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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC AGENDA PK 2005/04/18RESOURCE CONSERVATION INFORMATIONAL MEMO Item No.• Meeting Date: 04/18/2005 ITEM TITLE: Consideration of request for designation of 3487 Main Street. VIA: Marilyn Ponseggi;; Evironmental Review Coordinator -i FROM: Lynnette Tessitore-Lopez; Associate Planner ~~ The property owners of 3487 Main Street request that their property at 3487 Main Street be considered for inclusion on Chula Vista's List of Historic Si[es (Attachment 1). 3487 Main Street is set behind an existing car wash and a towing company nn the South side of Main Street between Mace Street and Banner Avenue (Attachment 2). DISCLiSSION: Municipal Code Authority In accordance with Section 2.32.070 of the City Of 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 site which it has fund to meet the criteria as a historical site. The Commission shall also recommend if the historical site permit process, as provided in Section 2.32.090, should be imposed on the site." Past IIistory 3487 Main Street is located in the Montgomery area of Chula Vista and therefore was not part of the 1985 City Of Chula Vista Historic Resources inventory. However, the applicants have provided quite a bit of history of the parcel and the remaining single-family residence. Research shows that the house existed as early as ]891 and was the site of a local dairy farm as well as an orchard. The house survived the tlood of 1916, which destroyed most of the Otay River Valley. This single family residence was the home of Lorenzo Anderson, a person of significance to local Chula Vista activities. In 1986, Mr. Anderson was recognized by the City of Chula Vista, by proclamation, for his many contributions to the City (Attachment 3). The Anderson family still currently owns the home. Historical Context The concentrated area of the Otay community, relied on local industry to boost development. In 1887, the community had its own newspaper, numerous residences, a livery stable, a few Page 2, Item No.: Meeting Date: 04/18/2005 stores, a post office and a hotel. From this information, one may assume, that the dairy farm located at 3487 Main Street also was a vital part of the community as well. The orchard may have also been a community asset as well. Architecture This home could be classified as a Folk Victorian-Orchard Home (modified). Common Features of the Folk Victorian style are: • Simple Form • Varying degrees of ornate detailing • Gabled roofs Features of the Home: This house was not included in the Historic Resources Inventory. From all available information it appears that the home has been modified (Attachment 4). A portion of the existing roof line and porch no longer reflect the originals of this home, however the essence of the original architecture is still intact. The original dominant dormer has been replaced with a rotunda shaped roof that imitates tower forms that are common to other Victorian styles. Although the porch structure does not appear to have been structurally altered, the stairs leading to the porch have been reconfigured to he side facing rather than front facing (Attachment 5). The character of the surrounding area has significantly changed since the establishment of the home on the site. The house shares a parcel with several light industrial/commercial uses including a car wash and towing company. These uses and their conformity with city regulations are not a part of this application however it should he noted that the surrounding character may be a par[ of the analysis if the applicant were to apply to participate in the Mills Act Program. Significance: This home, though modified, is significant as one of, if not the oldest, remaining Orchard Homes in Chula Vista. It is also significant for its relationship to a significant figure in the Chula Vista community. CONCLUSION: Staff recommends that the Resource Conservation consider 3487 Main Street for inclusion on the Chula Vista Historical Sites List for being the one of the oldest remaining Orchard Homes in Chula Vista, and for its association with Lorenzo Anderson, a significant person to the Chula Vista community. Further, since a portion of the parcel is dedicated to income generating businesses, Staff recommends that the house, not the site, be designated. Page 3, Item No.: Meeting Date: 04/18/2005 Designation of the house rather than the entire site will help ensure that current and future businesses are not be affected by the designation. Attachments: l.) Owner's application for historic designation 2.) Locator Map 3) City Proclamation recognizing contributions of Lorenzo Anderson 4.) Photo of [he original house 5.) Current photos of the property I~\Planning\Lynnette\historie designation\3487 Main Street rcc designation.doc \~~ // ~ CITY OF CHULA VISTA ~ PLANNING & BUILDING DEPARTMENT arv of 276 Fourth Avenue CHUlAVISTA Chula Vista, CA 91910 APPLICANT/OWNER INFORMATION Historic Designation APPLICATION FORM /~ ` Case # ApplicanUOwnerName: rTt'irxP!'s0vt. 1~u.5 ~' tI _ Date Submitted: ApplicanUOwnerAddress:VV~`i~ic~yVi ~r1nIL1"S Phone: (i,tq) 423 - [~7.Z ! ~~~ Sc.n Secondary Owner Name: Jacc}ue~ne l~~rk~rs, OwnerAddress:25a3~ I~Ictnzan~t4 L,nne~ Phone: C~lg) 4-4-5- ©8~9 QV c< (?C- i o ~ /~ v. WGtc~ J~e~c, c,~Rz~s4 `Tyustee ~escCIVISo. ~f} 9igt~ ~jarha~cL ~~lderson 304 N~ Leu-'~s Sf-• Lltke Elsinore, Cft: gZS37J C`~5f) ~7rt -7046 ~ O R APPROVAL REQUIItE - r' iLL ~ A.u in ~~/!J P7tSo NA NAME: ~ /C~ e,v2t ~ 72 ~J `r~ , c,V ~~'1 '12 ~ SIGNATURE: r~~~k SIGNATiJRE:~ ^_ ~_6~~e ~~1~_,-, DATEa~/d/QS DATE: ! ~~ /- /d - 0.5" i-/! c. PROPERTY INFORMATION Property Address: 3 I-f-g 7 Ma ~ n S greet C ll~f cc V ~ S t-ci ~ Common name:~ YY~P r art ~t.1S ~ Historic name: Year Built: % ~ ~~' *_ /Approximate Property size (in feet) or approximate acreage (o Gief~S Ownership is:''PLLrivate ~/ or Public °~-~ Present Use:TIGrr12r ~ mo-(l h u 5~~~5 Original Use:~om e t ~a~tch /Farm , Architectural Style:mne, rcl~xcrd -F}ous0 Assessor's Parcel Number (Required):.