REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION April 24, 2023 FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title HEARING TO CONSIDER BUILDING PERMIT B23-01813, LOCATED AT 890 BELMONT AVE (APN 45002008T), REGARDING EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS AND ADA ACCESSIBILITY TO TOT LOT AT ROEDING PARK ..Body EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On February 9, 2023, Harlavpreet S Brar, PE, Public Works Department, submitted application B23-01813 on behalf of the City of Fresno. B23-01813 consist of improvements to existing Tot Lots in Roeding Park including ADA accessibility to the Maple Grove and Pine Grove locations. Roeding Park lies within a proposed Historic District but is not individually listed as a local Historic Resource. Staff recommends approval of building permit application B23-01813. BACKGROUND In July 2009, Page & Turnbull inventoried and evaluated Roeding Park as a historic district as part of the Roeding Park and Fresno Chaffee Zoo Facility Master Plans Draft Environmental Impact Report. Accordingly, Roeding Park is identified as meeting National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Criteria A and C and California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR) Criteria 1 and 3 in the areas of Entertainment/Recreation, Community Planning & Development, and Landscape Architecture. The district contains 25 contributing resources, and the period of significance was 1903-1953. A qualified Architectural Historian meeting the Secretary of Interior Professional Qualification Standards conducted the 2009 Roeding Park survey. On February 9, 2023, Harlavpreet S Brar, PE, Public Works Department, submitted application B23-01813 on behalf of the City of Fresno. B23-01813 consist of improvements to existing Tot Lots in Roeding Park including ADA accessibility to the Maple Grove and Pine Grove locations. Project will: * Remove existing pavement and concrete. * Remove existing landscaping/turf to facilitate construction of proposed concrete flatwork. * Remove existing decomposed granite. * Remove existing striping. * Install new accessible path of travel. * Construct new asphalt to city standards. * Install new detectable warning surface. * Construct new sidewalk. * Install new pavement striping. * Install new signage. Analysis The proposed work is a municipal improvement undertaken by a department of the city within a designated historic resource. It is within the purview of the Commission to comment on these applications under Section 12-1606(b)(6). Under Section 12-1617(a), the application to make alterations to the resource should seek written approval of the Commission. The proposed work is to provide accessibility to public structures within Roeding Park. The site is required for a public use with will directly benefit the public health, safety and welfare and the action proposed is necessary to correct an unsafe or dangerous condition on the property. The proposed work will not substantially alter the built environment or change the historic landscape of the resource. It is found to be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and will not be detrimental to the special historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the resource. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS The project is consistent with a Class 31 finding of exemption. 15331 Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation can be applied to this project as it is consistent with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings (2017), Grimmer. FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS Based upon analysis of the application, staff concludes that the required findings of Section 12-1617(h) of the Fresno Municipal Code can be made. These findings are attached as Exhibit E. CONCLUSION Staff recommends approval of building permit application B23-01813. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit A - Proposed Site Plans and Drawings Exhibit B - Historic American Landscapes Survey Exhibit C - Secretary of the Interior Standards Exhibit D - Fresno Municipal Code Findings Exhibit E - Applicant PowerPoint Presentation