CORRESPONDENCE Item 16 - Ordinance listing 420 4th Avenue (C.G. Hidden Farmhouse) as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (M22-002) [Updated 08/23/2022 @ 10:20 a.m.[

CITY COUNCIL
Darrell Steinberg, Mayor
Angelique Ashby, Vice Mayor, District 1
Sean Loloee, District 2
Jeff Harris, District 3
Katie Valenzuela, District 4
Jay Schenirer, District 5
Eric Guerra, Mayor Pro Tem, District 6
Rick Jennings, II, District 7
Mai Vang, District 8

CHARTER OFFICERS
Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk
Susana Alcala Wood, City Attorney
Jorge Oseguera, City Auditor
Howard Chan, City Manager
John Colville, City Treasurer

City Council
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
Public Financing Authority
Redevelopment Agency
Successor Agency
City Hall-Council Chamber
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Published by the Office of the City Clerk
(916) 808-5163

CORRESPONDENCE

Description of Attached: Correspondence received after publishing the Agenda.

For the Meeting of: Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

Agenda Item: Public Hearing Item 16

16. Ordinance listing 420 4th Avenue (C.G. Hidden Farmhouse) as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (M22-002) [Passed for Publication 08/09/2022; Published 08/12/2022; Noticed 08/12/2022] File ID: 2022-01291
Location: 420 4th Avenue (C.G. Hidden Farmhouse), (012-0151-035-0000), District 4 Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion: 1) pass a Motion determining the listing of the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse at 420 4th Avenue as a landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historical and Cultural Resources exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308, which exempts actions taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment and where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment; and 2) adopt an Ordinance listing the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse at 420 4th Avenue as a landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

Contact: Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, (916) 808-2796, [email protected], Community Development Department

1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 8:11 AM
To: Agenda
Cc: Henry Feuss
Subject: FW: C.G. Hidden Farmhouse to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources Hello,
Please add this supplemental material to the City Council hearing for 8/23. Thank you.

Sean de Courcy
Preservation Director
Community Development Department
City of Sacramento
300 Richards Boulevard, Third Floor
Sacramento, California 95811
E‐mail: [email protected]
916.808.2796 (direct)
916.662.2626 (mobile)
Advisory: All-electric NEW construction requirements begin on January 1, 2023! From: Ja
mie Abe <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 6:24 PM
To: Angelique Ashby <[email protected]>; Sean Loloee <[email protected]>; Jeff S. Harris <[email protected]>; Katie Valenzuela (City) <[email protected]>; Jay Schenirer <[email protected]>; Eric Guerra <[email protected]>; Rick Jennings <[email protected]>; District8 <[email protected]> Cc: Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>; clerk <[email protected]> Subject: C.G. Hidden Farmhouse to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resourc es Dear Councilmembers:

I am writing to ask you to add the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse (located at 420 4th Avenue) to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. It is a link to Sacramento’s rural past. Constructed about 1860, it is a miracle that a structure as old as this is still around. The historical farmhouse as well as its setting including the majestic trees should be preserved and appreciated.

Thank you so much for your help.
2 Sincerely,
Janice Abe
973 4th Ave.

Sacramento, CA 95818

1 From: Becky <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 8:18 AM
To: Darrell Steinberg; Angelique Ashby; Katie Valenzuela (City); Sean Loloee; Jeff S. Harris; Jay Schenirer; Eric Guerra; Rick Jennings; District8
Cc: Sean deCourcy; clerk
Subject: Support: 420 4th Avenue (C.G. Hidden Farmhouse) Listing on Sacramento Register of Historic & Cultural Resources
Dear Honorable Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City Council Members:

We are writing in regard to City Council meeting agenda item number 16 that will be heard on August 23, 2022, related to the vote to approve the nomination of the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse as a landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

As the proper
ty owners of 420 4th Avenue where the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse is located, we have had the honor of maintaining and stewarding this historic property that also includes several heritage trees since 2003. Since taking ownership of the property, there has been a great deal of speculation from family and friends regarding its historic origin. We ha ve been delighted to learn about its remarkable history via the in‐depth research conducted by the City’s Preservation Department.

In an effort to ensure this rare surviving historical resource associated with early settlement and development patterns of Sacramento and the state of California is preserved for generations to come, we respectfully reques t your unanimous support on this vote.

Thank you,
Becky & Tony Cale
1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2022 3:28 PM
To: Agenda
Subject: FW: Letter of Support to nominate the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse, August 23rd 2022 City Council Vote Attachments: Edward Carroll Letter of Support for C.G. Hidden Farmhouse Nomination 2022_08_19.pdf Hello, please include the attached comment letters for the G.C. Hidden Farmhouse landmark nomination being heard by the City Council next week.

