Sacramento City Council
May 7, 2024

City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2024-00896 5/7/2024 Consent Item 2.
(Pass for Publication) Ordinance Listing the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources and adopting the Historic District Plan for the District (M19-002)
File ID: 2024-00896
Location: South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District, District 7, Represented by Councilmember Jennings
Recommendation: 1) Review an Ordinance adopting the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Plan; 2) review an Ordinance listing the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (M19-002); and 3) pass for publication both ordinance titles per Sacramento City Code section 32(c) for City Council consideration on May 21, 2024.

Contact: Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, (916) 808-2796, [email protected], Community Development Department
Presenter: None.

Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Background
3-Ordinance Adopting the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Plan 4-Exhibit 1 South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Plan 5-Ordinance Listing the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources
6-Exhibit 4- South Land Park Hills Historic District Evaluation 7-Public Comments
Description/Analysis
Issue/Detail: This nomination originated from the Mid-Century Modern Survey and Historic Context Statement that was completed in 2016 as part of a Certified Local Government grant from the U.S.

Department of the Interior Historic Preservation Fund. The Preservation Commission was afforded the opportunity to review the Historic Evaluation in 2016 following completion of the Mid-Century Modern Survey and Historic Context Statement project. Staff brought the Historic District Plan and

File ID: 2024-00896 5/7/2024 Consent Item 2.
revised Historic District Record Form to the Preservation Commission on June 21, 2023. In addition, staff held public meetings at the Belle Cooledge Library in February 2020, May 2023, and November 2023. Staff polled property owners in late 2023 and identified over 80% of the respondents supported creating a historic district in the South Land Park Hills neighborhood. Unanimous owner support is not required, and therefore staff elected to proceed with the nomination process. Letters of support have been received from Sacramento Modern, Preservation Sacramento, and the South Land Park Hills Neighborhood Association, along with 12 property owners within the proposed district who support listing. Two comments opposing the district have also been received from property owners who live in the proposed district. All public comments submitted in advance are included in Attachment 7.

Policy Considerations: Evaluating the South Land Park Hills tract developed by Joseph Eichler and considering listing the collection of buildings on the Sacramento Register as a historic district is consistent with the Historic Preservation Chapter (17.604) of the City Code and the goals of the 2040 General Plan. Furthermore, listing the nominated properties on the Sacramento Register will help ensure their preservation and encourage their rehabilitation consistent with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

The Sacramento 2040 General Plan goal HCR-1.1 emphasizes the preservation of historic and cultural resources, landscapes, and site features. Specifically, General Plan policy HCR-1.1 states that, “The City will continue to promote the preservation, restoration, enhancement, and recognition of historic and cultural resources throughout the city.” Under this policy, the Preservation Director and staff strive to maintain an accurate list of historic and cultural resources, known as the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. The Preservation Director will consider nomination to, and deletion from, the Sacramento Register when necessary and appropriate to maintaining an accurate list of the City’s resources to further the goal of identifying and preserving significant historic and cultural resources.

In addition to being required within City Code Section 17.604.300, the Historic District Plans (HDPs) are consistent with the 2040 General Plan. The Historic and Cultural resources chapter of the general plan includes policies and goals that support actions to maintain and improve historic districts in the City. Policy HCR-1.4 calls for the establishment and maintenance of historic districts to provide for the preservation and restoration of those areas that are of historic significance. Policy HCR-1.3 emphasizes compatibility with historic context, requiring the review of new development, alterations, and rehabilitation/remodels for compatibility with the surrounding historic context and consistency with design guidelines/standards, including the Historic District Plans. The City shall pay special attention to the scale, massing, and relationship of proposed new development to complement surrounding historic environments. Policy HCR-1.5 further underscores the importance of conducting historic surveys and context statements as needed.

Economic Impacts: None.

File ID: 2024-00896 5/7/2024 Consent Item 2.

Environmental Considerations: Evaluating and potentially nominating the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) neighborhood as a historic district is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308. Section 15308 exempts from review acts that are undertaken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment.

Listing contributing resources within the district in the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources will ensure that future development on these parcels will undergo preservation review prior to the granting of any entitlements.

Evaluating the district and adopting a historic district plan consistent with city code requirements, is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308. Section 15308 exempts from review acts that are undertaken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment.

Sustainability: Not Applicable.

Commission/Committee Action: On February 29, 2024, the City of Sacramento’s Preservation Director, in conformance with Section 17.604.220 of the City Code, held a public hearing, reviewed the historic analysis prepared by GEI Consultants (Attachment 6) and concurred with a draft statement of nomination and directed staff to prepare a draft Ordinance (Attachment 3) for review and consideration by the Preservation Commission on March 20, 2024. On April 17, 2024, the Preservation Commission, in conformance with Section 17.604.220 of the City Code, held a public hearing, reviewed a draft ordinance and recommended the City Council adopt an ordinance listing the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District on the Sacramento Register as a historic district.

Rationale for Recommendation: Listing of the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District as a historic district on the Sacramento Register is consistent with the Historic Preservation Chapter (17.604) of the City Code and the goals of the 2040 General Plan. The 49 contributing resources within the district area are a cohesive grouping, unified aesthetically by their Mid-Century Modern residential architecture, with California Ranch influences, as well as by their deep setbacks from the street. All Eichler-designed homes are one-story residential structures, orientated horizontally to the street, and rectilinear in overall form. Minimal infill has taken place in the Historic District, preserving the pattern, layout, and other character-defining features of the Eichler-designed homes. The district thus remains a true representative example of Mid-Century Modern architecture and has maintained its integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association necessary to qualify it for preservation under City Code 17.604.210.B.2.a. Contributing resources in the district were all designed by architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons and built by Joseph Eichler between 1955 and 1956.

The designation of this important grouping of historically significant residential buildings as a historic

File ID: 2024-00896 5/7/2024 Consent Item 2.
district is reasonable, appropriate, and necessary to protect, promote, and further the goals of the City.

Financial Considerations: Not applicable.

Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.

Background:

Mid Century Modern Historic Context and Survey:

In 2016-2017, the City of Sacramento embarked on an award-winning project aimed at documenting and preserving the City's Mid Century Modern architectural heritage.

Supported by over $66,000 in grant funding, with contributions from the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and SacMod (Sacramento Modern), a local nonprofit, the project sought to conduct a citywide survey and create a historic context statement for the City’s Mid Century Modern historic resources.

The resulting historic context statement provides valuable insights into the historical influences shaping Mid Century Modern design in Sacramento. It highlights the contributions of local and regional architects, serving as both an educational resource and a planning tool for the preservation of these often-overlooked structures.

Additionally, the project aids City Preservation Staff in identifying potential historic resources and guiding future preservation efforts.

As part of the survey, detailed property-specific research was conducted on four exemplary Mid Century Modern properties, including 3330 McKinley Boulevard, 2801 Franklin Boulevard, 720 9th Street, and 4701 Freeport Boulevard, alongside the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District. Subsequently, these individual landmarks were listed on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources in 2018, marking a significant milestone in the recognition and preservation of Sacramento's architectural heritage.

Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, efforts to nominate the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District for listing on the Sacramento Register have persisted since 2019, representing nearly seven years of dedicated work on this endeavor by Staff, the preservation community, and proud Eichler property owners.

Significance of the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District:

The South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development, constructed between 1955 and 1956, stands as a testament to the innovative vision of merchant builder Joseph Eichler and his Eichler Homes, Inc. Located in Sacramento’s South Land Park neighborhood, the futuristic designs were influenced by the atomic age and the space race during the Cold War, making this development an important physical embodiment of the evolution of residential architecture and suburban development.

Designed by prominent architects A. Quincy Jones, FAIA, and Frederick Emmons, FAIA, the South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development exemplifies the Modernist style that characterized Eichler's work. With approximately 5,000 of Eichler's 11,000 California homes designed by Jones & Emmons, this development reflects Eichler's commitment to providing modern, well-designed homes at moderate prices.

The use of post-and-beam construction, exposed wood panels, and innovative floor plans showcased the architects' dedication to creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing dwellings.

Against the backdrop of post-World War II housing demand, the South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development emerged as a response to the need for quality, affordable housing for returning veterans and their families. Eichler's commitment to nondiscriminatory housing practices was revolutionary for its time, setting a precedent for fair housing practices in the region. By offering homes that emphasized modern design, accessibility, and affordability, Eichler Homes contributed to the social and cultural fabric of Sacramento, embodying the aspirations of a generation seeking better living environments.

Despite changes over the decades, the South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development retains its historical integrity and continues to serve as a vibrant residential community. With minimal modifications to its original design and layout, the development preserves its mid-century aesthetic and historic significance. Its inclusion on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources not only recognizes its architectural merit but also ensures its continued preservation for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

Historic District Plan Development:

In response to community concerns and input, City Staff initiated the preparation of a Historic District Plan for the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District (Attachment 3). This process commenced following a public meeting held on February 20, 2020, during which City Staff engaged with community members to discuss the significance of the historic district and outline the potential benefits and restrictions associated with historic designation. Attendees emphasized the importance of establishing clear design guidelines and development standards to guide future projects within the district.

Building upon the completion of the 2019 Historic District Plan project, City Staff committed to developing a comprehensive Historic District Plan to accompany any nomination of the district for listing. To ensure diverse perspectives and direct involvement from property owners within the district, City Staff formed a working group comprising five property owners identified as contributing resources in the 2016 historic survey. From 2020 to 2022, this working group met monthly with City Staff to collaboratively draft the Historic District Plan.

The resulting Historic District Plan encompasses all the requisite elements outlined in the Sacramento City Code, including a detailed physical description, the period of significance, identification of character-defining features, and formulation of district- specific standards and criteria to facilitate the review of future projects within the district.

Notably, in accordance with state law, the standards outlined in the plan are objective design standards, ensuring consistency and transparency in the review process.

Public Outreach Summary:

The public outreach process for the nomination of the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District for listing on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources was comprehensive and inclusive, spanning from 2019 to 2023.

