August 27, 2018 FROM: DANIEL ZACK, AICP Assistant Director Development and Resource Management Department BY: LAURA VAN ONNA Historic Preservation Specialist Development and Resource Management Department SUBJECT: ..Title REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE PRE-APPLICATION, CONSISTING OF CONCEPTUAL ADAPTIVE REUSE PLANS, FOR THE ELIA HOME (HISTORIC PROPERTY #311) LOCATED AT 634-640 VAN NESS AVENUE PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and (b)(23). ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Commission review and comment on the Pre-Application, consisting of conceptual adaptive reuse plans, for the Elia Home (Historic Property #311) located at 634-640 Van Ness Avenue pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and (b)(23). The purpose of this review and comment is to initiate discussion and to provide advisement before moving forward in preparation for a proposed project. Review of a Pre-Application is not a formal project review, cannot result in an approval or denial, and may not be relied upon by an applicant for any purpose other than obtaining generally-applicable information about the historic review process. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The owner of the Elia Home has requested that their Pre-Application, consisting of conceptual adaptive reuse plans, be reviewed and commented upon by the Historic Preservation Commission. Primary concerns for Staff are the fa�ade of the residential building and its setback, as they are character-defining features of the historic resource that are readily visible from the public right-of-way. Staff encourages discussion in pursuit of an optimal design for use of the front and side (south) yards that enhances, and minimizes any potential adverse effects to, the historic character of the property. Pursuant to FMC 12-1606(a)(2) and (b)(23), Staff requests that the Commission review and comment on this Pre-Application for the purposes of initiating discussion and providing advisement before moving forward in preparation for a proposed project. Review of a Pre-Application is not a formal project review, cannot result in an approval or denial, and may not be relied upon by an applicant for any purpose other than obtaining generally-applicable information about the historic review process. BACKGROUND The owner of the Elia Home has requested that their Pre-Application, consisting of conceptual adaptive reuse plans, be reviewed and commented upon by the Historic Preservation Commission. The conceptual adaptive reuse plans envision a conversion of the first floor of the residential building to a bar, and the second floor to offices. These conceptual plans essentially entail an extension of the front porch; installation of a trellis along the side (south) elevation; alterations to the rear elevation including construction of a deck and installation of a roll-up glass garage door; as well as interior rearrangements to accommodate the new proposed uses. Upon initial review of the Pre-Application for the Elia Home, Staff finds that the fa�ade of the residential building and its setback are the primary concerns as they are character-defining features of the historic resource that are readily visible from the public right-of-way. Staff encourages discussion in pursuit of an optimal design for use of the front and side (south) yards that enhances, and minimizes any potential adverse effects to, the historic character of the property. There may be some considerable alternatives to essentially extending the first-story porch across the front yard, while maintaining an element of spatial differentiation such as fencing or landscaping. For example, with a ramp installed for access to the south end of the porch: a. A deck could be extended from the base of the porch out toward the sidewalk - which would still provide for an elevated platform, as the front yard slopes downward toward the street, but not rise quite as high as the one being proposed. b. The front yard could be terraced up to the base of the porch. c. The front yard could be flattened. The intention of this Pre-Application is 1) to obtain advice and guidance on retaining a sense of place for this historic resource while considering adaptation and innovation for present and future needs and 2) to gain a consensus on what is recommended, what is likely to be permissible, and what may require further discussion. The Elia Home (1915, 1935) located at 634-640 Van Ness Avenue consists of a two-story duplex, or multiple-family residence, that exhibits elements of the Fold Victorian and Colonial Revival architectural styles with the addition of a one-story storefront commercial building that exhibits elements of the Art Deco architectural style in the Armenian Town neighborhood in Downtown Fresno. The period of significance identified for this property is 1915-2001. The Elia family occupied the property from the time of its construction up until the death of Anna Elia in 2001. The Resolution designating the Elia Home to the Local Register of Historic Resources was adopted by Fresno City Council on May 24, 2018. The property is greater than 50 years of age and possesses integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association (FMC 12-1607). Additionally, it is significant under Local Register Criterion i because it is associated with the early development of the Armenian Town neighborhood and Criterion iii because it has distinction as a Live/Work property type. 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 1606 outlines the duties and powers of the Commission. Sections 1606(a)(2) and (b)(23) specifically refer to the duties entailing review, comment, advisement, and guidance for historic resources: (a)(2) The regulation of exterior alterations visible from a public right-of-way including demolition, relocation and new construction, and interior alterations which would affect the significance of Historic Resources or Historic Districts. (b)(23) Render advice and guidance, upon the request of a property owner or tenant on the financial and physical aspects of the restoration, alteration, rehabilitation, landscaping or maintenance of any Historic Resource, any Contributor to any Historic District (LHD or NRD) or any Heritage Property. Historic Review Pre-Application Submittal Check List The Submittal Check List for the Historic Review Pre-Application is not as comprehensive and final as it would be for a formal project review, and includes the following: * Current Photographs o At least one overall view of the property o A detailed view of each historic feature that involves the proposed work * Conceptual Plans o An existing site plan (and a proposed site plan if different from existing), which can be hand-drawn and is not required to be scale. o Inspirational visuals and descriptions for the proposed work Attachments Exhibit A: State of California Survey Forms for the Elia Home 634-640 Van Ness Avenue Prepared April 9, 2018 by Laura Groves van Onna for the City of Fresno. Exhibit B: Historic Review Pre-Application Submittal from the owner of the Elia Home (Historic Property #311) located at 634-640 Van Ness Avenue, August 2018.