August 26, 2019 FROM: DANIEL ZACK, AICP Assistant Director Planning and Development Department BY: LAURA GROVES van ONNA Historic Preservation Specialist Planning and Development Department SUBJECT: ..Title CONSIDERATION, REVIEW AND DIRECTION RELATED TO STATUS OF POTENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND HISTORIC SURVEYS IN ORDER TO REASSESS THE CURRENT PRIORITY DISTRICT LIST. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff is seeking direction from the Commission to help inform current prioritization and survey efforts related to potential districts and areas/themes of interest. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Staff is opening discussion related to the status of potential historic district and historic surveys in order to reassess the current priority district list at the request of the Commission. On Monday, April 23, 2018, the Commission reached a consensus to prioritize five (5) potential districts and areas/themes of interest. Since that time, Staff has initiated a reconnaissance survey for the potential Chinatown Historic District. Staff is seeking direction from the Commission to help inform current prioritization and survey efforts. 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 were 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 Initial findings gathered regarding these potential districts and areas/themes of interest consisted of the information in the table in the attachments. Upon further discussion on Monday, April 23, 2018, the Commission reached a consensus to prioritize the following five (5) potential districts and areas/themes of interest (in order as listed): 1. Chinatown Historic District [Chinatown Historic Resources Survey (Architectural Resources Group, SF)] - 2006 2. Historic Warehouse District [City of Fresno Arts-Culture District Historic Property Survey (Urbana Preservation)] - 2006 3. Yosemite Avenue Local Historic District [North Park Historic Survey (Galvin Preservation Associates)] - 2008 4. Fresno Hitching Post Thematic Historic District [Hitching Posts Historic Context [draft] (Drayton et al)] - 2012 - initial application approved by HPC, formal application req. 5. Thematic survey of Blackstone Avenue [mid-century Modernism Historic Context (Planning Resource Associates, Inc.)] - 2008 On Monday, June 24, 2019 during Unscheduled Items, the Commission suggested discussion be opened related to the status of potential historic district and historic surveys in order to reassess the current priority district list, given funding that has been received through the Better Blackstone Design Challenge. Progress made on the current priority district list includes initiation of a reconnaissance survey for the potential Chinatown Historic District. Survey efforts are taking place within the boundaries identified in the 2006 survey conducted by Architectural Resources Group, encompassing the blocks bounded by Mariposa, Inyo, E, and G streets. Additionally, Staff has extended the survey boundary west to Highway 99 and north to Fresno Street. Attachments (Exhibits D-K are not required reading but are available for reference if needed.) Exhibit A: Noted Potential Districts and Areas/Themes of Interest prepared by City Staff (March 2018). Exhibit B: Priority Potential Districts and Areas/Themes of Interest Table prepared by City Staff (April 2018). Exhibit C: Sketch Maps for Priority Potential District and Areas/Themes of Interest prepared by City Staff (April 2018). Exhibit D: Excerpts from South Van Ness Industrial District Historic Survey, Fresno, California (Drayton et al) - 2015. Exhibit E: Excerpts from North Park Historic Survey (Galvin Preservation Associates) - 2008. Exhibit F: Excerpts from Hitching Posts Historic Context [draft] (Drayton et al) - 2012. Exhibit G: mid-century Modernism Historic Context (Planning Resource Associates, Inc.) - 2008. Exhibit H: Excerpts from Chinatown Historic Resources Survey (Architectural Resources Group, SF) - 2006. Exhibit I: Excerpts from Tower District Specific Plan - 1991. Exhibit J: Excerpts from Ratkovich Plan Reconnaissance Survey - 1994 and Historic Districts Plan - 1977. Exhibit K: Excerpts from City of Fresno Arts-Culture District Historic Property Survey (Urbana Preservation) - 2006. Exhibit L: Boundary Maps for Re-Survey of Potential Chinatown Historic District prepared by City Staff (July 2019).