Key Public Outreach Events/Activities:
 February 2020 (Community Meeting #1): The first community meeting served as a platform to introduce the historic district nomination process and solicit initial feedback from stakeholders. Attendees emphasized the need for clear design standards for the district.
 2020-2022 (Working Group Meetings): Property Owner/Staff Working Group meets monthly to finalize the Historic District Plan.
 May 2023 (Community Meeting #2): A second community meeting was held to present the finalized draft Historic Evaluation and Historic District Plan, allowing for further input and discussion from community members.  June 2023 (Historic Preservation Commission Review): The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the draft Historic Evaluation and Historic District Plan, providing guidance and feedback on the proposed nomination.  September 2023 (Property Owner Survey): A property owner survey was conducted to gauge support for the creation of a historic district and to solicit feedback on the nomination process. See survey results below.  November 2023 (Community Meeting #3): A third community meeting was convened to present the results of the property owner survey and address any remaining concerns or questions from the community.

Property Owner Survey Results:

In 2023, staff polled property owners to gauge the level of support for creating a historic district and gauging if additional public outreach was necessary. While owner consent is not required for listing the district on the register, gauging property owner support helps staff determine if additional outreach is needed. The key takeaways from the survey were:
 The property owner survey received responses from 48% of property owners.  A strong majority, 83%, expressed support for creating a historic district.  A minority, comprising 11% of respondents, opposed the creation of a historic district.
 67% of respondents indicated support for moving forward with the nomination process without additional public outreach.
 However, 20% of respondents requested another community meeting, prompting City Staff to host an additional meeting in November 2023 to address lingering questions and provide further clarification on the nomination process. This meeting was not well attended and few concerns were raised by those who did attend.

The public outreach efforts undertaken during the nomination process for the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District have been instrumental in engaging stakeholders, soliciting feedback, and fostering community support. The strong support in favor of creating a historic district reflects the deep appreciation and commitment of the community to preserving its architectural and cultural heritage.

Conclusion:

Staff recommends the listing of the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources based on the culmination of historic contextual information, community engagement, and evaluation efforts. The district's significance as a prime example of Mid-Century Modern architecture, coupled with its historical, cultural, and architectural importance, underscores the rationale for its preservation and recognition. While owner consent is not required for listing, the positive response from property owners, with 83% expressing support for creating a historic district, reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding the district's unique character and legacy for future generations. Furthermore, the adherence to objective design standards in the Historic District Plan ensures that the preservation efforts are balanced with the need for responsible development, growth, and maintenance. By listing the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District on the Sacramento Register, the City affirms its dedication to honoring and protecting Sacramento's architectural heritage while promoting sustainable stewardship and proactive community engagement.

ORDINANCE NO.

Adopted by the Sacramento City Council

Date Adopted

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SOUTH LAND PARK HILLS (EICHLER) HISTORIC

DISTRICT PLAN

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO:

SECTION 1. Background.

A. The city council has found “that significant aspects of the city’s rich and diverse historic resources deserve recognition and preservation to foster an understanding of our heritage, and to promote the public health and safety and the economic and general welfare of the people of the city. The preservation and continued use of historic resources are effective tools to sustain and revitalize neighborhoods and business districts within the city, enhance the city’s economic, cultural and aesthetic standing, its identity and its livability, marketability and urban character.” (City Code, § 17.604.100.A.)

B. To this end, the city code authorizes the creation of historic districts and historic district plans to guide development within these districts. These plans include, among other things, a statement of the goals for review of development projects within each historic district as well as the standards and criteria that will be utilized in determining the appropriateness of any development project within these districts. (City Code, §

17.604.300.)

C. On April 17, 2024, the preservation commission held a public hearing and recommended the city council adopt the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Plan attached as Exhibit 1.

SECTION 2.

The South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Plan, attached as Exhibit 1, meets the requirements set forth in City Code section 17.604.300, and is hereby adopted and added to the Sacramento Historic District Plans (Ordinance 2019-0051).

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Exhibit 1: South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Plan

SOUTH LAND

PARK HILLS
(EICHLER)

HISTORIC

DISTRICT PLAN
Adopted: May 21, 2024
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Historic District Plan
City of Sacramento

Physical Description & Boundaries
The South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District is comprised of a cohesive grouping of 48 residential buildings designed in a Mid-Century Modern Style with California Ranch influences. Contributing resources in the district were all built by Joseph Eichler and built between 1955 and 1956. South Land Park Drive is the main road through the district and has a distinctive curvilinear bend typical of subdivision design during this period. The adjacent (southeast) Fordham Way and Oakridge Way also includes a number of contributing resources to the district.

The district boundaries include properties built by Joseph Eichler. Those properties within the boundaries that retain their design integrity are contributing resources to the district. Those properties built by Joseph Eichler that have been modified are included within the district boundaries as non -contributing resources. The boundaries of the district reflect a cohesive cluster of buildings built by Joseph Eichler grouped around South Land Park Drive, Fordham Way, and Oakridge Way.

FIGURE 1: HISTORIC DISTRICT BOUNDARY MAP
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City of Sacramento

A Brief Historic Context
Joseph Eichler (1900 -1965) was an unlikely real estate developer. Searching for a new more meaningful career path, Eichler found himself enchanted by the experience of living, for a brief period, in a Hillsborough California house designed by internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright . The design quality and attractive site planning features led Eichler to gradually formulate the business model for which he would become famous: building affordable, expressly modern homes, in the suburbs for middl e class homebuyers, while offering attractive, architect-designed amenities for moderate prices.

In meeting the challenge of balancing design quality and affordability Eichler turned to Wright’s “Usonian” design concept. Usonian homes featured slab concrete foundations with radiant heating built in and modular floor plans with a relatively open plan concept allowing for a free flow between interior spaces.

In total, Eichler’s company, Eichler Homes (founded in 1947), constructed over 11,000 homes in Communities across California, including Palo Alto (where approximately 2,700 homes were built), Sunnyvale, San Mateo and the San Mateo Highlands, Marin, the Castro Valley, Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles), and the City of Orange (Orange County).

JOSEPH EICHLER: WIKIPEDIA IMAGE – PUBLIC DOMAIN
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Historic District Plan
City of Sacramento

Non-discrimination in Housing
Eichler is notable in his support of the principle of fair housing at a time when federal lending practices, real estate associations and builder organizations embraced segregation. Builders resisted integrating their developments not simply because it made financial institutions more likely to fund their projects but also in the mistaken belief that selling to persons of color would devastate property values. A businessman to be sure, Eichler tested these assumptions and became one of the first builders of large -scale subdivisions to sell to persons of color. In 1958, he resigned from the National Association of Home Builders to protest the organiza tion’s persistent support of racial restrictive practices and would go on to help in the crafting of California’s fair housing laws, advocating for fair housing practices before the U.S. Housing Commission.

FIGURE 2: THE MILITANT WEEKLY. PUBLISHED JULY 7, 1958.

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Historic District Plan
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Eichler in Sacramento
In Sacramento, Eichler Homes, in partnership with Moss
& Moss developers, completed 59 homes in the South
Land Park Hills neighborhood (South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7) . In recognition of Joseph Eichler’s noteworthy
legacy as merchant builder during the mid-20th century, the importance of Sacramento’s Eichler Tract as a
significant expression of Midcentury Modern
architectural design, and Eichler’s innovative work in
the real estate development, the City of Sacramento
commissioned a citywide architectural/ historical
resources survey and included the Tract as part of the Midcentury Modern in the City of Sacramento: Historic
Context Statement and Final Survey Results (2017).

Architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons (Jones
& Emmons) of Los Angeles designed homes for Eichler
for South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 development. During their 18 -year partnership Jones & Emmons became
internationally known for their forward -looking,
pragmatic designs; in particular, for the thoughtful responses to the build site and client needs showcased in their residential work.

Eichler sought out Jones in 1950 after both Eichler’s and Jones’ work were honored in the same issue of Architectural Forum Magazine that year. The decision of the two firm to work together dates from that initial contact. 1 The Ladera Project (1952), a seven -unit single-family residential development in Portola Valley would be the first collaboration. Eichler would turn to Jones, and soon thereafter Jones & Emmons , on a number of projects scattered across both Southern and Northern California , including Pacific

1 Cory Buckner. 2021. Architect A. Quincy Jones; Touring California with Architect A. Quincy Jones – The Remarkable Modern of Jones & Emmons. Eichler Network
FIGURE 3: SOUTH LAND PARK HILLS UNIT 7 BROCHURE
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Palisades (Los Angeles), Orange, Portola Valley, Palo Alto, San Rafael and Sacramento. The firm ultimately designed approximately 5,000 of Eichler’s 11,000 California homes.

Roughly a year prior to their work in Sacramento, Jones & Emmons completed the Greenmeadow 1 & 2 Development in Palo Alto (1952-54) which consisted of 244 properties. Greenmeadow is now listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

In addition to South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Development located here in Sacramento, Jones & Emmons created the master plan designs for the 540-unit Capehart Housing Development located at McClellan Air Force Base Family Housing (1957-60) – an unusual instance of the U.S. military turning to a private architectural firm to design military housing. The development garnered the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 196 3 Honor Award for Residential Design.

During May 1955, the initial 59-home South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 development was advertised in Sacramento newspapers as part of what Eichler intended as a 143-home tract. Advertisements listed three house models, each along South Land Park Drive, and up to six possible plans. 2 However, only four house models were advertised in the sales brochure (Plan JE-89 was not built) so it is likely that the additional models being advertised were borrowed from prior Eichler developments. The four house model plans in the sales brochure are depicted below (note: house plans were often rotated, and garage access differs in many cases due to house siting on the lot) .

2 Ambacher, Patricia and Mark Bowen. September 2017. South Land Park Unit No. 7 Eichler Historic District nomination. GEI Consultants, Inc., Rancho Cordova, California, with volunteer assistance from Melissa Montag.

FIGURE 4: EICHLER, JONES, AND EMMONS FEATURED IN EICHLER HOMES CATALOG 1955
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Historic District Plan
City of Sacramento

Period of Significance
The district’s period of significance begins in 1955
and ends in 1956 , the years the South Land Park
Hills development was under construction.

