REPORT TO HISTORICAL AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Recommendation on the Major Significant Property Alteration Permit (PLN26-00338) for a Reroofing of the Existing Single-Story Residence on the Historic Resource Inventory Located at 834 Main Street
Report
File No.: PLN26-00338
Location: 834 Main Street, a 5,694 square foot lot located on the west side of Main Street approximately 116 feet north of Lexington Street; APN: 269-28-062; zoned Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: Rebecca and Andrew Fung
Owner(s): Rebecca and Andrew Fung
Request: Major Significant Property Alteration Permit for a reroofing of the single-story Mills Act residence on the City’s Historic Resource Inventory (HRI).
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The proposed project is in a residential tract consisting of one-story residences, multi-family residences, public park, and 11 other Historic Resource Inventory (HRI) properties. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The property is listed on the city’s HRI and was constructed in 1932. The site includes an existing single-family residence with a 231 square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) that was converted from a detached one-car garage. The residence is currently subject to a Mills Act Contract approved in 2021.
• The project is before the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) in accordance with Historic Preservation Ordinance (Santa Clara City Code 18.130.050), which requires any project determined to be considered a major alteration to an HRI property shall first receive a recommendation from the HLC.
• The proposed project involves removing the existing barrel tile roofing and underlying waterproof membrane on the main house and front garage façade, replacing the deteriorated membrane, and reinstalling the roofing with in-kind clay mission tiles. Any damaged tiles resulting from removal will be replaced with matching US Tile 2-Piece Mission tiles in the color "El Camino Blend" to match the existing.
• An analysis of the proposed project’s consistency with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards (SOIS) was prepared by Garavaglia Architecture Inc. (Attachment 4).
o The analysis finds the project was designed to comply with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards in that:
§ The project does not introduce conjectural features or architectural elements that would create a false sense of historical development.
§ The barrel tile roof is a character-defining feature of the historic building. Although the existing tiles must be removed to replace the deteriorated waterproof membrane beneath, the roof will be reconstructed in-kind, preserving the property's historic character.
§ Existing roof tiles will be retained and reused wherever feasible. Only tiles that are damaged beyond repair during removal or are otherwise unsuitable for reuse will be replaced.
§ Replacement tiles will match the existing roof in material, design, color, texture, and overall appearance to maintain the historic integrity of the building.
• The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in Santa Clara City Code 18.130.
• There are no active City code enforcement cases for this property.
• A neighborhood notice was not required for this hearing.
FINDINGS SUPPORTING STAFF’S RECOMMEDATION
Granting the Significant Property Alteration approval requires the following findings consistent with City Code Section 18.130.050(D):
1) The alterations shall be designed to the essential character, features, and defining elements that make the Historic Resource Inventory property significant, in that:
• The project preserves the building's character-defining barrel tile roof by replacing it in-kind following removal to access the deteriorated waterproof membrane.
• The scope of work is limited to roof rehabilitation and does not alter the building's form, massing, architectural features, or character-defining details.
2) The project proposal shall not have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Historic Resource Inventory property, in that:
• Existing barrel roof tiles will be retained and reused wherever feasible.
• Only tiles that are damaged beyond repair or cannot be salvaged during removal will be replaced with matching in-kind materials.
• The project does not alter the building's historic design, materials, workmanship, or overall appearance.
3) The alterations must be compatible with the existing structure or district, in that:
• The replacement roofing will match the existing barrel tile roof in material, design, color, texture, and appearance.
• The project maintains the building's historic Spanish Eclectic/Revival architectural character by preserving its existing roof form and character-defining roofing material.
4) The alterations must be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Treatment Standards, in that:
• The project includes a historic resources analysis prepared by Garavaglia Architecture Inc. (Attachment 4), which concludes that the proposed work is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.
• The project preserves the property's historic character by retaining original materials where feasible and replacing deteriorated roofing components with matching in-kind materials, without introducing conjectural features or altering character-defining elements.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Exemption Sections 15332 - Infill and 15331 - Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation, in that the project involves an addition and renovations of a historic single-family residence.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Historical and Landmarks Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
There is no public notice mailing requirement for Major Significant Property Alteration Permits.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend that the Historical and Landmarks Commission find that the proposed project located at 834 Main Street will not destroy or have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Historic Resource Inventory property and that the proposed construction is compatible with the resource and recommend approval of the Major Significant Property Alteration Permit to the Community Development Department Director.
Staff
Prepared by: Rebecca Bustos, Principal Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Sheldon S. Ah Sing, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Conditions of Approval
3. Development Plans
4. SOIS Analysis Memo