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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 1986/08/04MINUTES OF A SCHEDULED SPECIAL MEETING RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA July 28, 1986 Council Chambers, Public Services Building 5:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Hodson, Commissioners Taylor, Donovan, Rowe, Mitchell and Hernandez CITY STAFF PRESENT: Environmental Review Coordinator Reid CALL MEETING TO ORDER/ROLL CALL -Chairman Hodson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and the roll was called with all members present. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Mitchell requested corrections to the minutes of July 2, 1986, on page 1, in statement 2 under item 4, change the word "to" to "too", and on page 2, under item 7, correct the spelling of Commissioner Mitchell. MSUC (Mitchell/Rowe) to approve the minutes of July 2, 1986 with the corrections. 3. NEW BUSINESS Recommendations to the City Council on potential historic sites Environmental Review Coordinator Reid advised that there are presently 13 designated historical sites in the city. There are two levels of designation provided for in the ordinance; the first is to recognize the site and place a market on the site, the second level is to impose a permit process that with- holds building permits for any modification to the buildings until approved by the Commission. The only building with this restriction is the Women's Club on 'G' Street, where the club requested that designation. Mr. Reid displayed slides of the following sites with a brief description of the significance of the site: a. 264 I Street Presently occupied by the Four Seasons Day Care Center, this was formerly the Clara Smith House and was constructed in 1924. It is basically Mission Revival with some colonial or federal influence. It has had some alterations, but retains its integrity in design and materials. The house was occupied by Edwin T. Smith, Chula Vista's first mayor. It has significance as the home of a prominent Chula Vista family. Arthur Day, a resident on 'J' Street, pointed out that Judge Smith lived in this house for only about a year; he had built and lived in a house around the corner for a longer period of time. His wife and later his daughter-in- law lived in the house for many years. Mr. Day expressed the opinion the house has no historical significance. b. 617 Del Mar Avenue Commonly known as the Glen Roberts home, it was formerly known as the Frances Fisher House. The architecture is Mission Revival. It is thought to be the RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 28, 1986 Page 2 first house built on South Del Mar Avenue. One of the people who lived in the house was John T. Meyers, retired professional major league baseball player. Glen Roberts, resident at 617 Del Mar, advised that he added the wing wall after he purchased the house 29 years ago; it incorporates a wooden arch taken from an old house in National City that was being torn down. c. 629 Del Mar Avenue This is a Spanish eclectic style, constructed in the 1930's, and is typical of the large Spanish eclectic constructed in that era. Many houses in Chula Vista have that integrity of design. Commissioner Donovan questioned whether this house should be considered since it has no historical significance. Bertha Alicia Diez de Bonilla, resident at 629 Del Mar Avenue for the past 20 years, advised that she and her family do not want to have it declared as a historical site. d. 630 Del Mar Avenue This is the Bullen House, historically known as the George Rife House. It is a bungalow design, and was constructed in 1920 or 1921 for George and Ada Rife. Mr. Rife was a well known Chula Vistan who served as mayor, deputy tax collector and city councilman from 1934 to 1937. e. 640 Del Mar Avenue The Richard Schuller House, formerly known as the Warner Edmonds House, was constructed about 1913 and is a Craftsman style. The house has a two story central portion surrounded by single story area. Warner Edmonds was the son of Bishop Edmonds, who founded the Peoples State Bank of Chula Vista in 1909. Warner Edmonds became assistant cashier of the bank in 1909 and cashier in 1912. Warner and Martha Edmonds were prominent Chula Vistans. Chairman Hodson called attention to a letter received from R. E. Schuller requesting that this not be designated as a historical site. Mr. R. E. Schuller affirmed his request that the house not be designated as a historical site. f. 665 Del Mar Avenue Known as the Mary Miller House, this is of a different Spanish eclectic design, being very symmetrical. The house retains integrity of design and materials and its historical significance is added by the association with the prominent Miller family. RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 28, 1986 Page 3 Commissioner Hernandez advised that the owner of this property is out of town. Chairman Hodson suggested that consideration of this house be deferred to a future meeting of the Commission when the owner can be present. 