Thank you,
Sean de Courcy
Preservation Director
Community Development Department
City of Sacramento
300 Richards Boulevard, Third Floor
Sacramento, California 95811
E‐mail: [email protected]
916.808.2796 (direct)
916.662.2626 (mobile)
Advisory: All-electric NEW construction requirements begin on January 1, 2023! From: ed carroll <twain170
@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2022 3:17 PM
To: Darrell Steinberg <[email protected]>; Katie Valenzuela (City) <[email protected]>; Rick Jennings <[email protected]>; Sean Loloee <[email protected]>; Jeff S. Harris <[email protected]>; Jay Schenirer <[email protected]>; Eric Guerra <[email protected]>; Rick Jennings <[email protected]>; District8 <[email protected]>; Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>; Angelique Ashby <[email protected]> Subject: Letter of Support to nominate the C.G. Hidden Farm house, August 23rd 2022 City Council Vote Good Afternoon, attached is a letter of support for the pending vote on whether to include the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse at 420 4th Avenue in Sacramento to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

Ed
Edward Carroll, MA
1816 U Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
August 19, 2022
Mayor Darrell Steinberg
Sacramento City Hall
915 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: C.G. Hidden Farmhouse Nomination, 420 4th Avenue, Sacramento Dear Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City Council Members:

Having been notified of the pending vote to nominate the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources on August 23rd, 2022, I was compelled to offer support to what should be a unanimous decision to ensure this property takes its rightful place among the city’s distinguished and irreplaceable historic resources.

The C.G. Hidden farmhouse is unquestionably one of Sacramento’s most unique properties. Its irrefutable association with Sacramento’s early development and direct connection to the Gold Rush and immediate post-Gold Rush era farmers and settlers who established what is now considered one of the world’s most significant agricultural regions alone merits distinction. As a 19th Century brick building its architectural style, materials, construction methods, setting, and feeling effectively convey its historic significance thus providing a rare glimpse into the city’s past.

In my capacity as an architectural historian for the past 14 years, I have extensive experience in historic preservation practices and regulatory compliance ranging from large-scale federal undertakings under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to issues of local importance, as in this instance. If I have learned anything during my career in cultural resources management it’s that whatever the regulatory context may be, the recognition and protection of historic properties using proven preservation principles and practices, including nominations and designations, should always be prioritized.

As a professional historian and native Sacramentan, I strongly encourage the Council to designate this property as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. Recognizing the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse as an important local resource to afford it the consideration under applicable environmental and cultural resource regulations that it richly deserves is the right choice. The inexcusable and inexplicable removal of significant swathes of heritage oak and walnut trees and construction activities in the building’s immediate vicinity makes protecting the property’s integrity even more imperative. With an ever-dwindling cultural resource inventory and so few local historic buildings and structures from this era remaining, this is the time to curtail the gradual, short-sighted erosion of the citizenry’s connection to its past.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Edward Carroll, MA
Sacramento, CA

1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 8:55 AM
To: Agenda
Cc: Henry Feuss; Marcus Adams
Subject: FW: Please support adding the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Avenue, Sacramento 95818 to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. THANK You.

Hello, please include this supplemental material for the City Council hearing on 8/23.

Thank you,
Sean de Courcy
Preservation Director
Community Development Department
City of Sacramento
300 Richards Boulevard, Third Floor
Sacramento, California 95811
E‐mail: [email protected]
916.808.2796 (direct)
916.662.2626 (mobile)
Advisory: All-electric NEW construction requirements begin on January 1, 2023! From: cjchaff
[email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 11:37 AM
To: Darrell Steinberg <[email protected]>; Katie Valenzuela (City) <[email protected]>; Rick Jennings <[email protected]>; Sean Loloee <[email protected]>; Jeff S. Harris <[email protected]>; Jay Schenirer <[email protected]>; Eric Guerra <[email protected]>; Angelique Ashby <[email protected]>; District8 <[email protected]> Cc: Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>; clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Please support adding the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse and th e large trees at 420 4th Avenue, Sacramento 95818 to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. THANK You.

Dear Sacramento government officials,
Please support adding the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Avenue, Sacramento 95818 to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

It has been nominated by the Sacramento Preservation Commission. We understand that the City Council will cast the final vote next Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
2 By now you should have received (and hopefully at least skimmed) the wonderful, informative report on this 1860s historical farmhouse graciously provided by Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director. Director de Courcy:

THANK you for also providing that report to interested neighbors! My wife and I bought a home on 4th Avenue a short distance from this historical farmhouse and large trees in 1980. We’ve lived there since and are grandparents now! Our GREAT previous Councilmember Jimmie Yee used to say when visiting our neighborhood so often to help with endless problems (described below) that the circa 1860s farmhouse and property should be maintained as such forever. Neighbors agree strongly! We hope you do too!

