REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION August 22, 2022 FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title HEARING TO CONSIDER exterior improvements of the Fresno Water Tower (HP#1), located at 2444 Fresno St. Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) take the following actions: 1. ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15331/Class 31 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines 2. APPROVE: Application P22-02936 for the repair of site improvements, installation of ADA accessible improvements and installation of fencing at the Old Fresno Water Tower HP#001 located at 2444 Fresno Street. (466-09-301T & a portion of 466-09-305T) with conditions. ..Body EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This project is being submitted by Michael Osborn of Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group on behalf of the City of Fresno PARCS Department. The project consists of five parts: 1. Reconstruction of a portion of the existing colored, stamped concrete plaza as shown on the site plan. 2. Reconstruction of the accessible route to O Street sidewalk. 3. Construction of a new accessible route from the Fresno Street sidewalk. 4. Construction of a new van accessible parking space and access aisle to serve the Water Tower Building; and 5. Perimeter security fencing with pedestrian gates at the three access points at the top of the existing stairs and at the accessible routes connecting to the sidewalks. BACKGROUND Old Fresno Water Tower (HP#001) Old Fresno Water Tower (1894) 2444 Fresno Street George Washington Maher, Architect American Romanesque George Washington Maher, a Chicago architect, was commissioned to design Fresno's water tower in 1891. Completed in 1894, it was in constant use until 1963, when the pumping machinery was no longer adequate. The original design called for a library on the second and third floors, but it was never installed. For several years, the first floor was used as a parking meter repair facility. In 2001 the second floor was removed, and the interior of the tower remodeled to become the visitors' center for the City and County of Fresno. As part of this remodeling a landscaped plaza and separate restroom building were built adjacent to the tower. The water tower today remains Fresno's most distinctive and enduring architectural symbol. Project Proposal This project is being submitted by Michael Osborn of Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group on behalf of the City of Fresno PARCS Department. The project consists of five parts: 1. Reconstruction of a portion of the existing colored, stamped concrete plaza as shown on the site plan. 2. Reconstruction of the accessible route to O Street sidewalk. 3. Construction of a new accessible route from the Fresno Street sidewalk. 4. Construction of a new van accessible parking space and access aisle to serve the Water Tower Building; and 5. Perimeter security fencing with pedestrian gates at the three access points at the top of the existing stairs and at the accessible routes connecting to the sidewalks. Project Analysis The project is comprised of five parts which should be considered both individually and cumulatively for their impact on the historic resource. In 1999 the Commission considered the renovations and site alterations for the reuse of the Water Tower as a Visitor's Center. In that decision, the Commission approved the construction of a restroom building in similar style and ornamentation as the main structure with connecting stairs and pathway; a stamped concrete plaza at the same level as the Water Tower; an ADA path of travel from the southwest corner of the site linking the parking to the rear of the Water Tower and a curvilinear path from O Street. The restoration and reconstruction of the existing colored-stamped concrete plaza will be completed with like-kind materials in the same size, layout and color as exists today. This work can be considered by the Commission to be a repair as the current plaza is cracked and uneven creating an unsafe and noncompliant ADA surface. The reconstruction of the plaza will correct an unsafe condition and be a benefit to the public safety. It is currently a liability to the owner based on its condition. The proposed materials, color, size, and layout are a restoration of the previously approved plaza from 1999. The proposed removal and new construction of an accessible route to O Street would be a new installation as it does not conform to the approved site plan from 1999. Since there is an accessible path of travel on the southwest corner of the property, the addition of an ADA accessible path on O Street is desired but not required. The curvilinear path was intended to complement the lines of the Water Tower for access from O Street. The proposed ADA path of travel is a juxtaposition in size, scale, and flow from the remainder of the site. The removal of the curvilinear path will remedy an unsafe condition and improve public safety as well as remove undue economic hardship to the owner. However, the installation of a new ADA path of travel does not have the same impact as there will be new access from Fresno St and the parking facilities which meets the requirements for access. The installation will have a direct visual and physical impact to the site as it will change the landscape on the east (O Street) lawn. Construction of a new ADA path of travel from Fresno Street follows the existing angled parking on the west side of the property in the existing parking stalls and a portion of the landscape buffer. This sidewalk will link the Fresno St sidewalk to the existing ADA path of travel from the southwest corner of the site to the plaza and Water Tower. This installation will replace some existing planter beds and small shrubs but does not impact the visual aesthetic of the site. The installation of the new path of travel and connection to the parking facility remedies an unsafe condition improving public safety; there is a reduction in liability to the property owner with the installation of this path. There is no direct or indirect visual or physical impact to the Resource. Construction for a new van-accessible parking stall in the parking lot does not fall within the parcel of the Historic Resource. However, it is adjacent to the Old Water Tower site and can be reviewed by the Commission. This stall is an expansion of an existing parking stall to comply with van-accessible parking standards. There is no direct or indirect visual or physical impact to the Resource. Compliance with ADA accessible parking standards will reduce economic hardship, remove an unsafe condition, and improve public safety on the site. Perimeter security fencing is proposed to encircle the entire site. Previously the Commission has reviewed and provided feedback on several proposals to install fencing around the plaza with attachments to the Resource itself. Based on feedback from the Commission, this application proposes not to attach to the Old Fresno Water Tower directly but to protect the site in its entirety. The proposal does not call out specific materials but does ask for the Commission's feedback on type and style of fencing materials. The project application identifies the wrought iron filigreed balcony railing as an example of a compatible material color, style, and finish. Additionally, gates would be proposed at each of the entry paths. Installation of a fence will have a direct visual and physical impact to the site. It could correct an unsafe condition and protect the site itself from vandalism and damage which is an economic hardship and liability to the owner. Notice of Historic Preservation Commission Hearing In accordance with Section 12-1617 of the FMC, the Planning and Development Department mailed notices of this Commission hearing to surrounding property owners within 2,000 feet. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS If the Commission finds that the proposed plans for the building appear to be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, then the project can utilize a Categorical Exemption Class 31 which includes: "Class 31 consists of projects limited to maintenance, repair, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, conservation or reconstruction of historical resources in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties...." (CEQA Guidelines, CELSOC 2006). Section 15331 is applicable because the proposed project will not permanently alter any historic or character defining features of the building. Additionally, the project is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standard for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment and therefore is categorically exempt and should be adopted. Further, none of the exceptions in CEQA Guidelines 15300.2 apply to this project. FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS Based upon analysis of the application, the required findings by the Historic Preservation Commission to approve application permit P22-02936 FMC Section 12-1617 (h) are as follows: Staff finds that FINDING 1 can be made for the reconstruction of the plaza because the proposed work is found to be consistent with the purposes of this article and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards 2. Standard 2 provides the historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The replacement of intact or repairable historic materials or alteration of features, spaces and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided. Documentation shows that this installation was previously approved by the Commission in 1999. Staff also finds that FINDING 1 can be made for the construction of the ADA path of travel from Fresno St and for the van-accessible parking stall as the proposed work is not detrimental to the special historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the Historic Resource. Staff lastly finds that FINDING 1 can be made for the removal of the curvilinear path from O Street as this was not an original feature to the site thus restoring the original visual character of the Resource. The Commission could find that FINDING 1 can be made for the installation of a new ADA path of travel from O Street because the proposed work is found to be consistent with the purposes of this article and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards including finding that it is not detrimental to the special historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or value of the Historic Resource but will need to identify evidence in the record to make this finding. Additionally, the Commission could find that FINDING 1 can be made for the installation of a perimeter security fence if the historic character of the property will be retained and preserved using similar materials, color, and style of the fencing. Staff finds that FINDING 2 can be made for the plaza reconstruction, the west ADA path of travel, and the van-accessible parking stall to correct an unsafe or dangerous condition on the property. The Commission could find that replacement of the O St curvilinear path and the site security fencing are necessary to correct an unsafe or dangerous condition on the property but will need to identify evidence in the record to make this finding. Staff finds that FINDING 3 can be made for the plaza reconstruction, the west ADA path of travel, and the van-accessible parking stall due to the liability for non-compliance with ADA that the denial of the application may result in unreasonable economic hardship to the owner. The Commission could find that the replacement of the O St curvilinear path and the site security fencing are necessary to prevent unreasonable economic hardship to the owner but will need to identify evidence in the record to make this finding. Staff finds that FINDING 4 can be made for the plaza reconstruction, the west ADA path of travel, and the van-accessible parking stall as the site is a public use for which these improvements will directly benefit the public health, safety and welfare and will be of more benefit than the effect to the Historic Resource. The Commission could find that the replacement of the O St curvilinear path and the site. security fencing is necessary for the public health, safety and welfare and will be of more benefit than the effect to the Historic Resource but will need to identify evidence in the record to make this finding. FINDING 5 is not applicable because this is not an application for relocation of an Historic Resource. CONCLUSION Based upon analysis of the application, staff recommends approval of Application P22-02936 for the repair of the plaza, installation of ADA path of travel from Fresno St and parking restriping as shown in the site plan, reconstruction of a van-accessible parking stall in the south parking lot, and removal of the curvilinear path from O St. at the Old Fresno Water Tower HP#001 located at 2444 Fresno St. (466-09-301T & a portion of 466-09-305T) with conditions with the following conditions: a) All materials and form will be as described in the application submittal; and b) Any changes to the approved project will be submitted to the Historic Preservation Specialist prior to the commencement of any related work. If the Commission takes action to approve the installation of a new path of travel from O St, staff recommends that conditions include the use of like materials, color and pattern of the plaza and railings to match the balcony in color, materials, and style and that the final design return to the Commission for approval. If the Commission takes action to approve the installation of site perimeter security fencing, staff recommends that the selected fencing match the balcony in color materials and style and that the final design return to the Commission for approval. Attachments: Exhibit A - HPC Staff Report [06/28/99] Exhibit B - Site Plan Exhibit C - Operational Statement Exhibit D - Fresno Municipal Code Findings Exhibit E - SOI Standards Exhibit F - P22-02936 Environmental Assessment [08-22-22]