance (Include dates, events, and persons associated with
the site):
County Assessor's Lot Books show Mueller purchased the subject property in 1902; he bought the property at the
northeast comer of East and Highland Avenues in 1904, where he built the family's first house. He is also said to
have planted the row of magnolia trees on East Avenue that same year. The family moved into their new house in
1914; although a severe freeze in 1913 devastated the citrus industry in southern California, Mueller is said to
picked his lemon crop prior to the disaster, and built his house from the proceeds of that year's crop. He was an
active promoter of the local citrus industry, having served for a number of years on the board of directors of the
Eftwanda Citrus Fruit Association, and was its president at the time this house was built. Other members of the
family were also quite active in local church and community affairs. Ernst Mueller died in 1946, and his wife
continued to live in the house until her death in 1970. The current owners purchased the property from the Mueller
family in 1975.
The Mueller house is an excellent local example of early 20th century Craftsman styling. It is one of the finest
examples of its type and period in the local community and has retained an unusually high level of integrity.
Although a portion of the surrounding citrus acreage has been subdivided for residential development, the house
and its remaining citrus acreage still retain the feel of an early citrus ranch, a type of property now virtually extinct in
the rapidly-developing City of Rancho Cucamonga, of which Etiwanda is now a part. In addition, it is directly
associated with a prominent local citrus grower, whose personal contributions, as well as those of his family, were
important to the history of the local community. The property appears to meet National Register criteria B and C at
the local level of significance.
Map Reference No. 42
Ernst Mueller House, 6563 East Avenue
Front elevation
Side and rear elevation, looking southwest
Map Reference No. 42
Ernst Mueller House, 6563 East Avenue
South elevation
%
EXHIBIT: ~ SCALE:
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING
APPROVAL OF HISTORIC LANDMARK 94-01 TO DESIGNATE THE
ERNST MUELLER FAMILY HOME, CITRUS GROVE, WINDROWS, AND
MAGNOLIA TREES, LOCATED AT 6563 EAST AVENUE, RANCHO
CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, AS A LANDMARK - APN: 227-071-17.
A. Recitals.
1. St. claire of Assisi Episcopal Church has filed an application for a
Landmark as described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this
Resolution, the subject Landmark is referred to as "the application."
2. On March 9, 1994, the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of
Rancho Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the application.
3. All legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have
occurred.
B. Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the
Historic Preservation of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows:
1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set
forth in the Recitals, Part "A," of this Resolution are true and correct.
2. The application applies to approximately 5 acres of land, basically a
square configuration, located at the southeast corner of Highland and East
Avenues.
3. Based upon substantial evidence presented to this Commission during
the above-referenced public hearing on March 9, 1994, including written and
oral staff reports, together with public testimony, and pursuant to
Section 2.24.090 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, this Commission
hereby makes the following findings and facts:
A. Historical and Cultural Significance:
Finding: 1. The proposed Landmark is particularly
representative of an historic period, type, style, region, or way
of life.
Fact: The Ernst Mueller family homesite reflects superbly the
early citricultural development of the Etiwanda area.
Finding: 2. The proposed landmark was connected with someone
renowned or important or a local personality.
Fact: The Mueller and Stegmeier families played key roles in the
history of Etiwanda from the 1880s to the 1970s.
HPC RESOLUTION NO.
LD 94-01 - MUELLER HOME
March 9, 1994
Page 2
Finding= 3. The proposed landmark is connected with a business
or use which was once common but is now rare.
Fact: The citrus industry's presence in this region, complete
with related grove houses and landscaping such as the Mueller
Home, was once very prominent and commonplace but has declined
severely over the past thirty years.
B. Historic Architectural and Engineering Significance.
Finding: 1. The overall effect of the design of the proposed
landmark is beautiful, or its details and materials are beautiful
or unusual.
Fact: All the major characteristics of the Craftsman style of
architectural expression are present in the Mueller home and in
the level of detail of the building's design and construction.
C. Neighborhood and Geographic Setting:
Finding: 1. The proposed landmark materially benefits the
historic character of the neighborhood.
Fact: The architectural styling, the grove, and the magnolia
trees lend a distinctive beauty to the area and the region.
Finding: 2. The proposed landmark in its location represents an
established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood,
community, or City.
Fact: For ninety years, the Mueller home and groves and related
magnolia trees along East Avenue have been an integral part of
the Etiwanda community.
4. This Commission hereby finds that the project has been reviewed and
considered for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act of
1970 and determines it to be exempt per Article 19, Section 15308.