Developers and government officials have often not been kind or made positive changes in this area.

I’d like to provide some context to this area that borders what the City now calls the ‘West Broadway’ area. The City defines the West Broadway area as that bordered by the Sacramento River on the west, Highway 50 and Broadway on the north, Muir Way and 5th Street on the east and 4th Avenue on the south.

Developers and government officials have a long history of not being kind and not making positive changes in this area. The I-5 freeway was placed just west of this historical farmhouse and whole neighborhood -cutting it off from the Sacramento River. In the last two years, immediately west of this historical property, all the trees were cleared out on a small thin parcel right next to the freeway to make room for building a very tall, new houses. Ironically that development is call “Swanson Oaks” even though the trees have been removed by the developer. As a result, the neighborhood now suffers from more pollution and noise. It seems City officials did nothing to protect those trees and our neighborhood.

Directly north of the historical farmhouse and large trees is a large low-income apartment complex.

Immediately north of that are Sacramento’s largest and second oldest public housing (PH) projects -Seavey Circle (aka ‘Marina Vista’ - but overlooks the freeway with all the noise and pollution, NOT the river). About three blocks northeast of there is the City’s oldest and second largest PH projects – “Alder Grove” (fna “New Helvetia”).

In fact, these two PH projects are the two largest PH projects ANYWHERE in the 13-County Sacramento Region! Sacramento City officials told the federal government/HUD during 2015 that these two housing projects needed AT LEAST $100 MILLION in work right away if they were going to be left standing, because these two PH projects are so dilapidated and uninhabitable. The Sacramento City government detailed major structural issues (e.g., not safe in an earthquake – putting housing tenants and their children at risk), leaking sewage and plumbing not fixable as it is so old; same with electrical, major black mold problems, etc., etc. No funding was obtained and none of these major health and safety problems have been fixed.

In the 70s, the City allowed another developer to build 100 more apartment units (“Camellia Commons”) (mentioned above) between the Seavey Circle PH projects and the historical farmhouse property.

Neighbors at that time STRONGLY OPPOSED the City allowing more rentals/apartments to be built there, because of the already existing overconcentration of rentals at the PH projects so nearby. City officials PROMISED neighbors that those new apartments would ALWAYS ONLY be for seniors and market rate. But when the area became so troubled and violent in the late 80s/early 90s) City officials allowed this 100-unit apartment complex to become more all age, all low-income rental units. In 1990, SACPD reported this WB area was THE MOST VIOLENT in ALL of Sacramento because of both of these PH projects being overconcentrated there.

Clearly far more low-income housing (and homeless shelter) is needed throughout Sacramento and the Region. However, such housing should be integrated throughout using fair share and effectiveness principles. We all know that NIMBY and other horrible factors has prevented such effective integration. During the early 90’s the great SHRA Director - Betty Turner - told us neighbors (working with her on the MANY major and costly PH project related problems) that placing so much PH in this one little Sacramento areas (Both Seavey Circle and Alder Grove) was an old, prejudiced, and failed last century idea/practice. SHRA Director Turner told us the future in Sacramento should be about substantially reducing the PH concentrated in this one little Sacramento area, and about redistributing and integrating PH (with less in any one little area but far more overall) and other affordable housing throughout Sacramento AND the Region using fair share and effectiveness principles, into MANY good areas of Sacramento, and nearer better schools, transportation and 3 jobs. SHRA Director Turner sagely warned that NIMBY and racism by more powerful Sacramento areas, related political pressures, and funding constraints could hamper such progress. They certainly have.

Modern research/evidence is clear: (e.g., HUD Evidence Matters – Understanding Neighborhood Effects of Concentrated Poverty:
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/em/winter11/highlight2.html <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.huduser.gov_portal Placing too much public housing in one little area results in major problems. Neighborhoods of concentrated poverty isolate their residents from the resources and networks they need to reach their potential and deprive the larger community of the neighborhood’s human capital. Research shows cramming too much PH in any one area – overconcentration- creates communities with serious child neglect, crime, delinquency, unemployment, substance abuse and other mental health disorders, and other major and costly problems that, in turn, further restrict the opportunities of those growing up and living in them. It’s warehousing those in need.

The impacts of neighborhood poverty rates on creating these problems increase rapidly if a neighborhood exceeds about 20 percent poverty.

The percentage of rentals and persons facing desperate poverty in the West Broadway (WB) area/neighborhood is troubling – now about 63% rental apartments, only 37% homes. As we all know, a high percentage of rentals in general in a neighborhood creates a less stable community. Pride and commitment of owner-occupied housing is missing. It’s also very concerning that about 57% are low-income rentals (with about 90+% of those being extremely low-income rentals). Sacramento government officials continue to promote and allow such unhealthy housing practices in the WB neighborhood.

