REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION April 23, 2018 FROM: DANIEL ZACK, AICP, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Development and Resource Management Dept. Secretary, Historic Preservation Commission BY: LAURA VAN ONNA Historic Preservation Specialist SUBJECT: ..Title CONSIDERATION, REVIEW, AND DIRECTION RELATED TO STATUS OF POTENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND HISTORIC SURVEYS ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff is seeking direction from the Commission regarding the status potential historic districts and historic surveys according to the initial findings for the previously noted nine (9) potential district and areas/themes of interest. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY City staff is moving forward with the prioritization of noted potential districts and areas/themes of interest with direction from the Historic Preservation Commission. Following the Historic Preservation Commission's consideration, review and direction to look further into nine (9) noted potential districts and areas/themes of interest on Monday, March 26, 2018, further information was gathered in order to assist in the prioritization of movement forward with previous surveys that have been conducted. The intent of these initial findings is to help inform next steps in the prioritization process. BACKGROUND Following the Historic Preservation Commission's consideration, review and direction to look further into nine (9) noted potential districts and areas/themes of interest on Monday, March 26, 2018, further information was gathered in order to assist in the prioritization of movement forward with previous surveys that have been conducted. The nine (9) noted potential districts and areas/themes of interest are as follows (in no particular order): 1. The Brick Warehouse and Office Building District [South Van Ness Industrial District Historic Survey, Fresno, California (Drayton et al)] - 2015 2. Yosemite Avenue Local Historic District [North Park Historic Survey (Galvin Preservation Associates)] - 2008 3. Fresno Hitching Post Thematic Historic District [Hitching Posts Historic Context [draft] (Drayton et al)] - 2012 - initial application approved by HPC, formal application req. 4. Thematic survey of Blackstone Avenue [mid-century Modernism Historic Context (Planning Resource Associates, Inc.)] - 2008 5. Thematic survey of Shaw Avenue [mid-century Modernism Historic Context (Planning Resource Associates, Inc.)] - 2008 6. Chinatown Historic District [Chinatown Historic Resources Survey (Architectural Resources Group, SF)] - 2006 7. Terrace Gardens [Tower District Specific Plan] - 1991 8. St. John's Cathedral District [Ratkovich Plan Reconnaissance Survey] - 1994 9. Historic Warehouse District [City of Fresno Arts-Culture District Historic Property Survey (Urbana Preservation)] - 2006 All survey materials were gathered that pertain to the noted potential districts and areas/themes of interest listed above. Critical information taken from those materials for each included: � Survey Year � Whether it is Contiguous or Discontiguous (Thematic) � If a District Record and DPR survey forms have previously been completed � Comparison of Contributors to Total Properties � Number of Listed Properties Included � Degree of Development Pressure � Need for Intensive Survey � Need for Reconnaissance Survey The table on the following page reflects initial findings. PRIORITY POTENTIAL DISTRICTS AND AREAS/THEMES OF INTEREST TABLE SURVEY YEAR CONTIGUOUS / DISCONTIGUOUS (THEMATIC) DISTRICT RECORD +DPR SURVEY FORMS COMPLETED (CONTRIBUTORS / TOTAL PROPERTIES) NO. OF LOCALLY LISTED PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE (MORE / LESS) NEED FOR INTENSIVE SURVEY NEED FOR RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY The Brick Warehouse and Office Building District 2015 Discontiguous Y (21/21) 1 Less N Y Yosemite Avenue Local Historic District 2008 Contiguous Y (14/14) 2 Less N Y Fresno Hitching Post Thematic Historic District 2012 Discontiguous N (11/11) 5 Less Y Y Thematic survey of Blackstone Avenue 2008 Discontiguous N Undetermined None (related to Mid-Century Modern) More Y Y Thematic survey of Shaw Avenue 2008 Discontiguous N Undetermined None (related to Mid-Century Modern) More Y Y Chinatown Historic District 2006 Contiguous Y (18/25) 4 More N Y Terrace Gardens 1991 Contiguous N (118?/118) 4 Less Y Y St. John's Cathedral District 1977, 1994 Contiguous N (40/48) 15 More Y Y Historic Warehouse District 2006 Contiguous Y (14/37) 1 More N Y Potential districts that have previously completed district records and DPR survey forms provide a great place to start when pursuing district designation and can provide valuable information; however, it is worth noting that the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) advises that when an existing survey is over five years old, "it is appropriate to update the survey to ensure that local planning and preservation decisions are based on the most current information available." Local Historic District designation depends upon the consent of a majority of property owners within a proposed district. It is possible that discontiguous (thematic) potential districts could be pursued with greater ease than contiguous potential districts - as there is less concern for creating boundaries around a geographically definable area. Additionally, a thematic survey "may focus on resource types facing the greatest potential for loss as a result of development efforts, neglect, vandalism or other disturbances." If a potential district includes properties that are also listed in the Local Register of Historic Resources, this also facilitates the process of district designation. Locally listed properties are already noted for their significance and historic integrity. And, property owners that have previously consented to designation would probably not take issue with another designation. All nine (9) of the noted potential districts and areas/themes of interest would require at least a reconnaissance survey. Potential districts that would require an intensive survey include the Fresno Hitching Post Thematic Historic District, the Thematic survey of Blackstone Avenue, the Thematic survey of Shaw Avenue, Terrace Gardens, and St. John's Cathedral District. Known areas of higher development pressure among the noted potential districts and areas/themes of interest include Blackstone Avenue, Shaw Avenue, Chinatown, and possibly the area of St. John's Cathedral District. The potential districts that may be able to achieve designation with more ease include the Brick Warehouse and Office Building District, the Yosemite Avenue Local Historic District, and the Historic Warehouse District - as intensive surveys have already been conducted for them. Attachments (Exhibits B-I are not required reading but are available for reference if needed.) Exhibit A: Sketch Maps for Priority Potential Districts and Areas/Themes of Interest - 2018 Exhibit B: Excerpts from South Van Ness Industrial District Historic Survey, Fresno, California (Drayton et al) - 2015 Exhibit C: Excerpts from North Park Historic Survey (Galvin Preservation Associates) - 2008 Exhibit D: Excerpts from Hitching Posts Historic Context [draft] (Drayton et al) - 2012 Exhibit E: mid-century Modernism Historic Context (Planning Resource Associates, Inc.) - 2008 Exhibit F: Excerpts from Chinatown Historic Resources Survey (Architectural Resources Group, SF) - 2006 Exhibit G: Excerpts from Tower District Specific Plan - 1991 Exhibit H: Excerpts from Ratkovich Plan Reconnaissance Survey - 1994 Exhibit I: Excerpts from City of Fresno Arts-Culture District Historic Property Survey (Urbana Preservation) - 2006 . REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Priority Potential Districts, 23 April 2018 Page REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Priority Potential Districts, 23 April 2018 Page