HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-24-2017 CHC Correspondence - Item 2 (Cooper)To: Cultural Heritage Committee, Kyle Bell and Brian Leveille
Re: The Norcross House
From: Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo
Date: July 23, 2017
Honorable Chair Brajkovich and Committee Members -
I am urging you to ask the applicant why it is absolutely necessary to relocate the original 16’-0
x 30’-6” building 15 feet south and closer to Higuera Street. This issue is clearly within your
purview because the City Historic Guidelines deem relocation a “last resort” option when
saving historic properties. The rationale behind relocation is not readily apparent as your
packet fails to include an overall site plan showing what is proposed to be built behind this
historic property.
I will not take issue with the removal of the one story addition (though it probably functioned as
a summer kitchen) but I would like to inform the Committee that “single wall” (e.g. walls without
studs) construction was common in the 19th century and should not be used solely as a
reason for demolition.
I agree that the proposed new detached structure behind the Norcross House should not be
replicative of the original Gothic Revival-styled house.
However, regarding the attached rear addition: Standards Bulletin 37 calls for the following:
“Rear additions that meet the Standards are compatible in design, yet differentiated from the
old building, often through a process of simplification.” So, yes, simplify the design of this
addition. But I would suggest using “gothic” window proportions (not a ratio of 1:2 as
proposed by the architect but a more vertical ratio of 1:3) as these proportions echo those of
the ca. 1886 structure it is replacing. Moreover, the new add-on to the original house includes 1
a dining room on the first floor which could benefit from larger windows. Thank you!
The 1886 Sanborn Map included in your packet clearly shows the southwest facing 2-story addition 1
already in place.