The City Planning Office recently told WB neighbors: “We can do is take into account the concern you’ve raised as it relates to our newly adopted Housing Element (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/- /media/Corporate/Files/CDD/Planning/Long-Range/Housing-Element/00_Sac- HE_Amended_Final_Dec142021.pdf?la=en) when talking to developers about new housing inquiries and proposals prior to formal submittal. The Housing Element includes polices like the one shared below, that I believe address this specific concern you’ve brought to my attention. Thank you.

H-4.3 Promote Mixed Income Neighborhoods. The City shall promote mixed income neighborhoods with an equitable distribution of housing types for people of all incomes throughout the City by encouraging new affordable housing in high resource areas and promoting homeownership opportunities throughout the City, particularly in low resource areas.”

However, recently City officials approved a developer adding 250+ rentals/ apartments in this West Broadway neighborhood area on a large parcel that is just west of the Alder Grove PH projects, and only a block or so east of the Seavey Circle PH projects. Moreover, City officials recently permitted these developers to cut down four large fairly healthy heritage trees - that provided shade, healthy air, and much needed cooling to the Alder Grove public housing projects residents. Many of those old dilapidated brick buildings project units lack air conditioners. These units have such old electrical systems that A/C/ units are not possible, or are “too expensive” to install in the City’s eyes. Shame on the City government.

And the City allowed these developers
to recently cut down a fifth VERY LARGE and fairly healthy tree by 5th street on the southwest corner of this same development – near the Seavey Circle PH projects.

Again, cramming and keeping both of Sacramento’s two largest two PH projects into this one little Sacramento area has added substantially to very serious crimes and other problems in this WB area for MANY DECADES – year after year after year. Here’s a partial list of such for just one recent 12-month period. Many such crimes and problems happen far more than once in a given year.

Homicide, Attempted Homicide of Police officer, Possession/ Sales Opiates/Narcotics, Harassment, Child Assault/Sex activity, Willful Cruelty to Children, Child Custody, Threat/Intent to Terrorize, DUI , Access Card Fraud, Felony Possession Ammo, Gang Activity, Robbery, Possession Stolen Vehicle, Assault W/ Caustic Chemicals, Petty Theft, Battery Civilian, Willful Disobedience, Vandalism, Danger to Self/Others, Resisting 4 Peace Officer, Harassment, Inflicting Injury on Child, Casualty Report, Found Stolen Property, Possession/Sales Controlled Substances, Domestic Violence, Trespassing/Prowler, Vandalism>$400, Fraud/Bunco, Assault with Weapon, Battery, Drug Paraphernalia, Burglary Vehicle, Burglary Residence/Forced, Trespassing After Notice, Used Forged Card, Violated Protective Order, Found Property, Brandish –Non Gun, Child Assault/Sex Activity, Possible Financial Crime, Missing Person, Take Vehicle W/O Owner ,Theft – License Plate, Auto Theft Location, Trespassing/Prowler, Domestic Violence, Robbery, US Theft of Mail, Forcibly Steal/Take, Brandish Firearm, Arson of Inhabited Structure, Hit/Run Injury, Shooting in Occupied Dwelling, Willful Disobedience, Hit Run -with Injury/Death.

SACPD and others (e.g., UC Davis Study) report that many crimes and problems go unreported in these two dilapidated and over-concentrated PH projects for fear of retaliation, so these crime counts are conservative.

The police can only really mop up/react to the underlying problem – the overconcentration of poverty/PH in this one little area of Sacramento that has caused a bad environment to live in, and major and costly problems for the surrounding community, taxpayers, SACPD and many others.

Moreover, just a couple hundred yards northwest of this historical farmhouse property is the West Broadway neighborhood public Miller Park. Miller Park is only about 200 yards from the Seavey Circle PH projects – basically only separated by the I-5 Freeway. Last year City officials placed not one, but TWO City homeless sites at this West Broadway neighborhood park, and have continued to overlook a third ‘unauthorized’ homeless camp that has grown for the last year next to one of TWO City homeless sites. Talk about very harmful and unfair overconcentration of such housing and shelter! And the City placing these homeless sites at Miller Park came after strong opposition from WB neighbors, and them informing City officials that the WB neighbors had worked LONG and HARD to have the City’s previous homeless site at Miller Park (VOA) moved elsewhere in the City because the placement of a homeless site at Miller Park had been so problematic.

Several years ago, the City spent over a $MILLION in tax funds to complete the West Broadway Specific Plan.

