Transcript AR 20
Bungalow Court Preservation Concerns City Council September 8, 2014 Bungalow Courts Planning & Community Development Department Gartz Court, 743 N. Pasadena Avenue Mary Louise Court, 599 N. Mentor Avenue Harnetiaux Court, 48 N. Catalina Avenue Cornish Manor Court, 500 S. El Molino Avenue 2 Historic Designation Status Summary Planning & Community Development Department • Councilmember Tornek recently raised a concern about historic bungalow courts that may be threatened with demolition due to development pressures • Staff conducted preliminary research > > > > > 116 total remaining in City 44 with historic designation 36 eligible for designation 22 ineligible for designation due to alterations 14 require further research due to construction after 1942 3 Existing Protections Planning & Community Development Department • 44 Designated Courts: > Certificate of Appropriateness is required for major and minor projects. > Review authority can deny application if inappropriate. • 36 Eligible but Undesignated Courts: > Certificate of Appropriateness required for major projects only. > Review authority can delay application for up to 180 days if inappropriate. > If demolition proposed in conjunction with a new development project, CEQA requirements may be sufficient disincentive to ensure protection. • 22 Ineligible Courts & 14 Requiring Further Study: > No protection required (not historically significant) 4 Potential Threats to 36 Eligible but Undesignated Courts Planning & Community Development Department • Demolition > 11 courts are developed below the allowable density by 5 or more units – could be considered threatened. • Serial Alterations > Minor projects (replacement windows/doors, minor additions, changes to the setting, etc.) are exempt from Certificate of Appropriateness. • Deterioration/Neglect > Some courts have high levels of deterioration on the exterior. > Education is needed to inform property owners of economic incentives available for historic properties. • Potential Condominium Conversions > Condominium conversions could assist with preservation; however, compliance with current parking requirements would be an issue. Condominium conversions could potentially have the effect of eliminating affordable housing. 5 Possible Strategies for Further Study Planning & Community Development Department • Conduct further study of 22 ineligible bungalow courts and 14 requiring further study. • Conduct outreach to property owners to encourage designation of eligible courts. • Establish limitation on the number of building permits that may be issued for minor projects affecting historic resources within a given time period. • Conduce educational outreach to inform property owners of economic incentives available for historic properties. • Revive previous effort to modify parking requirements for bungalow court condominium conversions (after consulting with Housing to ensure that affordable housing stock would not be impacted). 6 Staff Recommendation Planning & Community Development Department • Staff recommends that the City Council receive the report and direct staff to bring the issue of bungalow court preservation to the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission to develop a strategy and recommendations for further protection of historic bungalow courts. 7 Bungalow Court Preservation Concerns Discussion/Direction from Council