City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 FROM: COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WARD: 3
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PLANNING CASE DP-2022-00870 – REQUEST BY JAROD AND STEPHANIE DEANDA TO DESIGNATE THE WOOLLEY RESIDENCE - LOCATED AT 5050 MYRTLE AVENUE - AS A CITY LANDMARK AND AMEND THE ZONING CODE MAP TO APPLY THE CR – CULTURAL RESOURCE OVERLAY ZONE ISSUE:
Adopt a Resolution to designate the Woolley Residence, located at 5050 Myrtle Avenue, as a City Landmark and adopt an Ordinance amending the Zoning Code Map to apply the CR - Cultural Resources Overlay Zone.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Determine that Planning Case DP-2022-00870 (Historic Designation) to designate the former Woolley Residence as a City Landmark, is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment), as the proposal will have no significant effect on the environment, identifies the structure as a cultural resource, and preserves the historic character of a cultural resource; Approve Planning Case DP-2022-00870 (Historic Designation) based on, and subject to, the Cultural Heritage Board facts for findings outlined in the attached Cultural Heritage Board staff report; Adopt the attached Resolution designating the Woolley Residence as a City Landmark; Approve the attached findings for the Zoning Code Map Amendment to apply the CR — Cultural Resources Overlay Zone to the subject property; and Introduce, and subsequently adopt the attached Ordinance to rezone 5050 Myrtle Avenue from the R-1-1300-Single Family Residential Zone to the R-1-1300-CR – Single Family Residential and Cultural Resources Overlay Zones.
CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS:
On July 20, 2022, the Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) unanimously voted (7 ayes and 0 noes) to recommend that the City Council approve Planning Case DP-2022-00870 and designate the Woolley Residence as a City Landmark (Attachments 3 and 3).
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A “Landmark” is defined in Section 20.50.010 (U) of Title 20 of the Riverside Municipal Code as:
“Any improvement or natural feature that is an exceptional example of a historical, archaeological, cultural, architectural, community, aesthetic or artistic heritage of the City, retains a high degree of integrity, and meets one or more of the following criteria:
Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, or natural history; Is identified with persons or events significant in local, state or national history; Embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; Represents the work of a notable builder, designer, or architect, or important creative individual; Embodies elements that possess high artistic values or represents a significant structural or architectural achievement or innovation; Reflects significant geographical patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, particular transportation modes, or distinctive examples of park or community planning, or cultural landscape; Is one of the last remaining examples in the City, region, State, or nation possessing distinguishing characteristics of an architectural or historical type or specimen; or Has yielded or may be likely to yield information important in history or prehistory.” DISCUSSION:
Property owners Jarod and Stephanie DeAnda are requesting approval of a Historic Designation request to designate the Woolley Residence as a City Landmark.
The Mid-Century Modern residence was designed by regional architect Knowlton Fernald Jr. and constructed between 1955-1956 for Ted Woolley and his wife. The former Woolley Residence is historically significant because it is an excellent example of the Mid-Century Modern Style of architecture, specifically the post-and-beam subtype.
The residence is also significant as it represents the work of a notable regional architect Knowlton Fernald Jr, who is well recognized for his work in Orange County. Fernald received numerous national awards for his work and was featured in local and national newspapers and magazines. Despite being a prominent architect in Orange County, the Woolley Residence is the only known example of his work in Riverside and serves as an excellent local example of his work.
The residence is eligible for City Landmark designation under Criterion 3 of Section 20.50.010 (U) of Title 20, as it embodies the character-defining features of the Mid-Century Modern Style of architecture. The residence is also eligible for designation under Criterion 4, as it represents the work of the prominent regional architect Knowlton Fernald Jr.
Despite a small side addition on the side of the residence, constructed in 2004, the Woolley Residence retains a high degree of integrity required for Landmark designation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Prior to the CHB and City Council meeting, public notices were mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the site.
As of the writing of this report, no responses have been received by staff regarding this historic designation request.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being, and Goal 2.3 – Strengthen neighborhood identities and improve community health and the physical environment through amenities and programs that foster an increased sense of community and enhanced feelings of pride and belonging citywide.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust: The Landmark Designation request is being reviewed during a Public Hearing before the City Council and the public is able to provide comments.
Equity: The Landmark Designation will require a landmark plaque be placed so that they are visible from the public right-of-way, providing information about the historic property to all residents.
Fiscal Responsibility: The Landmark Designation will require no City General.
Innovation: The Landmark Designation request includes a historic property from the recent past, which relates to new clarifications of historic properties.
Sustainability and Resiliency: The Landmark Designation will help to preserve the City’s collective history for future generations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact resulting from the Landmark designation.
Prepared by: Chris Christopoulos, Acting Community & Economic Development Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution for Historic Designation
Recommended Findings for CR Overlay Zone
Ordinance
Cultural Heritage Board Staff Report – July 20, 2022
Cultural Heritage Board Minutes – July 20, 2022
Presentation
DP-2022-00870 (HD) – 5050 Myrtle Avenue ● Page 3