Character-Defining Features
The character -defining features are the essential
physical elements from the period of significance that
enable a historic district and its contributing resources to convey their collective historic identity and the
historic district’s significance. They must be evident for a historic district and its contributing resources to
retain their status on the Sacramento Register. A
historic district and its contributing resources must
clearly contain enough of those characteristics to be
considered a true represe ntative example of a
particular type, period, or method of construction, and these features must also retain a sufficient degree of
integrity. These distinctive physical traits commonly
recur in property types, architectural styles, property landscapes, an d streetscapes. Characteristics can be
expressed in terms such as form, proportion,
structure, plan, style, or materials.

Form and Massing
All Eichler homes in Sacramento (and the
overwhelming majority of Eichler homes in other
jurisdictions) were designed as one -story structures
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Historic District Plan
City of Sacramento

that are horizontal in their presentation to the street, and rectilinear in overall form. The rooflines reinforce this horizontality, as they are generally flat, nearly flat or feature extremely low-pitched gable roofs.

Roof Types
Eichler homes feature low—pitched gable-front roofs (as in House Plan JE -85), very low-pitched nearly flat, or flat roofs without “parapets.” The eaves frequently project well out past the wall of the house for sun protection. This feature lends the roofli ne a floating quality. Original roofing materials consisted of “rolled roofing” (see glossary) or tar and gravel cladding. In some house plans the roof rafter ends project forward past the front wall plane of the house (as in some House Plan JE-84 examples).

Exterior Cladding Materials
Exterior smooth or sanded plywood sheeting made from Redwood or Fir veneers with a unique scored pattern of ¼” vertical groov es set on 2” centers (commonly nicknamed “Eichler Ply”) is the most common cladding material seen on house exteriors. In some homes a “stacked bond” concrete masonry block wingwall forms (see glossary) part of the front façade architectural treatment, extending the home’s architecture out into the landscape to enc lose a terrace and screen the home’s entrance (as in House Plan JE -85). Brick, stucco and wood shingles commonly used in other local house designs during the 1950s are not found on Eichler homes.

Window Treatments
There are very limited window openings on the home’s front façade, in deference to privacy. Long narrow or triangular-shaped clerestory windows placed high on the wall directly engaging the roofline (for privacy reasons) are typical. By contrast, large exp anses of glass – floor-to-ceiling plate glass, with vertical wood divisions, and sliding glass doors – can be found on the rear or sides of homes, opening generous views to backyard spaces and/or terraces. This helps create a strong sense of connection between indoors and outdoors.

Entry Doors
Eichler homes feature solid, smooth wood front entry doors, frequently accessed from an inset open/unenclosed inset atrium at the entry (Fairmeadow and JE-83 House Plans), or placed on the house’s side out of view the main entrance ( JE-14, JE-84, and JE -85 House Plans). Fully glazed anodized aluminum sliding doors set within full-height window walls provide access to and from terraces/backyard spaces and help tie the home interior to private outdoor spaces.

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Historic District Plan
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Garages
The garages are one of the most visible elements of the front façade of Eichler homes. However, they are always fully integra ted into the body of the house and its roof form to give the home a seamless architectural presence when viewed from the street. A large majority of Sacramento’s Eichler homes feature two-car garages with paired door bays, separated by a thin vertical wooden division. Vertical-groove-clad sheathing appears to have been the most common garage door cladding material in the original house designs.

Landscape and Streetscape Characteristics
Eichler subdivisions in Sacramento and elsewhere were typically laid out with curvilinear street patterns, rather than in typ ical city grid layouts, and with homes having a consistent front yard setback from the street they face to create a consistent building line up and down the street. Paved driveways lead directly to the garage, with walkways branching off from them leading to the house entrance – some of which face the street directly while entrances on many other homes are accessed from the side of the home through enclosed courtyard or terrace spaces fenced from view from the street. The subdivision’s landscape elements were planned to create a communal sense of shared public space acr oss lot lines in front yards. Front yard landscape treatments originally featured one or two specimen trees, grass turf, and low shrubs that permit unencumbered front yard views up and down the street. More recently, homeowners have substituted “xeriscape” or low -water-using groundcover and low retaining walls that preserve the sightlines across front yards in ways which sympathetically update the original landscaping concept.

Design Features
Rectangular Three -Bedroom/Two-Bath Floor Plan with an Especially Long Street -facing Facade; Low -pitched, Nearly Flat Floating Roofline with Exposed Rafter Ends; All -purpose Room (marked “AP” on house plans) at Front Wall Line; Paired and Single Vertically Aligned Windows Adjacent to the Slightly Inset Front Door; Garage Forms End Bay .

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Historic District Plan
City of Sacramento

House Plan JE -85 is the most common of the five identified house plans in the Sacramento’s Eichler Subdivision, with 18 known homes. With eight known homes each, House Plans JE - 84 and JE-83 are the next most prevalent home type. There are 10 known examples of House Plan JE-14 and only three known examples of the Fairmeadow House Plan. These are found at 6441 and 6465 Fordham Way and 6320 South Land Park Drive.

Heating, Plumbing and Other Mechanical Systems
Radiant floor heating systems that were embedded into the house’s concrete slab foundation, along with much of the plumbing, were characteristic of Eichler homes. Houses were not originally designed with modern ducted air conditioning, or with much insulat ion, and relied upon passive solar and the placement of windows and terrace sliding doors for cross ventilation to aid in cooling or warming the interior as needed. These passive systems were supported by “Coolair air-cooling systems” also known as “swamp coolers” which were self contained roof -mounted cooling units. The embedding of plumbing and heating systems in the concrete slab, the limited insulation, and flat or nearly flat roof forms with little or no attic space poses challenges in installing insulation and in retrofitting the heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems in these homes.

Preservation design guidance in making such improvements is recommended. The Eichler Network can be a great resource for how to sensitively approach and complete HVAC retrofit projects of this sort.

Construction Systems
Eichler homes are of what is termed “Post and Beam” construction. This method of construction uses a concrete slab foundation , combined with vertical wooden posts and horizontal wooden members to form a framework that carries both roof and floor structural loads. This method was FIGURE 6: SOUTH LAND PARK HILLS UNIT NO. 7 FLOOR PLANS
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favored because it made tract housing quicker to build, allowed for greater flexibility in arranging the interior spaces and made large window walls on the terrace/backyard side of the homes possible.

HOUSE PLAN JE-83 Example

Address: 6425 Fordham Way
Photo Taken by Gretchen Steinberg
Design Features: U-shaped (typically) Four-Bedroom/Two-Bath Floor Plan; Flat or Nearly Flat Roofline; Small Entry Atrium with Entrance Doorway Inset to Atrium Back Wall; Paired Window Openings on Front House Wall Adjacent to the Entry Atrium; Paired Garage Door Bays (with vertical board door cladding)

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Historic District Plan
City of Sacramento

HOUSE PLAN JE-84 Example

Address: 6424 South Land Park Drive
Photo Taken by Gretchen Steinberg
Design Features: H-shaped (typically) Four-Bedroom/Two-Bath Floor Plan; Low -pitched Floating Roofline; All-purpose Room is at Front Wall Line; Garage Forms End Bay; Privacy Windows (“clerestory”) High on the Walls Hugging the Roofline, with Extended Rafter Ends

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Historic District Plan
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HOUSE PLAN JE-85 Example

Address: 6449 South Land Park Drive
Photo Taken by Gretchen Steinberg
Design Features: U-shaped Three -Bedroom/Two-Bath Floor Plan (typically); Low-pitched Gable-front Roofline; Entry Occurs Along the Side of the House Out of View; a Single, Vertically Aligned Window on Front House Wall Faces the Street, With an Exposed Concrete Block Masonry Wingwall Extending Off It to the Side; Single or Double Garage Door Bay (originally with vertical board door cladding); Clerestory Windows High on the Wall Under Roofline Slope

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Historic District Plan
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HOUSE PLAN JE-14 Example

Address: 6417 Fordham Way
Photo Taken by Gretchen Steinberg
Design Features: T-shaped (typically) Three -Bedroom/Two-Bath Floor Plan; Low -pitched, Nearly Flat Floating Roofline with Exposed Rafter Ends; All -purpose Room (marked “AP” on house plans) at Front Wall Line; Paired and Single Vertically Aligned Windows Adjacent to the Slightly Inset Front Door; Garage Forms End Bay That Projects Forward from House’s Front Wall Line

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HOUSE PLAN “Fairmeadow” Example

Address: 6465 Fordham Way
Photo Taken by Sean de Courcy
Design Features: L-shaped three-bedroom two bath floor plan; flat roof with recessed entry courtyard; two car garage facing street; exposed post and beam brackets; horizontal grooved siding.

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District-Specific Standards & Criteria
The objective standards are intended to accommodate change —yet also help safeguard a contributing resource’s distinctive form, historic character, and relationship to its historic district. The objective standards identified on the following pages reflect on areas of each Eichler home in the district.

Projects that are typically exempt from design review, include the following project types*:
• Any interior improvement
• Detached accessory structures, like sheds or gazebos provided they meet the standard code requirements • Solar panel installations or repairs
• Most mechanical equipment replacement or repairs
• Repairs or installation of pools or hot tubs
• Re-painting your home, including repairs associated with painting, including minor like-for-like trim or siding repairs • Some window replacements
• Re-roofing your home, including gutter replacement
• In-kind repair or replacement of your HVAC system
• Building or replacing a fence as allowed with the standard code requirements • New landscaping
• New hardscaping
• Underground utilities
• Maintenance to existing features of your home
*Check with city staff to determine if your specific project can be exempt.

Design Principle : Preserve and enhance original Eichler design aesthetic while allowing for modernization and new construction to create a welcoming residential neighborhood.

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Rationale: The South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic Districts one of the City’s best examples of Mid Century Modern residential architecture .

Minimal infill has taken place in the historic district, preserving the cohesive pattern of Eichler-built California Ranch homes from the Mid-Century period. This collection of historic architectural styles deserves recognition and preservation.

1.0 Review of Non-Contributing Resources
Non-contributing resources are those buildings that were included in the original Eichler development but have been modified so that they no longer retain their ability to convey their original design intent and significance. According to City Code, only historic landmarks, contributing resources, and historic districts are listed in the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. Therefore, since non-contributing resources are not listed historic buildings, they wi ll be treated differently than contributing resources. Typically, h istoric preservation review for non-contributing resources will be less restrictive than the current zoning and design regulations.

