City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 13, 2023 FROM: COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WARD: 3
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PLANNING CASE DP-2022-01381 - REQUEST BY JANA CHENEY TO DESIGNATE THE OLD MARTIN HOOVER HOUSE - LOCATED AT 3642 HOOVER STREET - AS A STRUCTURE OF MERIT AND AMEND THE ZONING CODE MAP TO APPLY THE CR – CULTURAL RESOURCE OVERLAY ZONE TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY ISSUE:
Adopt a Resolution to designate the Old Martin Hoover House, located at 3642 Hoover Street, as a City Structure of Merit and adopt an Ordinance amending the Zoning Code Map to apply the CR - Cultural Resources Overlay Zone to the subject property.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Determine that Planning Case DP-2022-01381 (Historic Designation), to designate the Old Martin Hoover House as a City Structure of Merit, 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-2022-01381 (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 Old Martin Hoover House as a City Structure of Merit; 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 3642 Hoover Street from the R-1-7000-Single Family Residential Zone to the R-1-7000-CR – Single Family Residential and Cultural Resources Overlay Zones.
CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD RECOMMENDATION:
On March 15, 2023, the Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) unanimously voted (7 ayes, 0 noes) to recommend that the City Council approve Planning Case DP-2022-01381 and designate the Old Martin Hoover House as a Structure of Merit.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A “Structure of Merit” is defined in Section 20.50.010 (FF) of Title 20 of the Riverside Municipal Code as “Any improvement or natural feature which contributes to the broader understanding of the historical, archaeological, cultural, architectural, community, aesthetic or artistic heritage of the City, retains sufficient integrity, and:
Has a unique location or singular physical characteristics or is a view or vista representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood community or of the City; Is an example of a type of building which was once common but is now rare in its neighborhood, community or area; Is connected with a business or use which was once common but is now rare; A cultural resource that could be eligible under landmark criteria no longer exhibiting a high level of integrity, however, retaining sufficient integrity to convey significance under one or more of the landmark criteria; Has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory; or An improvement or resource that no longer exhibits the high degree of integrity sufficient for landmark designation, yet still retains sufficient integrity under one or more of the landmark criteria to convey cultural resource significance as a structure or resource of merit.” DISCUSSION:
Property owner, Jana Chaney, is requesting approval of a Historic Designation request to designate the Old Martin Hoover House as a Structure of Merit.
The Old Martin Hoover House was constructed for Martin Hoover, a prominent civic leader and first supervisor for District 2 of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, as his first residence in Riverside. The Folk Victorian style residence was constructed in 1881 and was originally located at 162 Magnolia Avenue. It was one of the first residences along Magnolia Avenue and was constructed as a grove house for Hoover’s 20-acre citrus grove. In 1908, Hoover retired and constructed a residence at 3381 Mission Inn Avenue (then Seventh Street), which was relocated to its present location at 3858 Redwood Drive. In 1914, P.T. Evans, then owner of the property, subdivided the property creating the High Palm Tract and the residence was moved from its original location to its present location toward the rear the property.
The residence is historically significant for its association with Martin Hoover, who is identified as a person of significance in local history. It is also an example of the Folk Victorian architectural style in the city. Due to the relocation of the residence, numerous alterations, and alterations to the setting, the residence no longer retains the high degree of integrity required for Landmark designation. As the residence is still situated within the original parcel boundary owned by Hoover and exhibits the overall character of a Folk Victoria grove house, the residence retains sufficient integrity of Structure of Merit designation.
Therefore, the residence is eligible for Structure of Merit designation under Criterion 4 and 6 of Section 20.50.010 (FF) of Title 20, as a cultural resource that could be eligible under landmark criteria no longer exhibiting a high level of integrity.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Prior to the CHB and City Council meetings, 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.
Community Trust - The Structure of Merit Designation request is being reviewed during a Public Hearing before the City Council and the public is able to provide comments.
Equity - Historic property information associated with this designation will be added to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory, which will be available to the public. This will allow information about the historic property to be available to all residents.
Fiscal Responsibility - The Structure of Merit Designation will require no City General Funds.
Innovation - The Structure of Merit Designation request made use of current research practices and looks at historic integrity based on best practices approaches.
Sustainability and Resiliency - The Structure of Merit Designation will help to preserve the City’s collective history for future generations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund resulting from the Structure of Merit designation.
Prepared by: Jennifer A. Lilley, Community & Economic Development Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution
Ordinance
Recommended Findings for CR Overlay Zone
Legal Description
Cultural Heritage Board Staff Report – March 15, 2023
Cultural Heritage Board Minutes – March 15, 2023
Notice of Public Hearing
Presentation
DP-2022-01381 (HD) – 3642 Hoover Street ● Page 3