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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/16/1996, 4 - HISTORICAL DESIGNATION FOR CITY HALL city of san tins oBispo COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT NUBER: FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Public Works Direct Prepared by: David Elliott, Administrative Analyse SUBJECT: Historical Designation for City Hall CAO RECOMMENDATION: Add 990 Palm Street (San Luis Obispo City Hall) to the City's Master List of Historic Resources DISCUSSION: At its meeting on February 27, 1996, the Council approved plans and specifications for "City Hall Seismic Safety and HVAC Improvements Project - Specification No. 9101-540-553" and authorized Public Works to advertise for bids. As staffinembers mentioned at that meeting, the first plancheck review for this project had determined that various accessibility improvements would be required to make City Hall comply strictly with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provisions, unless a waiver could be arranged. These improvements would include substantial and expensive alterations to both the upstairs and downstairs restrooms. City Hall is commonly recognized as an architecturally and historically significant building and is listed as a "contributing property" to the architectural and historical context of the downtown and the civic center. If the building were added to the City's Master List of Historic Resources, building and safety officials could waive ADA accessibility requirements. Such a waiver could be justified because several accessibility improvements have been completed during the last five years to comply with regulations then in effect. (Despite this justification, the project will include improvements to eliminate the constricted entrances to the upstairs restrooms, because these entrances have proven to be a well-documented accessibility problem.) The Council directed Public Works to pursue adding City Hall to the Master List so that alterations to the downstairs restrooms could be eliminated from the plans and specifications. At its meeting on March 19, 1996, the Cultural Heritage Committee nominated 990 Palm Street (San Luis Obispo City Hall) for addition to the Master List. Attached are the staff report for that meeting along with the Historic Resources Inventory and the Documentation of Historical Significance. FISCAL IMPACT: Eliminating the downstairs restroom alterations should reduce construction contract cost by an estimated $19,200. ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report (Memorandum) for CHC meeting on March 19, 1996 Historic Resources Inventory Documentation of Historical Significance hAbaildin&hhva %chcs.sgn MEMORANDUM March 19, 1996 TO: Cultural Heritage Committee MEETING DATE: March 25, 1996 FROM: David Elliott, Administrative Analyst VIA: John Mandeville, Long-Range Planning Manager SUBJECT: Item #1: Request to nominate San Luis Obispo City Hall at 990 Palm Street to the Master List of Historic Resources Situation At its February 21, 1996 meeting, the CHC continued this item and asked staffinembers to provide additional historical documentation about the building's architect, William Decker Holdredge. The data summary, site description, setting, and reason for request are all included in the staff report for the February 26 meeting, which is attached. Based on additional research and analysis, staffinembers believe that it may be appropriate to add City Hall to the Master List based on the following criteria from Appendix C: Procedures for Adding Properties to the Master List of Historic Resources: I.3. The building has a traditional city hall form characterized by a prominent entrance and enduring materials. H.1. The building is unique and notably attractive because of its artistic merit, details, and craftsmanship. 111.3. The architect made significant contributions to the City of San Luis Obispo. A summary of this additional research and analysis is attached and titled "Influence of William Decker Holdredge". Staffinembers will present the completed historic resources inventory form along with photographs and other materials at the March 25 meeting. Action Alternatives The Cultural Heritage Committee should consider the following alternatives before forwarding a recommendation to the City Council: 1. Recommend that the City Council add 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, to the Master List of Historic Resources as a Type 5 property (significant at a local level) based on one or more of the three criteria listed above. y-Z 990 Palm Street Page 2 2. Do not recommend that the City Council add 990 Palm Street to the Master List of Historic Resources, based on Committee findings which state reasons why the property does not meet the criteria listed in the Historic Preservation Guidelines. 3. Continue the item for additional discussion or with direction to provide additional information. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call David Elliott at 781-7209. Attachments: Influence of William Decker Holdredge Staff Report (Memorandum) for the February 26, 1996 CHC meeting which includes: Draft Historic Inventory Appendix C: Procedures for Adding Properties to the Master List of Historic Resources Obituary for William Holdredge, the architect for City Hall h Abuildin&hhvackhc3.doc INFLUENCE OF WILLIAM DECKER HOLDREDGE William Decker Holdredge was born on February 24, 1903 in New York. He graduated from the University of Southern California in the 1920's and worked as an architect in California and Hawaii until World War II, when he served in the army. After the war, he moved to San Luis Obispo, where he practiced architecture until moving to Houston, Texas in 1956. His legacy in San Luis Obispo derives from two sources: 1) his organization of a seminal and influential architectural practice which survived in San Luis Obispo until 1994 and 2) his enduring design for San Luis Obispo City Hall. Architectural Practice in San Luis Obispo When Holdredge moved to San Luis Obispo in the late 1940's, he bought a residential design practice from H. B. Douglas an architect working out of the SP Milling yard on Santa Barbara Street. Holdredge transformed this business into a full-fledged professional architectural practice. At that time, he, Douglas, and William Badgley (the designer of the Old Library next to City Hall) were the only three practicing architects in the city. Holdredge ran a fairly busy practice in San Luis Obispo and brought John Ross into the firm in 1954. In 1956, Holdredge sold his interest in the company to Ross and moved to Houston, Texas, where he and a partner formed the firm of Fitch and Holdredge. Holdredge practiced architecture in Texas until his retirement. In 1958, Ross hired Rod Levin, a recent Cal Poly graduate. In 1964 Levin became a partner, and the practice was known as Ross and Levin. In the 1960's and 1970's this firm grew to become one of the largest and most successful architectural firms in San Luis Obispo, specializing particularly in institutional design work. With the addition of two more partners in the 1980's, the firm eventually became Ross, Levin, MacIntyre and Varner, which lasted until 1994, when it dissolved in bankruptcy. Most of the people interviewed who knew Holdredge while he was practicing in San Luis Obispo said that he designed many building projects, but they could not remember any specifically other than City Hall. City staffinembers have confirmed that Holdredge designed and managed the following projects in San Luis Obispo: an addition of a rectory to the Old Mission monastery at 941 Chorro Street (1947) C an addition and remodel of a residence into a mortuary at 1264 Higuera Street (1947) G an addition to the Old Mission convent wing at 941 Chorro Street (1948) C an addition of an office unit to the French Clinic at 1160 Marsh Street (1948) o a remodel of the storefront at 978 Monterey Street (1948) 0 San Luis Obispo City Hall at 990 Palm Street (1951) G a medical office building for the County Health Department at 1551 Bishop Street (1955) o a medical office building for Dr. Albert Gazin at 743 Pismo Street (1955) 0 a remodel of the Johnson Building at 796 Higuera Street (1956) �-y C a remodel to add purchasing agent offices to the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse at 976 Osos Street (1957 -- completed by John Ross) C a residence for Theodore Maino at 643 Grove Street (year unknown) Further confirmation is difficult because the archives of Ross, Levin, MacIntyre, and Varner, which contained drawings of all Holdredge's work in San Luis Obispo, were destroyed when the firm was dissolved. Unconfirmed anecdotal evidence shows that Holdredge may have designed the following projects: O Chris Jesperson School at 251 Grand Avenue C an office building at 784 Pacific Street C an office building at 1011 Pacific Street C a retail store 1019-21 Morro Street C a construction yard in the 2200 block of Broad Street (the current Mid-State Bank site) Design for San Luis Obispo City Hall Holdredge's design for San Luis Obispo City Hall is predominately Mediterranean with some Italianate and Mission Revival influences. Several City Hall building elements reflect the form (but not necessarily the style) of traditional neo-classical government buildings. The front of the building along Palm Street presents a monumental form symmetrical about a prominent central entrance with a stately brick and concrete staircase. Identical office wings flank this entrance. The spacious foyer and hallways and the rotunda between the foyer and the council chamber echo similar elements in traditional capitol buildings and metropolitan city halls. As in many neo-classical buildings, the formal exterior and public area masses dictate the shapes of the interior office areas. These traditional forms are consistent with Holdredge's training in the 1920's at the USC School of Architecture, which was still a beaux-arts institution at that time. Unusual combinations of enduring and well-selected materials (some used commonly and others used rarely in San Luis Obispo) make this building distinctive. Details throughout the building are restrained and contribute to an image of stateliness and permanence without ostentation. These details include: o a low-slope hipped roof with flat (not barrel-shaped) clay