April 27, 2020 FROM: MIKE SANCHEZ, AICP, MCRP Assistant Director Planning and Development Department BY: LAURA GROVES van ONNA Historic Preservation Specialist Planning and Development Department SUBJECT: ..Title CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS ON APPLICATION B20-01475 FOR REHABILITATION OF THE PAUL A. CHRISTENSON BUILDINGS (HR #029) LOCATED AT 373-383 N FRESNO STREET PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1606(a)(2) AND 12-1619. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Commission approve Application B20-01475 for rehabilitation, including exterior alterations visible from the public right-of-way, of the Paul A. Christenson Buildings (HR #029) located at 373-383 N Fresno Street pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1619 with the following conditions: 1) Staff will be allowed to photograph before, during and upon completion of the project; and, 2) Any changes to the approved project will be submitted to the Historic Preservation Specialist prior to the commencement of any related work. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The owner of the Paul A. Christenson Buildings, Steve Walter, has requested that Application B20-01475 for rehabilitation be considered for Historic Review. Because this project proposal is a substantial alteration visible from the public right-of-way, it requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission. Primary concern for Staff is the fa�ade of these commercial buildings, as it consists of the character-defining features of this historic resource. Pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1619, Staff requests that the Commission consider and make findings on Application B20-01475. BACKGROUND The Paul A. Christenson Buildings (1922, 1948) located at 373-383 N Fresno Street consist of two attached commercial buildings; one is a two-story commercial building on the northern portion of the lot (377-383), and the other is a one-story commercial building on the southern portion (373). The two-story commercial building was constructed in 1922 of brick as a Streetcar Commercial property type - more specifically as multi-story and mixed use - with elements of the Italian Renaissance and Craftsman architectural styles. The one-story commercial building was constructed in 1948 of brick. The Paul A. Christenson Buildings are a remnant of a historic streetcar route, the Fresno & F Street line. The Historic Preservation Commission designated the Paul A. Christenson Buildings as a Heritage Property on February 25, 2019. The Paul A. Christenson Buildings are greater than 50 years of age; are associated with early 20th century commercial development in Fresno and have distinction as a Streetcar Commercial property type; and retain historic integrity. They are potentially eligible for listing in the City of Fresno's Local Register of Historic Resources under Criteria i and iii. The owner has only pursued designation as a Heritage Property at this point in order to make timely use of the California Historical Building Code for a rehabilitation project, and may pursue listing to the Local Register of Historic Resources at a later date. The subject property meets the definition of a Heritage Property, as a "resource which is worthy of preservation because of its historical, architectural or aesthetic merit..." (FMC 12-1603(n)). Current Application The owner of the Paul A. Christenson Buildings has requested that Application B20-01475 for rehabilitation be considered for Historic Review. This request entails exterior alterations visible from the public right-of-way which could affect the significance of a historic resource. Because this project proposal is a substantial alteration, it requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission. The rehabilitation plans entail a program primarily for one of the two buildings within this property, identified as 377-383 N Fresno Street. Plans for this two-story building include ground floor commercial use and upper story residential use. Work taking place on the exterior essentially consists of the replacement of the two rotted wood-framed storefronts that include alcoves with enclosed wood-framed storefronts and glazing; the replacement of the two central entry doors to the second floor with wood-paneled doors; the careful removal of paint layers throughout to reveal the original brick; and the installation of barn lights above the storefronts. Work taking place on the exterior of the one-story building within this property, identified as 373 N Fresno Street, also includes the installation of barn lights at the same level of lighting along the two-story building, above the storefronts. These plans are being proposed by the applicant for security and tenant improvement purposes. Standards Upon initial review of Application B20-01475 for the Paul A. Christenson Buildings, Staff finds that project, as proposed, appears to be in accordance with applicable standards 1, 6, 7, 9, and 10 of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation: 1. A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces and spatial relationships. 6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence. 7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used. 9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. 10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired. Therefore, Staff recommends approval with conditions based upon findings that the proposed rehabilitation meets standards 1, 6, 7, 9, and 10 of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Staff finds that the fa�ade of this commercial building is the primary concern as it consists of the character-defining features of this historic resource that are readily visible from the public right-of-way. This building will be used for commercial and residential purposes as it was historically, paint will be removed from the fa�ade with the gentlest means possible, and work will entail repair or in kind replacement of deteriorated historic features as needed - outside of the deteriorated entries and storefronts along the first story, which will be replaced with compatible design and materials while maintaining spatial relationships that characterize the property. The proposed rehabilitation at the Paul A. Christenson Buildings will retain and enhance the historic integrity of the property. Duties and Powers of the Commission: The City's Historic Preservation Ordinance is located at Chapter 12, Article 16 of the Fresno Municipal Code. Section 1606 outlines the duties and powers of the Commission. Section 1606(a)(2) specifically refers to the duties entailing review of alterations to historic resources: (a)(2) The regulation of exterior alterations visible from a public right-of-way including demolition, relocation and new construction, and interior alterations which would affect the significance of Historic Resources or Historic Districts. Section 1619 outlines the Heritage Property Permit Review Process. Historic Review Application Submittal Check List The Submittal Check List for the Historic Review Application includes the following: * Current photographs o At least one overall view of the property o A detailed view of each historic feature that involves the proposed work * Construction Documents o An existing site plan (and a proposed site plan if different from existing), drawn to scale, which clearly indicates all structures located on the parcel; and, the parcel's North, South, East, and West property lines o Detailed drawings, visuals, and descriptions for the proposed work Attachments Exhibit A: State of California Survey Forms for the Paul A. Christenson Buildings 373-383 N Fresno Street Prepared February 15, 2019 by Laura Groves van Onna for the City of Fresno. Exhibit B: Historic Review Application Submittal from the owner of the Paul A. Christenson Buildings (HR #029) located at 373-383 N Fresno Street, February 2020.