HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 1986/10/20MINUTES OF A SCHEDULED SPECIAL MEETING
RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
august 25, 1985 Council Chambers
5:30 p.m. Public Services Building
ME146ERS PRESENT: Chairman Taylor, Commissioners Donovan, Rowe, Hodson,
I+litchell, and ~lernandez
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Environmental Review Coordinator Reid
CALL MEETING TO ORUER/ROLL CALL
Chairman Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. and the roll was
called.
1. APPROVAL OF i+IINUTES
MSUC (Donovan/Rowe) (Commissioner Hodson abstained) to approve the
minutes of the meeting of August 18, 1986, with the following corrections:
on page 3, i tem g, the name shoul d read Argonaut Gol d Mine and i n the
following line correct the spelling of Fiesta; on page 5, item f, the
address should be 52 "E" Street.
2. RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON POTENTIAL HISTORIC SITES
Environmental Review Coordinator Reid displayed slides and reviewed the
architecture and historical background of each of the following sites:
a. 231 Alvarado Street
The Marie Riesland House, a bungalow design with some classical
influence, is one story and nearly symmetrical in design; estimated
construction date, 1927. Aaron Riesland, who lived in the house
until 1930, later served on the City Council and as Mayor of the
city. Mr. Reid called attention to a letter from South Bay Fence,
Inc., owners of the property, which states that plans are now in
process to redevelop the site with a four-plex and requests that it
not be listed as a historical site.
b. 4UEi Church Avenue
The Richard Pray House is a Colonial Revival style constructed in
1928. The design of the house is quite rare in Chula Vista and
demonstrates the interest in the Colonial Revival style in the late
192U's.
Resource Conservation Commission -2-
c.
d.
e.
410 Church Avenue
Auoust 25. 1986
Known as tPie Elmer Mikkelson House and constructed about 1929, this
house was constructed in a style similar to the adjacent one at 406,
but has a number of alterations including enclosure of the front
porch. Elmer Mikkelson was well known in Chula Vista and started a
garbage and trash collection service in National City and Chula Vista.
6ti5 Del Mar Avenue
The Mary Miller House is a Spanish Eclectic design, constructed in
1928. Col. Charles Miller acquired this property in 1919 when he
purchased "E1 Nido." His widow split the property and sold "E1 fdido"
in 1927 and this house was constructed for her residence. It is a
good example of the Spanish Eclectic style and appears to retain
integrity of design and materials and historical significance is
added by the association with the prominent Miller family.
Pete DeGraf, resident of the house since 1948, pointed out there are
many Spanish style houses in the city and he saw no reason why this
one should be singled out for honor. He asked that it not be
included in the list of historical sites. He feels that in the
future the street will be rezoned for multiple family housing and
felt that the historical designation might depress the price of the
house.
374 Roosevelt Street
Tire Mark Skinner House, a bungalow design, was constructed in 1924.
The dominant feature of the house is an open porch with a curved
gable roof at the center of the facade; two round columns support the
front porch. The house was built by Mark Skinner, a plumber, who
assisted his father in the Skinner Hardware Store, one of the pioneer
Chula Vista businesses. He served as a building inspector for the
City and was interested in civic affairs.
Mrs. Pat Hollister, present owner, requested that the house not be
desiynated as a historic site.
f. 155 "G" Street
Corrtraonly known as the Boarding House, this Victorian-style house was
constructed in 1889. The house was built for fors. B. K. Maude who
acquired tire property from the San Diego Land and Town Company. It
was sold to Henry Gulick. Although the house has undergone exterior
alterations, it has significance as the home of a pioneer family and
serves aS an architectural reminder of the Victorian era.
Resource Conservation Commission -3- August 25, 1986
9•
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i
j
319-325 "G" Street
The Thomas Howe Court consists of
in the rueblo Revival style in
integrity of design and materials
developer in Chula Vista.
four individual houses constructed
1929. The buildings retain their
Mr. Thomas Howe was a prominent
33 "I" Street
The Robert Mueller House, constructed in 1928, is a Spanish Eclectic
style. In 1927 Robert Mueller became the president of the Seaboard
Building and Loan Association which he organized. He was a civic
leader in Chula Vista and owned the house until his death in the
195U's. The house is significant as the work of a noted San Uiego
architect, H. W. Whitsett, as the home of Robert Mueller, and as one
of the large Spanish mansions built in Chula Vista in the late 1920's.
379 "J" Street
The Evelyn Haines House is Craftsman style architecture, constructed
in 1913. Evelyn Haines lived in the house until 1929. In 1934, Anna
Howe and Lowell J. Howe, a police judge, lived there. Although the
house has been al tered to some extent, i t i s i nteresti ng as one of
the early Craftsman houses built in Chula Vista.