5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in paragraphs 1, 2,
3, and 4 above, this Commission hereby resolves that pursuant to Chapter 2.24
of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, that the Historic Preservation
Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga hereby recommends approval on the
9th day of March 1994, of Landmark Application.
6. The Chairman of this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this
Resolution.
HPC RESOLUTION NO.
LD 94-01 - MUELLER HOME
March 9, 1994
Page 3
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 9TH DAY OF MARCH 1994.
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
BY:
E. David Barker, Chairman
ATTEST:
Brad Bullet, Secretary
I, Brad Bullet, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho
Cucamonga, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and
regularly introduced, passed, and adopted by the Planning Commiseion of the
City of Rancho Cucamonga, at a regular meeting of the Planning Commieeion held
on the 9th day of March 1994, by the following vote-to-wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
BY:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
STAFF REPORT
February 28, 1994
Chairman and Members of the Historic Preservation Con~n~ssion
Brad Buller, City Planner
Anthea Hartig, Associate Planner
STATUS OF HISTORIC/CULTURAL RESOURCE MITIGATION PROGRAM
Per the Co~nission's request at the February 9, 1994, meeting, this memo
will serve to give the Commissioners a brief history of the former
Historic Preservation Con~nission Sub-committee and its actions.
At the October 2, 1991, City Council meeting, then Councilmember Pain
Wright suggested that the Council and the HPC work together to formulate
a standard procedure for the mitigation of adverse impacts to identified
cultural or historic resources (see attached minutes from that meeting
Exhibit "A"). Councilmember Wright agreed to be the Council's
representative for this task. At their November 7, 1991 meeting, the
HPC chose Marsha Banks and Steve Preston to serve on this sub-committee.
By February of 1992, staff had written an issues paper on the mitigation
process and the sub-con~nittee had met once (see Exhibit "B").
Councilmember Wright's availability was curtailed significantly as the
ensuing months passed due to health reasons, but the HPC Sub-comittee
continued to meet and respond to the draft policy Resolution staff had
by that time developed (see Exhibit "C"). Unfortunately, Chairman
Preston announced his resignation from the Commission which was
effective in June 1992 and Councilmember Wright was not re-elected in
November. These events combined with staff lay-offs and the
reapportioning of HPC staff planner's time, meant the mitigation program
was put on hold.
The sub-committee had performed a significant amount of work before
efforts were halted to define goals, parameters, and implementation
strategy for a cultural resource mitigation program that encouraged,
above all else, retention of these resources. The sub-co~ittee and
staff drafted a procedure to determine the feasibility of retention of
endangered resources, a hierarchy of possible alternatives, and a range
of possible mitigations.
With the benefit of almost two years' having passed since this work
began, staff now sees the policy that was drafted as more of a
supplement to the Historic Preservation Ordinance than a separate
mitigation policy. As part of this year's work program, staff is
currently completing Ordinance revisions that set forth a review process
HPC ITEM B
HPC STAFF REPORT
STATUS OF MITIGATION PROGRAM
February 28, 1994
Page 2
for historic or potentially historic structures that have been
determined unsafe by the Building Official and plans on completing
further updating the City's fifteen year-old Ordinance as part of the
Fiscal Year (FY 94-95) 1994-95 work program. The procedures that were
drafted as part of the Mitigation sub-committee's work could be folded
in readily to these overall Ordinance updates. This possibility is,
however, dependent on the Commission's overall prioritization of the
preservation work program.
Staff recommends that work on developing a Mitigation Policy become a
part of the overall Ordinance revisions for the FY 94-95 work program.
If the Commission concurs, staff requests that the Commission form an
Ordinance Update Committee to work with staff on this important task.
BB: AH: mlg
At tachme nt:
Exhibit "A" - City Council Minutes dated October 2, 1991
Exhibit "B" - Issues Paper
Exhibit "C" - Draft Policy Resolution
City Council Minutes
October 2, 1991
Page
Release: Faithful Performance Bond
$326,000.00
Accept= Faithful Performance Bond
$112,000.00
Michelle DeHart, representing First Family Homes,
Council that the last two sentences of the staff re'
developer is requesting the bond amount be
recommends that the amount be no less than $112
out to the
"While the
$67,000.00, staff
due to the fact
that the street paving does not meet City ' She stated since
this staff report was written, they have the Itcset paving accepted
by the City and presented a letter received stating so. She
stated they would like the street pay eliminated from the bond amount
also.
Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, stated thi was new information to him and was not
aware of the change in request.