tiles and flush eaves 0 copper raingutters and downspouts 0 smooth plaster exterior wall surfaces with a a continuous crenelated frieze o massive bronze doors at the street entrances C steel casement windows o glazed plain and decorative tiles which emphasize entrances and windows o extensive uses of brick (on exterior facades below the line of the upper floor, on balustrades, and on retaining walls) which anchor the building to its site o decorative tile wainscoting, terazzo flooring, and cove molding in the upper floor hallways o naturally-finished solid oak doors and casings �- S 0 dark-stained redwood paneling and molding in the rotunda The City Hall design is an important part of the Civic Center architectural context which influenced design of the 1987 City/County Library. The library incorporates several elements from the City Hall design, including the low-slope hipped roof, the flat clay tiles, the flush eaves, the smooth plaster exterior wall surfaces, the glazed green tiles, and the extensive use of brick. 4t4 MEMORANDUM February 21, 1996 TO: Cultural Heritage Committee MEETING DATE: February 26, 1996 FROM: David Elliott, Administrative Analyst VIA: John Mandeville, Long-Range Planning Manager SUBJECT: Item #1: Request to nominate San Luis Obispo City Hall at 990 Palm Street to the Master List of Historic Resources. Situation Community Development Department has received a request from Public Works Department to nominate San Luis Obispo City Hall to the City's Master List of Historic Resources. A historic inventory report accompanied the request and is attached. The building's historic name is "San Luis Obispo City Hall". Data Summary Property Owner: City of San Luis Obispo Representative: David Elliott, Administrative Analyst, Public Works Department Project Address: 990 Palm Street Zoning: PF General Plan: Public Facilities Site Description Two-story Mediterranean-style government office building located on a sloping, 300' X 150' lot. Setting In the City's Civic Center, directly across the street from the City/County Library and diagonally across the Palm/Osos intersection from the County Government Center. Reason for Request Public Works Department is getting ready to start the City Hall Seismic Safety and HVAC Improvements Project. This project has two major components: 1) correcting structural deficiencies to help the building withstand a major earthquake and 2) repairing and improving the heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) systems. During preparation of construction documents, it has become clear that adding City Hall to the Master List of Historic Resources �1-7 990 Palm Street Page 2 will allow the City to use more flexible codes and accomplish the project objectives without radical alterations. Based on the historic inventory (attached) and some cursory analysis, staff believes that it may be appropriate to add City Hall to the Master List based on the following criteria from Appendix C: Procedures for Adding Properties to the Master List of Historic Resources: I.3. The building has a traditional city hall form characterized by a prominent entrance and enduring materials. I.4. The building has maintained its original integrity with only minor alterations. 11.1. Although it is not unique, the building is notably attractive because of its artistic merit, details, and craftsmanship. 111.3. The architect made significant contributions to the City of San Luis Obispo. Action Alternatives The Cultural Heritage Committee should consider the following alternatives before forwarding a recommendation to the City Council: 1. Recommend that the City Council add 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, to the Master List of Historic Resources as a Type 5 property (significant at a local level) 2. Do not recommend that the City Council add 990 Palm Street to the Master List of Historic Resources, based on Committee findings which state reasons why the property does not meet the criteria listed in the Historic Preservation Guidelines. 3. Continue the item for additional discussion or with direction to provide additional information. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call David Elliott at 781-7209. Attachments: Historic Inventory Appendix C: Procedures for Adding Properties to the Master List of Historic Resources Obituary for William Holdredge, the architect for City Hall y� � Reference No. Name Address Date 4 at- '83 Reviewed by 7-r,-wkk AROMWIMM S=(S) The at nOfo ► is a S a z aksc. 57r.�ctu,¢ bw'�,n5 esS -S'ivj e. SP ' %s .z .3 story stricture resting on aG.,. ,,� foundation. Its overall a ly�i Y rase un.,�l Pw t shape is 5, �_ ,� Lwith (a) N car garage located S�wti a �pG 7 ar 5 1 n5 e o 1 +10 to the of the house. There is a L^.W,,.J e rl r8lf o� riCd'Nw4 A,YT i ry pitched roof capped with —(��.�. q4je1h;p ° rYnC4 a ;pPer4 ,�enk,n ro mO;eriZ ca1.p„s�t,or.sl,.;3k The external walls are sheathed th GO C-' r:Lr. e finish. The ZMPDov j'P aP 541n5)eS ucco etc door(s) is/are C-rr,._ with trim; and the Cen e,' o Fce r mo ed la d681- itself is characterized by (2Et 6LNee, shaped panels and num. @ S ar nK..b-r S slry glass openings,. There are l_ds�,r.