2.0 Additions & Accessory Buildings for Contributing Resources Buildings constructed decades earlier often require design changes, including room additions in some cases, and accessory buil dings, to accommodate today’s criteria for comfort and convenience. Design guidelines for historic districts allow such changes to occur in ways that accommodate reasonable changes while also preserving key design features that most account for the property’s significance. P rojects proposed for a contributing resource in Sacramento’s historic districts may involve the construction of additions and accessory buildings. Additions shall be planned sensitively in order to have a minimal impact on the historic district’s character- defining features.

2.1 Additions
a. The addition must be located to the rear or side of the building. The streetscape in the Eichler Tract is expressed through the prevailing front yard setback pattern and the open sight lines across property lines up and down the street and changes to these features shall not be made.
b. Original building cladding, structural elements (post-and-beam elements), opening sizes, or clerestory windows on the primary façade shall not be altered in order to accommodate new additions. If damaged beyond repair replace these features to match the original feature.
c. Do not enclose original entry courtyards on the primary facades with new additions. d. Do not make additions to primary façades.
e. Set back side additions by 2-3 feet from the primary façade to distinguish the addition from the historic building; however, utilize exterior siding materials and window sizes that match those elements present on the main building.

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f. The solid-to-glass cladding pattern of an addition shall be no greater or less than 15% of the contributing resource. g. Two-story additions to Eichler homes are prohibited unless they are made to the rear of the home , beyond 50% of the building footprint when measured from the frontmost façade.

3.0 Detached Secondary Dwelling Units, Garages, & Storage Structures (Accessory Buildings) This section addresses detached secondary dwelling units, accessory buildings, and infill projects (does not apply to existing accessory buildings). a. Locate detached secondary dwelling units and accessory buildings at the rear of the property where they are not visible from the public street. The new structure shall be smaller in scale in regard to the primary residential building, so as to preserve the status of the primary building as a contributing resource to the historic district. b. New accessory buildings and secondary dwelling units shall not align wall openings with adjacent buildings. c. New secondary dwelling units shall be clad in siding found on the primary building on the subject parcel. d. New secondary dwelling units shall have gutters that match those found on the primary building on the subject parcel. e. New secondary dwelling units shall have windows and trim that matches the dimension and finish of the windows and trim found on the primary building on the subject parcel.

4.0 New (Infill) Construction & Alterations to Contributing Resources This section provides objective standards and criteria for construction of infill development for residential and mixed-use projects.

4.1 Setbacks, Setting, Location, & Site Layout
Alterations to existing buildings and new construction must be within the ranges of the existing setbacks and site layout of the historic district in which it is located.
a. Do not visually block the primary front façade of a contributing resource. b. Avoid placing window openings that allow views from new construction into adjacent existing residential structures. c. Use landscaping or screening features to provide privacy of semi-private outdoor spaces. d. Corner parcels should match the existing site placement pattern of adjacent properties. e. Allowable encroachments into the front yard setback zone include sidewalks and driveways of smooth finish concrete construction and retaining walls and planter boxes less than 30 inches in height of concrete or wood construction, so long as existing sight lines across front P a g e | 19

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yard property lines (shared communal visual space that characterize Eichler home subdivisions site planning) are kept open and individual homes can be fully and clearly seen from the public street. f. New construction shall have a garage door facing the street. g. New construction shall be no more than 1-story tall or have a second story no greater than 25% square footage of the single-story portion of the new building and shall be setback from the primary façade by at least 20-feet. h. New construction shall be wider than it is tall.

4.2 Building Massing, Scale, & Form
Buildings that reflect the massing, scale, and form of the historic built fabric reinforce and enhance the visual continuity and quality of the historic districts.
a. A new building that is larger in mass than surrounding contributing resources shall break up its mass into smaller components or modules. b. Portions of new buildings that are taller than adjacent contributing resources in the district should be placed at the rear 50% of the structure.

4.3 Architectural Character
The Midcentury Modern architectural style of the homes within the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District is one of the key physical attributes that contribute to the visual character and appealing quality of the area. a. Incorporate vertical siding, aluminum windows, and clear glazing into new construction.

4.4 Windows & Doors
Windows and doors are primary features that help to define the connection between the street and the building, as well as dep th, scale and rhythm of a building. These openings provide articulation and transparency to a façade. a. White vinyl windows are not allowed on new construction or when installing new windows on contributing resources. b. Retain and rehabilitate or retrofit existing Eichler Midcentury Modern sash or install replica sash, retaining similar dimensions and thin style sash frame. If creating additional window openings use proportions, depth, and materiality at window and door openings that are consistent with the adjacent unaltered contributing Eichler resources. c. If the door is visible from the public-right-of-way is being replaced, do not use a raised panel door in the traditional or colonial style.

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d. Retain original, vertical-groove-clad garage sheathing and repair if feasible or utilize a plain flat- surface door type in cases where retention and repair of the existing garage door is infeasible.

4.5 House Mechanical Systems
a. Design new buildings with passive cooling features.
b. While it is not always feasible to entirely hide mechanical systems, their placement should be planned so to minimize visibility from the public realm.
c. When installing new ductwork on contributing buildings, if it must be run on the roof, insulate ductwork with white spray -on foam insulation.
d. When replacing HVAC systems with new systems, where feasible take advantage of ductless HVAC systems, to avoid installing new exposed ductwork on the roof of new or contributing buildings. e. Solar panels shall be installed flat with the roof so they are minimally visible from the street .

4.6 Site Features and Landscaping
Site features, streetscape, and landscaping are critical components in forming the character of a historic district. Everythi ng from the overall streetscape, street pattern, and relationships between buildings and open spaces, and the front yards to the pu blic sphere of streets, sidewalks, and parks, contribute to the historic district’s character and sense of place.

4.7 Fencing and Screening
Fences are a character-defining feature of many of Sacramento’s historic districts, particularly those that are primarily residential in nature. The use of fences created a clear, visual delineation in the broader neighborhood streetscape between the public realm of the sidewalk and street and the private realm of an individual property.
a. When visible from the public right-of-way, preserve and maintain historic fences and site walls that enclose side yards. b. Replace only portions of historic fences or site walls that have deteriorated beyond repair , replicating historic fencing materials and designs. Utilize vertically aligned smooth board sheathing with a cap to finish off the top of the fence run. c. Place fences and screening features to maintain the visual progression from public to private spaces. d. Side fences or walls may be taller than those located in front of a property, but taller portions shall be set back behind th e front plane of the contributing building.

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4.8 Landscape and Planting
Landscape design is an important feature that ties together the built environment of Sacramento’s historic districts. It affe cts the pedestrian experience in front of all types of properties, creates or softens the public -private transition between the str eet and individual properties, and enhances the character of a historic district’s overall streetscape. a. Do not alter a property’s historic lot grade.

4.9 Lighting
Lighting is important for public safety and for the security of a property, facilitates the movement of people and creates an attractive and inviting atmosphere.
a. Preserve and restore historic lighting fixtures.
b. Repair, rather than replace damaged historic exterior lighting fixtures. If necessary, replace only parts of historic light fixtures that are deteriorated beyond repair. If beyond repair install replica Midcentury Modern style fixtures. c. New lighting fixtures shall not block or obscure character-defining features. d. Use only fully shielded exterior light fixtures that emit no light upward and do not allow light trespass off the property. e. When installing Light Emitting Diode (LED) light fixtures and bulbs, select “warm- white” or filtered LEDs to minimize blue light emission.

4.9.1 Driveways and Parking
Mid Century Modern architecture developed during a time when the automobile was becoming the primary means of personal transportation in the United States. T he automobile is central to the design of Eichler -designed residences. Garages are pushed forward with large expansive driveways that can be utilized by at least two vehicles at a time. a. Paved parking pads and driveways in the front setback shall comply with City code. b. Utilize a smooth broom finish concrete when expanding driveways or for the construction of new driveways.

4.9.2 Utilities
Utilities are essential to modern-day living but can visually interrupt the character and cohesiveness of a historic district when they are prevalent. a. Do not place above-ground power transformers along primary streets and locate on secondary streets when feasible.

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b. Ground-mounted HVAC systems shall not be visible from a public street.

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Glossary of Terminology
Bay: (1) a primary division of a structure (2) a principal compartment of the walls, roof, or other part of a building or the whole building.

Board-and-batten: This type of wall construction gives the appearance of wide vertical strips with either recesses or projections. There are three ways to achieve this: using wide boards with rabbeted edges, alternating wide boards with narrow battens, or covering seams with narrow battens.

Clerestory Windows: a vertical row of windows at the top of a wall, above eye level Concrete Masonry Unit: a standard-sized, pre-cast, concrete rectangular block used in construction.

Contributing Resources vs. Non-Contributing Resources: Buildings in historic districts are classified as "contributing" or "non-contributing" based on their historical significance and condition. Contributing buildings were constructed during the district's historical period and have maintained their original condition. Non-contributing buildings were built after the district's historical period or have undergone significant alterations.

Datum Line: a form that ties together or anchors all other design elements. An arbitrary horizontal plane is used as a reference point for measuring all different vertical dimensions. It highlights differentials between the vertical heights of floor levels and differing levels of two separate points on the site.

Historic Context Statement: A statement that determines the historical significance and authenticity of the property by outlining the factors that contributed to the area's development, including its geography, culture, and history. It identifies the properties constructed during that time, explains their significance, and outlines the authenticity level required for a property to be classified as a historic resource.

Modular Floor Plans: Floor plans that can be modified or changed.

Post-and-beam Construction: a building system that uses vertical and horizontal wood structures to create a frame for a building.

Rolled Roofing: a mineral-surfaced roofing material that comes in rolls.

Stacked Bond: The stack bond pattern is used for situations with no load-bearing requirement; by stacking different types of masonry units on top of each other, continuous horizontal edges and vertical head joints are created.

Smooth-finish Concrete: A concrete finish is a smooth surface made from screed and trowels.

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T-1-11 Siding: compressed wood textured to get a channeled or grooved look.