$~ 62-cf - O6 2 - 0 3o O Zone: HISTORIC/LANDMARK INFORMATION Use the reverse side of this form or a separate piece of paper may be attached for questions 1-3. 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 associated with the site or structure). See attached established criteria for designation. s~~ atk~hecA 2. Has the site or structure been altered in any way from its original design? Yes r/ No (If yes, explain) ~~ attachFC(_. 3. Briefl describe the present physical condition of the property include a rating of poor, fair, good, or excellent. City of Chula Vista Historic Designation Application Anderson House 3487 Main Street Chula Vista, California Historic Landmazk Information Question 1. Detailed description historical aspects of the site The 3487 Main Street property is significant for its early construction date, importance of the property and its owners in the community of Otay and the fact that the house although altered, still retains most of its exterior original materials, basic appearance and major landscaping elements that date to more than a century ago. The 3260 s. f. House is of the Victorian period, on 6 acres south of Main Street, Otay. It is of a style commonly known as an Orchard House. On early plat maps, there is a dairy barn and packing shed, with indications of an orchard at the front of the property and possibly field crops and animal pens at the rear. The property is bounded by the Otay River on the south side. The house survived the 1916 flood which swept away most of Otay including the watch factory and the Otay Press. The house was twisted on its foundation, but seemed to remain fundamentally in its present locution. It sits on redwood and cement pilings, giving it a walk-in basement. The house was modern a[ its time, having inside plumbing and awood-burning stove for cooking. Propane was later added for cooking and hzating water. The old black wood-burning range remained until the 1950's when it was replaced by a smaller wood-burning stove which is still in the kitchen. The house preceded the flight of the Wright Brothers in 1903, Teddy Roosevelt's march up San Juan Hill, [he development of San Diego Zoo, and the incorporation of the City of Chula Vista. It was built within a year of [he Hotel Del Coronado. An early photograph (July 21, 1391) identifies the house as Mr. Isaac Smith's residence. There is a horse and buggy in the yard and Main Street is shown as a narrow path. Owners in the 1920's included a German family (George and Lisbeth Schurig) who operated a dairy, then when health laws required metal stanchions, they relocated to adjoining property, built a modern bam ad outbuildings, and claimed one of the buildings dislocated by the flood as their home, later adding another to enlarge the house. Ownership of the house passed back to [he bank and in the height of the Great Depression, no one wanted it and it remained vacant fur at least four years. A young black man (Lorenzo Anderson) who worked f'or the County Road Department in the course of his helping develop roads in outlying areas of San Diego including Dulzura spotted Poway, Campo, and the Otay Valley. He and his wife decided to relocate their family from Logan Heights in San Diego to the farm m Otay Valley. Acquisition was delayed because neighbors objected to having a black family move into the area. The family was in the house in 1939, the land was cleared of stones and rubble remaining from the flood, an orchard of more than 250 lemon trees, and fields of vegetables were planted. The land became a productive farm. Mr. Anderson continued to work for the County and to fat7rt. Mrs. Anderson worked to establish the household, keep needed records and to help in the fields. The three children also worked with household and Held chores. They attended Otay Elementary School (now John J. Montgomery School) and became members of Otay Baptist Church where Mrs. Anderson served as a deacon and he youngest child IJacquelinel was baptized. During the war years of [he 1940's [he farm continued to prosper. Mr. Anderson was exempt from the draft since he was at the upper limit of draft age, was involved in a critical industry (farming) and had a family, which included three minor children. Both his wife and he became mure and more involved with community activities. Plaques and a proclamation from the City of Chula Vista attest to this. He served as area air raid warden a[ the time when a Japanese submarine was reported to have been sighted of the coast off Imperial Beach. Nlrs. Anderson registered new voters and was an inspector at