�,,,r— windows with -- nu,n r e 9 i bn..d, tript ,sasl. c6b 1+"/ ala ^`o / {� 11 C4Sem�nt/�•�(��. � trim that Q' V1a c Mrs _ 01 o ilo. of Mtind&,x in relator.. to doorwo yowl; hawe, etc. cL'�;-�. ��, The panes in thj � � �� �udow(s) are separated by 1k,J4. of a to 4(a-9-1 'a- shape. The window sills are primarily LU[-4., SJU re rt guar d1*44n ,ie u9s�11s sips, s�a7�c Part of the character of this structure comes dcu.r�La o-uc�l.an� of 2awcs-a y,y �q, s15a11y,nti.c protruding elements such as F•1o.)E , and/or other e-$•j r4¢ Vs' pur in S, bra4teft features such as . Another feature is the ++:u. roof Fe4wvs- P llet'c• IhCrr_ Ini41 4 . window with and 0.Y $u+Ctrcfo;1� fou �elc.,sra.wfi( 9ksS +iJin a.) efa: bb � the extending above the roof. The porch is t6cz - atmt downer . rec n un+j Klar fou n4 in shape, Q' and is V Dpan JdaseA I reces with and 0thr specie" ecor ;,ic wn p sc is cdw"s t'PZR pons spec 4 spr a art4 a decor ,;� �+et4� ftatures include the and the Address of Building Name Location Map Overall, these features reveal that the structure is predominantly in style withIr �r influences. overtones/motifs. c,rtle one- Also, a demi to addition can be seen to the �- I sit riyAt'Si a reams nu+.r The structure has a W e�� cared for appearance with // WCQ ld,,r+� . pMr y a "c-0-�Y 1 a C, c'scrl sC T+oL)e. �C.0-+i3.`-ems �rCsa i"l l,� Cc" / �Ov�'t.�. GI.A-mss �'��t'..S Q.�'t7�sS:i• V.I�d-tG.. 1S R� L.Af•_�`—.. h^'1�- o� TSU� `o ,•, v �i%.� A. �., ` ^ t p �r \�1 s� [� '!A•�1�L.-�,1' � t/ `!''l C{,iG'^A Q� f111`�.r ��tr"u L-'t1 v`!a c.s !s- O�t�� We.; rGu LQ �-Cnu:�' pC • � Hca-- A.-cid �'C,u,� Zj�t.c'tL"A-s�.v C 1L—��,.��,.,��. •�. � ��-e.a� 1S Au �� I u� 400 • B � Obituaries Bremerton,Wash., in 19a5 from their ret; home in Laguna Niguel. He was member of the American Institute of Arc tects, Rotary International and Masons Ki Robert Wainscott David Lodge 209,San Luis Obispo. Robert William Wainscott, Jr., 19, of San He is survived by his wife, Mildred Luis Obispo died Tuesday,March ld,1489,in Bremerton; one sister, Beatrice Taylor an automobile accident one mile east of Stanton; two sons, Thomas Rosebraugh Paso Robles on Union Road. Washington, Melvin Rosebraugh of thie Services will be Monday at 10 a.m. in the and four grandchildren, including Kae Chapman of Arrays Grande. Reis Chapel with Rev. Bob Bowers of the Church of Christ officiating. .lune E. Haste Mr. Wainscott was born June 30, 1969, in San Luis Obispo, to Robert and Brenda Gayle Cassera Wainscott. He attended San June Edith Holt Haste, 61, a form Luis Obispo schools but was a graduate from resident of San Luis Obispo, died Saturda Paso Robles High School. He was an excel. March d, 1989, at Rancho Mirage Hea' lent athlete,who loved surfing and bowling. Care Center in Rancho Mirage. He had been an employee of the Williams Memorial services were held Sunda Bros. Markets in San Luis Obispo for two March 12 at the Church of the Des- Years as a clerk, cashier, and had recently Religious Science, Palm Desert. The eulc been transferred to the Los Osos store. was presented by her son, Ray H--' T He is survived by his parents, Brenda Rev. Betty Jandle officiated. A Cassera Boulais of San Luis Obispo and was held at the family home is Pali. A., Robert Williams Wainscott, Sr., of Oregon; Mrs. Haste was born June 27, 1927, in 5 one brother, John Wainscott of San Luis Luis Obispo.She lived at the family home Obispo; maternal grandparents, Frank and Pismo Street with her parents,Mr. and M. Jean Cassera of San Luis Obispo; paternal. Bill Holt, who preceded her in death. 5 grandparents, Jack and Lida Wainscott of attended Emerson Grammar School on r San Luis Obispo; and two uncles Mike Pomo Street and local junior and senior hi Cassera of Vermont and Jim Wainscott of schools. She was a member of the class San Luis Obispo. 1945• Reis Chapel in San Luis Obispo is handling Mrs. Haste was employed at Cathed: the services. City Country Club as an accountant f Catering by Sharoniski. She loved danci and jazz music and played the piano f William Holdredge several years.She was employed at San L, Clinic on Pacific Street. At one time, s William D. Holdredge, 86, of Bremerton, owned and managed a coffee room upsta' Wash., died Wednesday, March 8, 1989, at in the Obispo Theater building on Monter Belmont Terrace convalescent center. Street. Arrangements have taken place under the She is preceded in death by her moth, direction of Bleitz Funeral Home, Seattle, Edith Budan. Wash. She is survived by one daughter, Shar Mr. Holdredge was born Feb. 24, 1903, in Tackacs;three sons,Jeffery,and twins,R New York. As a young boy, he moved with and Ron Haste;one granddaughter;and c his family to Los Angeles. He was a gradu• great-grandson. ate of USC and worked as an architect in Friends may contact the family at 74.1 California and Hawaii.He also worked as a Candelwood St.,Palm Desert,Ca.,92260. set designer in Hollywood. During World War 11,he served in the army as a major in ,lames R. Hauser the Quartermaster Corps. After the war, he opened a practice as an architect in San Luis James R. Hauser, 39, of San Luis Obis Obispo. In 1956,he and a partner formed the died Tuesday,March 14,1989,at his home. firm of Fitch and Holdredge in 'Houston, No services are planned. Cremation h Texas,where he practiced architecture until taken place. Inurnment will be his retirement. Sunset Memoriaj Mortuary in Mf 1 Mr. Holdredge and his wife moved to Minn. Public Nr*&' - P State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY Seri: :N o';: `.