Usonian: Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, coined the term "Usonia" to describe the United States and his vision for the country's landscape. This included the planning of cities and the architecture of buildings.

Vertical-groove-siding: A siding material unique to the Mid-Century period where vertical boards are separated by vertical grooves.

Wingwalls: A smaller wall is typically attached to or located next to a larger wall or structure. This often involves stacking Masonry Units on top of each other to create a pattern.

Xeriscape: a style of landscape design requiring little or no irrigation or other maintenance

ORDINANCE NO. ___

Adopted by the Sacramento City Council

[Date Adopted]

AN ORDINANCE LISTING THE SOUTH LAND PARK HILLS (EICHLER) HISTORIC DISTRICT ON THE

SACRAMENTO REGISTER OF HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

BACKGROUND

A. The city council has found “that significant aspects of the city’s rich and diverse historic resources deserve recognition and preservation to foster an understanding of our heritage, and to promote the public health and safety and the economic and general welfare of the people of the city. The preservation and continued use of historic resources are effective tools to sustain and revitalize neighborhoods and business districts within the city, enhance the city’s economic, cultural and aesthetic standing, its identity and its livability, marketability and urban character.” (Sacramento City Code section 17.604.100.A.)

B. To this end, the city code provides a mechanism for listing landmarks, historic districts, and contributing resources on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (“Sacramento register”).

C. On February 29, 2024, the Preservation Director reviewed a statement of nomination and determined that the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District is eligible for listing on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources a historic district and each of the contributing resources shown in Exhibit 2 are eligible for listing as contributing resources. On April 17, 2024, the Preservation Commission concurred with the findings of the Preservation Director and recommended the City Council list the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District and all contributing resources listed in Exhibit 2 in the Sacramento register.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO:

SECTION 1. Historic District.

The city council hereby lists the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District on the Sacramento Register, as shown on Exhibit 1, based on the following findings:

A. The South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District is a geographically defined area, as shown in Exhibit 1 (District boundaries). (City Code, § 17.604.210.B.1.a.)

B. The area possesses a significant concentration and continuity of buildings unified by plan and physical development and for its association with a person and period which are significant in the city’s history. (City Code, § 17.604.210.B.1.b.)

As explained in Exhibit 2 (Historic context, period of significance, character-defining features), the 49 contributing residential buildings within the district area are a cohesive grouping, unified aesthetically by their Mid-Century Modern style with California Ranch influences as well as by their deep setbacks from the street. Contributing resources in the district were all designed by architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons and built by developer Joseph Eichler between 1955 and 1956. Eichler subdivisions in Sacramento and elsewhere were planned with curvilinear streets rather than the more typical city grid layout. Unlike most large subdivisions of the era which prohibited sale or rental to people of color, Eichler developments lacked racially restrictive covenants, and the firm was strongly opposed to racial discrimination in housing.

C. The designation of the area as a historic district is reasonable, appropriate, and necessary to protect, promote, and further the goals and purposes of chapter 17.604 of the Sacramento City Code, related to historic preservation, and is not inconsistent with other goals and policies of the city. (City Code, § 17.604.210.B.1.c.)

D. The district has integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association. (City Code, § 17.604.210.B.2.a.)
As shown in Exhibits 2 and 4 (Historic District Record Form), the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District has integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association as a distinctive grouping of Mid-Century Modern single-family homes for middle class buyers, regardless of their race or skin color.

E. The city council has considered the city code’s directive that the “collective historic value of the buildings and structures in a historic district taken together may be greater than the historic value of each individual building or structure.” (City Code, §

17.604.210.B.2.b.)

As shown in Exhibit 4 (Historic District Record Form), while the buildings within the district have undergone minor changes in materials over the years, the buildings continue to retain a high degree of historic integrity. Despite the minor alterations, these buildings, when taken together, enhance the historic character of the neighborhood.

SECTION 2. Contributing Resources.

The contributing resources identified in Exhibit 2 (with characteristics and photographs shown in Exhibits 2 and 4) are hereby added to the Sacramento Register as contributing resources to the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District, based on the following findings:

A. The contributing resources are within the historic district. (City Code, § 17.604.210.C.1.)

All resources listed as contributing resources in Exhibit 2 are located within the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District.

B. The contributing resources embody the significant features and characteristics of the historic district and add to the historical associations, historical architectural qualities or archaeological values identified for the historic district. (City Code, § 17.604.210.C.2.)

As shown in Exhibits 2, 3, and 4, the contributing resources embody the significant features and characteristics of the historic district and add to the historical associations and historical architectural qualities of the district. The contributing resources retain the significant features and characteristics of the historic district, which includes the Mid- Century Modern with California Ranch influence architectural style from 1955-1956 as well as the curvilinear layout of the streets and uniformly deep setbacks on wide lots.

The architecture of the contributing resources, as designed by A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons and built by Joseph Eichler, adds to the cohesiveness of the district.

All of the contributing resources exhibit elements of the architectural style listed in Exhibit 3.

Each contributing resource is one of five models offered in the South Land Park Hills (Eichler) development. The five models identified are: Fairmeadow (a plan that appears derived from the Fairmeadow Eichler development in Palo Alto); JE-14; JE-83, JE-84, and JE-85. The “JE” prefix refers to the Jones & Emmons architect collaboration. The JE-14 plan houses may have borrowed from Jones & Emmons plans used in the Bay Area. It should be noted that floor plans were often rotated and reversed to provide variety and adapt to the site conditions, customer preferences. Exhibit 2 lists each individual model while Exhibit 4 describes the significant features and characteristics of that specific model type.

C. The contributing resources were present during the period of historical significance of the historic district and relate to the documented historical significance of the historic district. (City Code, § 17.604.210.C.1.)

As shown in Exhibit 4, all the contributing resources were present during the district’s period of significance, which begins in 1955 and ends in 1956, and relate to the district’s historical significance as a Mid-Century Modern suburban residential neighborhood development south of Sacramento’s freeway suburbs during the period of significance.

D. The contributing resources possess historic integrity. (City Code, § 17.604.210.C.1.)

As shown in Exhibits 2 and 4, the contributing resources have sufficient historic integrity for listing on the Sacramento Register. Historic integrity is the ability of a property to convey its significance. The listed properties’ physical features relate to the district’s significance and the seven aspects of integrity: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.

E. The contributing resources have important historic or architectural worth, and their designation as contributing resources is reasonable, appropriate, and necessary to protect, promote and further the goals and purposes of chapter 17.604 of the Sacramento City Code. (City Code, § 17.604.210.C.5.)

As shown in Exhibits 2 and 4, the contributing resources have important historic or architectural worth, and their designation as contributing resources is reasonable, appropriate and necessary to protect, promote and further the goals and purposes of chapter 17.604 of the Sacramento City Code as all of the resources exhibit the significant features and characteristics of the district and are consistent with the important historical themes identified in the historic context for the district (Exhibit 3).

Table of Contents
 Exhibit 1 – District boundaries.
 Exhibit 2 – Contributing and non-contributing resources.  Exhibit 3 – Historic context, period of significance, character-defining features.  Exhibit 4 – Historic District Evaluation Form

Exhibit 1 – District Boundaries

Exhibit 2 - List of Contributing and Non-Contributing Resources

Address APN Proposed Historic Status Model*
6280 S. Land Park Drive 024-0281-003-0000 Contributing JE-85 6298 S. Land Park Drive 024-0281-004-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6300 S. Land Park Drive 024-0281-005-0000 Contributing JE-85 6320 S. Land Park Drive 024-0281-006-0000 Contributing Fairmeadow 6341 S. Land Park Drive 024-0282-008-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6361 S. Land Park Drive 024-0291-001-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6381 S. Land Park Drive 024-0291-002-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6399 S. Land Park Drive 024-0291-003-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6401 S. Land Park Drive 024-0292-008-0000 Contributing JE-14 6409 S. Land Park Drive 024-0292-007-0000 Contributing JE-84 6417 S. Land Park Drive 024-0292-006-0000 Contributing JE-85 6424 S. Land Park Drive 024-0321-001-0000 Contributing JE-84 6425 S. Land Park Drive 024-0292-005-0000 Contributing JE-85 6432 S. Land Park Drive 024-0321-002-0000 Contributing JE-83 6433 S. Land Park Drive 024-0323-012-0000 Contributing JE-85 6440 S. Land Park Drive 024-0321-003-0000 Contributing JE-83 6441 S. Land Park Drive 024-0323-011-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6449 S. Land Park Drive 024-0323-010-0000 Contributing JE-85 6456 S. Land Park Drive 024-0322-001-0000 Contributing JE-85 6457 S. Land Park Drive 024-0323-009-0000 Contributing JE-14 6464 S. Land Park Drive 024-0322-002-0000 Contributing JE-85 6465 S. Land Park Drive 024-0323-008-0000 Contributing JE-84 6472 S. Land Park Drive 024-0322-003-0000 Contributing JE-85 6473 S. Land Park Drive 024-0323-007-0000 Contributing JE-83 6480 S. Land Park Drive 024-0352-001-0000 Contributing JE-14 6481 S. Land Park Drive 024-0323-006-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6488 S. Land Park Drive 024-0352-002-0000 Contributing JE-14 6489 S. Land Park Drive 024-0351-022-0000 Contributing JE-14 6496 S. Land Park Drive 024-0352-003-0000 Contributing JE-85 6500 S. Land Park Drive 024-0352-004-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6501 S. Land Park Drive 024-0351-021-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6509 S. Land Park Drive 024-0351-020-0000 Contributing JE-83 6517 S. Land Park Drive 024-0351-019-0000 Contributing JE-83 6525 S. Land Park Drive 024-0351-018-0000 Contributing JE-85 6408 Fordham Way 024-0292-002-0000 Contributing JE-14
6409 Fordham Way 024-0294-009-0000 Contributing JE-85
6416 Fordham Way 024-0292-003-0000 Contributing JE-84
6417 Fordham Way 024-0294-008-0000 Contributing JE-14

Address APN Proposed Historic Status Model*
6424 Fordham Way 024-0292-004-0000 Contributing JE-85
6425 Fordham Way 024-0294-007-0000 Contributing JE-83
6432 Fordham Way 024-0323-001-0000 Contributing JE-85
6433 Fordham Way 024-0294-006-0000 Contributing JE-84
6440 Fordham Way 024-0323-002-0000 Contributing JE-84
6441 Fordham Way 024-0324-017-0000 Contributing Fairmeadow 6448 Fordham Way 024-0323-003-0000 Contributing JE-14
6456 Fordham Way 024-0323-004-0000 Contributing JE-85
6457 Fordham Way 024-0324-016-0000 Contributing JE-83
6464 Fordham Way 024-0323-005-0000 Contributing JE-85
6465 Fordham Way 024-0324-015-0000 Contributing Fairmeadow 6472 Fordham Way 024-0351-001-0000 Contributing JE-84
6473 Fordham Way 024-0324-014-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6500 Fordham Way 024-0351-002-0000 Contributing JE-83
6406 Oakridge Way 024-0294-002-0000 Contributing JE-14
6412 Oakridge Way 024-0294-003-0000 Contributing JE-85
6418 Oakridge Way 024-0294-004-0000 Contributing JE-84
6424 Oakridge Way 024-0294-005-0000 Contributing JE-14
6430 Oakridge Way 024-0324-001-0000 Contributing JE-14
6436 Oakridge Way 024-0324-002-0000 Contributing JE-84
6442 Oakridge Way 024-0324-003-0000 Non-Contributing N/A 6448 Oakridge Way 024-0324-004-0000 Contributing JE-85

Exhibit 3 - Historic context, period of significance, character-defining features.

