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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-2015 CHC Item 3 - 733 Higuera Street (ARCH-1187-2015)Meeting Date: July 27, 2015 Item Number: 3 CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT SUBJECT: Review of a proposed façade remodel for a tenant improvement on a Contributing historic property, with a categorical exemption from environmental review. PROJECT ADDRESS: 733 Higuera Street BY: Kyle Bell, Assistant Planner FILE NUMBER: ARCH-1187-2015 FROM: Brian Leveille, Senior Planner SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION Find the project consistent with the Historic Preservation Guidelines and recommend the Community Development Director approve the project design subject to findings and conditions. SITE DATA Applicant Dan Harper Representative Rick Rengel, Rengel+CO Architects Historic Status Contributing Submittal Date April 6, 2015 Complete Date June 23, 2015 Zoning C-D-H General Plan General Retail Site Area ~2,710 square feet Environmental Status Exempt from CEQA under Section 15301, Existing Facilities. SUMMARY The applicant has proposed a facade remodel of the Contributing historic structure located at 733 Higuera Street in the Downtown Historic District. CHC review is required to determine conformance with the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines for Construction in an Historic District and on properties with Historic Resources. Following CHC review, the project will be forwarded to the Community Development Director for consideration of final project approval. CHC3 - 1 733 Higuera Street ARCH-1187-2015 Page 2 PROJECT INFORMATION Site Information/Setting The site is currently developed with a one-story commercial building of approximately 2,500 square feet. The site has an alleyway at the rear of the building and the east wall of the structure comprises the west wall of Bubblegum Alley. The property is located on the south side of Higuera Street near the center of downtown between Broad and Garden Streets. The future site of the Garden Street Terraces project (mixed use) is located to the south, Mothers Tavern (restaurant/bar) to the west and Ambiance (general retail) to the east (Figure 1 & 2). The property is a Contributing historic structure located within the Downtown-Commercial(C- D-H) Zone in the Downtown Historic District. Other nearby development includes a mixture of common Downtown Core uses (e.g. retail and restaurants), parking lots, and office buildings. The Downtown Historic District has common site features and characteristics including:  Zero setbacks  Recessed front entries  Flat or low pitched roof, often with a parapet  Wide entablature or projecting cornices that often include classical architectural details  In multi-story structures, upper windows are vertically oriented and symmetrically arranged to be taller than wide  Rectilinear or “boxy” forms  Contrasting bulkheads along base of street façade  Use of awnings, historic signs, second-story overhangs and canopies  Masonry or smooth stucco wall siding  Transom windows above storefronts The existing design of the building is described as Step in Style that has been modified over time (Attachment 4, Historic Inventory Report). Character defining features that remain include;  Flat roof  Brick façade  Recessed storefront entrance Figure 1: East Higuera Street perspective Figure 2: West Higuera Street perspective CHC3 - 2 733 Higuera Street ARCH-1187-2015 Page 3  Arched openings  Detailed ventilation openings The closest historic resource to the site is the Master List Carrisa Building across the street at 736 Higuera Street (built in 1905) and its architectural style is described in the Historic Resources Survey as “Classic Revival/Renaissance Revival.” Additional historic resources in close proximity to the project include; the Vollmer Grocery Building, Kluver Cigar Factory, Home Dairy Building, Union Hardware Building, and the Smith Building. Bubblegum Alley (Figure 3) began in the late 1950s and was fully established by 1970, though it is not listed as a historic resource, the Chamber of Commerce lists the alley as a “special attraction”. The alley has been recognized on television though The Tonight Show, MTV, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not, as well as featured in books and through music over the last few decades. Staff recommends Directional Item #4 to ensure that no damage to Bubblegum