REPORT TO HISTORICAL AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Significant Property Alteration to allow minor interior alterations to an historic residence located at 1525 Franklin Street
Report
BACKGROUND
The subject property is listed as a historic resource on the City’s Historical Resources Inventory. The project is before the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) for a recommendation to the Director of Community Development in accordance with the Historic Preservation Ordinance for recommendation of approval of the Significant Property Alteration Permit (SPA). As the project scope includes interior alteration of the family room at the rear of the home to create a fifth bedroom and rear hallway in an existing 2,069 square foot four-bedroom and two-bathroom home, the project will be reviewed at a Development Review Hearing on February 23, 2022 for architectural review in accordance with 18.76.020(c)(1)!A) of the City Code.
DISCUSSION
The subject property is a 7,784 square foot (sf) lot with a one-story Craftsman-style home constructed in 1925. The residence has undergone changes since its construction consisting of significant interior and exterior alterations and the construction of a detached garage with accessory dwelling unit above as part of a rezoning and tentative map application that was reviewed by the Historical and Landmarks Commission and approved by the City Council in 2006. The residence has been historically occupied by a home for boys and then by the Crippled Children’s Society for housing and services.
The residence is currently a 2,069 sf four-bedroom and two-bathroom assisted living elderly care home . It has a 131 sf front porch and 848 sf unfinished basement. The existing basement is used for storage (i.e. furnace) and is accessed from the exterior of the home. The proposal is to convert 123 sf of the family room to a fifth bedroom with the construction of two interior walls at the rear of the home which would also create a hallway for the rear door entry. The proposed project does not include additions to the home nor alterations to the existing windows, doors or exterior building materials. The existing 486 sf detached garage with attached 644 sf accessory dwelling unit above at the rear of the property are also to remain unaltered.
Analysis
Staff finds that the proposed project does not change the historic use, footprint or architectural integrity of the resource. The project involves minor changes to the interior of the home by creating a fifth bedroom and a hallway with the construction of two interior walls for the conversion of family room space to bedroom space. The proposal would provide an additional bedroom for assisted living service needs without altering the exterior of the home and property.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities, in that the project involves the minor interior alterations to a historic residence.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the City for processing the requested application other than administrative staff time and expense typically covered by processing fees paid by the applicant.
PUBLIC CONTACT
On January 20, 2022, a notice of public hearing of this item was posted within 300 feet of the project site and mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the project site. Planning Staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend that the Historical and Landmarks Commission find that the proposed project located at 1525 Franklin Street does not destroy or have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the historically designated property; that the alterations are compatible with the existing structure and meets the Secretary of Interior Standards, and recommend approval of the SPA Permit to the Director of Community Development.
Staff
Prepared by: Debby Fernandez, Associate Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Lesley Xavier, Acting Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Project Data Sheet
2. DPR Form
3. Development Plans