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Home My WebLink About2006/12/19 Item 12 COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT Item No.: j? Meeting Date: 12/19/2006 ITEM TITLE: Consideration of request for designation of 416 Third Avenue as Historic Site #73- E1 Primero Hotel. SUBMITTED BY: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Chu1a Vista designating 416 Third Avenue, E1 Primero Hotel as a Historic site and placing EI Primero Hotel on the City of Chula Vista List of Historic Sites in accordance with the Municipal Code Section 2.32.070(A). Director of Planning and Building ~ Interim City Manager { (4/Sths Vote: Yes _ No~) REVIEWED BY: The property owners, Rufmo (Pie) and Soledad Roque, have requested that their property at 416 Third Avenue, EI Primero Hotel, be considered for inclusion on the Chula Vista List of Historic Sites as a building of distinctive architecture. (Attachment 1) RECOMMENDATION: Staff reconunends that the City Council adopt the resolution finding that 416 Third Avenue meets the local criteria for designation of a site and therefore should designate 416 Third Avenue, EI Primero Hotel, as Historic site #73 on the City of Chula Vista List of Historic Sites. BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: The Resource Conservation Conunission at their regular meeting on November 6, 2006 voted 6-0-0-1 (with Chairman Reid absent) to recommend that the City Council place 416 Third A venue, EI Primero Hotel, for inclusion on the Chula Vista List of Historic Sites. (Attachment 2) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The Environmental Review Coordinator has determined that this project is exempt per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 1533, Class 31, Historical Resources Restoration and Rehabilitation. 1. DISCUSSION: Municipal Code Authority In accordance with Section 2.32.070 of the City Of Chula Vista Municipal Code, the RCC shall reconunend to the City Council the designation of any site, which it has found to meet / 12-1 Page 2, Item No.: \ 2.- Meeting Date: 12/19/2006 the local criteria as a historical site. The criteria is summarized below and further explained in Attachment 3. Historic Designation Criteria 1.) Associated with important past events. 2.) Associated with significant persons. 3.) Distinctive architecture. 4.) Yields important historical or pre-historical information. Architectural Style This building is an Art Deco, zig zag moderne style building. Art Deco is in essence a modernization of may artistic styles and themes from the past including ancient Greece, Rome, Africa, India, Mayan and Aztec cultures and Egyptian influences. During the twenties and thirties jazzy Art Deco architecture was the trend. Art deco architecture utilized cubic forms, zig zag designs and was strongly influenced by mechanization and modern technology. Distinctive Art Deco buildings include: the Empire State Building and the Chrysler building. Historical Context The EI Primero Hotel was built in 1930, a significant time of commercial development along Third A venue. For many years, Third A venue was the commercial hub of Chula Vista and the construction of a hotel in the downtown area represented the growth and increasing importance of the city. Features of the site According to the 1985 Historic Resources Inventory, it is a two story large concrete structure with vertical design elements at each front corner and side elevations without ornamentation. (Attachment 4) The exterior is flat stucco, with a central entrance and a flat roof with parapets stepped up to a vertical feature at the center. Other vertical elements are placed between and on each side of the street facing windows. A zig-zag element runs horizontally beneath the sills. The double door entrance is flanked on each side by a set of three windows. Identical sets of windows appear on the second floor just above those on the first level. A smaller window can be seen above the entrance. Prior to restoration of this building, the windows were a hodgepodge of aluminum and wooden windows. The windows are now all double hung, double paned, energy efficient, noise attenuated windows that mimick the original windows. No window openings or dimensions were altered through the window replacement project of this building. (Attachment 5) 12-2 Page 3, Item No.: 12 Meeting Date: 12/19/2006 Significance EI Primero is significant as it was the first hotel in Chula Vista and is one of two Art Deco, zigzag moderne sty Ie buildings constructed along Third A venue. 