` Na.ti'onal::::: Register Status . IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION 1. Historic Name: San Luis Obispo City Hall 2. Common Name: San Luis Obispo City Hall 3. Number&Street: 990 Palm Street City: San Luis Obispo Vicinity Only: Zip: 93401 County: San Luis Obispo 4. UTM Zone: A B C D 5. Quad Map Number: 35120-C6-Tl~024 Parcel Number: 002-321-002 Other: DESCRIPTION 6. Property Category: Structure If district, number of documented resources: 7. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the property, including condition, boundaries,related features,surroundings,and (if appropriate)architectural style. The building has been well-maintained and is in excellent condition. The seismic safety corrections described in #13 below will protect the building structurally from severe earthquakes. The archtectural style is predominately Mediterranean with some ltalianate and Mission Revival influences. Several building elements reflect the form(but not necessarily the style)of traditional neo-classical government buildings. The front of the building along Palm Street presents a monumental form symmetrical about a prominent central entrance with a stately brick and concrete staircase. Identical office wings flank this entrance. The spacious foyer and hallways and the rotunda between the foyer and the council chamber echo similar elements in traditional capitol buildings and metropolitan city halls. As in many neo-classical buildings, the formal exterior and public area masses dictate the shapes of the interior office areas. Unusual combinations of enduring and well-selected materials/some used commonly and others used rarely in San Luis Obispo)make this building distinctive. Details throughout the building are restrained and contribute to an image of stateliness and permanence without ostentation. These details include: a low-slope hipped roof with flat(not barrel-shaped)clay tiles and flush eaves copper raingutters and downspouts smooth plaster exterior wall surfaces with a continuous crenelated frieze massive bronze doors at the street entrances steel casement windows glazed plain and decorative tiles which emphasize entrances and windows extensive uses of brick(on exterior facades below the line of the upper floor,on balustrades, and on retaining walls)which anchor the building to its site decorative tile wainscoting, terazzo flooring,and cove molding in the upper floor hallways naturally-finished solid oak doors and casings dark-stained redwood paneling and molding in the rotunda .8. Planning Agency: City of San Luis Obispo yiZ 9. Owner&Address: City of San Luis Obispo 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 9340f 10. Type of Ownership: Public 11. Present Use: City Government Offices 12. Zoning: PF 13. Threats: If certain seismic safety improvements are not completed, the building will remain vulnerable to a major earthquake, which would probably cause extensive structural and equipment damage and pose a moderate risk of injury or death to building occupants. in 1990 a structural engineering firm surveyed the building to evaluate its ability to survive seismic forces. This firm found that certain structural elements of the building might not withstand a major earthquake because of four deficiencies.inadequate connections between basement columns and the floor above,insufficient horizontal bracing at the lower chord of the roof trusses, unanchored cementitious roof panels,and unbraced non-bearing masonry interior partitions. The basement column connections were strengthened in 1992- In 1992 another structural engineering firm analyzed the remaining three deficiencies and recommended a project to remove the existing tile roof, correct the structural deficiencies,and reinstall the tile roof. This project.is scheduled to begin in May 1996. HISTORICAL INFORMATION 14. Construction Date: 1951 Original Location: Same Date Moved: 15. Alterations&Dates: In 1974 the basement area, which had previously housed a small arms firing range and a civil defense office/storage area, was remodeled into offices for the City's Community Development Department. Public access to this lower floor was provided by excavating an area in front of the southwest wing along the Palm Street frontage,building retaining walls and walkways, and installing storefront double doors. Circa 1980 about twelve feet at the rear of the council chamber was walled off and converted to an employee breakroom and a small conference room. Circa 1982 an attached shelter for bus passengers was constructed along the Osos Street frontage to the northwest side of the Osos Street entrance stairway. Sometime before 1980 two hallway doors, one adjacent to the council hearing room and one adjacent to the city clerk's office, were closed off. Close examination shows discontinuity in the the wainscoting and patches in the terazzo flooring. In 1992 basement columns were strengthen for seismic safety by encasing them in steel jackets and injecting a 1/2 inch gap between the columns and the jackets with structural epoxy. 