Mayor Stout asked Ms. DeHart to the letter from the City to Mr. O'Neil.
Jack Lam, City Manager, psi! out that the Council could approve this subject
to the City Engineer veri: this information on Thursday, October 3rd.
Mayor Stout stated would not approve this request anyway, until the
improvements are eted at the corner of Beryl and Hillside.
Ms. this tract was not related to Nordic, and that the City
staff verify they have not had any problems with this tract.
MOTION:
by Stout, seconded by Wright to deny the request. Motion carried
4-0-1 (Buquet absent).
Couz Alexander stated he would like to get some kind of Resolution as
t ~he statements made.
I1. REPORT ON THE CHAFFEY-GARCIA HOUSE Staff report presented by Larry
Henderson, Principal Planner. (1402-06 HISTORY)
Councilmember Alexander asked when some of the additions to the project are
built, are the contributors given any credit by means of a plaque or something
along that line.
Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, stated yes, and that he has a video, that he
would not show tonight, which does demonstrate this. He stated they are
interested in recognizing the donors.
Councilmember Wright stated she had hoped for was that the Council could develop
some specific policy for mitigating historical sites.
(27)
City Council Minutes
October 2, 1991
Page 14
Mayor Stout suggested that Councilmember Wright work with the Historic
Preservation Commission and staff to develop this policy and bring it back to the
entire Council for approval.
Councilmember Wright asked Mr. Henderson to set this up, that she would be happy
to work on this.
ACTION: Councilmember Wright to work with the Historic Preservation Con~aission
and staff to develop the policy for mitigating historical sites.
J. IDIINTTFXCATXOM OF XTEMS FOR IC~XT ME~TXNG
No items were identified for the next meeting.
K. C~)IGSUMX~TZONB FRON ~1~ PUBLIC
No c~unication was made from the public.
T. 0 ADJO~
MOTION: Moved by Williams, seconded by Wright to recess to Executive Session to
discuss personnel matters and contract services. Motion carried unanimously, 4-
0-1 (Buquet absent). The meeting recessed at 7=56 p.m., not to reconvene.
R,e~ct fu 11y submitted,
City Clerk
Approveds October 16, 1991
February 4, 1992
Larry Henderson, AICP, Principal Planner
Anthea Hartig, Associate Planner
SUBJECT:
ISSUES PAPER
Step One: Discussion of Cultural Resource Mitigation Practices
Compensation for the loss of identified cultural and historic resources has
matured over the past decade, as the City has grown in sophistication and
deepened an understanding of preservation issues. As we have learned, there
are many ways that historic resources can be retained and integrated into new
development and for new uses. Yet we still must contend with the perception
that older structures lack the desirability of newer ones, and that these kinds
of resources are not significant contributors to the overall character of the
City. Demolition of historic or potentially historic structures often is the first
thing developers or promoters of such properties think of-we would like it to
be the last. No mitigation ever fully compensates for the loss of a structure or
site that has been deemed significant to a community like Rancho
Cucamonga. To this end, the City has worked hard to become a leader in
regional historic preservation; and the formation of this sub-committee sets
new and important directions for continued discourse and policy
implementation.
Possible goals of this Sub-Committee's actions could be formed around the
following platforms:
· to encourage and require the exploration of all possible
alternatives to demolition of a recognized significant
resource (local landmark designation or higher); and
· to define clearly the options that will mitigate the
necessitated loss of such a recognized resource.
Every effort should be made to preserve and rehabilitate our significant
historic structures and these efforts are supported by our General Plan and
Historic Preservation Ordinance. State and national laws and case precedent
that has only in a limited manner defined the issue of "taking" potential
income or development rights from a property owner. Therefore, the burden
of proof rests upon that party desiring demolition of a recognized resource. In
such cases, the Commission and Council have every right to require a
developer to perform a study on the feasibility of rehabilitation that, like an
arborist report, would be monitored by the City but paid for by the applicant.
Some of our most successful and visible revitalization projects have been the
Cucamonga Rancho (Thomas) Winery and the Garret (Virginia Dare)
Winery; and future projects like the Alta Loma Heights Citrus Packing House
reuse/rehabilitation promise to be outstanding contributors to the cultural
fabric.