2. CONCLUSION To qualify for designation based upon distinctive architecture, it must be determined that a structure is a true representation of its architectural style and that the property is significant within its determined historic context. The EI Primero Hotel is significant for it's Art Deco influenced, zig zag moderne architecture and for it's importance as the first hotel in Chula Vista. The current owners, Pie and Soledad Roque have worked diligently to rehabilitate this property from the blighted half-way house that was recognized as an Onion by the American Planning Association Orchids and Onions Award Program in 2001 to the local treasure, boutique hotel, that won the Roque Family, the Preservationist of the Year award in 2005. Therefore, staff recommends that the EI Primero Hotel be considered for inclusion on the Chula Vista List of Historic Sites (Historic Site #73) for it's distinctive architectural style. 3. DECISION MAKER CONFLICTS: Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no such holdings within 500 feet of the property which is the subject of this action. 4. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the inclusion of 416 Third Avenue, EI Primero Hotel, on the Chula Vista's List of Historic Sites. However, designation would qualify this property to participate in the Mills Act Program, which would result in a reduction of the tax assessed on this property. This reduction in property taxes results in a negligible annual fiscal impact to the City and other agencies which rely on property tax revenues. Attachments: 1.) Application for Designation 2.) Resource Conservation Commission minutes/November 6. 2006 3.) Local Historic Criteria 4.) Historic Resources Inventory 5.) Photos of the property J:\Planning\Lynnette\historic designation\Council Reports\El Primero Hotel Agenda Statement.doc 12-3 ~\fc- :-r CITY OF CHULA VISTA PLANNING & BUILDING DEPARTMENT 276 Fourth A venue Chula Vista, CA 919] 0 Historic Designation APPLlCAT10N FORM CITY OF CHUIA YISfA I APPLICANT/OWNERINFORMATION Applicant/Owner Name: F (' f'J 0 5d (ej). ~e;:::- Applicant/Owner Address t;Lib 1lfr(2iiJ At),{J. G..t!. 919(0 , Phone ? If - Cf,;2J yC?U / iF; - 9r;;f sr?S"'2- l Secondary Owner Name: !U!2-((l Owner Address: tv 4'L<-lL Phone ;tJ /4- 7? OWNER APPROY AL IS NAME t-dR~6 ~PU~ NAME S;o SlGNATURE;: fJt~~ i , SlGNATURE; DATE R!:?4 () " DATE:'" i:l I PROPERTY INFORMATION Property Address . b 11/-( r2a 14- l>Wl'i' ' IA t; Common name: EL ~'Mt=/l<:J /f01 L Historic name: Q A Year Built: I /30 Approximate Property size (in feet) or approximate acreage Ownership is: Private V or Public Present Use: ~7E'L Original Use f/o7'EL Architectural Style .4 r {)6et'J (;;Z('t5-2A6 tf;0j)Gl'-fJG' Assessor's Parcel Number (Required) 5 {, Fl- WO - .~7 Zone: Oc /L( k QC@f1f{ I II HISTORIC/LANDMARK L1'!FORMA TION II Use the reverse side of this form or a separate piece of paper may be attached for questions 1-3, 1. Please describe, in detail, historical aspects of the site or structure as well as any other significant factors which may determine the property as a historic site/landmark (i.e. special aesthetics; cultural, architectural, or engineering factors; and any dates, events, or persons a,s'}-"jcij3ted with the site or structure). See attached established criteria for designation, ,-ti':f'~..U. TIre: ('1;/[" tflJ6~f&f&:r. f fI4~w. €. ftRJU\.1 ~ __. ~ 2, Has the site or structure been altered in any way from its original design? rf () .5Ncf11 1 Yes V No (If yes, explain) WiNVUIU'; ,'A~ l:v'i!f/~fr'Jqz6r t:rFt €-iJ).({b1 bi( 5'AtV ~ ~h) " 3, Briefly describe the present physical condition of the property include ~ rating of poor, fair, gocTd, 0 excellent. . ~UoJlD. /-t( et.'vL-1!:1 1..-1 t,(J LLtM, h-eu( ;fJL.i /-c1L.~ f, :13 GX,~jj?<u:r &n,,-!2~, 12-4 crz;6 (/tJA-{ G~<t~{4 /fI/qch/fJetV / DRAFT MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Ken Lee Building Conference Room 430 'F' Street MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Vice-Chair Jasek at 4:30 p.m. ROLL CALUMOTION TO EXCUSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chair Stanley Jasek, Commissioners Eric Mosolgo, Georgie Stillman, Lynda Gilgun, Richie Macias, Jr. and Brett Davis (4:33 p.m.) MSC (Jasek/Mosolgo) to excuse Chair Doug Reid. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Davis absent. STAFF PRESENT: Marisa Lundstedt, Environmental Projects Manager Brendan Reed, Environmental Resource Manager Lynnette Tessitore-Lopez, Associate Planner Linda Bond, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Pamela Bensoussan, 616 Second Avenue Patrick & Judith Pidgeon, 20 Pepper Tree Road Rufino & Soledad Roque, 446 Third Avenue Christopher & Madeline Ross, 220 Elder Avenue Steven Ritter, 654 Del Mar Avenue David & Martina Doyer, 44 N. Second Avenue APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 21 and September 18, 2006 AUQust 21, 2006 MSC (Mosolgo/Gilgun) to approve the August 21,2006 minutes as written. Vote: (4-0-1- 2) with Macias abstaining and Reid and Davis absent. September 18. 2006 MSC (Stillman/Gilgun) to approve the minutes of September 18, 2006 as presented. Vote: (4-0-1-2) with Jasek abstaining and Reid and Davis absent. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. DRAFT 12-5 liI!9c);me/1! .:? DRAFT RCC Minutes - 2 - November 6, 2006 NEW BUSINESS 1. Shade Tree Planting Program Grant Proposal Mr. Brendan Reed (Environmental Resource Manager) presented an overview of the proposal. The grant amount being requested is $212,875 for the planting of 1,275 15-gallon container shade trees in City right-of-ways and within park areas. The program will involve over 400 residents contributing approximately 1,400 volunteer hours. The grant proposal wiil go before the City Council on November 7,2006, Commission Comments Commissioner Stillman requested that whoever plants the trees be sensitive of the City's view corridors. Commissioner Macias questioned how the volunteer labor cost was derived. Commissioner Mosolgo stated that shade trees along Olympic Parkway are needed. Commissioner Gilgun stated that anything that can be done to improve walkability is wonderful. Staff satisfactorily provided information and clarification to the Commissioners concerns. No action was required on this item, but the Commissioners wanted their comments included in the minutes, Therefore, the following motion was made. MSC (Stillman/Davis) to make all of the RCC comments a part of the minutes. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Reid absent. 2. Historic Designations: 20 Pepper Tree Road (Dr. Laurl W. Moffitt House) 416 Third Avenue lEI Primero Hotel) 220 Elder Avenue (Ann C. Rutledge House) 654 Del Mar Avenue (Hollaway Sumner House) Ms. Lynnette Tessitore-Lopez (Associate Planner) mentioned the qualifying criteria for historic designation before presenting each property requesting historic designation, MSC (Stillman/Jasek) to recommend historic designation of all four properties. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Reid absent. 3. Mills Act Contracts: 20 Pepper Tree Road (Dr. Laurl W. Moffitt House) 416 Third Avenue (EI Primero Hotel) 220 Elder Avenue (Ann C. Rutledge House) 654 Del Mar Avenue (Hollaway Sumner House) DRAFT 12-6 DRAFT RGG Minutes - 3 - November 6, 2006 44 North Second Avenue (Edward Gillette House) Historic Site #30 611 Second Avenue (Bronson Carriage House) Historic Site #10a ' Ms, Tessitore-Lopez described what the Mills Act Contract entails, She then presented 44 North Second Avenue and 611 Second Avenue, which had been designated historic sites years earlier. 20 Pepper Tree Road (Dr. Laurl W. Moffitt House) Commissioner Stillman requested that the following be written into the contract for this particular house: . That, in time, the painted security screen doors be replaced with security doors that match the architecture of the house. . That, in time, the vinyl garage door be replaced with something more appropriate to the era (e.g., wood or Plexiglas). . That the Pepper trees be maintained. Ms. Pamela Bensoussan (616 Second Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910) offered her assistance to the homeowners regarding names of companies they could contact. Commissioner Gilgun inquired as to who monitors the homes to make sure they are maintained. MSC (Jasek/Davis) that the comments of Commissioner Stillman be added in the contract for 20 Pepper Tree Road. That the RCC recommend acceptance of staffs' recommendation for the Mills Act. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Reid absent. 