435 First Avenue
The William Sallmon House, Pueblo Revival architecture, was
constructed in 1916. The winding driveway leads up an include to the
large two story home; the rear portion of the house is one story
which creates the image of a Pueblo Indian Village. William Sallmon
was the First Vice President of the San Diego Land Corporation and
the Sweetwater Water Company. The house is significant as the home
of prominent Cnula Vistans and as a good example of the Pueblo
Revival style of architecture.
fors. William A. Smith, owner of the house since 1959, advised they
were the fourth owners of the house. She further described the
exterior and interior features of the home as some of the slides had
been destroyed. She expressed interest in the early history of the
house and in pictures of the original construction.
k. 32U Second Avenue
The Allison Crocket House, Victorian style architecture, was
constructed in 1892. Ornamental details include a horizontal band
around the house at the tops of the windows. Although ornamental
details have been stripped from the house, the basic shape and
structure remain the same. It is one of the few remaining orchard
homes in Chula Vista.
Resource Conservation Commission -4- August 25, 1986
Raymond Araiza, present owner of the house, stated that he has no
objections to the historic designation. He expressed his desire to
remove the lean-to type addition constructed by a previous owner to
serve as a kitchen and replace it with a structure of better
standards. He pointed out the problem of expense in maintaining the
exterior of a house of this type.
1. Adobe House, John Forster
I~lr. Reid advised that this site and the following one were suggested
by the Parks and Recreation Department for designation as historic
sites.
He displayed a slide of the remains of the Adobe House as it existed
in 19G8 before the ruins were removed. The site is within Rohr Park,
just west of Rohr Manor; it is now landscaped open area. It would be
the intent of the Parks and Recreation Department to put a marker on
the property in excess of the standard marker and to pursue having it
placed on the State list of historical sites.
John Forster received a grant of land from the Mexican government in
tyre mid-18UU's, which consisted of the land encompassing Chula Vista,
PJational City, Sweetwater Valley, and additional acreage. The date
of construction of the Adobe house is not known.
m. Rohr Manor
Information of this site is related to John Forster and the Rohr Park
area. Rohr Manor was purchased by Fred Rolrr and used as a private
recreational facility for the employees of Rohr. It has since been
used as offices for the Narks and Recreation Department and for
various social activities. There are plans to completely refurbish
the mansion and restore it to its original condition. The structure
was built in the 1920's.
Chairman Taylor asked for Commission action on each of the sites
considered.
a. 231 Alvarado Street
MSUC (Rowe/Hodson) recommend no designation for this site.
b. 4Ub Church Avenue
P1SUC (Donovan/h1itchell) recommend no designation for this site.
c. 41U Church Avenue
MSUC (Donovan/Hernandez) recommend designation as a historical
site without permit control.
Resource Conservation Commission -5- August 25, 1986
d. b65 Del Mar
The Commission discussed Mr. DeGraf's request and the fact that
merely designating it as a historic site without permit control does
not put any constraints on the future use of the property.
Mr. Reid expressed Iris opinion that it would be a long time before
any rezoning activity would be entertained in that neighborhood as it
is presently designated on the City's General Plan for medium density
development.
f~1SUC (Donovan/Rowe) recommend designation as a historical site with
no permit control.
e. 374 Roosevelt Street
h1SUC (Rowe/Donovan) recommend designation as a historical site with
no permit control.
f. 155 "G" Street
MSUC (Donovan/Hernandez) recommend designation as a historical site
with no permit control.
g. 319-325 "G" Street
MSUC (Mitchell/Donovan) recommend that this property be given no
historic site designation.
h. 33 "I" Street
MSUL' (Mitchell/Hodson) recommend designation as a historical site
with no permit control.
i. 379 "J" Street
Tire Commission discussed the fact that two prominent Chula Vista
families had occupied the house.
MSUC (Donovan/Hodson) recommend designation as a historical site with
no permit control.
j. 435 First Avenue
MSUC (Row/Hernandez) recommend designation as a historical site with
no permit control.
Resource Conservation Commission -6- August 25, 19II6
k. 32U Second Avenue
MSUC (Mitchell/Rowe) recommend designation as a historical site
without permit control.
1. Adobe House. John Forster
Although no portion of the structure remains, it is proposed to erect
a plaque at the site. No design has been prepared for the mounting
of the plaque.
Commissioner Rowe expressed concern about vandalism in a public park
and 'now long the plaque would remain.
Commission Mitchell suggested action on this designation be deferred
until the Commission can see a design of the proposed plaque.
f4SUC (Rowe/1~7itc hell) to defer action until the Commission receives a
report on the type of marker to be installed.
m. Rohr Manor
MSUC (Mitchell/Hodson) recommend that Rohr Manor Ue designated as a
historic site with the permit control process to provide review of
plans for alteration.
3. CUMMISSIUN COMMENTS
None.
4. STAFF REPURT
P4r. Reid advised this will be the last special meeting necessary for
consideration of historic sites since only a few sites remain to be
considered and they can be handled at a regular meeting.
AUJUURNMENT at 6:50 p.m. to the regularly scheduled meeting of
September 15, 19ttti.
Helen Mapes, Secretary
WpC U120B