HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC AGENDA PK 2002/01/09
RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMO
January 9, 2002
TO: Resource Conservation Commission
VIA: Marilyn Ponseggi, Environmental Review Coordinato~
From: Lynnette Tessitore·Lopez
Subject: Nomination of Friendship Park as a Historic Site
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Resource Conservation Commission not
take any action in regard to designating Fricndship Park as a
Historic Park at this time.
BACKGROUND:
In response to public comment at the December 2, 2002 meeting, the Resource
Conservation Commission requested infonnation on nominating Friendship Park as a
Historic Site. From the comments it appears the member of the public was looking for
additional protection for the park, In accordance with Section 2.32.070 of the Chula Vista
Municipal Code, the decision as to whether a site should be included on the Historic Site
list is made by the City Council, upon recommendation of the RCC. Section 2.32.070
states:
"The Commission shall recommend to the City Council the designation of any
sitc which it has found to meet the criteria as a historical site, The commission shall also
recommend if the historical site pennit process, as provided in Section_2.32,090, should
be imposed on the site,"
CRITERIA FOR LISTING:
I. Bears a relationship to overall heritage on a local, state, or national basis.
This Mission of San Diego, for example, is local but is also part of a statewide
system that is recognized nationally,
2. Relates to a historic personage who played an important role historically, on a
local, state, or national basis. However, the individual need not be known
nationally, as long as it was someone who made a significant contribution on a
local basis, Ideally, this includes a site where the individual lived or where a
noteworthy historical contribution or achievement took place,
3. May be a site where an important event took place. This would be an event
symbolic of a phase of history tliat could reach the national level. The site of
the signing of a historic document, for example, will satisfy this criterion,
4, The site should have distinguishing architectural characteristics that are
identifiable, This includes structures of a particular architectural style
recognizable today,
5, The site may be archacologically significant in its association with pre·history
of the area, A site demonstrating existence of an ancient community (indians
indigenous to the area, for example) could satisfy this criterion,
(, Has integrity, This is where the site continues to have evidence of the original
features, Enough of the original structure or the site is intact to be
distinguishable as having historical value,
Friendship Park is the site of the first elementary school in Chula Vista but does not
retain any of the integrity of the original use, To be listed on the local register, the
Resource Conservation Commission must make a recommendation to the City Council,
which will detennine if the site meets the local criteria for designation. The issue is what
is meant by "site" for purposes ofChula Vista, According to the California Register of
Historic Resources a historic site may be a location where: a significant event occurred,
prehistoric or historic occupation or activity took place, or where a building or structure
was once located and the location retains value regardless of the value of any subsequent
structure, Examples of this are: sub-surface remains of a Native American village,
designed landscapes, mining camps or trails,
To date a "location" has not been listed on the Chula Vista List of Historic Sites and it is
not clear at this time as to whether such a designation would be supported by the current
criteria, As a result of ambiguity of the current historic preservation criteria and
designation processes in Chula Vista, the listing of Friendship Park on the Chula Vista
List of Historic Sites would likely not afford Friendship Park any more protection than it
cllrrently has. Reviewing the existing criteria and designation processes of Chula Vista
have been identified as goals of the Ad Hoc Historic Preservation Committee.
The Ad Hoc Historic Preservation Committee was fonned to develop a strategic plan for
historic preservation in Chula Vista. Staff recommends that the Resource Conservation
Commission wait to make a recommendation on the designation of Friendship Park until
the Ad Hoc Preservation Committee concludes and the Committee's recommendation for
a historic preservation strategic plan is forwarded and accepted by City Council. At that
time it may be more clear as to what goals and objectives should be pursued by the
Resource Conservation Commission in regard to designation of locations versus
structures as historic resources,
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Resource Conservation Commission file this report at this time
and not consider a designation of Friendship Park as a Historic Site until the Ad Hoc
Preservation Committee concludes its report and the City Council considers their report.
J:\Planning\Lynnctte\memoradums\Friendship park INFORM A TION MEMO 3.doc