HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2017 Item 16, MourenzaCOUNCIL MEETING: REC EIVt=U
ITEM NO.;, ��- - APR 04 20I7
LO CITY
From: Lydia Mourenza <
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 8:56:01 AM
To: E-mail Council Website
Cc: Harmon, Heidi; Rivoire, Dan; Christianson, Carlyn; Gomez, Aaron
Subject: City Council 4/4, 71 PALOMAR
THE HOUSE ON THE HILL, 71 BROAD, DELTA TAU, 71 PALOMAR
The Sanford House is the literal cornerstone of the North Broad neighborhood. This property is deemed significant and included as
#19 on the City's Master List of Historic Resources. This designation goes beyond the structure itself:
"This impressive Neo -Colonial house was built between 1880 and 1890, probably for Q.A. Spangenberg, a court auditor. Located
in what was then the country outside the city limits, this house symbolizes the lifestyle of the affluent in San Luis Obispo during this
era." The document indicates the property size is 260 'frontage, 280' depth, with no known threats to the site. The house was later
home to Christine Jacobsen, a pioneer in radio and television; as common with women of her day given scant recognition which sadly
continues even into current staff reports.
The analysis submitted on the developers' behalf fails to give adequate consideration to the location of the house on the site. The
open space surrounding the house is instrumental in providing the feeling of affluence and grandeur; the placement on a knoll provides
the prominence of the house at the highest point on the site; trees designate the entry, provide a windbreak, canopy of shade, and now
a buffer with the R1 neighborhood.
The location is essential to maintain the integrity of association, any relocation would greatly denigrate the historical value of the
Sanford House. No showing of a need to move the house has been made, which remains occupied and has previously been inspected
under the City program. Relocation solely to maximize density is contradictory to the philosophy of Historic Conservation and
Preservation by the marginalization and devaluation of historic resources to increase profit to a private developer.
As noted by James Papp when addressing the City Council in support of adding 535 Higuera to the Master List: " it is important for
us to think about what we love about the neighborhood and retain it ........ thinking about wisely developing that area and keeping its
historical content is important to us."
Our cultural heritage is not restricted to downtown or designated locations. The neighborhood SANFORD HOUSE at 71
PALOMAR deserves no less preservation and respect.
Uphold the appeal and direct that any future development not move the Sanford House from its' original location with retention of the
Urban Forest.
Lydia & Bob Mourenza, Anholm, SLO