Alley will be undertaken through the building modifications. Project Description The project scope involves a tenant improvement to the existing 2,500 square foot building into a new restaurant use. The existing structure includes recessed outdoor dining area that is proposed to be enclosed. The proposed exterior modifications are summarized below:  Reorganize interior space with new interior walls under the existing roof (Attachment 3, Reduced Project Plans);  Remove stucco along the north façade to expose existing brick beneath;  Enclose recessed outdoor dining with new matching Arched French Doors;  Install new bronze surround;  Install new smooth finish plaster crown molding;  Install new arched parapet with finish to match existing; EVALUATION The below evaluation includes staff analysis of Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation of a historic property and Historic Preservation Guidelines for construction on historic properties and in historic districts. Secretary of Interior Standards The most appropriate treatment is best characterized as “rehabilitation” under the SOI Standards of Treatment since the project proposes a continuation of a compatible use for the property, Figure 3: Bubblegum Alley CHC3 - 3 733 Higuera Street ARCH-1187-2015 Page 4 proposes restoration of key elements of the building’s exterior to approximate its appearance during the historic era. SOI Rehabiliation Standard #3: Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken. Staff Analysis: The applicant is proposing to add a plaster crown molding to the top of the parapet. Historic records of the building at this site do not indicate that the building had a cornice during the historic era. Distinctive historic features should not be replicated or added to a historic structure without documentary or physical evidence. The proposed cornice parapet design does not reflect the historic character of the property and would detract from its historical significance. Staff recommends Directional Item #1 to remove plans for the proposed corniced parapet design and to retain the original façade. (Condition No. 1). SOI Rehabilitation Standard #5: Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved. SOI Rehabiliation Standard #9: New additions, alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. Staff Analysis: The applicant is proposing to remove the existing plaster and expose the brick façade of the building. The Historic Inventory report (Attachment 4) indicates that the building has been extensively altered over time. The removal of the plaster and exposing of the underlying brick is consistent with SOI Standards #5 and #9. The proposed bronze surround along the arched windows and entryway are compatible with the historic features of the building and do not detract from the essential form and integrity of the historic property. Staff recommends Directional Item #2 to ensure that character defining features are retained including the arched windows and entryway, the detailed ventilation openings, and the existing brick façade (Condition No. 2). Historic Preservation Program Guidelines Policy 3.2.1 indicates that new structures in historic districts shall be designed to be architecturally compatible1 with the district’s prevailing character, including massing, rhythm, signature architectural elements, exterior materials, siting, and setbacks. New structures are not required to copy or imitate historic structures. 1 Architecturally compatible development within Historic Districts 3.2.1: New structures in historic districts shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the district’s prevailing historic character as measured by their consistency with the scale, massing, rhythm, signature architectural elements, exterior materials, siting and street yard setbacks of the district's historic structures, as described in Figures 2 and 3. New structures are not required to copy or imitate historic structures, or seek to create the illusion that a new building is historic. CHC3 - 4 733 Higuera Street ARCH-1187-2015 Page 5 Staff Analysis Scale, massing, rhythm: The proposed remodel maintains the scale, mass, and overall rhythm of the existing structure and would remain compatible with the form, scale, and massing of nearby development and the overall Downtown Historic District. The subject location (which is one story) abuts single and two story structures and there are a range of two to three