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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: 228 Spencer Street: Consideration of Glendale Register Nomination and Request for a Mills Act Historic Property Contract.
1. Resolution to designate the residential property at 228 Spencer Street as a historic resource in the Glendale Register of Historic Resources and authorize the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act Historical Property Contract with the property owner;
2. Motion to deny the request of the property owner to designate the residential property at 228 Spencer Street as a historic resource in the Glendale Register of Historic Resources.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Public Hearing
Approved for August 11, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The owners of 228 Spencer Street request that City Council list their property in the Glendale Register of Historic Resources and authorize a Mills Act historical property contract. The single-story, single-family residence was built in 1927 and is an excellent example of a Storybook substyle English Tudor Revival residence.
On January 15, 2026, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) reviewed the nomination and voted unanimously (5-0) to recommend to the City Council that the property at 228 Spencer Street be listed in the Glendale Register of Historic Resources as the Charles and Nellie Weaver House. HPC also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to enter into a Mills Act historic property contract with the property owner, including the work conditions approved by the commission, under Section 15.20.070A of the Glendale Municipal Code.
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RECOMMENDATION
That City Council list the property in the Glendale Register of Historic Resources under designation Criterion 3 and authorize the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act historic property contract, with the conditions approved by HPC, between the City and the property owner under Section 15.20.070A of the Glendale Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND
Historical Background
228 Spencer Street was built by the original owner of the house, landscape architect Charles Erwin Weaver, for himself and his wife, Nellie, at a cost of $10,000. At the same time, his parents were building their own home just three doors down at 1411 N. Central Avenue. At just 21 years old, Charles E. Weaver was listed as the builder and owner of the house on the original building permit.
Charles E. Weaver was born in 1903 in Los Angeles. He graduated from Glendale High School in 1920 and subsequently attended University of California, Los Angeles.
Weaver started his landscaping business in Glendale in 1923 by planting lawns and flower beds. He later expanded into full landscape design, including trees, fences, and irrigation systems.
In 1927, he married Nellie Rule. They had two sons, both of whom later joined the family business. Mrs. Weaver was active in Glendale social life and women’s clubs throughout her lifetime. Charles Weaver passed away in Glendale in 1982, and Nellie Weaver passed away in 1987.
In 1933, the Weavers sold the home to Dr. Albert J. Meyer. The property was sold in 1963 to Ronald H. and Sally S. Henry. The property changed ownership a few more times before it was purchased by the current owners. Additional information about the history of other owners and occupants can be found in the nomination attached to this report (Exhibit 1). Based on information provided in the nomination and referred to in this staff report, the Commission believes the property is eligible under Criterion 3 due to the quality of its architectural design, as detailed in the “Findings of Eligibility” section below.
Architectural Description
228 Spencer Street is a Storybook substyle English Tudor Revival residence built in 1927. It is a single-story, single-family residence in the Verdugo Viejo neighborhood of North Glendale. The home is located on a rectangular lot with a slight slope towards the north.
The property is fronted with a wide green lawn and a curving flagstone walkway that leads from the driveway to the front door of the entry courtyard. Two juniper trees with twisted trunks flank either side of the courtyard wall. These trees were intentionally 311a
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planted by the property’s original owner to further accentuate the whimsical storybook- inspired character of the house. A cast concrete bench and table made to look like tree stumps are situated under the shade of the juniper trees. The original reticulated driveway leads to a steeply pitched porte-cochere.
The house is irregular in plan, has a steeply pitched, cross-gabled roof, and is clad in textured stucco. The asymmetrical, yet balanced, front façade features half-timbering and exposed brick and stone details that emphasize the storybook character of the home. A steeply pitched front-gabled roof slopes almost down to grade level at the east façade and swoops into a flaring catslide over the front porch. A leaded glass picture window with a stained-glass crest is set within a wood-paneled bay and topped with a flared stucco hood.
