HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-2017 CHC Correspondence - Item 1 (Meyer)
From: Eric Meyer < RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2017 12:54 PM
To: Advisory Bodies JUN 19 2017
Subject: Cultural Heritage Committee June 26 Agenda... RE: 1160 Left Street
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CHC RE: 1160 Left street, June 26 agenda 2017 Meeting:
Item: 1
Hello Cultural Heritage Committee,
Neglect and illegal modifications should not be used as rational to delist a contributing list property (and thus allow its
eventual demolition).
I noticed in the 1160 Left Street report that one of the reasons that the building was being requested to be removed
from the master list was because its windows had been modified from their original wooden form... and were now
vinyl. I called staff and was told that there was no permit on record for this modification. In the "Provenience Group
Historic Resource Inventory and Evaluation" it is stated that the vinyl windows were added after 2012.
I would like to suggest that unless a given modification was permitted... then this modification should NOT be used
as a reasoning for de -listing. It would seem that the vinyl windows were added illegally. If the owner had requested
a permit to put vinyl windows in a contributing list property... it is extremely likely that they would have been told
NO. They would then have had to go through the planning department to upgrade their windows to a permissible
variety in keeping with the structures design and character.
IF the planningibuilding department had discovered that the owner of 1160 Left had illegally changed out their
windows to vinyl... It is likely that the department would have noticed the owner with a violation... and a notice to
correct of some sort. (This has happened in other locations around town... 1117 Marsh street for instance.)
SO I would ask this same question about the front porch changes... Is there a permit on file for the porch change? If
not... then this was an illegal change... and should be subject to a notice of correction rather than allowed to be used
as a reason to de -list and demolish the building.
What I notice around town... is the slow "death by a thousand blows" degradation by purposeful neglect... of our
historic downtown housing stock. If neglect and a plethora of illegally made changes can then become the basis for
removal from the contributing list... then we have a problem.
Developers often cite the costs associated with remodeling a deteriorated historic building as being too great.. and thus
request to demolish and create new instead.. I would ask you... What is the value of San Luis Obispo's historic
character? Is the tradeoff equitable for the city, the neighborhood, and the landowner?
Additionally ... Edwin Fouch, the original occupant of this home who lived there for over 40 years, was a "soda water
manufacturer". I cannot find documentation that states that he owned the San Luis Obispo Soda Works... but he is
listed as being a "soda water manufacturer" at the San Luis Obispo Soda Works. It is known that he was the founder
of the "Arroyo Grande Soda Works". (See: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/locallarticle39524613.html) So it is
likely that he may have had ownership in the SLO soda works.... more research should be done here.
in closing:
My suggestion would be to allow the 3 parcel common interest subdivision. But with the original structure to remain
on one of the parcels... to be relocated as may be necessary... perhaps even with reduced setbacks as seen elsewhere
on this block. (It should remain on the street frontage though... not set behind a new structure). This original
structure should then be sympathetically restored/added onto as historic guidelines. The landowner could then build 2
new homes on the 2 new vacant common interest subdivision lots.
This would seem to be an equitable balance that would create more needed housing while also maintaining the historic
character that makes our city.
Thank you,
Eric Meyer
San Luis Obispo
Eric Meyer
frenchbic Iles ail.com