REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION April 28, 2025 FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department THROUGH: ASHLEY ATKINSON, Assistant Director Planning and Development Department PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director Planning and Development Department BY: DANNY TOHME, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Manager Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title Review and provide comments to on the Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Peacock Building located at 937 F St. pursuant to FMC 12-1606(b)(5)(6). ..Body EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno has been actively negotiating with property owners to purchase the Peacock Building, located at 937-945 F Street and 942 Fagan Alley (APN 467-074-02), with the intent to demolish the structure and develop affordable housing on the site. The City has hired a consultant to prepare an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the project. Recognizing the property's potential contribution to a historic district, this document outlines measures intended to address and preserve the cultural resources identified within the project area. The purpose of this report is to request that the Historic Preservation Commission review and comment on whether the proposed mitigation efforts are appropriate to ensure the preservation and protection of our community's cultural and historic heritage. BACKGROUND The subject property is located along the west side of F Street, south of Tulare Street with the addresses 937-945 F St and 942 Fagan Alley, APN 467-074-02, also known as the "Peacock Building." The property consists of a .33-acre lot in the central business district of Fresno's Chinatown and is developed with a two-story mixed-use commercial building and a single-story multi-family residential building. The commercial building was constructed in 1910, with the first floor previously being used as commercial retail space while the second floor was used as single-room occupancy dwelling units. There is an additional single-story apartment building built approximately in 1940 with an additional five dwelling units. The subject property has been severely neglected and altered over the years without permits. As such, the building is non-compliant with current health and safety codes, making its continued use or occupancy unsafe and posing health and safety risks to nearby residents and the general public. Since 2022, this property has been the subject of significant code enforcement issues accumulating a total of 221 code violations documented by the City's Anti-Slum Enforcement Team (ASET). The property owner chose to vacate the structurally compromised building and begin negotiations to sell the property to the City of Fresno. Ther 2006 historic resources survey of Chinatown determined that the subject building does not appear to retain sufficient integrity or meet the level of significance necessary for the National Register, California Register, or Fresno's Local Register. However, this building is a contributor to a potential district under Fresno Register Criterion i: it is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. In response to these findings, mitigation measures have been proposed to minimize impacts to these resources, as outlined in the Cultural Resources section of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Based on the findings of the Initial Study (IS), a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared. The MND documents the IS findings and identifies the specific mitigation measures that will be implemented to reduce potential impacts to less than significant in accordance with the provisions of CEQA Section 21157.5(a)(2). Based upon the attached IS and MMRP, staff has determined that there is no evidence in the record that the project would have a significant effect on the environment and has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project. CONCLUSION The Historic Preservation Commission's review and comment on the proposed mitigation measures are requested to ensure the appropriate mitigation and protection of our community's cultural and historic heritage. REVISED ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit D - Chinatown Historic Resources Survey Exhibit E - Peacock Building Survey Form