Historic Context: The South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District is a post-World War II subdivision constructed in 1955-1956, located in the southern part of the City of Sacramento, east of Munger’s Lake. The neighborhood was built on 14 acres by Bay Area real estate developer Joseph Eichler of Eichler Homes to the designs of architects A.

Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons. Eichler became a real estate developer later in life, after being inspired by his time living in one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian houses in the Bay Area. His subdivisions were all in the Mid-Century Modern style and were designed with open plan layouts and many details seen in more expensive custom homes. By 1955 when Eichler was building the South Land Park Hills neighborhood, his homes were becoming more upscale and larger and as a result, the Eichlers in the neighborhood are generally 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, and contain a family room as well as living and dining rooms. Unlike most real estate developers of the era, Eichler and his architectural associates, A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons, were strong supporters of integrated housing and the subdivisions they created did not use restrictive land covenants.

Eichler Homes built 59 single-story homes in the South Land Park Hills development.

Over time, two of these were lost to fire, bringing the number of extant homes to 57. Of these, 49 of the original Eichler homes in the development retain architectural integrity and have been classified as contributing resources.

The district is unified by its architectural style which is Mid-Century Modern with California Ranch influences. It is also unified by its curvilinear streets and uniformly deep setbacks from the sidewalk which gives the neighborhood a sense of openness. Home buyers chose their preferred design from 5 offered by Eichler Homes. These designs, as in other Eichler subdivisions elsewhere in California, were all of post and beam construction on cement slab foundations. The homes all have attached two car garages which face the street and low-pitched or flat rooflines. The homes are horizontally presented when viewed from the street. Privacy was an important design element and was created by minimal street facing fenestration and by fencing which screens the front door from the street. The homes are entered through small atriums or courtyards on the front or side elevation of the building. The rear elevations of the homes and in some cases the protected side elevations, contain floor to ceiling glass window walls which create a strong indoor/outdoor connection while retaining privacy. The subdivision’s landscape elements were planned to create a communal sense of shared public space across lot lines in front yards. Front yard landscape treatments originally featured one or two specimen trees, grass turf, and low shrubs that permit unencumbered front yard views up and down the street.

Period of Significance: 1955-1956, this reflects the time period in which the homes were built.

Architectural Style: Mid-Century Modern with California Ranch influences.

Character Defining Features:

 Post and beam construction on concrete slab foundations.  One story structures with horizontal massing and box-like form.  Flat or extremely low-pitched rooflines.
 Vertical tongue-and groove redwood board or scored redwood plywood exterior cladding.
 Some models feature “stacked bond’ concrete masonry block wingwalls which extend to enclose terraces which screen the main entry from the street.  Fenestration on the street elevation is very limited to preserve privacy and usually consists of narrow or triangular-shaped fixed pane glass windows placed high on the wall directly beneath the roofline.
 Fenestration on the side and rear elevations, which are protected from the street view, is expansive, usually floor to ceiling plate glass windows with vertical wooden mullions and frequent use of sliding glass doors.  Entry doors of solid wood with a smooth finish.
 Entry doors frequently accessed from an inset atrium or terrace which is screened from the street by wooden, vertical, or horizontal tongue and groove fencing or as noted above sometimes by masonry block wingwalls.  Two car garages with paired door bays facing the street. Garage doors of scored redwood plywood, separated by a thin vertical wooden division were the most common in the original house designs.
 Curvilinear street patterns rather than traditional city grid patterns.  All homes are set back deeply from the sidewalk, creating a consistent building line up and down the street which gives the neighborhood a very open feeling.  Paved driveways leading to garage doors with walkways branching off to the main entry.
 Open floor plans, which were considered extremely modern at the time of construction.
 Radiant floor heating systems installed in the concrete foundations.

*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter “none.”) GEI Consultants, Inc. and Mead & Hunt. 2017. Mid-Century Modern in the City of Sacramento Historic Context Statement and Survey Results. Prepared for the City of Sacramento. *Attachments: NONE  Location Map  Sketch Map  Continuation Sheet  Building, Structure, and Object Record  Archaeological Record  District Record  Linear Feature Record  Milling Station Record  Rock Art Record  Artifact Record  Photograph Record  Other (list) __________________
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial _____________________________________ NRHP Status Code 3D, 3CD, 5D3
Other Listings _______________________________________________________________ Review Code __________ Reviewer ____________________________ Date ___________ P1. Other Identifier: N/A
*P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County Sacramento and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad Sacramento West Date 1967 (Rev. 1980) T 8N; R 4E; ___ ¼ of Sec ___; _____ B.M. c. Address See Tables 1 and 2 City Sacramento Zip ________________ d. UTM: (give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _____; ______________mE/ _____________mN e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate)

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) General Residence Characteristics

Designed by the firm of A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons (Jones & Emmons), the Eichler homes in South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 are unattached and one story in height. As was typical for similar subdivisions, when the South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 subdivision was originally developed, new home buyers usually selected their home design from several Jones & Emmons models offered by Eichler Homes, Inc. Advertising materials for the period indicate that between 4 and 6 floor plans were available for selection. For an additional expense, buyers could request custom variations, usually to the interior, at the time of purchase. It also appears that some styles were offered that were developed in the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area). (See Page 2 – Continuation Sheet)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2. Single Family Property *P4. Resources Present:  Building  Structure  Object  Site  District  Element of District  Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date,
accession #) Photograph 1, Overview,
Oakridge Way, camera facing
northwest, September 12, 2017

*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
 Historic  Prehistoric  Both
1955 / Sacramento Modern

*P7. Owner and Address: Various

*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, address)
Patricia Ambacher and Mark Bowen
GEI Consultants, Inc.
2068 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Melissa Montag, Volunteer

*P9. Date Recorded: September 2 and
12, 2017

*P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2, 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Description (cont.)

General Residence Characteristics (cont.)

The Eichler home designs emphasize privacy for the residents, with most fenestration placed on elevations that did not face the street. The houses all feature exposed post -and-beam construction, and usually floor -to-ceiling, wall-to-wall plate glass along the back wall (or on the side, in the case of those with side entrances) and clerestory windows at the front. The houses sit atop concrete slab foundations that incorporate the characteristic radiant heat systems. All houses feature two-car garages with garage doors oriented to the street, with fixed transom glass windows above and often spanning the entire front elevation.

Fencing along the lot lines was included with the purchase price to preserve the privacy of the occupants. Radiant heating systems were standard, as well as built -in electric kitchen appliances. Given the Sacramento heat, advertisements listed weather-stripped glass and ‘Coolair’ evaporative cooling systems. Living space for the neighborhood averaged 1,600 square feet.

The entrance area is usually placed along the side of the house, set back from the street and allowing a further simplification of the front elevation. In keeping with the modem style, exteriors are clean and simple, almost devoid of decoration. Siding is typically vertical -grooved redwood plywood, stained or painted in earth -tone colors. Garage doors are sliding types and finished with matching siding, so they blend into the overall design.

Rooflines are generally flat or approximately at a 2:12 pitch. The roof structures are relatively thin, and the beams exposed giving the impression that the roof floats above the house in some respects. More expansive eaves (approx imately 2 feet) provide shade in the summer and let in sunlight in the winter. The two -car garage is placed at the front of the houses, in keeping with the increased reliance on automobiles at that time.

Typically, the homes have narrow setbacks on the sides with obvious walkways extending to the rear of the building. Fence siding in many cases mimics the vertical-grooved redwood plywood siding that covers the exterior walls. The rear of the homes was planned to feature floor -to-ceiling glass and a sliding -glass door that together, in most cases, extend the width of the building. Above the glass is an approximately three-foot or more overhang, below a paved concrete patio.

Surveys of the houses in the district took place entirely from the public right -of-way. Interiors and backyards of residences were not surveyed. Survey of interior spaces is not considered necessary for register evaluations with these residential resource types.

The models used for the South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichlers are generally confined to five models based on physical cues viewed from the public right -of-way and aerial photographs. These visual surveys were compared with floor plans provided by adver tising documentation for the development, building permits for the properties, and previously completed National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) documentation to ascertain the closest models the Sacramento houses aligned to. Given some modifications ove r time and possible customization options, the alignment with specific plan numbers was approximated to the extent possible. The five models identified are: Fairmeadow (a plan that appears derived from the Fairmeadow Eichler development in Palo Alto); JE-14; JE-83, JE-84, and JE-85. The “JE” prefix refers to the Jones & Emmons architect collaboration. The JE -14 plan houses may have borrowed from Jones & Emmons plans used in the Bay Area. It should be noted that floor plans were often rotated and reversed to provide variety and adapt to the site conditions, customer preferences, etc.

The houses are grouped by model on the DPR 523A (Primary Records) that follow.

