HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHC-1006-16 (HIST-2793-2016 -- 535 Higuera Street)CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE
RESOLUTION NO. CHC -1006-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CULTURAL HERITAGE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADD
THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 535 HIGUERA STREET TO THE
MASTER LIST OF HISTORIC RESOURCES AS "THE ROBERT
POLLARD HOUSE" (HIST -2793-2016)
WHEREAS, the applicant, Jean Martin, filed an application on February 23, 2016, for
review of the inclusion of the property at 535 Higuera Street on the City's Master List of Historic
Resources; and
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 April 25, 2016, for the purpose of reviewing the inclusion of the property at 535
Higuera Street on the City's Master List of Historic Resources; and
WHEREAS, notices of said public hearings 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 applicants, interested parties, and the evaluation and
recommendations by staff, presented at said hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Cultural Heritage Committee of the
City of San Luis Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Fig(lings. Based upon all the evidence, the Cultural Heritage Committee
makes the following findings:
1. The house is eligible for the Master List of Historic Resources because it satisfies more
than one of the evaluation criteria for historic resource listing described in the Historic
Preservation Ordinance, exhibits a high level of historic integrity, and, being depicted
on a Sanborn Map prepared in 1903, is more than 50 years old.
2. The house satisfies evaluation criteria for historic resources listing related to
architectural style (§ 14.01.070 A). It is a rare remaining example of an owner -built
residence exhibiting a vernacular style representative of the period of San Luis
Obispo's establishment as a City in the last decades of the 19th Century.
3. The house satisfies evaluation criteria for historic resources listing related to historical
persons and with predominant patterns the City's history (§ 14.01.070 B(1) and B(3)). It
is closely associated with Robert Pollard, who held many important public posts and
made important contributions to local institutions during the City's early history, and
E.D. Bray, a noted local architect with several works included in the City's Inventory of
Resolution No.CHC-1006-16
HIST -2793-2016 (535 Higuera)
Page 2
Historic Resources. It is also associated with Mary Frances Pollard, who participated in
the establishment of a local labor organization, and with Pauline Bray Martin, the first
woman to work in the local banking sector.
4. The house exhibits a high level of historic integrity and satisfies evaluation criteria for
historic resources listing related to historic integrity (§ 14.01.070 C). The structure
occupies its original site and the extent of its original foundation. The residential
character and vernacular style of the house have been preserved, despite subsequent
additions, by retention of the basic elements of its simple design: the unadorned wood
frame construction, shiplap siding, gable roof forms, and simple window pattern and
detail. The residential setting and the feeling and association with early 19th Century
residential development in the City have been retained with the location of additional
structures to the property, as the added structures are small and located in the rear of the
lot, inconspicuous to the viewer.
5. The project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), as it is limited to the designation of a historical resource, an
action taken to preserve a historical resource, as described in §15331 of the CEQA
Guidelines.
SECTION 2. Action. The Cultural Heritage Committee does hereby recommend that the
City Council add the property located at 535 Higuera Street to the Master List of Historic
Resources as "The Robert Pollard House.".
On motion by Committee Member Brajkovich, seconded by Committee Member Kincaid, and on
the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Baer, Kincaid, Larrabee, Papp, Walthert, Vice -Chair Brajkovich,
and Chair Hill
NOES: None
REFRAIN: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 25`h day of April, 2016.
Brian Leveille, Secretary
Cultural Heritage Committee