Conforming to the mandate laid out in the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA), we have begun to mitigate the loss of significant resources by
conditioning the project impacting these resources with a variety of measures
(see Exhibit A for CEQA's definition of mitigations). The first mitigation
measure suggested in CEQA recommends avoiding the impact on identified
resources by not allowing or modifying the action precipitating such an
impact. When significant impacts on resources have been allowed by the City,
the mitigation measures have varied to address the magnitude of the impact
as is specified in CEQA.. Thus far they have included but of course are not
limited to the following:
· requiring architectural documentation following the
guidelines of the Historic American Building Survey and
the Historic American Engineering Record (HABS/HAER)
which through photography, measured drawings, and
historic narrative provide a detailed and comprehensive
record of structures--examples include the Foothill
Frostless Barn (Well's Barn), the Red Hill Water Tank, and
the Guidera/DiCarlo Homes and Winery (Foothill
Marketplace project;
· sponsoring a specific Oral History program, targeting
those individuals who contributed to the project area's
history, and then performing professional interviews and
providing the City with transcriptions and tapes-examples
of this are the Gudiera/DiCarlo/Foothill Marketplace site
and the La Fourcade Store;
· mandating the relocation of historic buildings, especially
residences, as well as historically significant landscaping
elements-we have done this in the Gudiera/DiCarlo/
Foothill Marketplace project (homes) and with housing
tract surrounding the Lord House (landscaping), to name a
few instances;
· requiring the replication of a resource of particular
significance, we have yet to require this mitigation;
*installing some level of interpretative displays that depict
or tell the site's history, such display could and has ranged
from a City-approved landmark plaque and surrounds,
examples include Etiwanda Grape Products, Schowalter
Rock Wall, and Ellena Park; interpretative walking tours
utilizing related artifacts like that completed at the Thomas
Winery Plaza; and the integrated public art that depicts the
history of the resource that was conditioned on the
Foothill Marketplace and Masi Commerce Center projects;
*donating artifacts or materials to the City or to other
appropriate organizations is another way to preserve a part
a resource-this has been required in the cases of the
hundred-year-old siding of the Foothill Frostless (Wells)
Barn that will be hopefully reused on the Chaffey-Garica
House Barn and the with the winery artifacts from the
Cucamonga Rancho (Thomas) Winery-but careful
monitoring is needed to insure the condition of such
objects;
*contributing a monetary donation to an organization or
group that promotes, exhibits, and/or interprets history
relevant to the impacted resource--application of this
mitigation has varied according to size and significance of
the demolished resource, for instance, the complete
alteration of 60 acres of vinicultural lands for the Foothill
Marketplace and the removal of the last surviving
element of the once extensive La Fourcade winery
complex.
After determining what policy direction the sub-committee would like to
follow, staff will proceed with Step Two-presentation of a draft policy
resolution for further evaluation at a later meeting.
15370.
'Mitigation" includes:
(a) Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action
(b) !di,~imt-lqg impacts by ~imiting the de~ree or ~g~ituele of the ~ ~ ira impl,-m~ea-
(c) Retstfy~ the impact by tepaitt~ r.~tin~ or resmrin~ the i~xd environn~nc
during the life of the action.
(e) Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments.
~ cited: ~ 210B3 and 210~7, Public Rmoutces Code; !~fcr~.~,e: Secfiom
21002, 21002.1,210~1, and 21100(c), Public Remm-cm Code. Fmledy Section 15032.5.
This definition of the ttwm '~gtigation" adopts the definition contained in the federal NEPA
~,ulatiom. The federal definition is used so that this term will have identical mean~gs under
Nlra sad CEQA f~r projects which ar~ subject m both acts.
[draft] RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION (CITY COUNCIL) OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA ESTABLISHING A POLICY
DIRECTIVE FOR DETERMINING THE PRESERVATION
POTENTIAL OF SIGNIFICANT IDENTIFIED CULTURAL
AND HISTORIC RESOURCES AND ESTABLISHING A
MITIGATION POLICY FOR IMPACTS TO THESE
RESOURCES
WHEREAS, compensation for the loss of identified cultural and historic
resources has matured over the past decade, as the City has grown in
sophistication and deepened an understanding of preservation issues.
WHEREAS, there are many ways that historic resources can be
retained and integrated into new development and for new uses, yet
demolition of historic structures, objects, or sites often considered first, and it
should be thought of last.
