August 26, 2019 FROM: DANIEL ZACK, AICP 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 B19-06891 BY THE PROPERTY OWNER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CARPORT WITH SOLAR PANELS AT THE ROBINSON HOME (HP #078) LOCATED AT 1003 S ORANGE AVENUE PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1617. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Commission approve Application B19-06891 by the property owner for the construction of a carport with solar panels at the Robinson Home (HP #078) located at 1003 S Orange Avenue pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1617 with the following conditions: 1) The metal pole supporting the carport shall be wrapped in wood and capped with wood trim on top and bottom; 2) Wood spindles shall be placed along the roofline of the carport; 3) Alternative angles for the roof of the carport will be considered in pursuit of optimal design that enhances the historic character of the property; 4) Staff will be allowed to photograph before, during and upon completion of the project; and 5) 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 Robinson Home has requested that Application B19-06891 for the construction of a carport with solar panels be considered for Historic Review. Because this project proposal is a substantial alteration, it requires review by the Historic Preservation Commission. Primary concerns for Staff are the street-facing elevations of this corner property, as they offer the most prominent character-defining features of the historic resource. Pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and 12-1618(h)(1), Staff requests that the Commission consider and make findings on Application B19-06891. BACKGROUND The owner of the Robinson Home has requested that Application B19-06891 for the construction of a carport with solar panels be considered for Historic Review. This request entails an exterior alteration 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 carport construction plans entail a steel, two-car carport immediately adjacent to the residence on the south end of the primary (west) elevation. The carport would be detached with a clearance of 1 foot, 4 inches from the home. The carport would span the width of the 19-foot driveway that leads to S Orange Avenue along the south property line. And, the carport would align with the depth of the original footprint of the home, with a setback of 44 feet and a depth of 44 feet. The carport roof would slope up toward the home at an approximate angle of 12 degrees and be topped by 30 solar panels, oriented toward the south. The lower end of the carport roof would reach 10 feet in height, and the higher end would reach 13 feet, 4 inches in height. These plans are being proposed by the applicant in order to provide covered parking and enable solar energy production for the residence. Upon initial review of Application B19-06891 for the Robinson Home, Staff finds that the street-facing elevations of this corner property are the primary concerns as they are the most prominent character-defining features of the historic resource. The property is located on the southeast corner of an intersection. Because the carport would be located on the south side of the property, it would only potentially impact the primary (west) elevation. The intent of the 1978 California Solar Rights Act entails discouragement toward local governments from placing barriers on solar installations; however, it does not prohibit any actions by local governments. Furthermore, the City of Fresno does not seek to discourage solar installations on historic properties, but rather to install solar energy systems while minimizing their impact on historic properties. Technical Preservation Services offered by the National Park Service, under the U.S. Department of the Interior, address the installation of solar panels and meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards: Solar panels installed on a historic property in a location that cannot be seen from the ground will generally meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Conversely, an installation that negatively impacts the historic character of a property will not meet the Standards. The project as proposed meets the following recommendation from the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings regarding Solar Technology: Installing a solar device in a compatible location on the site or on a non-historic building or addition where it will have minimal impact on the historic building and its site. However, there is room for discussion regarding optimal design for the proposed carport with solar panels. The historic character of the property could be further enhanced by considering alternative angles for the roof of the carport, by wrapping the metal pole supporting the carport in wood and capping it with wood trim on top and bottom, and by placing wood spindles along the roofline of the carport. Therefore, Staff recommends approval with conditions. The Robinson Home (1900) located at 1003 S Orange Avenue consists of a two-story residence, constructed of wood frame and that exhibits elements of the Folk Victorian and Eastlake architectural styles. The home was constructed for Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Robinson, who moved in on March 1, 1901, and was originally surrounded by several acres of landscaped grounds. Raymond Robinson relocated to Fresno from Southern California with Frank Romain in 1888 - his wife soon to follow in 1891 - and worked 58 years for Griffen & Skelley Fruit Packing Company, which later became the California Packing Corporation. The Resolution designating the Robinson Home to the Local Register of Historic Resources was adopted by Fresno City Council on January 8, 1980. The property is greater than 50 years of age and possesses integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association (FMC 12-1607). Additionally, it is significant for its architecture and social history. 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 1617 outlines the Historic Resource 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 Robinson Home 1003 S Orange Avenue Prepared June 30, 1978 by William E. Patnaude for the City of Fresno. Exhibit B: Historic Review Application Submittal from the owner of the Robinson Home (HP #078) located at 1003 S Orange Avenue, July 2019.