Part of that plan was focused onto how to improve Miler Park, make it even more usable by the WB community and others. And not the City is doing this?!
Recently a City official was telling businesses and neighbors over a mile away from the WB neighborhood to send homeless from their area to Miller Park. These other neighborhoods contain NO homeless shelter beds, or ANY public or other low-income housing!
There is a government gate at Miller Park that is supposed to be kept locked. It’s only supposed to be unlocked on days/times being used by government employees to access a dirt service road there. That gate has been left unlocked/open now for about a month now. Homeless folks are driving down the service road and increasing the size of an unauthorized homeless camp there. There is constant stolen stuff and garbage at this site. City officials know this but do nothing. Moreover, the City recently moved the City homeless camp and porta-potties that were right next to it to another location in Miller Park – pretty far away. So now the unauthorized homeless camp folks even lack toilets. Miller Park is becoming a major health and safety problem. The public is no using the public park, no longer bringing their children (and grandchildren) to Miller Park. It’s not safe! City officials have been notified of this unlocked gate and resulting major problems repeatedly now for about a month. Yet these City officials have been unresponsive/unhelpful. WB neighbors then notified SACDP this past week. SACPD has been responsive and is doing its’ best to see who is in charge of that gate, and to make sure that government access only gate is locked.

Just north of Miler Park in this WB area are the huge petroleum storage tanks. They’ve been there for many decades. City officials have said they will develop a plan to move those somewhere else, but have not – for decades.

In 2016, the State Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) ranked the West Broadway area/neighborhood as among the most polluted and negatively impacted by socioeconomic challenges in the entire County and State. OEHHA develops problem indicator scores related to its environmental health hazard risk assessment work. The following are specifics: Impaired Water -97%, Hazardous Waste 94%, Groundwater Threats 93%, Rent Adjusted Income 93%, Unemployment 89%, Poverty 86%, Traffic 83% and Diesel 83%. 5 The overconcentration of PH in this area drives OEHHA’s indicators of high poverty and unemployment.

OEHHA also said other high pollution burden percentile scores can be related to a number of factors including but not limited to the I-5 freeway on the west side of this tract/neighborhood and these petroleum storage tanks. City officials should know that placing so much public housing (with so many less fortunate with many children with other existing health risks) next to such pollution is unhealthy and costly.

Developers and government officials have often not been kind or made positive changes in this area.

This little troubled Sacramento neighborhood now needs some Sacramento government help here! Please be kind and helpful. Sacramento officials need to preserve and protect great and historically important buildings, trees and properties such as the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse at 420 4th Avenue, Sacramento 95818 for generations to come.

Please support adding the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Avenue, Sacramento 95818 to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

Please excuse lack of brevity, and grammatical and other writing issues. We did our best as neighbors and caring citizens given limited time. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Craig and Janene Chaffee 41+ year West Broadway neighbors

1 From: Quentin Gee <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2022 11:16 AM
To: Katie Valenzuela (City)
Cc: clerk; Sean deCourcy
Subject: Historic landmark vote
Dear Councilmember Valenzuela, Preservation Director, and City Clerk of Sacramento, I recently was encouraged by a neighbor's letter to express my support for granting landmark status to a house at 420 4th St.

The neighbor seems concerned about development across the street from their house, and wants the landmark status to force review of th e development that would not normally be needed (CEQA review).

I don't know much about the historic status of this neighbor's house. But what I do know is that I'm tired of people trying to stop development of what is likely to be a home or small set of apartments.

As you well kn
ow, we are in a housing crisis. One of the biggest causes of this is that people try every trick in the book to keep growth out of their backyard. I can't tell if that's happening in this case, but I am concerned. Every little clog like this ec
hoes across the entire region, putting more pressure on an already difficult situation.

But I admit I don't know the "historic" nature of the home. But it's not obvious to me that it is of great historical significance to the entire community. So I request you to carefully consider if ad ding a hurdle in getting more homes for the people of this city is really worth the trade off of one person's concern about homes across the street. Maybe it is in this case, but please be careful in making that evaluation.

I also encourage you to think clearly about the pote ntial for abuse of "historic landmark" status. If too much of our city is stuck in the past, we risk stifling our future.

Thanks for your attention,
Quentin Gee
1 From: Katie Haley <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 9:38 PM
To: Darrell Steinberg; Katie Valenzuela (City); Rick Jennings; Sean Loloee; Jeff S. Harris; Jay Schenirer; Eric Guerra; District8
Cc: Sean deCourcy; clerk
Subject: C.G. Hidden Farmhouse - Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources Attachments: Kathryn Haley-CG_Hidden_Support_Letter081822.pdf To the Honorable Mayor Darrell Steinberg & City Council Members, Attached please find my letter of support for adding the “C.G, Hidden Farmhouse,” located at 420 4th Avenue to the Sacramento Register of Historic & Cultural Resources.