polling places. Both became active in [he Woodlawn Park Community Association and other political and social groups. There was an Army base at Albany and Main streets during the war years. Mr Anderson placed a bench in front of the orchard to provide a visiting space for soldiers who had guests. Throughout this time and for years after, servicemen were included in the Anderson family holiday dinners. Lemons from the orchard were processed at the Sunkist packinghouse at 3rd and R streets in Chula Vista. At war's end a series of hard winters killed the lemon trees and vegetable crops and flower crops replaced them. With the influx of people and subsequent need for housing, Mr. Anderson became involved with several housing developments being established from Chula Vista to Escondido, providing initial and final site preparation and landscaping. The Anderson orchard, like many in the Chula Vista area, was taken out as [he citrus industry declined. In the 1450's and 1960's, the [ruck farm gave way to leasing out part of the land to small businesses. The dairy barn and the packing shed were demolished, the Schurig dairy was relocated to Hemet, and the neighboring poultry ranch became a housing development. The changes on [he house are noted in the answer to question 2. The senior Andersons became semi-retired and the businesses on the property provided needed income for retirement and taxes. The Anderson Trust was established. The children -Barbara, William, and Jacqueline- completed their education, pursued their vocational, military, and personal Lives. The house remained [he family's touchstone. In 1971, Mrs. Anderson passed away after a lengthy illness. Mr. Anderson remarried. In his retirement, he and his new wife traveled. They continued [heir civic involvement and helping young businesses to become established. He passed away in 1986 A scholarship fund was established in his name At Bethel Baptist Church in San Diego where the family had long been members. His wife died in 2004. The grown children set about restoring the house, which was completed in 2004. Work yet to be done includes replacement of the garages, repaving of the driveway, and some landscaping. The home continues to be a place for family gatherings of friends and visiting relatives, holiday celebrations, and memorials to those who have passed away. It is occupied several days a week and the grounds are kept up on an almost daily basis by William who lives nearby and is the primary trustee. The majority of the interior furnishings are those with which the Anderson family lived. In one of [he upstairs bedrooms is the bedroom suite of an aunt which dates from the late 1920's, in another is Grandfather Anderson's rocker from an even earlier time. A `Butterfly' piano and several now-antique pieces of furniture are in the other bedrooms. In the downstairs formal living room are a baby grand piano, wing hairs, club chair and sofa of the 1940's, which have been refinished and reupholstered. Many-armed matching chandeliers are in the living room, informal living room and dining room. Original art pieces are throughout the house. Tables in these rooms and the 'back bedroom', now the television room have been refinished and fitted with glass tops. One is more than 100 years old. Bathroom fixtures have been replaced and include apull-chain toilet. The tub is original to [he house and has been refinished. The kitchen and service porch have updated appliances and new ceramic file floor. The wall mosaic and the smaller wood-burning stove remain. The numerous windows trims, the baseboards, the doors, door frames, stair railings, etc., have all been carefully restored by hand. The wear on [he walls over the home's more than ] 00 years of he house's existence have been papered, wall boarded where needed, electrical outlets repaired, connections restored, wall to wall carpeting installed, interior and exterior painted, fireplaces cleaned and repaired and wooden siding and railing duplicated and replaced where needed. The Anderson house is one of a few buildings standing since before the flood. It is stately, beautiful and graciously welcoming. tt sits down a .Palm-lined driveway and is known by lone-time Otay residents. Newcomers' expression at first seeing it is 'wow'. 1t is a privilege to be a part of its history and [o submit [his application for Historical Permit designation to preserve it for other generations. Question 2. Alterations of the site or structure from its original design The sites not have been altered from its original design although some of its use has. It is no loge a truck farm, but houses several small businesses: a car wash (the only one in the valley to accommodate 18-wheel trucks), a fire sales business, and a towing company. The house remains the centerpiece of the property. Note how similar reent pictures of [he front of the house are [o [hose taken more than 100 years ago The house has not changed much in appearance as it has absorbed [he technical changes of the last century. Gas, electricity, an sewer connections have updated utilities. The upstairs, and a few of the downstairs windows have been replaced with doublepaned new ones, the asphalt Tile in the kitchen has been replaced with ceramic tile, new appliances ad fixtures have been added to the bath and kitchen, a parlor and a bedroom have been combined to form an informal living room with a new fireplace, and the attic has been finished by raising he rear roof to install a short hallway, bath and two bedrooms. A small portion of [he attic has been retained for storage and to show the original rooflin... Many years ago the wall of the kitchen pantry evas removed to enlarge the bk porch which became a sunroom-service area. He backdoor was relocated o the East Side and a washroom was created betweenthe new steps and the exterior of the dining room wall Cement stairs and a short ramp and sidewalk replaced deteriorating wood steps at the front of the house. An upstairs porch, visible in early photos, which leaked during rainy weather, was converted to a large bay adding space to the adjoining bedroom. 