16. Architect: William Decker Holdredge Builder: 0.R. Ochs&Sons 17. Historic Attributes(with number from list): 14—Government Building SIGNIFICANCE AND EVALUATION 18. Context for Evaluation: Monumental Architecture Theme: Public Buildings Area: Downtown SLO Period: 1950's Property Type: Government Building Context formally developed? Yes 19. Influence of the Architect and the Building Design William Decker Holdredge, the building's architect,organized a seminal and influential architectural practice which survived in San Luis Obispo until 1994. When Holdredge moved to San Luis Obispo in the late 1940's,he bought a residential design practice from H. B. Douglas,an architect working out of the SP Milling yard on Santa Barbara Street. Holdredge transformed this business into a full-fledged professional architectural practice. At that time,he, Douglas,and William.Badgley(the designer of the Old Library next to City Hall) were the only three practicing architects in the city. Holdredge ran a fairly busy practice in San Luis Obispo and brought John Ross into the firm in 1954. In 1956,Holdredge sold his interest in the company to Ross and moved to Houston, Texas, where he and a partner forme the firm of Fitch and Holdredge. Holdredge practiced architecture in Texas until his retirement. In 1958,Rosshired Rod Levin,a recent Cal Poly graduate. In 1964 Levin became a partner,and the practice was known as Ross and Levin. In the 1960's and 1970's this firm grew to become one of the largest and most successful architectural firms in San Luis Obispo,specializing particularly in institutional design work. With the addidon of two more partners in the 1980's, the firm eventually became Ross,Levin,Maclntyre and Varner, which lasted until 1994, when it dissolved in bankruptcy. Most of the people interviewed who knew Holdredge while he was practicing in San Luis Obispo said that he designed many building projects,but they could not remember many specifically other than City Hall. City staffinembers have confirmed that Holdredge designed and managed the following projects in San Luis Obispo: an addition to extend the annex of the Old Mission Church at 941 Chorro Street 11947) an addition and remodel of a residence into a mortuary at 1264 Higuera Street(1947) a convent for the Old Mission at 941 Chorro Street 119481 an addition of an office unit to the French Clinic at 1160 Marsh Street(1948) a remodel of the storefront at 978 Monterey Street(1948) San Luis Obispo City Hall at 990 Palm Street 119511 a medical office building for the County Health Department at 2191 Johnson Avenue (1955) a medical office building for Dr.Albert Gazin at 743 Pismo Street 119551 a remodel of the Johnson Building at 796 Higuera Street 11956) a remodel to add purchasing agent offices to the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse at 976 Osos Street 11957—completed by John Ross] a residence for Theodore Maino at 643 Grove Street(year unknown) Further confirmation is difficult because the archives of Ross, Levin, Mac/ntyre,and Varner, which contained drawings of all Holdredge's work in San Luis Obispo, were destroyed when the firm was dissolved. Unconfirmed anecdotal evidence shows that Holdredge may have designed the following projects: Chris Jesperson School at 251 Grand Avenue an office building at 784 Pacific Street an office building at 1011 Pacific Street a retail store 10 19-2 1 Morro Street a construction yard in the 2200 block of Broad Street(the current Mid-State Bank site) The City Hall design is an important part of the Civic Center architectural context which influenced design of the 1987 City/County Library directly across Palm Street. The library incorporates several elements from the City Hall design,including the low-slope hipped roof, the flat clay tiles, the flush eaves, the smooth plaster exterior wall surfaces, the glazed green tiles, and the extensive use of brick. 20. Sources: Bruce Fraser,architect currently practicing in San Luis Obispo, designer of the 1987 City/County Library Mildred Holdredge, widow of William Decker Holdredge,now living in Bremerton, Washington Gene Johnson, facilities manager for the County of San Luis Obispo Rodney Levin,semi-retired architect practicing in San Luis Obispo Theodore Maino, building contractor in San Luis Obispo,builder of many buildings designed by Holdredge Allen Ochs,retired building contractor and engineer,builder of San Luis Obispo City Hall Gerard Parsons, former owner of San Luis Mill and Lumber Kenneth Schwartz,retired professor of architecture,former mayor of San Luis Obispo Fred Sweeney, architect currently practicing in Santa Barbara San Luis Obispo County Building Plan Archives San Luis Obispo City Building Plan Archives - 21. Applicable National Register Criteria; N/A �. ` v 22. Other Recognition: N/A \a,•,:,��+ O State Landmark No. (if applicable) 23. Evaluator: Jeff Hook,Associate Planner Date of Evaluation: 3/22196 a V V y 24. Survey Type: Single Resource PF 25. Survey Name: Architectural and Historical Significance