story structures in the area. Architectural elements, exterior materials: Proposed materials include; brick façade (existing, revealed, and new to match existing), existing arched openings with bronze surround, and the addition of the proposed crown molding with an arched parapet feature (Attachment 3, Reduced Project Plans, Sheet A200). Modifications are limited to the north façade and include removal of the existing plaster to expose brick façade and to enclose the recessed outdoor dining area. New features added to historically-listed buildings should preserve the original architectural character and appearance of the building2, and should not introduce new or conflicting architectural elements with the original style of the structure3. The proposed crown molding design is inconsistent with the original style of the structure and does not comply with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards, as discussed. Directional Items #1 & #2 ensure that the original building’s architectural style is preserved and that new features will not detract or conflict with the building’s character defining features, consistent with the Historic Preservation Guidelines. The Downtown Historic District has a variety of architectural styles but most structures appear to be constructed with high quality materials and attention to detail. The design of the proposed project does not detract from defining features of adjacent historic buildings or from other historic resources within the Downtown Historic District because the modifications have a limited scope, which do not change the massing and overall architectural form of the structure. The overall character of the structure is also not significantly altered with the proposed exterior modifications. Staff recommends Directional Item #3 to the applicant to include the use of high quality door and storefront/window systems to be compatible with the prevailing historic architectural character of the historic district (Condition No. 3) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The project is exempt from environmental review under Class 1, Existing Facilities, Section 153301 of the CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project is an exterior alteration to an existing building that will have no significant impact on the environment. 2 Retention of character-defining features 3.4.3: Alterations of historically-listed buildings shall retain character defining features. New features on primary and secondary building facades, or features visible from a public area, should be completed in a manner that preserves the original architectural character, form, scale, and appearance of the building. 3 Exterior building changes 3.4.4: Exterior changes to historically-listed buildings or resources should not introduce new or conflicting architectural elements and should be architecturally compatible with the original and/or prevailing architectural character of the building, its setting and architectural context. CHC3 - 5 733 Higuera Street ARCH-1187-2015 Page 6 RECOMMENDATION Find the project compatible with the Downtown Historic District and consistent with the Historic Preservation Guidelines and recommend the Community Development Director approve the project design subject to staff’s directional items and the findings and conditions. Directional Item #1: Plans submitted for Director Review shall include the removal of the plaster crown modeling, and retain the existing façade and roofline. Directional Item #2: Plans submitted for Director Review shall retain all character defining features including, arched windows and storefront system, detailed ventilation openings, and the original brick façade. Exterior alterations shall not destroy or alter any character defining features, and plans submitted for construction permits shall include sufficient detail and callout notes to ensure the project retains the essential form and integrity of the historic property. Directional Item #3: Plans submitted for Director Review shall include details on storefront systems including divider width, materials, finishes and colors. Storefront systems shall include high quality materials suitable for the downtown and complementary to the best nearby examples with materials such as metal, wood, or aluminum systems with appropriate dimensions, finish, and color. Directional Item #4: Plans submitted for Director Review shall detail how Bubblegum Alley will be protected from damage during the construction of the exterior modifications. ALTERNATIVES 1. Continue the item with direction to the applicant and staff on pertinent issues. 