9 614 Second Avenue This Craftsman Bungalow design is known as the Lee Burch House, formerly the Nadine Davies House, and was constructed about 1911. Nadine Davies lived in the house for about 50 years, until her death in 1981 and was active and well known in Chula Vista. Lee Burch, present resident at 614 Second Avenue, advised that the only alteration to the exterior was the replacement of the shingle walls, which had become badly deteriorated with time. The present shingles are redwood and will have only a clear protective coating. h. 616 Second Ave This Craftsman style house, known as the Greg Rogers House, was moved from 669 E Street, which has been designated as a historical site. The house was constructed in 1910 for Greg Rogers, who was a prominent Chula Vistan. He served on the first city council when the city was incorporated and became president of the Peoples State Bank, the first bank in the city. Greg Rogers School and the adjacent park were named in his honor. Lee Burch, owner of the house, described the renovation which is being undertaken on this house, including the construction of a basement as living quarters, and the replacement of the library. They are now working on restoration of the interior of the house, removing flooring and tiles to expose the original maple floors. He advised that it will be used as their family home but they will be pleased to open it to the public, as desired. He stated that the front room on the first floor will be furnished to duplicate, as close as possible, the original home, including pictures from that era. Commissioner Rowe asked about designating this house a historic site subject to permit control; he felt Mr. Burch should not be subject to rigorous standards on the rest of the restoration. Mr. Burch indicated that the only changes from the original house will be the finishing of a bedroom in the attic and the installation of an elevator from the basement to the top floor. The elevator was built in 1916 and was taken from the Proctor Hotel in San Diego. Mr. Reid advised that the last two sites to be considered--642 and 644 Second Avenue--were the location of the Designer Showcase by the San Diego Historical Society earlier this year. RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 28, 1986 Page 4 642 Second Avenue This Queen Anne Victorian style house was constructed about 1889 and is one of the few remaining orchard homes in the city. It was built on land purchased in 1888 by Garrett A. Garrettson, a prominent and wealthy man in San Diego County. It was moved to the present site in 1982 and was restored in 1985. John McCall advised that he worked on the house since October, 1982 and completed only the exterior restoration, before the Designer Showcase undertook the interior. j. 644 Second Avenue This Victorian style house is located in front of the previous site at 642 Second Avenue and is known as the Jean McCall House, formerly the Jennie MacDonald House. The house was constructed in 1888 for the San Diego Land and Town Company and is indicated on the 1894 map of Chula Chula Vista. Jennie MacDonald and her husband, William, lived in the house for many years. The house is one of the few remaining Victorian homes in Chula Vista and appears to retain integrity of design and materials. Arthur May expressed his support for designating this house as a historical site, noting that it was one of 13 houses built by the San Diego Land and Town Company, most of which are now gone. John McCall stated that he purchased and moved into this house in 1949, where he raised six daughters, and this year sold the house to his oldest daughter. She is presently living in Utah but he believed she would concur with having it designated a historic site. Chairman Hodson called for Commission action on the houses individually. 264 I Street Commissioner Taylor felt this should not be included as a historical site; although it was the home of the first mayor of Chula Vista, he lived there for only about a year. The house has been modified and now serves a commercial use. Commissioner Donovan expressed the feeling that because it was the home of Chula Vista's first mayor, and with its architectural interest, it should be designated a historic site. MSC (Donovan/Rowe 4-2, Taylor and Hodson voting no) to designate the house at 264 I Street as a historical site with a marker. 617 Del Mar Avenue MSUC (Rowe/Taylor) to designate the house at 617 Del Mar as a historical site with a marker. RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 28, 1986 Page 5 629 Del Mar Avenue MSUC (Hodson/Taylor) to honor tYie request of the owner and not designate the house at 629 Del Mar Avenue as a historical site. 630 Del Mar Avenue MSUC (Donovan/Rowe) to designate this house with a marker as a historical site. 640 Del Mar Avenue MSUC (Hernandez/Rowe) in line with the request of the owner, this house should not be designated as a historical site. 665 Del Mar Avenue MSUC (Mitchell/Hernandez) to defer action on this site until the owner has returned and has an opportunity to respond. 614 Second Avenue MSUC (Mitchell/Taylor) to designate this as a historical site with the permit control process applied. 