416 Third Avenue (EI Primero Hotel) MSC (Jasek/Davis) that the RCC accept the recommendation of staff for 416 Third Avenue for a Mills Act application. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Reid absent. 220 Elder Avenue (Ann C, Rutledae House) MSC (Jasek/Gilgun) to concur with staffs' recommendation to accept 220 Elder Avenue into the Mills Act program. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Reid absent. 654 Del Mar Avenue (Hollawav Sumner House) Commissioner Stillman noted that the owners have already included replacement of the metal awnings in their contract. Commissioner Stillman felt that the awnings were distracting from the beauty of the home. The original awnings were probably not metal. MSC (Stillman/Mosolgo) that the RCC recommend that the house be accepted for the Mills Act. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Reid absent. DRAFT 12-7 DRAFT RGG Minutes -4- November 6, 2006 44 North Second Avenue (Edward Gillette House) MSC (Stillman/Macias) that the RCC recommend that the Edward Gillette House be accepted for the Mills Act. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Reid absent. 611 Second Avenue (Bronson Carriaae House) MSC (Stillman/Davis) that the RCC recommend that the Bronson Carriage House be awarded the Mills Act. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Reid absent. ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS MANAGER COMMENTS: Ms. Marisa Lundstedt (Environ- mental Projects Manager) reminded those Commissioners who had not yet attended the Ethics Training for certification that the next training session would be held on Wednesday, November 8,2006, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. CHAIR COMMENTS: None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Commissioner Mosolgo requested a presentation before the RCC regarding water quality sampling for the Bay. ADJOURNMENT: Vice-Chair Jasek adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, November 20, 2006, at 4:30 p.m. in the Ken Lee Building Conference Room, 430 "F" Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Prepared by: Linda Bond Recording Secretary (J:IPlanningIRCC\2006\RCC110606Mins) DRAFT 12-8 ~u~ ~ --- ~ --=~ - - """- em OF CHULA VISTA In order to qualify for designation a site must be found to meet at least one of the following criteria: 1.) Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history at the local, state or national level; or 2.) That are associated with the lives of significant persons in the past; or 3.) That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or 4.) That have yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory. 12-9 AfhdrfJC'/)t3 State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION S.r. No. HABS_ HAER_ NR _ SHL L _ 00 UTM: A 4Q?hRO B 3610930 - C 0 HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY I OENTI FICA TION 1. Common name: El Primero Hotel 2. Historic name: El Prirnero Hotel 3. Street or rural address: 416 Third Avenue City Chula vista Zip 92010 County San Diego 4. Parcsl number: 568-410-29 5. Present Owner: Robert E & Barbara A Schubert Address: 457 Park Way Zip 92010 Ownership is: Public Private x CitY Chula vista 6. Present Use: hote 1 Original use: hotel DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural stYle: zig-zag Moderne lb. Briefly describe the presentphyskal description of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: Legal: Baird Sub, N 125' of S 225' of E 99' of Lot 2 One of the few Zig-zag Moderne buildings in Chula Vista, the two story El prirnero Hotel features large concrete vertical design elements at each front corner. The stucco building has an almost symmetrical appearance with a central entrance and a flat roof with parapets stepped up to a vertical feature at the center. Other vertical elements are placed between and on each side of the street-facing windows. A zig-zag element runs horizontally beneath the sills. The double door entrance is flanked on each side by a set of three windows. Identical sets of windows appear on the second floor just above those on the first level. A smaller window can be seen above the entrance. This window is a replacement and smaller than the original. Most of the windows in the hotel are double hung. The sides of this building are devoid of ornamentation. 