2. Recommend that the project be denied based on inconsistency with the City’s Historic Preservation Program Guidelines. ATTACHMENTS 1. Draft Resolution 2. Vicinity Map 3. Reduced scale project plans 4. Historic Inventory Report CHC3 - 6 Attachment 1 RESOLUTION NO. XXXX-15 A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE, RECOMMENDING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR APPROVE PLANS TO REMODEL THE STOREFRONT OF THE PROPERTY AT 733 HIGUERA STREET, DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT, C-D-H ZONE, APPLICATION #ARCH-1187-2015 WHEREAS, the Cultural Heritage Committee of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public hearing in the Council Hearing Room of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on July 27, 2015, pursuant to a proceeding instituted under ARCH-1187-2015,; and WHEREAS, notices of said public hearing were made at the time and in the manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the Cultural Heritage Committee has duly considered all evidence, including the testimony of the applicant, interested parties, and the evaluation and recommendations by staff, presented at said hearing. BE IT RESOLVED, by the Cultural Heritage Committee of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: Section 1. Findings 1. As conditioned, the proposed project is consistent with the City’s Historic Preservation Program Guideline 3.2.1 since the buildings materials, style, character, and form of the new storefront will promote and complement the architectural character, style, form, and materials of the Downtown Historic District. 2. The contemporary design of the proposed project will not detract from defining features of the adjacent historic buildings or from other historic resources within the Downtown Historic District, because the modifications do not change the massing or overall architectural form of the structure. 3. The project’s design is consistent with the design principles contained in Section 4.20 of the Land Use Element since the building fits within the context and scale of nearby existing development maintaining the existing building’s street presence consistent with the historic pattern of development. Section 2. Environmental Review. The project is categorically exempt under Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the proposed project is an exterior alteration to an existing building that will have no significant impact on the environment. Section 3. Action. The Cultural Heritage Committee hereby recommends approval of the project, subject to the following conditions: CHC3 - 7 Resolution No.XXXX-15 Attachment 1 733 Higuera Street (ARCH-1187-2015) Page 2 Conditions 1. Plans submitted for Director Review shall include the removal of the plaster crown modeling, and retain the existing façade and roofline. 2. Plans submitted for Director Review shall retain all character defining features including, arched windows and storefront system, detailed ventilation openings, and the original brick façade. Exterior alterations shall not destroy or alter any character defining features, and plans submitted for construction permits shall include sufficient detail and callout notes to ensure the project retains the essential form and integrity of the historic property. 3. Plans submitted for Director Review shall include details on storefront systems including divider width, materials, finishes and colors. Storefront systems shall include high quality materials suitable for the downtown and complementary to the best nearby examples with materials such as metal, wood, or aluminum systems with appropriate dimensions, finish, and color. 4. Plans submitted for Director Review shall detail how Bubblegum Alley will be protected from damage during the construction of the exterior modifications. Note: Code requirements provided to applicant separately. On motion by Committee member, , seconded by Committee member, , and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: REFRAIN: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 27th day of July 2015. _____________________________ Brian Leveille, Secretary Cultural Heritage Committee CHC3 - 8 C-D C-D C-D-H C-D C-D-H C-D-H C-D-H C-D-H C-D PF-H C-D-H C-D MARSH B R O A D HIGUE R A G A R D E N VICINITY MAP 1187-2015733 HIGUERA ¯ Attachment 2 CHC3 - 9 Attachment 3 CHC3 - 10 Sh e e t : Sh e e t t i t l e : Fi l e n a m e : Pr o j e c t # : Dr a w n b y : Da t e : Co p y r i g h t 2 0 1 3 . A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . N o p a r t o f t h i s wo r k p r o d u c t s h a l l b e r e p r o d u c e d i n a n y f o r m o r b y an y m e a n s - g r a p h i c , e l e c t r o n i c o r m e c h a n i c a l , in c l u d i n g p h o t o c o p y i n g , w i t h o u t p e r m i s s i o n i n w r i t i n g fr o m R E N G E L + C O . Pr o j e c t n a m e : R. C . A . 