A wood plank gate with iron strap hinges leads to a small entry courtyard, where a timber-trussed covered breezeway connects the porte-cochere to the courtyard. The primary entrance into the house is a rectangular paneled wood door recessed into a crenellated round tower flanked by small leaded glass accent windows. An arched gateway located under a second tower with a conical roof leads to the detached garage and rear yard. Windows consist of fixed and casement divided light wood windows and wood sills. A bay window and an oriel window are located on the west elevation.
Notable character-defining features of 228 Spencer Street include:
One-story massing
Irregular plan
Asymmetrical main façade
Steep pitched cross-gabled roof
with a flaring catslide over the
front porch
Textured stucco
Half timbering
Exposed brick and stone details
Timber trussed covered
breezeway at courtyard
Port-cochere
Leaded glass picture window with
stained-glass crest
Wood plank gate with iron strap
hinges
Front entry courtyard
Crenelated round entry tower
with recessed paneled wood door
Fixed and casement divided light
wood windows with wood sills
Bay window
Oriel window
Reticulated driveway
Stone walkway
Concrete cast table and bent at
front yard
Twisted trunk Juniper trees at
front yard
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Alterations and Integrity
Overall, 228 Spencer Street has a high degree of historic integrity, with few changes since its construction. These are relatively minor and do not impact the character or integrity of the house.
Bathroom addition: In 1963, a permit was issued to add a bathroom to the east side of the house.
Enclosed patio addition: In 2007, a permit was issued for a 208-square foot enclosed aluminum patio at the rear.
Garage door: The garage door was replaced with the current aluminum door at a later time.
HPC and staff recommend the following Mills Act condition:
1. Replace garage door with more compatible wood garage door.
ANALYSIS
Finding of Eligibility
After reviewing the nomination submitted by the owner and its supporting documentation, as well as visiting the site, Planning Division staff concludes that the property appears to meet Criterion 3 of the eligibility criteria for listing on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources.
Architectural Significance [Criterion 3]
To meet Criterion 3, a property must “embody the distinctive and exemplary characteristics of an architectural style, architectural type, period, or method of construction; or represent a notable work of a master designer, builder or architect whose genius influenced his or her profession; or possess high artistic values.”
In addition, the preliminary findings of the Draft East-West Glendale Historic Resources Survey also find the property to be eligible for listing under Criterion 3. 228 Spencer Street is a distinctive and exemplary example of the English Tudor Revival style in the Storybook subtype. The home has an irregular plan and distinctive features, such as the dramatically pitched front-facing gabled roofs on the primary house and the port-cochere, the front entry courtyard, rounded towers, and architectural details that reflect the home’s whimsical and fairytale- inspired style that gained popularity in the 1920s in Los Angeles. Landscaping and hardscape features, such as the two twisted-trunk Juniper trees, cast concrete table and bench, reticulated driveway, and curved flagstone entryway, create a complete and integrated site planning that sets the property apart from other Tudor Revival style homes. Divided light wood casement, fixed, and leaded 511a
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windows, half-timbering, and exposed brick and stonework emphasize the home’s storybook-inspired character. The property also retains high integrity of materials, design, workmanship, location, setting, and feeling.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
There are no stakeholders other than the property owner.
FISCAL IMPACT
Listing historic properties in the Glendale Register has no fiscal impact. However, future property tax savings to private owners of listed historic properties under Mills Act contracts will slightly reduce City property tax revenues from the general County tax levy received from each Mills Act property.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The project is exempt from CEQA as a Class 8 “Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment” exemption and a Class 31 “Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation” exemption pursuant to Sections 15308 and 15331 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it involves the designation and restoration of a historic resource.
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 the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744.
ALTERNATIVES
1: Reject designation/listing of 228 Spencer Street on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources, finding that the property does not meet Criterion 3 or any other criteria. 2: Any other alternative chosen by City Council.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Jack Wong, Interim Director of Community Development
Prepared by:
Ani Mnatsakanyan, Planner
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
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EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Glendale Register Nomination
Exhibit 2: Photographs
Exhibit 3: Mills Act Application
Exhibit 4: Campaign Disclosure