Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: SUNAYANA THOMAS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PREPARED BY: CHRIS SCHAEFER, AICP, PLANNING MANAGER
SUBJECT: general plan revision to designate fIVE properties as Historical LOCAL Landmarks
SUMMARY
The Landmarks Commission / Planning Commission recommended designatingfive properties as Historical (Local) Landmarks and amending The Fullerton General Plan to add the properties to Table 6 (City of Fullerton Local Register of Historical Resources) and Exhibit 3 (Map of Historical Resources).
PROPOSED MOTION
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-XXX.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-xxx - A Resolution of the city council of the City of Fullerton, California, approving a general plan revision to add 401 CANNON LANE (Historic landmark no. HL-113), 845 NORTH EUCLID STREET (HISTORIC LANDMARK NO. HL-114), 545 WEST FERN DRIVE (HISTORIC LANDMARK NO. HL-115), 600 WEST VALLEY VIEW DRIVE (HISTORIC LANDMARK NO. HL-116) and “flight” at 353 west commonwealth avenue (HISTORIC LANDMARK NO. HL-117) to the fullerton plan historic preservation element, table 6 – city of fullerton local register of historical resources and exhibit 3 – MAP OF Historical Resources – National and Local
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Provide alternative direction
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
This item generates no fiscal impact.
DISCUSSION
Fullerton Heritage, on behalf of the five property owners, seeks to designate the subject properties as Historical (Local) Landmarks with corresponding General Plan Revisions to add the properties to the Local Register of Historical Resources (Table 6 of The Fullerton Plan) and to the Historical Resources – National and Local Map (Exhibit 3 of The Fullerton Plan) as follows:
401 Cannon Lane HL 113
845 North Euclid Street HL 114
545 West Fern Drive HL 115
600 West Valley View Drive HL 116
“Flight” 353 West Commonwealth Avenue HL-117.
The Landmarks Commission considered the request to designate the first four properties listed above for Local Landmarks designation on February 11, 2026. The following summarizes the properties:
401 Cannon Lane - “Bridgford Mansion”
Also referred to as the Alma and Alexander Glen Wright, Senior House, the 16-room Spanish Colonial Revival dwelling, built around 1927, is a prominent landmark in the residential district. The 5,329-square-foot residence is a superb example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The design has many custom features, including a parabolic picture window on the west side; two Monterey-style balconies with a projecting second story supported by heavy corbels; and a distinctive rotunda at the main entrance. Spanish Colonial Revival features include an asymmetrical façade, a varied roof line, red-barreled terracotta roof tiles, casement windows in a variety of sizes and shapes, arched doorways, terracotta air vents, and wrought iron grillwork and lights. The dwelling’s smooth stucco walls are painted white with a dark brown trim, the preferred color scheme of the dwelling’s designer/builder, Philip N. Schmoker.
This property qualifies as a Local Landmark per criteria 3 and 7 of the FMC (Section 15.48.060):
Identification with a person or persons or groups who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the City.
7. Embodiment of elements of outstanding attention to architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship. 845 North Euclid Street - “Russ House”
The 5,100-square-foot, two-story building constructed in 1929 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style was originally a grove house, located on Orangethorpe Avenue, about a half mile west of Euclid Street and surrounded by citrus trees. Local builders Robert Carey and William Potter constructed the house for pioneer citrus rancher and businessman Albert Russ and his wife, Kathryn. The house moved to its current location in 1953. 545 West Fern Drive - “Walter J. Cadman House”
Huntington Park contractor William D. Geck build the striking 2,192-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival dwelling designed by his wife, Anna C. Geck. It represents one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in the City and has the distinction of the first residence in Fullerton – and most likely Orange County – designed by a woman. 600 West Valley View Drive - “Lamhofer House”
This two-story residence represents a fine example of English Tudor Revival architecture. One of Fullerton’s best-known early builders, Arthur M. Thompson, constructed and designed the home. Thompson had a hand in constructing several notable residences in the City. Eric and Ester Lamhofer initially owned the property and resided in the house until 1936. Eric Lamhofer was a salesman for the Home Oil Company in Anaheim and would later manage citrus properties. The dwelling is often referred to as the Norton Simon home, because Simon rented the house with his wife and two sons from 1936 to 1938.
The Landmarks Commission voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Recused: Wehn) to approve the Local Landmark designation. Commissioner Wehn resides near some of the properties under consideration and therefore recused himself from this item.
The Planning Commission Staff Report (Attachment 3) provides more details on each property.
The Landmarks Commission considered a request to designate the fifth property previously listed as a Local Landmark on May 13, 2026. The following summarizes the property:
353 West Commonwealth Avenue - “Flight” sculpture
Aldo Casanova, an art professor from Scripps College in Claremont, created Flight, a 5,000-pound zinc and steel sculpture celebrating space travel in remembrance of Fullerton’s Bicentennial celebration and to create a lasting reminder of the 1976 anniversary event. The sculpture is located on the east side of the Fullerton Public Library.
The Landmarks Commission voted 5 – 0 to approve the Local Landmark designation.
The attached Planning Commission Staff Report (Attachment 6) provides more details on this property.
Environmental Review
The recommended action is categorically exempt from environmental review per state CEQA Guidelines Section 15331. This Class 31 Exemption allows historical resource preservation and conservation in a manner consistent with the Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – PowerPoint Presentation
Attachment 2 – Draft Resolution
Attachment 3 – Planning Commission Staff Report dated February 11, 2026 Attachment 4 – Planning Commission Minutes dated February 11, 2026 Attachment 5 – Planning Commission Resolution No. PC-2026-01 Attachment 6 – Planning Commission Staff Report dated May 13, 2026 Attachment 7 – Planning Commission Minutes dated May 13, 2026 Attachment 8 – Planning Commission Resolution No. PC-2026-09 cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Five Local Historic Designations
October 6, 2026 - Page 2