WHEREAS, no mitigation ever fully compensates for the loss of a
structure or site that has been deemed significant to a community like
Rancho Cucamonga and thus all reasonable efforts shall be made to
determine the feasibility of retaining, preserving, and/or rehabilitating a
threatened significant structure, object, or site.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Rancho Cucamonga
Historic Preservation Commission (City Council) does hereby establish a
standard for the determining the preservation potential of identified
significant cultural and historic resources and a mitigation policy for the loss
of such resources as follows:
Section 1: Goals Statement
The intent of these policies is to encourage and require the
exploration of all possible alternatives prior to the
demolition of a recognized significant resource and to define
clearly the options that will mitigate the necessitated loss of
such a recognized resource. The goals are to ensure that
every reasonable effort should be made to preserve and
rehabilitate our significant historic structures, as these efforts
are supported by the City's General Plan and Historic
Preservation Ordinance, and to provide standards for
determining the mitigations required to compensate for
impacts to identified historic or cultural resources. The
following standards, guidelines, and definitions shall apply
to all projects which impact adversely in some degree the
City's designated and potential landmarks as well as those
structures whose significance has yet to be reviewed or
discovered in order to encourage successful and viable
revitalization projects and new construction that will
enhance the cultural fabric of the community.
The City pledges to locate a firm nexus and a reasonable
relationship between the determined impact and any
recommended alternatives or mitigations. In every case, a
fair proportionality shall be established between the
appropriate mitigations and the overall burden or impact
created by the project. Furthermore, the City seeks to provide
through these actions an outcome that benefits the
community and its natural and constructed landscape.
Section 2: Definitions:
What constitutes a threat to a given resources shall be defined by
the CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G(j) which states that any project
that might "disrupt or adversely affect a prehistoric or historic
archaeological site or a property of historic or cultural significance
to a community or ethnic or social group" is considered a
significant impact.
This policy will relate to all structures, objects, or sites that
are currently recorded in the City's Designated and Potential
Historic Sites List as designated landmarks or potential
landmarks as well as those that have been surveyed but for
which the significance has not been determined, and those
structures, objects, or sites that not been previously surveyed
and thus do not appear on the Sites List. The "significance"
of resources will be determined by the "landmark
designation review criteria" as spedfled in the City's Historic
Preservation Commission Ordinance, Chapter 2.24.090, but a
structure, object, or site does not have to be a designated
landmark to be covered by this resolution.
Section 3: Standards for Determining Preservation Potential
A. All reasonable efforts shall be made to determine the
feasibility of retaining, preserving, and/or rehabilitating a
significant resource.
B. A feasibility study will be monitored and approved by
the City but paid for by the applicant and include the
following elements: a proforma analysis of retention and
reuse, a structural analysis, a facade easement, an incentives
analysis (tax credits, Mills Act contract, Community
Development Block Grant assistance, and Redevelopment
Agency assistance, to name a few); a market analysis, and
when applicable, a relocation analysis. To serve as a
mitigation for an impact to an identified cultural resourse,
the recommendations of this type of study must be
implemented per CEQA.
C. The hierarchy of acceptable alternatives for the feasibility
study is as follows
1. retention/preservation
2. adaptive reuse
3. relocation in appropriate context
4. reconstruction
5. demolition or relocation to inappropriate
context
Section 4: Mitigation Definitions
CEQA defines "mitigation" to include project avoidance,
minimizing impacts by reducing the magnitude of the
project, and rehabilitating, maintaining, or replacing the
impacted environment (Guidelines, 15370). With these
definition in mind, after reviewing the impact of a given
project on a significant resource, the Historic Preservation
Commission [with Council approval?] can require
[recommend] any combination of the following
mitigations:
A. requiring architectural documentation following the
guidelines of the Historic American Building Survey and
the Historic American Engineering Record (HABS/HAER)
which through photography, measured drawings, and
historic narrative provide a detailed and comprehensive
record of structures;
B. sponsoring a specific Oral History program, targeting
those individuals who contributed to the project area's
history, and then performing professional interviews and
providing the City with transcriptions and tapes;
C. mandating the relocation of historic buildings, espedally
residences, as well as historically significant landscaping
elements;
D. requiring the replication of a resource of particular
significance;
E. installing some level of interpretative displays that
depict or tell the site's history, such display could and has
ranged from a City-approved landmark plaque and
surrounds;
F. donating artifacts or materials to the City or to other
appropriate organizations is another way to preserve a part
a resource;
G. granting a facade easement to the City which can protect
a resource and provide tax advantages for the donor;
G. contributing a monetary donation to the Cultural
Resource Recovery Fund (CRRF) which provides support
for capital improvements related to the City's cultural and
historic resources and to organizations or groups that
promote, exhibis, and/or interpret history relevant to the
impacted resource. Application of this mitigation will
vary according to size and significance of the demolished
resource, and this donation to the CRRF shall be computed
based on the following formula:
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS
ETC
DAY OF
,1992.