of San Luis Obispo City Hall 26. Year Form Prepared: 1996 By: David Elliott,Administrative Analyst r Organization: City of San Luis Obispo \ f�;'� Public Works Department Address: 955 Morro Street ♦ City&Zip: San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 'r` ,• _ S `'s, i:'r Phone: (805) 781-7209 �X+ r' �?lr •' '. �. *Attach photo envelope here Put address and photo date on rear of photo Send a copy of this form to:State Office of Historic Preservation, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 Complete these items for historic preservation compliance projects under Section 106 (36 CFR 800)• All items must be completed for historical resources survey information. DPR 523 (Rev. 6/90) 7'�S DOCUMENTATION OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The purpose of this evaluation sheet is to document the reasons yhy properties recommended for inclusion on the San Luis Obispo Master List of Historical Resources are in fact historically significant. Specific criteria for "National Register consideration" should be identified for all recommended type #4 properties. Property Address: 990 Palm Street Property Use: Public Facilities Recommended Numeric Ranking: 5 ARCHITECTURAL FACTORS: 1. Style: Is the structure an excellent example of a distinctive architectural style? (An excellent example is a building where the style has not been altered by the introduction of conflicting rchitectural elements.) X Yes No The architectural style is predominately Mediterranean with some Italianate and Mission Revival influences. Is the structure an example of an architectural style seldom seen in San Luis Obispo? X Yes No There are no other Mediterranean-style buildings in San Luis Obispo which incorporate either the scale or the combination of architectural details found in the City Hall building. 2. Design: Does the structure have significant aesthetic appeal because of demonstrated craftsmanship, use of detailing and execution of style? X Yes No The use of decorative tile in the following four areas warrants particular mention: 0 over the upper floor windows on the Palm Street facade 0 over the door in the barrel-vaulted entry vestibule from the rear parking lot o in the entry vestibule at the.Osos Street entrance O wainscoting in the upper floor hallways 1/44 Does the structure incorporate unique details or architectural features seldom seen in San Luis Obispo? X Yes No C low-slope hipped with flat (not barrel-shaped) clay tiles and flush eaves G copper raingutters and downspouts G massive bronze doors a decorative file wainscoting and terazzo flooring Was the structure designed by a master architect such as Frank Lloyd Wright? Yes X No (If yes, name person: 3. Significance of Building Designer Was the structure designed by a person who made significant contributions to the state or region such as Julia Morgan? Other local buildings in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo. Yes X No (If yes, name person: Was the structure designed by an architect who, in terms of craftsmanship, made significant contributions to San Luis Obispo? X Yes No (If yes, name person: William Decker Holdredge ) Was the structure designed by a "pioneer" architect in the city or county? X Yes No (If yes, name person: William Decker Holdredge_) 4. Landmarks Does the structure have a symbolic importance to the community or is it a notable community or neighborhood landmark? X Yes No The building stands as a community and neighborhood landmark because of its monumental form and its siting on a knoll overlooking the downtown commercial center and historical districts. y/7 HISTORICAL FACTORS: 1. Residents or Tenants Was the structure occupied by a significant community leader -- eg. mayor or congressman? Yes X No (If yes, name person: 1 Was the.structure occupied by a community or public servant who made early, unique or outstanding contributions to important local affairs? Yes X No (If yes, name person.: 1 Was the structure occupied by a person with fame or outstanding recognition at the local, regional, state or national level? Yes X No (If yes, name person: 1 Was the structure occupied by a person or persons (eg. families) that made important contributions to the community? Yes X No (If yes, name person: 1 Was the structure occupied by a business or public agency that made significant contributions to the historical development of the community? X Yes No (If yes, identi business or agency: Municipal Corporation of theCit�of San Luis Obispo) 2. Historical Events Was the structure or site involved in a landmark, famous, or first-of-its-kind event? Yes X No Did the structure or site make unique or interesting contributions to the history of the city (eg. the Chinese-American cultural activities)? Yes X No 3. Historical Context Was the structure directly associated with early, first, or major patterns of local history (eg. the County Museum)? Yes X No y i� Was the structure directly associated. with.secondary patterns of local history? Yes X No Does the structure:occupy:its original site? _7C Yes No April 16, 1996 TO: City Council FROM: Bill Roalman RE: Steve Eabry's Letter The attached letter from Steve Eabry, regarding the