7 J tirii i i t i i i t i t Montgomery St Zenith St Q ~~ PROTECT LOCATION CHULA VISTA PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT LOCATOR PROJECT Lorenzo Anderson House PROJECTDescRiPTION: APPLICANT Historic Designation ~ Mills Act PROJECT 3487 Main Street ADDRESS NORTH SCALE No Scale FILE NUMBER J:\planning\carlos\Iocators\hd 3487 main st cdr 04 14.05 fion r ~/~/ /~'~'~' EXPRESSING DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE EY LORENZO "B1LL" ANDERSON WHEREAS, Lorenzo Anderson was born on May 9, 1903 in Cheneyville, Louisiana and left in 1918 to come to the State of California; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo, known as "Bill" to his friends, worked at many vocations which brought him in touch with all parts of San Diego County and as a landscape gardener he was involved in the development of major housing and commercial subdivisions in the South Bay area, Mission Valley and Escondido; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo's work with the Department of County Highways gave him vast opportunities to pattern many of San Diego County's scenic back country roads; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo's commitment to his family, friends and community was evident through his membership in the Royal Eagles Charity Social Club, Chula Vista Democratic Club, 6.loodlawn Park Civic Club and Bethel Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo and his family made their home in the Otay Valley on a five-acre ranch which has been designated a "historical treasure" S k'R_DOCUMENT_VIEW Document Name : cc min 1985J08i26 NIHUTH4 DP A ANGULAR xEHTIHC OP TyE CITY CW NCIL ON TNe CITY DP CHU LA VISTA Muesday, Au gust 26, 1966 Council Ch amber ~i 7:C6 p,m, Public 6arvlces eu Llding ROLL GALL 79kq gEAB PR668NTa Maya[ CoX: COVn0iim6mbare Ha LcOlm, NDgta, Ca mpbel L, HeCan dlSss xSxBBA4 ABSHNTI xgpe STAPF PHSSBHT: City xaaager Goae, CSty Attorney Harrort, Deputy CS ty Manager MOr rie P LH DCB OP ALLHCIANCB TO THH PLA6, 6I LRHT PRAYER The Pledge of All egisnce t0 the Rlag was led by qs yor Cox [Ol loxed by a moment of Silent pxeyar, 1, APp ROVAL OP HZNU THB for the meetiag of Avg uat 19, 1966. gSUC (gCCartdliaa/Campbell) approve the minutaS, 2. 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Yr 4~ ~' 'T j: ' ~ ` 9 nrnrarnr~ n, ~ ,~,.,.,.,. ., ._ - - fionQ .~~ EXPRESSING DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS A1ADE BY LORENZO "BILL" ANDERSON [WHEREAS, Lorenzo Anderson was born on May 9, 1903 in Cheneyville, Louisiana and left in 1918 to come to the State of California; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo, known as "Bill" to his friends, worked at many vocations which brought him in touch with all parts of San Diego County and as a landscape gardener he was involved in the development of major housing and commercial subdivisions in the South Bay area, Mission Valley and Escondido; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo's work with the Department of County Highways gave him vast opportunities to pattern many of San Diego County's scenic back country roads; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo's commitment to his family, friends and community was evident through his membership in the Royal Eagles Charity Social Club, Chula Vista Democratic Club, [~loodlawn Park Civic Club and Bethel Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo and his family made their home in the Otay Valley on a five-acre ranch which has been designated a "historical treasure" by Chula Vista's Resource Conservation Commission; and WHEREAS, Lorenzo Anderson is survived by his wife, Synetha, and his children Barbara Louise Anderson, William Morgan Anderson and Jacqueline Lorenzo Anderson; NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREGORY R. COX, Mayor of the City of Chula Vista, California, do hereby express deep appreciation for the many unselfish contributions made by LORENZO "BILL" ANDERSON and present this posthumous commendation on behalf of the citizens of the City of Chula Vista, California to Mrs. Synetha Anderson. ~~~~~26tY~//~{ August ~(~ 86 ~x i/h~oro t e Cif f Cliu~a `Vrst~ Division of FILMGUARO COf?P S ~~ -.(~1 ~_~ ~-.. ..: r' •k ,j ~1 <,...~ Front view (west) Side view (East) -Showing kitchen entrance, washroom, original windows on lower level Rear view (South side) Planting along driveway Tri-trunk rubber tree (possibly as old as house) Side view (west) Showing revised upper roof line \_ ~~ ;1 ,~ T ~h x y.. ~I ,~ \~ 1, ;; c' 1~~ W M':~ :., • ~+