REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION July 25, 2022 FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department BY: ALICIA GONZALES, Historic Preservation Specialist Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title HEARING TO CONSIDER AND MAKE FINDINGS on application P22-01337 for the installation of a sign to HP# 160 Sun Stereo located at 736/742 Fulton St. (APN 46825608). STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) take the following actions: 1. ADOPT a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15331/Class 31 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines 2. APPROVE: Application P22-01337 for the installation of a sign to HP# 160 Sun Stereo located at 736/742 Fulton St. (APN46825608) with conditions. ..Body EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On behalf of the owner, Brianna Garcia of Sign Works filed application P22-01337 on April 8, 2022. The scope of work is for the installation of an open-face channel letter sign with exposed lighting and clear faces to the front fa�ade of HP# 160 Sun Stereo located at 736 Fulton St. (APN46825608). Primary concerns are the methods of attachment to the wall, as they will bore into the structure potentially causing damage to the exterior fa�ade. Staff recommends approval with the following conditions: a. Staff will be allowed to photograph before, during and upon completion 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. BACKGROUND Sun Stereo Warehouse [b.1918] located at 736/742 Fulton St. (APN46825608). The Sun Stereo Warehouse is a square plan complex which primary elevation faces Southwest toward Fulton St. Sun Stereo is a 2-story Commercial Block style building. The building is an unreinforced masonry building with an exterior brick fa�ade with elements of the Italian Renaissance Revival architectural style in Downtown Fresno. Character defining features which historically included wood windows setback in brick walls in rectangular patterns, grey-brown face brick on the fa�ade and decorative cornice on front elevations. Throughout 2019-2020 after approval by the HPC the property which had fallen into disrepair underwent rehabilitation of the ground floor store fronts, and tenant improvements to the facade. The building is approximately 26,250 square foot building and on a .25-acre lot. The period of significance identified for this property is 1920. Sun Stereo received its local designation when it was adopted by the Fresno City Council in 1980 under Resolution 80-361. Project Proposal On behalf of the owner, Brianna Garcia of SignWorks filed application P22-01337 on April 8, 2022. The project proposes the installation of a sign which is subject to Historic Review. This request entails exterior alterations visible from the public right-of-way which could potentially affect the significance of a historic resource. The sign installation plan entails a 297.75" long sign x 36" tall X 3" wide Open-Face Channel Letter sign with exposed lighting and clear faces which reads Sun Stereo Warehouse and is centered above the middle store front entry of the building of the primary western elevation (facing Fulton St.). Pink LEDs or Neon are potential options for the lighting of this sign. Additionally pink vinyl will be applied to the back of the channel letters for day viewing. The attachments proposed are four (4) metal chase raceway mounts with ten (10) tab mounting locations. Each raceway will be attached to the front faced with 1/4" -fourteen (14) self-drilling screws with blind anchors, thirty-four (34) total. The electric conduit will run under the wall and into the bottom of the raceway, not visible by the public. Project Analysis HP# 160 Sun Stereo located at 736 Fulton St. is an individually listed historic resource on the Local Register of Historic Resources therefore any proposed project with a scope of work which proposes substantial alterations to the resource is subject to review by the Commission pursuant to FMC Section 12-1617. The provisions for wall mounted signs comply with FMC Section 15-2610 (E) for signs within the downtown zone district; DTN (Downtown Neighborhood) DTG (Downtown general) and DTC (Downtown Core). Upon initial review of application P22-01337 for Sun Stereo, Staff finds that the proposed sign which is 297.75" (approximately 25') long X 36" (3') tall respects the size and scale of the building which front fa�ade elevations measure approximately 73'-2" wide x 32'-10" tall. 1. The sign would be one-third of the width of the building and one tenth of the height. This scale is proportional to the building. 2. The sign's placement does not obscure significant features of the historic buildings and respects the neighboring property's theme and aesthetic. 