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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1975/07/30 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Wednesday July 38, 1975 An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of Chula Vista, California, was held on the above date beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, with the following Councilmen present: Mayor Hamilton, Councilmen Scott, Hyde, Egdahl Councilman absent: Councilman Hobel Staff present: City Manager Cole, City Attorney Lindberg, Assistant City Manager Asmus, Director of Building and Housing Grady, Director of Parks and Recreation Hall, Environmental Coordinator Reid Mayor Hamilton called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING (CONTINUED) City Manager Cole discussed the offer made CONSIDERATION OF GUIDELINES, by the owner of the Greg Rogers House to CRITERIA AND DESIGNATION make a gift of the house to the City on OF HISTORICAL SITES IN THE the condition that it be moved from the CITY OF CHULA VISTA premises of 699 "E" Street. Mr. Cole referred to the written report by the Directors of Building and Housing and Parks and Recreation noting the cost involved in the moving and restoration of the building. It was the staff's recommen- dation that the house could be moved to the "J" Street site (presently the Animal Shelter) and the Historical Society or an appropriate community action group could solicit for funds in order to take over the perpetual care of the house with possible creation of a museum. In response to Council's query, Mr. Cole remarked that the only community response thus far came from Mrs. Ruby Machado, a member of the Heritage Days Group and South Bay Historical Society who requested that the house not be purchased for a museum or a historical site. Restoration costs Mr. Gene Grady, Director of Building and Housing cited the costs involved in moving and relocating the building. A Council discussion followed regarding the architecture of the house, the innova- tions made to the structure since it was built, the costs involved and the City's obligation. Motion not to accept It was moved by Councilman Scott and sec- house onded by Councilman Egdahl that the City not accept the offer of the house. Adjourned Regular Meeting 2 July 30 1975 Permission to speak Mrs. Kathryn Moore asked for permission to speak on this item. Motion withdrawn Councilman Egdahl withdrew his motion; Councilman Scott withdrew the second. Public hearing opened This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Kathryn S. Moore Mrs. Moore said she belongs to the South Bay 1134 Tobias Drive Historical Society and Save Our Heritage Chula Vista Organisation (SOHO). She spoke in favor of restoring the historical sites in Chula Vista commenting that it would be a great tourist attraction. Mrs. Moore passed around some books written about historical sites in cities such as San Francisco and Toronto. She recommended that the Greg Rogers house be left in its present location and that the Flower Street School (which will soon be vacated) be made into a historical park site. Mrs. Moore suggested the grounds be planted with lemon trees in order to make it a legend. Mrs. Moore then discussed the costs of renovating and moving the Granger Music Hail building (National City) remarking that the costs listed by the City officials for moving the Greg Rogers house "were inflated." Norval Richardson Mr. Richardson explained that the Bulmer Administrator, Vista Hill House was part of the hospital. The Hospital building has had many alterations and addi- tions so that it has lost its original architecture. Mr. Richardson stated that the hospital is governed strictly by the State of California and;any and all additions must be approved by the State. If the house was designated as a historical site, it would seriously limit the operation of the hospital. Bill Ansley Mr. Ansley said he was one of the owners owner of 666 Third Avenue of the property at 666 Third Avenue ("Our "Our House" House"). He commented that they have been trying to sell the property for a long period of time and the building on the property has been a detriment to the sale of the land. Mr. Ansley stated that they have had several developers interested in the land - one wanted to put in a restaurant; another wanted to put in a mini-shopping Adjourned Regular Meeting 3 July 30, 1975 area - all on a long time lease; however, the owners want an out-right sale. They would be willing to sell it to the City at fair market value. The fact that the City is interested in the property now creates "a bottleneck" for the owners. Nancy Newhouse Miss Newhouse explained that they have been Administrator, Our House occupying the property for the last four 666 Third Avenue (4) years and during this entire time, the Chula Vista property has been for sale. She spoke in favor of designating the house as a his- torical site and hoped the City would, in some way, be able to secure this building to be used by this social service. Mrs. Harold Starkey Mrs. Starkey claimed she doesn't see the 21 "F" Street advantage of designating her house as a Chula Vista historical site since it is in a remote section of the City. She asked what is required if it is designated as such -- would it be open to the public? Mrs. Starkey felt that if the house was desig- nated as a historical landmark, it would decrease its value if she wanted to sell it. City Attorney's comments City Attorney Lindberg explained the provi- sions of the ordinance. He added that it is hoped that any place designated as a historical site will continue its present use until sometime in the future when the site will be available for public viewing. "Our House" property Councilman Scott commented that the "Our ttouse" property is in a commercial zone. The owners can raze the building and con- struct another building on the site. Nothing would be accomplished by designating this a historical site. Harold Starkey Mr. Starkey remarked that the Council is considering a lot of properties in a lot of different places - each one different. In the case of the Starkey house, there is a large piece of property that goes with it (approximately 4 acres) and if it is designated as a historical site, the City and property owner should get together and decide on how much property is involved. Public hearing closed There being no further comments, either for or against, the hearing was declared closed. Motion regarding Bulmer House It was moved by Councilman Hyde and seconded by Mayor Hamilton that the Bulmer House be excluded from this designation because of its current use and the modifications that have been made to it. It would be imprac- tical to consider, in the future, acqui- sition and restoration of this house to its original character. Adjourned Regular Meeting 4 July 30~ 1975 Discussion of motion Councilman Egdahl indicated he had reluc- tance to make any immediate decision on this particular site or the other sites until other things were covered, such as, would the house be retained on the property it is now, or remove it to another loca- tion - all facets should be tied down. Motion carried with Councilman Egdahl asked that Councilman additional wording tlyde include the words "at this time" in his motion. Councilman Hyde agreed to the inclusion and the motion excluding the Bulmer House carried unanimously. Pat Keith Chairperson Ms. Keith explained that the Historical Historical Site Board Site Board looked over a number of sites and narrowed it down to these five. The Board did not look into "the nuts and bolts" in designating the sites - they estab- lished the sites based on the heritage of Chula Vista. Council discussion Councilman Scott questioned whether there should be a payment to the property owner for diminished property values once his site is designated as historical. Councilman Scott stated he sees no value in moving any of the dwellings and cannot see the City purchasing any of the houses out- right unless there is a specific use for them; he further suggested there be different elements to the designations - perhaps putting a plaque on some of the buildings indicating that the house was designated historical. Motion for City Attorney It was moved by Councilman Scott that the direction City Attorney look into the possibility of development rights and set up a criteria whereby the City would have no intention of acquiring or moving a house. Councilman Hyde asked that the motion be broken down into two (2) separate ones. Motion regarding diminished It was moved by Councilman Scott, seconded property rights by Councilman Hyde and unanimously carried that the City Attorney look into the possi- bility of diminished property rights. Motion not to purchase It was moved by Councilman Scott, seconded sites by Councilman Hyde and unanimously carried that, at this time, the Council does not consider the outright purchase or moving the houses that have been designated as historical sites. Adjourned Regular Meeting 5 July 30, 1975 Motion to decline offer of It was moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded Greg Rogers House by Councilman Scott and unanimously carried that a letter be written to the owner of the Greg Rogers House thanking him for his gen- erous offer but declining to accept. Councilman Egdahl suggested the entire Historical Site ordinance be reviewed. Motion to forward comments to It was moved by Councilman Scott, seconded by Historical Site Board Councilman Hyde and unanimously carried that the comments made at this meeting be reported to the Historical Site Board. Councilman Hyde asked that the Board continue its work of identifying these sites. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hamilton adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Cit~ Clerk, CMC ~/~