REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 24, 2022 FROM: MIKE SANCHEZ, Assistant Director Planning and Development Department BY: ALICIA GONZALES, Historic Preservation Specialist Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title HEARING TO CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS ON the relocation of the Calwa Park Rocket (HR# 20) located at 4545 E. Church Ave. (APN 480011036T) pursuant to FMC Section 12-1619. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) take the following actions: 1. APPROVE: P21-05799 consisting of improvements, renovations to Calwa Park and the relocation of The Calwa Park Rocket (HR #20) located at 4545 E. Church Ave. with the following conditions: a. Staff will be allowed to photograph before, during and upon completions of the project; and b. 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 Calwa Recreation Park District and Provost & Pritchard consulting group filed application P21-05799 on October 28, 2021, improvements, renovations to Calwa Park and the relocation of The Calwa Park Rocket. The application was accepted on November 29, 2021 and was brought before the Historic Preservation Commission for preliminary workshop presentation on December 27, 2021. The project proposes major renovations to Calwa Park but primary concerns for staff is the relocation of the Calwa Park Rocket since this alteration to the exterior of a Historic Resources and should be considered for Historic Review. Pursuant to FMC 12-1619 staff requests that the Commission consider and make findings on application P21-05799. BACKGROUND The Calwa Rocket [c.1962] is a traditional "Moon Rocket" play structure that was once prevalent and popular on American playgrounds in the 1960s and 1970s. The rocket is located within northwest edge of Calwa Park, which opened on March 8, 1958, on land donated by the Santa Fe Railroad. The Rocket is 26 feet in height, elliptical in shape and constructed of metal, a center pole provides the major load bearing for the structure and pierces through the four round play platforms, which are color coded: the lowest two are red, the third yellow and the topmost platform is blue and is 7 feet wide. Metal stairs within the rocket are offset and provide access to each play area. Four prefabricated metal "fins" provide additional support. The rocket is set within a packed dirt circle which is 19.5 feet across and edged with a concrete curb. Originally the rocket included a slide which was removed in 1970 or 71 due to liability and insurance concerns. The Calwa Rocket was added to the Heritage Properties list in 2013. Project Proposal The Calwa Recreation Park District and Provost & Pritchard consulting group filed application P21-05799 for improvements, renovations to Calwa Park and the relocation of The Calwa Park Rocket which is subject for Historic Review. Because this request entails the relocation of a Historic Resource the Commission is required to review this project proposal. A general over view of the entire parks renovation includes: new picnic areas, installation of outdoor exercise area, installation of three age appropriate playgrounds, walking loop, relocated and renovated rocket, redesign of ADA accessible pathways including walking loop, renovation to the market plaza with existing snack bar upgrades and kiosk sign panel, sensory and drought tolerant demonstration garden, install new lighting throughout the park, installation of new shade structures, installation of new benches, and overhaul of entire landscaping throughout the park. Specific to the Calwa Rocket, the scope of work includes: the Calwa Rocket being un-bolted from its foundation, refurbishment to ensure its structural integrity, relocation to the central plaza nearest the parking lot in the South Western corner of the park, access to the inside of the rocket will be removed, new rocket-themed plaza will be created around the Rocket, new paint, installation of misting feature and installation of lights under the rocket. Optional additions include light features, enhanced concrete paving with a sparkle finish, fog play feature rather than a simple misting feature and signage displaying information about the history of the Calwa Rocket and its significance. Staff finds that the relocation and preservation efforts proposed for the Calwa Rocket will enhance the value and historic integrity by highlighting the historic resource with a new use as a landmark. The preservation of the Calwa Rocket and relocation will move the rocket into a prominent location where it can be maintained, and its history shared with a new generation. Therefore, Staff recommends approval with conditions. 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 12-1619 outlines the Heritage Property Permit Process (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, association, partnership, or other legal entity to directly or indirectly alter, remodel, demolish, grade, remove, construct, reconstruct or restore the Heritage Property without first obtaining a city permit and the written approval of the Historic Preservation Commission. FMC Section 11-1736 Historical Building Provisions Qualified Historical Buildings may use the State Historical Building Code. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Preservation: Standard 1 A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that maximizes the retention of distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships. Where a treatment and use have not been identified, a property will be protected and, if necessary, stabilized until additional work may be undertaken Standard 2 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 Standard 3 Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Work needed to stabilize, consolidate, and conserve existing historic materials and features will be physically and visually compatible, identifiable upon close inspection and properly documented for future research. Standard 6 The existing condition of historic features will be evaluated to determine the appropriate level of intervention needed. Where the severity of deterioration requires repair or limited replacement of a distinctive feature, the new material will match the old in composition, design, color, and texture. California Historical Building Code (CHBC) (Title 24, Part 8) 8-2 Definitions Rehabilitation. The act or process of making possible a compatible use for qualified historical building or property through repair, alterations and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its qualified historical, cultural, or architectural values. Repair. Renewal, reconstruction, or renovation of any portion of an existing property, site or building for the purpose of its continued use. FMC Section 12-1617 (b) provides that: Upon receipt of an application or proposal for a demolition, grading, removal or building permit for any Historic Resource, the City department or agency receiving same shall, within five calendar days, notify the Secretary and forward said permit application or proposal and accompanying documentation to the Secretary and shall not process the application or proposal without the authorization of the Specialist. Also, written notice shall be provided to all property owners within a 2,000-foot radius of the subject property, measured from property line to property line, and to the Councilmember for the applicable District, of the application at least fourteen days prior to any scheduled hearing before the Commission. The Director of the Development Department may approve, in the name of the Commission, non-substantial alterations to the Historic Resource based on the application presented. 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 ANALYSIS If the Commission find 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). Further, none of the exceptions in CEQA Guidelines 15300.2 apply to this project. CONCLUSIONS Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approve P21-05799 consisting of improvements, renovations to Calwa Park and the relocation of The Calwa Park Rocket (HR #20) located at 4545 E. Church Ave. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: DPR Forms Attachment B: Application Packet Attachment C: Application Environmental Assessment Form Attachment D: Environmental Assessment [CEQA Categorical Exemption Class 31] Attachment E: Historic Resource Permit Checklist Attachment F: Calwa Rocket Relocation Workshop [12/27/2021]