Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT

Transcription

1 Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION HEARING DATE: April 1, 2010 TIME: 10:00 AM PLACE: City Hall, Room N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA CASE NO.: CHC HCM ENV CE Location: 131 South Boyle Avenue Council District: 14 Community Plan Area: Boyle Heights Area Planning Commission: East Los Angeles Neighborhood Council: Boyle Heights Legal Description: PT4, Block 60 of Tract 35 Acre Lots of the Los Angeles City Lands Hancock Survey PROJECT: REQUEST: APPLICANT: OWNER: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the GLESS FARMHOUSE Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument Diana O. Ybarra Boyle Heights Historical Society PO Box Los Angeles, CA Cora Mendez 131 S. Boyle Avenue Los Angeles, CA John D. Mendez Crystal Ct. Chino, CA RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission: 1. Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles Administrative Code Chapter 9, Division 22, Article 1, Section Adopt the report findings. S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP Director of Planning [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Ken Bernstein, AICP, Manager Office of Historic Resources [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Lambert M. Giessinger, Preservation Architect Office of Historic Resources Prepared by: [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Edgar Garcia, Preservation Planner Office of Historic Resources Attachments: March 18, 2008 Historic-Cultural Monument Application ZIMAS Report

2 131 S. Boyle Ave. CHC HCM Page 2 of 4 FINDINGS 1. The building embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction as an example of Queen Anne style residential architecture. 2. The property reflects the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community for its association with the development of Boyle Heights. 3. The property is identified with historic personages, with several members of the Gless, Amestoy, and Oxarart family, land owners and developers associated with the early growth and development of Boyle Heights. CRITERIA The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monument as any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his age. SUMMARY Built in 1887, this two-story residential building exhibits character-defining features of Queen Anne style architecture. The proposed Gless Farmhouse monument is rectangular in plan with a high centrally located hipped roof covered in composition shingles. The subject building has a slightly off-center entrance covered by a raised wraparound porch supported by narrow wooden supports and enclosed by a low wooden railing. The porch exhibits decorative spindlework and brackets. An additional wraparound porch is located on the second floor and exhibits the same decorative elements as the ground floor porch. A two-story square tower lighted by cutaway bay windows and capped by the front-facing gable is located at one corner of the front façade. A pentoid shaped attic ventilator decorates the front gable. The subject building s exterior features clapboard siding interrupted by a band of fish-scale siding extending around the building between the two floors. Windows are double-hung sash with simple wooden surrounds. The proposed Gless Farmhouse monument was designed by an unknown architect or builder. Records indicate that the subject building was likely erected in Built by Simon Francois Gless, the subject property is associated with three families who figure prominently in the early development of Boyle Heights and Los Angeles. The property was first owned by Gaston Oxarart, Gless s uncle, and used for sheep grazing. Oxarart bequeathed his land holdings in Boyle Heights to Gless, including Rancho Los Encinos. Gless constructed the subject building in the new suburb of Boyle Heights. Gless married Juanita Amestoy, whos family purchased Rancho Los Encinos from Gless. The property was located adjacent to the homestead of the Workman family (now demolished). By 1916, the building became property of the Hebrew Shelter Home and Asylum, serving as its office.

3 131 S. Boyle Ave. CHC HCM Page 3 of 4 Alterations to the subject property include the addition of a dormer window (1908), a second story sleeping porch (1916) and a rear addition (1919). The original stained-glass front door and transom have been replaced. More recent alterations to the subject property are the addition of a steel security door on the main entrance, metal awnings on the second floor, and the partitioning of some interior spaces. DISCUSSION The Gless Farmhouse property successfully meets three of the specified Historic-Cultural Monument criteria: 1) embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, 2) reflects the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community, and 3) is associated with historic personages. As a residential building designed in the Queen Anne style for prominent land owning families and reflective of the development of Boyle Heights, the property qualifies for designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument based on these criteria. Alterations to the Gless Farmhouse are chiefly a result of its use as a boarding house; it also suffers from deferred maintenance. Nonetheless, the staff of the Office of Historic Resources believes that the subject building retains sufficient integrity and that some alterations are easily reversible. Staff is available to provide assistance to the property owner regarding any future rehabilitation work on the subject building. BACKGROUND At its meeting of January 21, 2010, the Cultural Heritage Commission voted to take the application under consideration. On March 4, 2010, the Cultural Heritage Commission toured the subject property. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT ( CEQA ) REVIEW State of California CEQA Guidelines, Article 19, Section 15308, Class 8 consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. State of California CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15331, Class 31 consists of projects limited to maintenance, repair, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, conservation or reconstruction of historical resources in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic buildings. The designation of the Gless Farmhouse as a Historic-Cultural Monument in accordance with Chapter 9, Article 1, of The City of Los Angeles Administrative Code ( LAAC ) will ensure that future construction activities involving the subject property are regulated in accordance with Section of the LAAC. The purpose of the designation is to prevent significant impacts to a Historic-Cultural Monument through the application of the standards set forth in the LAAC. Without the regulation imposed by way of the pending designation, the historic significance and integrity of the subject property could be lost through incompatible alterations and new construction and the demolition of irreplaceable historic structures. The Secretary of the Interior s Standards of Rehabilitation are expressly incorporated into the LAAC and provide standards