8. Construction date: Estimated Factual 1930 9. Arcnitect unknown 10. Builder Dennstedt Const. Company 11. Approx. propertY size (in feet! Frontage l? S Depth Q Q or approx. acreage 12. Datelsl of enclosed photogr<ltlh Isl 1985 ;if/qcl,lJl..J of 1- 13. Condition: Excellent -X...Good _ Fair _ Deteriorated _ No longer in existence _ 14. Alterations: nMP wi -nn()w on facnnp reolaced 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land _Scattered buildings _ Densely built-up ~ Residential_Industrial _Commercial ~Other: 16. Threats to site: None known-.1LPTivate development_ Zoning _ Vandalism Public Works project _ Other: 17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown? 18. Related features: 1 r!-ndsc3Dina SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historiClI and/or architectural importance (include dates. events. and persons associated with the site.) In 1930, the Dennstedt Construction Company erected the El Primero Hotel for John and Lilly Ratcliffe. The building, the first modern hotel in Chula Vista, cost $30,000 and had 22 rooms. Built with white cement tile, the El primero was fireproof and carpeted throughout. The hotel advertized such amenities as steam heat and hot and cold water. The Ratcliffes were well known in the community and had lived in Chula Vista for 26 years. They are said to have pioneered the first apartment house. The El primero Hotel is significant as an important example of the Zig-zag Moderne style in Chula Vista. The structure appears to retain integrity of design and materials. Locationa' sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets. roads, and prominent landmarks): ^ NORTH U 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked. number in order of importance.)' Architecture V' Arts & Leisure E~nom icll ndustriaJ _ ExplorationlSettl ernent Government Military Rp.ligcon Soc;jal/Eduation 21. Sources (List bookS, documents. surveys. personal interviews and meir datesl. CV Star Dec 5, 1930 A:4&5 City directories CV Tax Assessment Rolls 22. Dat. form prepared R - 1 7 - 1 9 R ~ By (name) K Wphc:::t-pr Organization ("it-y nr ("r,,,1~ vic:::t-ri Address: p.O R(")x 1087 City Chula Vista Zip 92012 Phone: 691-5101 1 2-11 [CIRCA 1930] - -,~ -_._.~ ---- -- --- - - -- --- -~. -- " ~ f -.-1'" 1111 II i Hi; ; tl $,111 iR Gil. I _ r~. _ . .'- '.fl.. ' . mil II, '-11 ... . _J ~IE -- - - [CIRCA 1950] 12-12 l!f/qc~mel1f c~ [THEN] lNOW] 12-13 (THEN] [NOWI 12-14 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA DESIGNATING 416 THIRD AVENUE, EL PRIMERO HOTEL AS A HISTORIC SITE AND PLACING EL PRIMERO HOTEL ON THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA LIST OF HISTORIG SITES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MllNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.32.070(A). WHEREAS, 416 Third Avenue, El Primero Hotel (APN 568-410-29-00) is a Zig Zag Moderne building constructed around 1930; and, WHEREAS, staff received communication from the property owners, Rufino and Soledad Roque, requesting that their property, 416 Third A venue, be designated as a historic site on the City of Chula Vista List of Historic Sites; and, WHEREAS, at their regular meeting on November 6, 2006 the Resource Conservation Commission determined that 416 Third Avenue, El Primero Hotel, meets one of the local criterion for designation because it is shown that it has distinguishing architectural characteristics as a Zig Zag Moderne building; and WHEREAS, the Resource Conservation Commission at their regular meeting on November 6,2006 voted 6-0-0-1 (with Chairman Reid absent) to recommend that the City Council place 416 Third Avenue, EI Primero Hotel, on the City ofChula Vista List of Historic Sites; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Review Coordinator has determined that this project is exempt per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 15331, Class 31, Historical Resources Restoration and Rehabilitation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, this 19th day of December 2006, that the City Council does hereby approve the designation of 416 Third A venue, El Primero Hotel, as a Historic Site and determines that it is hereby placed on the City ofChula Vista List of Historic Sites as Historic Site # 73. Presented by: Approved as to form by: James D. Sandoval Director of Planning & Building ftJ\'t~~ Arney J:\AltorncyIRESO\COMM OEV\EI Primcro HOlcl416 Third AVClIlIC_12.1'l-06 12-15