REPORT TO HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Consideration of a Significant Property Alteration Permit to legalize a rear addition to the existing residence, and allow the demolition of an existing garage and construction of a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at a Mills Act property located at 1415 Benton Street
Report
BACKGROUND
[The applicant filed a Significant Property Alteration (SPA) Permit application on June 6, 2018 as required under the Historic Preservation Ordinance (HPO), Chapter 18.106 of the Zoning Code. The project includes the demolition of an existing 230 square-foot detached garage structure and the construction of a 631 square-foot accessory unit. The subject property is located on the northwest corner of Benton Street and Madison Street and is currently listed on the City's Historical Resource Inventory (HRI) and has a Mills Act contract, which was established in 1998. The residence was constructed in approximately 1895 in a vernacular cottage style with Greek Revival elements.
During the 2017 Mills Act Contract audit, the current property owner Michael Eschrich provided the attached letter dated November 25, 2017 (Attachment 6) detailing the restoration work that has occurred to the residence to date and updating information previously provided about the asbestos containing siding and foundation work.
An updated historic resource survey (DPR 523) was prepared by architectural historian Richard Brandi and is attached for reference (Attachment 2). The report finds that the garage is of unknown construction date and does not appear to be historically significant.
During staff's review of the proposal, it was determined that an existing rear shed roof addition made to the between 1987 and 1993 was completed without benefit of permits. This determination is based on a review of permit records, Sanborn maps, and aerial maps (the 1987 aerial does not show shed roof addition, while the 1993 map shows it). A...
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