HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-2014 C7 Director Johnsonf Council Memorandum
November 17, 2014
TO: City Council
FROM: Derek Johnson, Department Head
VIA: Katie Lichtig, City Manager
SUBJECT: Consent Agenda Item #7, 546 Higuera Street
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ITEM NO.: 1�
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SLO CITY CLERK
Staff would like to provide the following clarification regarding the historic determination for 546
Higuera Street based on the following questions from a Council Member.
Question: I see that your staff recommendation now proposes that we go directly to the Master
List; can I be informed, please, as to what additional research has been done to warrant this new
recommendation?
This property was brought to staff's attention due to an informal request to demolish the existing
residence (red house). The determination was forwarded to CHC with a staff recommendation that the
property be added to the Contributing List of Historic Resources. At the CHC hearing, committee
members felt that there may be more history than was revealed in the historical report submitted by the
applicant, John Belsher. Betsy Bertrando, a qualified local historian, provided testimony at the CHC
hearing that there was likely a larger history behind the house due to its style, location and age. Mrs.
Bertrando's testimony encouraged the CHC to ask that staff look further into the record to determine if
the residence was eligible for the Master List.
Following the hearing, Betsy Bertrando found the early deeds and historical background that provided the
information regarding the earlier ownership by Mr. David Norcross who was the Sheriff of SLO and the
president of the Railroad organization responsible for the Pacific Coast Railroad. The significance of this
ownership tied with the very early construction date of mid 1870's are factors that increase the
significance of the property to warrant eligibility for the Master List.
Question: Did CHC know additional information at their hearing? How confident are we of the
earlier date and association with Norcross?
CHC and staff did not know of the earlier history of the property since this was absent from the report
submitted by the applicant and not available in City files. Bertrando's research occurred after the initial
CHC hearing. Staff is confident that the facts that Mrs Bertrando has provided are accurate.
Question/clarification: Please outline for me the timeline that is anticipated for submittal of
plans by the owner and review by the City, as well as any parallel review of the modular homes
by HCD.
Council's review on Tuesday is solely the historic determination for the property. Staff has not reviewed
development plans at this time. Following Council's determination on Tuesday, John will work with staff
on either a demolition plan for the house or a reconstruction plan to keep the house while developing the
Agenda Correspondence -546 Higuera Street Page 2
remainder of the property with a modular home project. Staff s knowledge of a future development
project is only through verbal discussion at the counter as CDD has not received a project submittal.
Staff will be available at the Council hearing on Tuesday should questions arise.
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