*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter “none.”) GEI Consultants, Inc. and Mead & Hunt. 2017. Mid-Century Modern in the City of Sacramento Historic Context Statement and Survey Results. Prepared for the City of Sacramento. *Attachments: NONE  Location Map  Sketch Map  Continuation Sheet  Building, Structure, and Object Record  Archaeological Record  District Record  Linear Feature Record  Milling Station Record  Rock Art Record  Artifact Record  Photograph Record  Other (list) __________________
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial _____________________________________ NRHP Status Code 3D, 3CD, 5D3
Other Listings _______________________________________________________________ Review Code __________ Reviewer ____________________________ Date ___________

P1. Other Identifier: Fairmeadow
*P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County Sacramento and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad Sacramento West Date 1967 (Rev. 1980) T 8N; R 4E; ___ ¼ of Sec ___; _____ B.M. c. Address See Table 1 City Sacramento Zip ________________ d. UTM: (give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _____; ______________mE/ _____________mN e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate)

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)

These plans feature an almost entire parcel-wide front façade with a flat roof that appears to have a second flat roof floating just above (Photographs 3–4). Cooling ductwork is often visible atop the roof and the eaves extend approximately 2 feet.

Twin garage doors are located at the extreme end while a small atrium/entry area is set slightly offset of the center. Narrow sets of steel frame casement windows are often located on either side of the atrium/entry area while most of the façade is characterized by the predominant use of textured wood siding. Doors are typically solid wood types . (See Page 4 – Continuation Sheet)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2. Single Family Property *P4. Resources Present:  Building  Structure  Object  Site  District  Element of District  Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date,
accession #) Photograph 2, 6465
Fordham Way, camera facing north,
September 12, 2017

*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
 Historic  Prehistoric  Both
1955 / Sacramento Modern

*P7. Owner and Address: Various

*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, address)
Patricia Ambacher and Mark Bowen
GEI Consultants, Inc.
2068 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Melissa Montag, Volunteer

*P9. Date Recorded: September 2 and
12, 2017

*P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2 and 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Photographs (cont.)

Photograph 3. 6320 South Land Park Drive, camera facing southwest September 2, 2017

Photograph 4. 6441 Fordham Way, camera facing southeast September 12, 2017

*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter “none.”) GEI Consultants, Inc. and Mead & Hunt. 2017. Mid-Century Modern in the City of Sacramento Historic Context Statement and Survey Results. Prepared for the City of Sacramento. *Attachments: NONE  Location Map  Sketch Map  Continuation Sheet  Building, Structure, and Object Record  Archaeological Record  District Record  Linear Feature Record  Milling Station Record  Rock Art Record  Artifact Record  Photograph Record  Other (list) __________________
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial _____________________________________ NRHP Status Code 3D, 3CD, 5D3
Other Listings _______________________________________________________________ Review Code __________ Reviewer ____________________________ Date ___________ P1. Other Identifier: JE-14
*P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County Sacramento and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad Sacramento West Date 1967 (Rev. 1980) T 8N; ___ ¼ of Sec ___; _____ B.M. c. Address See Table 1 City Sacramento Zip ________________ d. UTM: (give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _____; ______________mE/ _____________mN e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate)

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)

The JE-14 model is a T-shaped plan with the garage typically located to the front while the bedrooms are located to the rear.

Where the gable end is visible to the street, the JE-14 model features a wide floating eve to front with wide side gable rafters exposed to either side (Photographs 5–6). Triangular-shape (both offset and center split) wood-frame transom windows are located above garage doors. Doors are in single-car pairs and larger two -car singular configurations. Most retain composite vertical wood covering while some have been replaced with roll-up doors. In some instances, roofs have been updated in the rear portion but are not easily visible from the street. (See Page 6 – Continuation Sheet)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2. Single Family Property *P4. Resources Present:  Building  Structure  Object  Site  District  Element of District  Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date,
accession #) Photograph 5, 6424 Oakridge
Way, camera facing northwest,
September 12, 2017

*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
 Historic  Prehistoric  Both
1955 / Sacramento Modern

*P7. Owner and Address: Various

*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, address)
Patricia Ambacher and Mark Bowen
GEI Consultants, Inc.
2068 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Melissa Montag, Volunteer

*P9. Date Recorded: September 2 and 12,
2017

*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2 and 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Description (cont.)

Where the model is rotated 90 degrees the front façade features a small recessed entryway towards the center flanked by a garage and wall (often with small sets of steel frame windows). The roof appears flat with bi-level roofing set atop a lower roof.

Exposed rafters extend out under the wide eave towards the viewer providing a further hint of a 90 -degree rotated plan (Photograph 7).

Photographs (cont.)

Photograph 6. 6457 South Land Park Drive, camera facing northeast September 2, 2017

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2 and 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Photographs (cont.)

Photograph 7. 6417 Fordham Way, camera facing east
September 12, 2017

*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter “none.”) GEI Consultants, Inc. and Mead & Hunt. 2017. Mid-Century Modern in the City of Sacramento Historic Context Statement and Survey Results. Prepared for the City of Sacramento. *Attachments: NONE  Location Map  Sketch Map  Continuation Sheet  Building, Structure, and Object Record  Archaeological Record  District Record  Linear Feature Record  Milling Station Record  Rock Art Record  Artifact Record  Photograph Record  Other (list) __________________
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial _____________________________________ NRHP Status Code 3D, 3CD, 5D3
Other Listings _______________________________________________________________ Review Code __________ Reviewer ____________________________ Date ___________ P1. Other Identifier: JE-83
*P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County Sacramento and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad ____________ Date _______________ T___; R ___; ___ ¼ of Sec ___; _____ B.M. c. Address See Table 1 City Sacramento Zip ________________ d. UTM: (give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _____; ______________mE/ _____________mN e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate)

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)

The JE-83 plan is a 4-bedroom unit that is generally U-shaped with a small atrium area to the front flanked by a garage and walled-in living space (Photographs 8–10). Some of these small entry atriums have been closed off to allow for privacy .

Depending upon the orientation, the flat roof which extends across the façade features wide boxed eaves or wide eaves with exposed rafters. Small windows are set within the atrium areas and within the living-space walls. (See Page 9 – Continuation Sheet)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2. Single Family Property *P4. Resources Present:  Building  Structure  Object  Site  District  Element of District  Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date,
accession #) Photograph 8, 6432 South
Land Park Drive, camera facing west,
September 2, 2017

*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
 Historic  Prehistoric  Both
1955 / Sacramento Modern

*P7. Owner and Address: Various

*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, address)
Patricia Ambacher and Mark Bowen
GEI Consultants, Inc.
2068 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Melissa Montag, Volunteer

*P9. Date Recorded: September 2 and
12, 2017

*P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2, 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Photographs (cont.)

Photograph 9. 6473 South Land Park Drive, camera facing northeast September 2, 2017

Photograph 10. 6500 Fordham Way, camera facing northwest September 12, 2017

*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter “none.”) GEI Consultants, Inc. and Mead & Hunt. 2017. Mid-Century Modern in the City of Sacramento Historic Context Statement and Survey Results. Prepared for the City of Sacramento. *Attachments: NONE  Location Map  Sketch Map  Continuation Sheet  Building, Structure, and Object Record  Archaeological Record  District Record  Linear Feature Record  Milling Station Record  Rock Art Record  Artifact Record  Photograph Record  Other (list) __________________
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial _____________________________________ NRHP Status Code 3D, 3CD, 5D3
Other Listings _______________________________________________________________ Review Code __________ Reviewer ____________________________ Date ___________ P1. Other Identifier: JE-84
*P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County Sacramento and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad ____________ Date _______________ T___; R ___; ___ ¼ of Sec ___; _____ B.M. c. Address See Table 1 City Sacramento Zip ________________ d. UTM: (give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _____; ______________mE/ _____________mN e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate)

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)

The H-plan model of JE-84 features a garage and all-purpose room to the front and 4 bedrooms to the rear. The JE-84 model is similar to the JE -85 floorplan with one additional bedroom . The models wherein the gable -end is visible to the street, the garage and wall for the adjacent all-purpose room extends across the visible façade (Photograph 11). The triangular-shape (both offset and center split) transom windows are located above the garage doors . A small rectangular portal window is in the center of the main façade. With this model the garage doors were constructed in single -car pairs only . Most retain composite vertical wood covering while some are replaced with roll-up doors. Customization observed with this model included additional window placement (Photograph 12). (See Page11 – Continuation Sheet)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2. Single Family Property *P4. Resources Present:  Building  Structure  Object  Site  District  Element of District  Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date,
accession #) Photograph 11, 6409 South
Land Park Drive, camera facing east,
September 2, 2017

*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
 Historic  Prehistoric  Both
1955 / Sacramento Modern

*P7. Owner and Address: Various

*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, address)
Patricia Ambacher and Mark Bowen
GEI Consultants, Inc.
2068 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Melissa Montag, Volunteer

*P9. Date Recorded: September 2 and
12, 2017

*P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2, 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Description (cont.)

The JE-84 models rotated 90 degrees present a different facade toward the street. In this instance, this H-plan model features a central covered terrace area leading to the entryway . This low gabled entryway is flanked by a set of twin garage doors to one side and a wall area to the other, each covered by flat roofs. Both areas that flank the terrace feature long, narrow transom windows located just below extended eaves supported by exposed rafters that protrude through the transom windows (Photograph 13).

Photographs (cont.)

Photograph 12. 6440 Fordham Way, camera facing northwest September 12, 2017

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2, 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Photographs (cont.)