city's permit requirements for massage therapists, raises some valid questions: • Are the current permit requirements excessive? Are they equitable with permit requirements for other health practitioners in our city? Why do massage therapists need to be checked out by the police department annually, even if they've been in operation for a number of years with no customer complaints? • Is it necessary for the police department to be conducting TB tests? Because of these questions, I ask council to agendize a general discussion of the special licensing requirements for body/massage therapists. R®DY7HERAPY Y MARTHA & STEVE EABRY 1786 Oceanaire San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (805) 544-1096 30 Mar 96 /s�... � K�f d•:ri7oJr�+�._ ti•'}��'•�e�,_PS./..neo v��J TO: San Luis Obispo city council: Allen Settle, Dave Romero, Bill Roalman, Dodie Williams, Kathy Smith Lp, , "Prostitution, illegal massage sting nets 5" ISC Telegram Tribune, 26 Mar 96 "We regulate on the basis of the 0.1 % who cause a problem, not for the other 99.9 who really want to keep their world CEl functioning well ." Dennis Bowker b I guess I should be proud that I have done my civic duty in contributing to ridding our city of Y . ca dangerous criminals. All 5 of these folks have sa. , naic n. c been charged with not having a massage license. For 2 of the 5, the only charges were not having a massage license or a business license. Are they really only guilty of not doing something (getting licenses) rather than doing something? Is that sufficient for the city to attack the credibility of touch therapists? Is that sufficient for the city to equate prostitution with massage in its law, regulations, policy and enforcement? I don' t think so. My wife and I have a city massage license. We have gotten one each of the past 10 years. Apparently, the reason the city requires such a license is to be able to arrest an exotic dancer who touches a customer. I 'm certainly glad that in getting my anti-prostitution permit that I have made it possible for the city to conduct this sting. Now I understand the reason for the strange city requirements for demonstrating our touch therapy proficiency. The first step in this proficiency exam was a genital smear for gonorrhea and syphilis . Then we were finger printed and had an FBI background check. Yearly we provide mug shots for a photo ID. All this is required not to ensure that our clients receive professional massage, but to end prostitution in our city. Do each of the other health care professions operating in the city submit to such degrading regulations through the police department in order to do business in the city? I don' t think so. Do each of the personal service occupations have Trager° psychophysical integration Polarity Therapy Swedish & Esalen Massage Craniosacral Therapy Therapeutic Touch Reflexology similar requirements through our police department? I don' t think so. No, those of us who are touch therapists do it solely to allow the apprehension of folks who are committing desperate criminal acts. We don' t charge these criminals with doing these acts, we charge them with not having a massage license. It is only because I submit to this inappropriate licensing that the city has the opportunity to make these charges. A city representative is quoted in regard to touch therapists in business in the city that "those people are not our concern" . That' s clear: the city uses us, you take away our rights, in order to capture these criminals. My wife and I have operated our business, Body Therapy, in SLO for over 10 years. The Pacific Bell yellow pages consider us a single business, as does the IRS and the State Franchise Tax Board, however, the city does not. You require us to apply and pay for 2 separate photo ID licenses through the police department each year, as well as apply and pay for 2 separate business licenses through city hall. Are all other businesses in the city required to have separate police licenses and business licenses for each of their workers on an annual basis? I don' t think so. Are touch therapists such a threat to society that this harassment is required? I don' t think so. Touch therapists in the City of San Luis Obispo are being intentionally singled out so that you can regulate the action of others. There is something basically wrong with that technique. While this form of harassment is common in some societies, in our country it is called unconstitutional. Media coverage of this instance quotes city employees stressing that there is no harassment involved. That certainly is not the case. The 250-300 professional touch therapists in this county, many of whom do business in the city, have been and are regularly harassed by these inappropriate laws and regulations. The credibility of all of us has suffered because the city has chosen to equate massage with prostitution, in law, licensing, regulation, enforcement, the courts and in the media. Licensing of touch therapists, including massage therapists, is an inappropriate government function. 6ae c: Jim Gardiner; Cliff Chelquist; City Administrator; Steve Moss; John Moore; Editor, Massage Therapy Journal; Editor, Massage Magazine