616 Second Avenue MSC (Rowe/Taylor 5-1, Mitchell voting no) to designate this house as a historical site with the permit control process subject to blanket approval of the restoration work presently under way. 642 Second Avenue MSUC (Taylor/Rowe) to designate this as a historical site with no permit restrictions. Second Avenue MSUC (Rowe/Taylor) to designate this as a historic site with permit control. 2. SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY: Election of Officers, Fiscal year 1986-87 MSC (Rowe/Donovan, 5-O, Taylor abstained) to elect Commissioner Taylor to serve as chairman for 1986-87. MSC (Hernandez/Mitchell 5-0, Donovan abstained) to elect Commissioner Donovan as vice-chairman for 1986-87. Commissioner Taylor assumed chairmanship of the meeting. RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 28, 1986 Page 6 3. NEW BUSINESS (continued) Request for Director of Parks and Recreation to investigate possible historic site - John Forester Adobe House - Rohr Park. Mr. Reid called attention to a hand written history of this historical site included in the Commissioner's packets. He advised that several years ago when the city first looked at historical sites, this site was considered, but it was determined there was not enough left of significance to warrant designation. Since then, all remains of the adobe structure have been removed and the only thing that could be done would be to designate the site of what once was. MSUC (Hernandez/Taylor) to further investigate the location of the historical site of the John Forester Adobe House. Application for U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit - DeGraaf property. Mr. Reid reported that because of a recent court decision in favor of the Army Corps' definition of a national waterway, the Corps' authority is getting quite broad in consideration of any project that has riparian habitat, or ground water near surface level. This site has no endangered species and the Army Corps is proceeding with a 404 permit and a finding of no significant impact, rather than requiring an environmental impact statement. He advised that this Commission can provide input to the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the proposed development of the site. MSUC (Rowe/Hodson) to take no action on this item. 4. OLD BUSINESS EIR-85-2 (Helipad - Bay Hospital Medical Center) Mr. Reid stated that a request has been received from Bay Hospital to stop processing this document. EIR-86-2 (San Diego Country Club Clubhouse replacement) Commissioner Taylor reported that he reviewed this structure for historical site consideration, and while it has some history, it was built for the Country Club members and it no longer meets their needs. Commissioner Rowe advised that he reviewed the EIR in detail. He concluded with the need for a larger structure to serve both the Country Club and the community, noting that Chula Vista has no good place for large organizations to meet. He felt the building is not utilitarian, and also pointed out seismic problem with regard to earthquake resistance. He felt the Commission should not stand in the way of whatever plans for the Country Club has for its building. RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 28, 1986 Page 7 Mr. Reid noted the mitigating measures included in the EIR concerning architectural design. The conclusion of the report is that even with those mitigation measures, the basic impact still remains: that the cultural facility designed by a prominent regional architect deeply involved in the lives of many institutions and people throughout San Diego County is going to be destroyed. Mr. Reid explained the complicated procedure that will be required in approval of the proposed project. Chairman Taylor suggested continuing consideration of the EIR to the meeting of August 11. It was determined that Commissioners Rowe and Hodson will not be present on August 11. Commissioner Donovan stated there should not be a meeting on August 11, since the Commission does not have 7 members, the absence of 2, makes it difficult to conduct business. MSC (Rowe/Taylor 5-1, Commissioner Hodson voting no) to recommend that the Planning Commission certify that the EIR is adequate. 5. STAFF REPORT Mr. Reid suggested that the calendar be reviewed to determine the absence of members for the upcoming meetings. August 4: Commission Taylor will be absent. Commissioner Mitchell reports for jury duty on that date, but should be present at a 5:30 p.m. meeting. August 11: Commissioners Hodson and Rowe will be absent. August 18: Commissioner Hodson will be absent. It was decided that the remaining historical sites should be scheduled for consideration on August 4, 18 and 25, with no meeting to be held on Auust 11. Commissioner Rowe pointed out that consideration of the Boltz property should be set for August 18 or 25. Commissioner Rowe asked for Mr. Reid's recommendation on the EIR sent to the Commission dealing with the Bayfront Plan Amendment. Mr. Reid suggested scheduling that for the meeting of August 18. ADJOURNMENT AT 7:35 p. m. to the scheduled meeting for August 4, 1986. Helen Mapes, Secretary THE MEETING WAS TAPE RECORDED.