Thank you for considering my thoughts as you vote on this important historic preservation matter.

All the best,
Katie
Kathryn Haley, MA (CSUS Public History)
Professional Architectural Historian
916-949-9687
Kathryn Haley, MA
5100 Illinois Avenue
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
916-949-9687
The Honorable Mayor Darrell Steinberg &
City Council Members
Sacramento City Hall
915 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
August 18, 2022
Dear Mayor Steinberg and City Council Members:

I am writing to express my support for the nomination of the historic property identified as the “C.G, Hidden Farmhouse,” located at 420 4th Avenue to be added to the . This property was unanimously approved by the Preservation Commission on May 18 and will be presented to the City Council for a final vote during a public hearing at the Council’s meeting on August 23, 2022. This important property includes a distinguished and rare surviving example of a brick farmhouse from the early 1860s s urrounded by several large Valley Oaks and Claro Walnut trees which are considered contributing and character - defining features of the historic property .

As a professional architectural historian, and graduate of the California State University Public History Master’s Program in 2004 , I have worked at local environmental consulting firms for nearly twenty years. During my career, I have worked on numerous projects throughout the state of California. involving historic research, field inventory, and site assessment conducted for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). I specialize in evaluating properties for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR); the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and I have evaluated a wide variety of built environment resources throughout California, including water management structur es (levees, canals, dams, and ditches), buildings (residential, industrial, and commercial), and linear resources (railroad alignments, roads, and bridges). This property is the only settlement -era building I have come across during my career. The “ C.G, Hidden Farmhouse,” located at 420 4th Avenue is indeed a distinctive historic property worthy of preservation . As a historian and long -time resident of Sacramento County, I would like to see included in the Sacramento Register of Historic & Cultural Resources .

Furthermore, as a property that has historic significance, and is designated as locally significant, it will be considered a historical resource under the California Environment Quality Act ( CEQA) A ny project proposed within or adjacent to this property should be subject to review under CEQA so that potential direct and indirect impacts are assessed in accordance with 14 CCR § 15064.5, Determining the S ignificance of Impacts to Archaeological and Historical Resources.

Thank you for taking my thoughts int o consideration as you vote on August 23rd regarding officially listing the “C.G, Hidden Farmhouse ” in the Sacramento Register.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Haley, MA
Professional Architectural Historian and Sacramento County Resident

1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 10:36 AM
To: Agenda
Cc: Henry Feuss
Subject: FW: C.G. Hidden Farmhouse
Please add this to the supplemental material for the City Council hearing on 8/23.

Thank you,
Sean de Courcy
Preservation Director
Community Development Department
City of Sacramento
300 Richards Boulevard, Third Floor
Sacramento, California 95811
E‐mail: [email protected]
916.808.2796 (direct)
916.662.2626 (mobile)
Advisory: All‐electric NEW construction requirements begin on Jan uary 1, 2023! ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: Scott Hokama <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2022 2:49 PM
To: Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>; clerk <[email protected]>; Darrell Steinberg <[email protected]>; Katie Valenzuela (City) <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]
Subject: C.G. Hidden Farmhouse
I would like to extend my support in favor of placing the C.G.Hidden Farmhouse, located at 420 4th Avenue, to be added to the Sacra
mento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. I live down the street from this amazing structure. In the past, my daughter has taken care of the pets of the previous owners, and I have seen this building up close. It is definitely wo
rthy of being recognized as one of Sacramento’s historic resources. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Scott Hokama
Sent from my iPad
1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 8:57 AM
To: Agenda
Cc: Henry Feuss
Subject: FW: C.G. Hidden Farmhouse -- Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources Hello,
Please add this supplemental material to the City Council agenda for 8/23.

Thank you,
Sean de Courcy
Preservation Director
Community Development Department
City of Sacramento
300 Richards Boulevard, Third Floor
Sacramento, California 95811
E‐mail: [email protected]
916.808.2796 (direct)
916.662.2626 (mobile)
Advisory: All‐electric NEW construction requirements begin on January 1, 2023! ‐‐‐‐‐Origi
nal Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: Sue Ichiho <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 11:34 AM
To: Katie Valenzuela (City) <[email protected]>; Rick Jennings <[email protected]>; Sean Loloee <[email protected]>; Jeff S. Harris <[email protected]>; Jay Schenirer <[email protected]>; Eric Guerra <[email protected]>; District8 <[email protected]>; Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>; clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: C.G. Hidden Farmhouse ‐‐ Sacramento Register of Histori c and Cultural Resources To whom it may concern:

I am a resident on 4th Avenue just down the street from the property on which C.G. Hidden Farmhouse is located. I am writing to support adding the property at 420 4th Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95818 to the Sacramento Register of Histori c and Cultural Resources. I have been on that unique property with its rare surviving brick farmhouse from the 1860’s. I believe protecting that historic building is important and the property is worthy of inclusion on the Register.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
2 Sue Ichiho
710 4th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818

1 From: Michelle Johnston <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2022 8:32 PM
To: Darrell Steinberg; Katie Valenzuela (City); Rick Jennings; Jeff S. Harris; Jay Schenirer; Eric Guerra; District8; Sean deCourcy; clerk
Subject: History Register of C.G. Hidden Farmhouse
As a 4th Avenue resident since 1996, I encourage you to vote in favor of listing the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse (420 4th Ave.) on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. It is one of the oldest, intact buildings that demonstrates Sacramento's connection to our agricultural roots.

Michelle Johnston
1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 3:47 PM
To: Agenda
Cc: Bruce Monighan; Greg Sandlund; Henry Feuss; Kourtney Burdick Subject: FW: Letter of Support, 420 4th Avenue
Attachments: PS Support Letter 420 4th Avenue Landmark.pdf Hello,
Please add this letter to the supplemental material for the City Council meeting on 8/23.

PO Box 162140, Sacramento CA 95816 – [email protected] - PreservationSacramento.org Preservation Sacramento – Founded in 1972 as Sacramento Old City Association Mayor Darrell Steinberg
915 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
August 1, 2022
RE: Project M22-002, 420 4th Avenue, the C. G. Hidden Farmhouse Dear Mayor Steinberg and members of the Sacramento City Council, The Board of Directors of Preservation Sacramento wishes to express our support of the nomination of the historic property identified as the “C.G, Hidden Farmhouse,” located at 420 4th Avenue to be added to the Sacramento Register of Historic & Cultural Resources. This property was unanimously approved by the Preservation Commission on May 18 and will be presented to the City Council for a final vote during a public hearing at the Council’s meeting of August 23, 2022.

We reviewed the Preservation Department staff’s research on this remarkable property, which includes a rare surviving example of a brick farmhouse from the early 1860s. Additional contributing elements of the historic property include several large Valley Oaks and Claro Walnut trees that surround the building and are an important part of the property’s historic setting. Together, the farmhouse and the associated trees help the property convey its historic significance to the early 1860s. The historic building, the relatively large lot that includes remains of the original farm, and surrounding heritage trees combined allow the property to retain a high degree of historic integrity. Overall, the “C.G. Hidden Farmhouse,” located at 420 4 th Avenue is a distinctive historic property that Preservation Sacramento would like to see included in the Sacramento Register. After meeting with the owner of this property, we understand a developer acquired a portion of land directly adjacent to the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse. This land contains portions of heritage trees that are contributing elements of the subject historic property. This land has been a city easement since 1972, and the developer that acquired the property recently brought an excavator on to the easement and began digging and grading inside of the drip line of one of the large, protected Valley Oak trees located right on the property line close to the historic building. This excavation work could not only have a

PO Box 162140, Sacramento CA 95816 – [email protected] - PreservationSacramento.org

Preservation Sacramento – Founded in 1972 as Sacramento Old City Association determinantal impact on the protected trees, but the heavy equipment could also potentially result in damage (direct or indirect) to the historic brick structure, which is a fragile building due to its age and materials.

Under Sacramento City ordinance 17.604.240, any resource nominated as a landmark or contributing resource shall be considered a landmark or contributing resource and shall be subject to the restrictions and protections of article IV as further provided in section 17.604.400. It is our understanding that the Preservation Department was not alerted of this work, and there were no required permits to work on the city easement or near the protected trees.

We also understand City staff recently proposed to abandon this easement. In an effort to ensure this historic resource within our city is preserved for generations to come, we highly recommend that the City Council vote in favor of its nomination as a property to be listed in the Sacramento Register on August 23. Prior to the vote to formally list the property, we also request that any proposed work on the easement be reviewed by the Preservation Department in advance. Based on recent events, we additionally recommend that the City Council vote to oppose the proposed abandonment of the adjacent city easement (August/September hearing date TBA), at least until plans for its development formally go through all of the required CEQA provisions to ensure the protection of this historic resource.

Sincerely,

William Burg
President, Preservation Sacramento Board of Directors

1 From: Bev Silva <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 8:29 PM
To: Genevive Taylor
Cc: Darrell Steinberg; Katie Valenzuela (City); Rick Jennings; Sean Loloee; Jeff S. Harris; Jay Schenirer; Eric Guerra; Angelique Ashby; District8; Sean deCourcy; clerk Subject: Re: In support of adding the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Ave., Sacramento, Ca. 95818 to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources I am requesting that the City Council support the addition of the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Ave., Sacramento, Ca. 95818, to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. This great Piece of Sacramento History, needs to be recognized and protected from encroachment and overzealous develope rs for the present and future Sacramento to see and appreciate. Please vote to keep and preserve this Sacramento piece of history at the August 23, 2022, City Council Meeting.

