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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Property Owner Request for a Mills Act Historical Property Contract for 2535 E.
Chevy Chase Drive (Derby House, Glendale Register No. 22)
1. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act Historical Property Contract with the owner of 2535 E. Chevy Chase Drive.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Public Hearing
Approved for November 12, 2024 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The owner of the single-family house at 2535 E. Chevy Chase Drive requests to enter into a Mills Act contract with the City of Glendale for the benefit of property tax savings in exchange for continued preservation of the property. The property, known as the Derby House, was listed on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources in 1997 (GR No. 22) as one of the first thirty-seven properties included at the time of the Register’s initial adoption. Listing on the register is a prerequisite for consideration of granting a Mills Act contract. The house was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
On September 19, 2024, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) voted unanimously (3-0) to recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act contract with the property owner. The Commission also recommends that six conditions, primarily focused on waterproofing the house and the repair of several deteriorated features, be included as part of any approved contract.
Planning Division staff agrees with these recommendations.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act historical property contract, with the conditions recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission, between the City and the property owner of 2535 E. Chevy Chase Drive. 2{{section.number}}c
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BACKGROUND
The Derby House was completed in 1926 and designed by architect Lloyd Wright. One of Los Angeles’ early Modernist masters, and the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, Wright developed the famous “textile block” construction system that is incorporated at portions of the Derby House. These blocks were used extensively at five earlier Frank Lloyd Wright house in Los Angeles and Pasadena on which Lloyd Wright assisted. The structural blocks are made of cast concrete with a decorative pattern that many find to be based on Mayan designs. Depending on the location, the blocks can be either solid or perforated, with the latter filtering light into the interior through windows located behind them. More planar stucco-clad walls help set off the blocks in a manner that distinguishes Lloyd Wright’s design from those of his father, which made more extensive use of the blocks. The dramatic, expressionistic character of the Derby House make it one of the most unique works of architecture in Glendale and its significance extends far beyond the city’s boundary.
The house is located in the Chevy Chase Estates subdivision that was developed by Bert Farrar. He brought Lloyd Wright onto the team he built to visualize and layout the neighborhood. An advertisement boasted that Wright, along with his father, “has constructed many of the most beautiful residences in the entire world.” The house was built for businessman John Derby and his family. Derby and is wife divorced before construction was completed and only she and their children were to live in the house.
The Derby House is one of three Lloyd Wright-designed houses in the neighborhood. It is joined by the Calori House (GR No. 23), at 3021 E. Chevy Chase Drive, which was built in 1926, and the E. R. Lewis House on Graceland Way, which has been altered but still contains distinctive features reflective of the original design. In addition to these houses, Wright produced some remarkable-looking designs for a number of other houses that were unfortunately never built.
ANALYSIS
The current owner of the Derby House is eligible for a Mills Act contract, if approved by City Council, because it was previously listed in the Glendale Register in 1997 (GMC
15.20.070A). It was one of the first thirty-seven properties included at the time of the Register’s initial adoption in that year.
The property retains a high level of historic integrity and remains one of the finest examples of Modern architecture in the city. The Historic Preservation Commission expressed that the property is an excellent candidate for a Mills Act contract to assist with its ongoing maintenance needs over the years. This is particularly true because of the extensive damage caused by the winter storms of 2022 and 2023. Because the house is built into the steep lot, it practically serves as a dam for the runoff flowing from the slopes above it. Inadequate previous repairs enhanced this damage, which included significant flooding and water damage at the home’s interiors. The owner and his consultant have prepared an extensive list of repairs that is included with the application. While many of these include interior work that isn’t covered in a Glendale Mills Act contract, HPC recommends that the following exterior work be included as Mills Act contract conditions:
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1. Provide waterproofing of exterior walls and foundations.
2. Regrade hillside areas as needed to direct runoff away from the house through construction of low retaining walls, swales, and other appropriate methods.
3. Replacement and repair of roof areas as required.
4. Repair and waterproof exterior floor and stair surfaces and provide or repair floor drains as required.
5. Repair wood doors and windows as required.
6. Repair and restore textile blocks as required.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
There are no stakeholders other than the property owner.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. Future property tax savings to private owners of listed historic properties under Mills Act contracts will slightly reduce City revenues from the general County tax levy received from each Mills Act property.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The project is exempt from CEQA review under Class 8 (“Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment") pursuant to Section 15308 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it involves the ongoing protection of a historic resource. It is also exempt under Class 31 (”Historic Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation”) pursuant to Section 15331 because the work will meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Restoration.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
The names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CFO, Subcontractors and any person or entity with more than 10% interest in the company proposed for contract in this Agenda Item Report are attached in Exhibit 4, in accordance with City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternative 1:Not authorize the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act contract between the City and the property owner.
Alternative 2: Any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Prepared by:
Jay Platt, Principal Planner
Reviewed by:
Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development
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Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Mills Act Application
Exhibit 2: Photographs
Exhibit 3: Campaign Finance Disclosure Form