05 . 1 4 . 1 5 Re v i s i o n s : No . D a t e D e s c r i p t i o n Hi s t o r y r e c o r d : Da t e D e s c r i p t i o n H: \ \ P r o j e c t s \ B l a s t 8 2 5 St a m p : 73 3 H I G U E R A S T . SA N L U I S O B I S P O , C A BL A S T 8 2 5 TA P R O O M 39 4 0 B r o a d S t r e e t # 3 6 3 Sa n L u i s O b i s p o , C a l i f o r n i a 9 3 4 0 1 O+ 8 0 5 . 5 4 1 . 7 1 1 5 F+ 8 0 5 . 5 4 1 . 7 1 1 6 ww w . r e n g e l a r c h . c o m 20 1 5 1 0 SI T E P L A N SC A L E : 1 / 1 6 " = 1 ' - 0 " KE Y N O T E S PA R K I N G S U M M A R Y TO T A L EX I S T I N G P A R K I N G A1 0 0 SI T E P L A N AD J A C E N T S T R U C T U R E S AD J A C E N T S T R U C T U R E S PR O J E C T AR E A EX I S T I N G B U I L D I N G EX I S T I N G B U I L D I N G EX I S T I N G B U I L D I N G NO R T H PL A N EX I S T I N G B U I L D I N G EX I S T I N G BL D G . A1 0 1 - H: \ P R O J E C T S \ B L A S T 8 2 5 \ C D ' S \ S I T E P L A N . d w g , 5 / 2 8 / 2 0 1 5 1 1 : 0 8 : 3 5 A M , D W G T o P D F . p c 3 Attachment 3 CHC3 - 11 RA M P U P 1 2 3 4F.O.W. F. O . W . BA F.O.W. F.O.W. F.O.W. F. O . W . Sh e e t : Sh e e t t i t l e : Fi l e n a m e : Pr o j e c t # : Dr a w n b y : Da t e : Co p y r i g h t 2 0 1 3 . A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . N o p a r t o f t h i s wo r k p r o d u c t s h a l l b e r e p r o d u c e d i n a n y f o r m o r b y an y m e a n s - g r a p h i c , e l e c t r o n i c o r m e c h a n i c a l , in c l u d i n g p h o t o c o p y i n g , w i t h o u t p e r m i s s i o n i n w r i t i n g fr o m R E N G E L + C O . Pr o j e c t n a m e : R. C . A . 05 . 1 4 . 1 5 Re v i s i o n s : No . D a t e D e s c r i p t i o n Hi s t o r y r e c o r d : Da t e D e s c r i p t i o n H: \ \ P r o j e c t s \ B l a s t 8 2 5 St a m p : 73 3 H I G U E R A S T . SA N L U I S O B I S P O , C A BL A S T 8 2 5 TA P R O O M 39 4 0 B r o a d S t r e e t # 3 6 3 Sa n L u i s O b i s p o , C a l i f o r n i a 9 3 4 0 1 O+ 8 0 5 . 5 4 1 . 7 1 1 5 F+ 8 0 5 . 5 4 1 . 7 1 1 6 ww w . r e n g e l a r c h . c o m 20 1 5 1 0 DE M O P L A N SC A L E : 1 / 8 " = 1 ' - 0 " A1 0 1 DE M O P L A N LE G E N D KE Y N O T E S GE N E R A L N O T E S NO R T H H: \ P R O J E C T S \ B L A S T 8 2 5 \ C D ' S \ D E M O P L A N . d w g , 5 / 2 8 / 2 0 1 5 1 1 : 0 8 : 4 0 A M , D W G T o P D F . p c 3 Attachment 3 CHC3 - 12 Attachment 3 CHC3 - 13 1 2 3 4F.O.W. F. O . W . BA F.O.W. F.O.W. F.O.W. F. O . W . 1 SC A L E : N . T . S . GY P . B R D . S O F F I T Sh e e t : Sh e e t t i t l e : Fi l e n a m e : Pr o j e c t # : Dr a w n b y : Da t e : Co p y r i g h t 2 0 1 3 . A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . N o p a r t o f t h i s wo r k p r o d u c t s h a l l b e r e p r o d u c e d i n a n y f o r m o r b y an y m e a n s - g r a p h i c , e l e c t r o n i c o r m e c h a n i c a l , in c l u d i n g p h o t o c o p y i n g , w i t h o u t p e r m i s s i o n i n w r i t i n g fr o m R E N G E L + C O . Pr o j e c t n a m e : R. C . A . 05 . 1 4 . 1 5 Re v i s i o n s : No . D a t e D e s c r i p t i o n Hi s t o r y r e c o r d : Da t e D e s c r i p t i o n H: \ \ P r o j e c t s \ B l a s t 8 2 5 St a m p : 73 3 H I G U E R A S T . SA N L U I S O B I S P O , C A BL A S T 8 2 5 TA P R O O M 39 4 0 B r o a d S t r e e t # 3 6 3 Sa n L u i s O b i s p o , C a l i f o r n i a 9 3 4 0 1 O+ 8 0 5 . 5 4 1 . 7 1 1 5 F+ 8 0 5 . 5 4 1 . 7 1 1 6 ww w . r e n g e l a r c h . c o m 20 1 5 1 0 RE F L E C T E D C E I L I N G P L A N SC A L E : 1 / 4 " = 1 ' - 0 " A1 0 3 RE F L E C T E D CE I L I N G P L A N C E I L I N G L E G E N D KE Y N O T E S NO R T H -1 H: \ P R O J E C T S \ B L A S T 8 2 5 \ C D ' S \ C E I L I N G P L A N . d w g , 5 / 2 8 / 2 0 1 5 1 1 : 0 8 : 5 0 A M , D W G T o P D F . p c 3 Attachment 3 CHC3 - 14 Attachment 3 CHC3 - 15 Attachment 4 CHC3 - 16 Attachment 4 CHC3 - 17 Attachment 4 CHC3 - 18