Thanks to all of you,
Bev Silva
1489 7th Avenue
On Wed, Aug 17, 2022 at 11:49 PM Genevive Taylor <semperfi [email protected] > wrote:

There are many hidden gems in Sacramento, that are never recognized or know to exist and with that lack of acknowledgment, I am requesting that the City Council support the addition of the C.G.

Hidden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Ave., Sacramento, Ca. 95818, to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. This great Piece of Sacramento History, needs to be recognized and protected from encroachment and overzealous developers for the present and future Sacramento to see and appreciate. Please vote to keep and preserve this Sacramento piece of history at the August 23, 2022, City Council Meeting.

Thank you-Art Taylor
1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 8:10 AM
To: Agenda
Cc: Henry Feuss
Subject: FW: In support of adding the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Ave., Sacramento, Ca. 95818 to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources Hello,
Please add this supplemental material to the City Council hearing for 8/23. Thank you.

Sean de Courcy
Preservation Director
Community Development Department
City of Sacramento
300 Richards Boulevard, Third Floor
Sacramento, California 95811
E‐mail: [email protected]
916.808.2796 (direct)
916.662.2626 (mobile)
Advisory: All-electric NEW construction requirements begin on January 1, 2023! From: Genevive Taylor <se
[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 9:48 PM
To: Darrell Steinberg <[email protected]>; Katie Valenzuela (City) <[email protected]>; Rick Jennings <[email protected]>; Sean Loloee <[email protected]>; Jeff S. Harris <[email protected]>; Jay Schenirer <[email protected]>; Eric Guerra <[email protected]>; Angelique Ashby <[email protected]>; District8 <[email protected]>; Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>; clerk <[email protected]> Cc: Genevive Taylor <[email protected]>
Subject: In support of adding the C.G. Hi dden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Ave., Sacramento, Ca. 95818 to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources There are many hidden gems in Sacramento, that are never recognized or know to exist and with that lack of acknowledgment, I am requesting that the City Council support the addition of the C.G.

Hidden Farmhouse and the large trees at 420 4th Ave., Sacramento, Ca. 95818, to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. This great Piece of Sacramento History, needs to be recognized and protected from encroachment and overzealous developers for 2 the present and future Sacramento to see and appreciate. Please vote to keep and preserve this Sacramento piece of history at the August 23, 2022, City Council Meeting.

Thank you-Art Taylor

1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 7:57 AM
To: Agenda
Cc: Henry Feuss
Subject: FW: Council 8/23 Hearing - Item #16 SUPPORT HIDDEN FARMHOUSE LISTING Attachments: Letter Trees 4 Sac Hidden Farmhouse 2022 08 23001.pdf Hello, please add this comment letter to item 16 for the City Council hearing tomorrow evening.

Thank you,
Sean de Courcy
Preservation Director
Community Development Department
City of Sacramento
300 Richards Boulevard, Third Floor
Sacramento, California 95811
E‐mail: [email protected]
916.808.2796 (direct)
916.662.2626 (mobile)
Advisory: All-electric NEW construction requirements begin on January 1, 2023! From: Lur
ee Stetson <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2022 3:34 PM
To: Katie Valenzuela (City) <[email protected]>; Rick Jennings <[email protected]>; Sean Loloee <[email protected]>; Jeff S. Harris <[email protected]>; Jay Schenirer <[email protected]>; Eric Guerra <[email protected]>; Rick Jennings <[email protected]>; Angelique Ashby <[email protected]> Cc: Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>
Subject: Council 8/23 Hearing ‐ Item #16 SUPPORT HIDDEN FARMHOUSE LISTING Attached is a support le tter from Trees For Sacramento for Item #16, the proposed listing of the C.G. Hidden Farmhouse in the City's historic list.

This item will be heard the 8/23/22 Council Hearing.

Thank you for your support.

1 From: Sean deCourcy
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 7:56 AM
To: Agenda
Subject: FW: FW: Council 8/23 Item #16 - C. G. Hidden FArmhouse Attachments: tempFileForShare_20220819-141102.jpg
Please add this supplemental material to item 16 at the City Council hearing tomorrow evening.

Upper Land Pa
rk Neighbors urges your support for Item # 16 on the Council's 8/23 hearing.

Attached is our letter of support.

Thank you,
2 Jason Van Court, Vice Chair
UPPER LAND PARK NEIGHBORS

Sacramento City CouncilAugust 23, 2022

Sacramento City Council
August 23, 2022