4 131 S. Boyle Ave. CHC HCM Page 4 of 4 concerning the historically appropriate construction activities which will ensure the continued preservation of the subject property. The use of Categorical Exemption Class 8 in connection with the proposed designation is consistent with the goals of maintaining, restoring, enhancing, and protecting the environment through the imposition of regulations designed to prevent the degradation of Historic-Cultural Monuments. The use of Categorical Exemption Class 31 in connection with the proposed designation is consistent with the goals relating to the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction of Historic buildings in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.

5 Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION HEARING DATE: January 21, 2010 TIME: 10:00 AM PLACE: City Hall, Room N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA CASE NO.: CHC HCM ENV CE Location: 131 South Boyle Avenue Council District: 14 Community Plan Area: Boyle Heights Area Planning Commission: East Los Angeles Neighborhood Council: Boyle Heights Legal Description: PT4, Block 60 of Tract 35 Acre Lots of the Los Angeles City Lands Hancock Survey PROJECT: REQUEST: APPLICANT: OWNER: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the GLESS FARMHOUSE Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument Diana O. Ybarra Boyle Heights Historical Society PO Box Los Angeles, CA Cora Mendez 131 S. Boyle Avenue Los Angeles, CA John D. Mendez Crystal Ct. Chino, CA RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission: 1. Take the property under consideration as a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles Administrative Code Chapter 9, Division 22, Article 1, Section because the application and accompanying photo documentation suggest the submittal may warrant further investigation. 2. Adopt the report findings. S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP Director of Planning [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Ken Bernstein, AICP, Manager Office of Historic Resources [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Lambert M. Giessinger, Preservation Architect Office of Historic Resources Prepared by: [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Edgar Garcia, Preservation Planner Office of Historic Resources Attachments: March 18, 2008 Historic-Cultural Monument Application

6 131 S. Boyle Ave. CHC HCM Page 2 of 3 ZIMAS Report

7 131 S. Boyle Ave. CHC HCM Page 3 of 3 SUMMARY Built in 1887, this two-story residential building exhibits character-defining features of Queen Anne style architecture. The proposed Gless Farmhouse monument is rectangular in plan with a high centrally located hipped roof covered in composition shingles. The subject building has a slightly off-center entrance covered by a raised wraparound porch supported by narrow wooden supports and enclosed by a low wooden railing. The porch exhibits decorative spindlework and brackets. An additional wraparound porch is located on the second floor and exhibits the same decorative elements as the ground floor porch. A two-story square tower lighted by cutaway bay windows and capped by the front-facing gable is located at one corner of the front façade. A pentoid shaped attic ventilator decorates the front gable. The subject building s exterior features clapboard siding interrupted by a band of fish-scale siding extending around the building between the two floors. Windows are double-hung sash with simple wooden surrounds. The proposed Gless Farmhouse monument was designed by an unknown architect or builder. Records indicate that the subject building was likely erected in Built by Simon Francois Gless, The subject property is associated with three families who figure prominently in the early development of Boyle Heights and Los Angeles. The property was first owned by Gaston Oxarart, Gless s uncle, and used for sheep grazing. Oxarart bequeathed his land holdings in Boyle Heights to Gless, including Rancho Los Encinos. Gless constructed the subject building in the new suburb of Boyle Heights. Gless married Juanita Amestoy, whos family purchased Rancho Los Encinos from Gless. The property was located adjacent to the homestead of the Workman family (now demolished). By 1916, the building became property of the Hebrew Shelter Home and Asylum, serving as its office. The subject appears to have few modifications. Alterations to the subject property include the addition of a dormer window (1908), a second story sleeping porch (1916) and a rear addition (1919). The original stained-glass front door and transom have been replaced. CRITERIA The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monument as any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his age. FINDINGS Based on the facts set forth in the summary and application, the Commission determines that the application is complete and that the property is significant enough to warrant further investigation as a potential Historic-Cultural Monument.

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