3. The sign's materials and style are compatible with the neighborhood's signs. Similar signs are located within the immediate vicinity of the site including one three parcels south on Fulton St.; Fulton Circle Brewing Co. (APN 46825605) has a channel letter sign on the front fa�ade and across Fulton St. facing east, are several retail spaces within one parcel (APN 46828304) which have small circular graphic pop out signs. Staff has consulted with an Engineer in the Building & Safety Division (attachment) who has found that the methods of attachment will be minimally invasive to the front fa�ade material and will not impact to the structural integrity of the building. Note that research has demonstrated that previous iterations of retail wall signs have been present on the front of this building throughout history (see attached photo). Notice of Historic Preservation Commission Hearing 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. This project was originally scheduled to be brought before the Historic Preservation Commission on May 23, 2022. Multiple addresses associated with the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) required a second redistribution of the public notice. At the June 27, 2022 meeting, a quorum of the Historic Preservation Commission was not able to be retained and the item was continued to the Special Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission scheduled for July 13, 2022 and a third redistribution of the public notice was sent out June 29, 2022. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Environmental Analysis If the Commission finds 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). Section 15331 is applicable because the proposed project is a limited replacement in kind. Historical materials (attachment) demonstrate that signage was affixed to the exterior fa�ade of this building. The proposed project is designed within the approximate size, scale, and style of the historical sign. The installation of the proposed sign will not permanently alter any historic or character defining features of the building. Additionally, the project is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standard for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment and therefore is categorically exempt and should be adopted. Further, none of the exceptions in CEQA Guidelines 15300.2 apply to this project. FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS Based upon analysis of the application, the required findings by the Historic Preservation Commission to approve application permit # P22-01337. FMC Section 12-1617 (h) are as follows: FINDING 1 can be made because the proposed work is found to be consistent with the purposes of this article and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards 2. Standard 2 provides 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. Documentation explains and show that throughout history there is evidence that signs were hung on the exterior of this property. Ornamentation of this facade with signs are temporary fixtures which can be removed without altering the character of the historic building. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties, rehabilitation section recommends Identifying, retaining, and preserving storefronts and their functional and decorative features that are important in defining the overall historic character of the building. The storefront materials (including wood, masonry, metals, ceramic tile, clear glass and pigmented structural glass) and the configuration of the storefront are significant, as are features, such as display windows, base panels, bulkheads, signs, doors, transoms, kick plates, corner posts, piers, and entablatures. The proposed work is not detrimental to the special historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the Historic Resource because the installation attachments will not cause damage to the exterior wall of the building. FINDING 2 is not applicable because the installation of (1) illuminated sign with the properties historic name are not necessary to correct an unsafe or dangerous condition on the property. FINDING 3 is not applicable because there is no evidence that the denial of the application will not result in unreasonable economic hardship to the owner. FINDING 4 is not applicable because the site is not required for a public use which will directly benefit the public health, safety and welfare and will be of more benefit that the Historic Resource. FINDING 5 is not applicable because this is not an application for relocation of an Historic Resource. Staff Recommendation: Based upon analysis of the application, staff recommends approval of Application P22-01337 for the installation of a sign to HP# 160 Sun Stereo located at 736 Fulton St. (APN46825608) with the following conditions: a. Staff will be allowed to photograph before, during and upon completion 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. CONCLUSION The appropriateness of the proposed project has been examined with respect to its consistency to the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Section 12-1617, 15-2610, 11-1736, The Downtown-Neighborhoods Community Plan 2.16.11, 2.16.12, the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) (Title 24, Part 8), The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and The Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The proposed project has been descried and analyzed above and by the accompanying environmental assessment. Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approve with conditions application P22-01337 for the installation of a sign to HP# 160 Sun Stereo located at 736 Fulton St. (APN46825608). Attachments: Exhibit A - Location Map Exhibit B - DPR Forms (2007) Exhibit C - Historic Inventory (1978) Exhibit D - Resolution 80-361 Exhibit E - Revised Plans (2022) Exhibit F - Sign Lighting Compliance Form Exhibit G - Combined Structural Report (2022) Exhibit H - Sign Photo (1964) Exhibit I - Categorical Exemption Exhibit J - Historic Resource Permit Checklist