Photograph 13. 6424 South Land Park Drive, camera facing west September 2, 2107

*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter “none.”) GEI Consultants, Inc. and Mead & Hunt. 2017. Mid-Century Modern in the City of Sacramento Historic Context Statement and Survey Results. Prepared for the City of Sacramento. *Attachments: NONE  Location Map  Sketch Map  Continuation Sheet  Building, Structure, and Object Record  Archaeological Record  District Record  Linear Feature Record  Milling Station Record  Rock Art Record  Artifact Record  Photograph Record  Other (list) __________________
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial _____________________________________ NRHP Status Code 3D, 3CD, 5D3
Other Listings _______________________________________________________________ Review Code __________ Reviewer ____________________________ Date ___________ P1. Other Identifier: JE-85
*P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County Sacramento and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad ____________ Date _______________ T___; R ___; ___ ¼ of Sec ___; _____ B.M. c. Address See Table 1 City Sacramento Zip ________________ d. UTM: (give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _____; ______________mE/ _____________mN e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate)

*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)

This H-plan model of the JE-85 floorplan features a garage and all-purpose room to the front and 3 bedrooms to the rear. This model is very similar to JE-84 but with one less bedroom. The models wherein the gable-end is visible to the street, the garage and wall for the adjacent all -purpose room extends across the visible façade . The triangular-shape (both offset and center split) transom windows are located above the garage doors. With this model the garage doors were constructed in single-car pairs only (Photograph 14). Most retain composite vertical wood covering while some were replaced with roll -up doors .

Customization observed with this model included additional window placement (Photograph 15). (See Page14 – Continuation Sheet)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2. Single Family Property *P4. Resources Present:  Building  Structure  Object  Site  District  Element of District  Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date,
accession #) Photograph 14, 6472 South
Land Park Drive, camera facing
southwest, September 2, 2017

*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
 Historic  Prehistoric  Both
1955 / Sacramento Modern

*P7. Owner and Address: Various

*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, address)
Patricia Ambacher and Mark Bowen
GEI Consultants, Inc.
2068 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Melissa Montag, Volunteer

*P9. Date Recorded: September 2 and
12, 2017

*P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2, 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Description (cont.)

The JE-85 models rotated 90 degrees present a different face to the street view. In this instance this H-plan model features a central covered terrace area leading to the entryway. This low gabled entryway is flanked by a set of twin garage doors to one side and a wall area to the other, both covered by flat roofs. Both the areas that flank the terrace feature long, narrow transom windows located just below extended eaves supported by exposed rafters that protrude through the transom windows (Photograph 16).

Photographs (cont.)

Photograph 15. 6448 Oakridge Way, camera facing south
September 17, 2017

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2, 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

Photographs (cont.)

Photograph 16. 6425 South Land Park Drive, camera facing east September 2, 2017

Recorded by M. Bowen and P. Ambacher, GEI *Date September 2017 DPR 523D (1/95) *Required Information

State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ DISTRICT RECORD Trinomial _____________________________________ NRHP Status Code 3S, 3CS, 5S3
Other Listings _______________________________________________________________ Review Code __________ Reviewer ____________________________ Date ___________

*D1. Historic Name None *D2. Common Name South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Historic District *D3a. Description: (Discuss overall coherence of the district, its setting, visual characteristics, and minor features. List all elements of district.):

The development of South Land Park Hills is comprised of 48 single-story residences (three or four bedrooms, two baths, two- car garages) designed in the Post & Beam style using slab-on-grade post-and-beam construction. The South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Historic District (District) is in the southern part of the city of Sacramento, Sacramento County, California southeast of Reichmuth Park. Eichler Homes, Inc. constructed the South Land Park Hills Eichler development in 1955 on approximately 14 acres of the subdivision named South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7. Located on three streets: South Land Park Drive; Fordham Way and Oakridge Way, the condition of the homes overall is good with properties being well tended as is characteristic of the neighborhood. The District consists of 48 buildings classified as "contributing," and 12 buildings located within the District boundary classified as "non -contributing." The character of the District is in keeping with the original construction period except for the more modern houses constructed south and north of the development. The tract is to the east of Munger’s Lake and southeast of what ultimately became Reichmuth Park. The streets are generally characterized by long curvilinear alignments that are flanked by sidewalks and mature landscape that dec orate (and sometimes obscure) the residences. (See Continuation Sheet)

*D4. Boundary Description (Describe limits of district and attach map showing boundary and district elements.)

The district boundaries include properties designed by Joseph Eichler. Those properties within the boundaries that retain their design integrity are contributing resources to the district. Those properties designed by Joseph Eichler that have been modified are included within the district boundaries as non-contributing resources. The boundaries of the district reflect a cohesive cluster of buildings designed by Joseph Eichler grouped around South Land Park Drive, Fordham Way, and Oakridge Way. The nearest cross streets are 47th Avenue to the north and Silver Lake Drive to the south.

*D5. Boundary Justification:

The boundary for the District encompasses all the contributing and non -contributing residences and that are historically associated with the Eichler residential development.

*D6. Significance: Theme Architecture Area Sacramento
Period of Significance 1955-1956 Applicable Criteria A, 1, i; C, 3, iii, (Discuss district's importance in terms of its historical context as defined by theme, period of significance, and geographic scope. Also address the integrity of the district as a whole.)

The District appears to meet NRHP Criterion C, California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR) Criterion 3, and Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (Sacramento Register) Criteria iii, iv, and v at the local level of significance as an important example of post-World War II development by the innovative Eichler Homes Company from Palo Alto. There are 48 contributing properties (see Table 1) and 12 non-contributing properties (see Table 2). The period of significance is 1955-1956, the years the houses were constructed. (See Continuation Sheet)

*D7. References See Continuation Sheet

*D9. Date Recorded: September 2 and 12, 2017

*D10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive

*D8. Evaluator: Mark Bowen, M.A. Date: September 2017

Affiliation and Address: GEI, 2868 Prospect Park Drive, Suite 400, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

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Description (cont.)
The streets are mostly curving, with relatively narrow sidewalks immediately alongside the street, and utility poles are generally placed at the backs of lots. Intermittently spaced period electroliers provide lighting for the street and utilities are routed between backyards leaving the district uncluttered by overhead wires and poles. Houses are fronted by small yards that are typically landscaped in ways that complement the scale and orientation of the structures.

While several of the Eichler homes have been subject to varying levels of modification or updating since construction, it should be noted that an increasingly active group of homeowners has taken to advocating for and undertaking more sympathetic rehabilitations and updates of the Eichler houses in the recent years and the good condition of many houses reflects that latest interest.

The character of the neighborhood appears to have generally remained the same since the period of construction. Given the span of years since construction, it is not surprising that some exterior modifications have taken place to allow for repairs and updating for livability. The predominant changes to houses are with garage doors, windows, and roofing materials. The exterior siding and garage doors of many houses in the district are original with a few garage doors replaced with aluminum rollup types1. Some windows have been updated. Originally tar -and-gravel, roof system applications now include other materials and most often for this district, polyurethane foam and roof-mounted air conditioning equipment.

Access was not attempted at any of the houses in the district . Through information gathered during the pedestrian survey, review of aerial photographs and review of documentation produced during the period of construction, some classification of the various models was possible . The option of customizing standard house plans allowed for a little variety in the neighborhood. Because of this, precise model identification for each house was difficult in most circumstances and model numbers are reflective of vis ual approximation of overhead views of houses with the sales documentation produced at the time showing various floor plans.

Variations occur within the houses ultimately constructed . Given the amount of customization options available at the time, the lack of adherence to the advertised plans during construction does not in this case reduce the ability of the residence t o contribute to the significance of the District. The variations that allowed for the rotation of the building upon the parcel (often by 90 degrees) means that some houses of the same floor plan may show different elevations to the street.

Table 1. List of Contributing and Non-contributing Properties 1 6517 South Land Park Drive is somewhat unique in that the clear sliding glass doors that are currently located in the garage door frames are original as the residence served as a both a model home and the Eichler Homes office. An adjacent garage door bay (to facilitate vehicle storage) appears to have been added following construction.

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The Eichler model units in South Land Park Hills were advertised within Sacramento newspapers in early May 1955 as a preview of the model units with a more formal opening in the middle of the month. Advertised as an initial development unit of 54 homes, Eichler’s initial plan was to eventually complete 143 homes in the Sacramento Eichler neighborhood . Eichler’s confidence in the larger plan is evidenced in his inclusion of a street named for the project’s patriarch ( see Figure 1) 2. At the time the Eichler company had completed approximately 2,500 homes throughout the San Francisco Peninsula and embarked on an expansion into new markets including Marin, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sacramento counties (Sacramento Union May 15, 1955: 21; Shell Oil Company 1956). 2 Fordham Way was originally called Reichmuth Way on subdivision maps and street maps. Unclear when name was changed.

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Figure 1. 1956 map of Sacramento, showing new Eichler
development area near city limits [Source: Shell Oil Company]

Archibald. Quincy Jones, FAIA and Frederick Emmons , FAIA lent their architectural skills and previous experience to the house designs and Moss & Moss facilitated construction of the initially planned unit. Moss & Moss was subsequently named as official sales agent for the new development. In an instance of marketing timing, Eichler won a national award for design and construction of dwellings that gave Eichler’s Sacramento project a needed advertising boost. Advertisements of the time listed three models which were along South Land Park Drive and up to six possible plans.3 At least two of the plans were possibly borrowed from Fairmeadow Eichler development in Palo Alto, as sales literature noted only 4 plans (See Figure 2) .

Advertised amenities included floor-to-ceiling glass walls, protected gardens on the sides of the houses and beamed ceilings of Douglas fir and 2X8 redwood as well as radiant heat and air-cooling systems (Sacramento Union 1955:21; The Sacramento Bee 1956:C20; Adamson 2002:84).

3 Site plans for the development appear to be held within the A. Quincy Jones papers at University of California Los Angeles that may help identify which plans were used for South Land Park Hills. Access at this time of this analysis was not possible.

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Figure 2: Advertised Floor Plans4

Regardless of the awards and advertising Eichler may have received from that achievement, the houses sold slowly likely from the lack of appreciation of the new design and construction concepts . Eichler’s architects were promoting in an area known more for being a seat of state government surrounded by agricultural interests . The ability of the Bay Area Eichler company to oversee the Sacramento project (as well as projects in Walnut Creek and Marin) faltered as they had to rely on more distant construction companies that had not been familiar with Eichler’s unique construction concepts and requirements.

Also, varying and changing codes in different municipalities caused problems in keeping construction going efficiently. By early December of 1956, Alvin Eichler of the Eichler Homes Company was in town attempting to sell the last four houses of the first (and only) unit “by Christmas” and concluding: “Eichler Homes are positively through building in Sacramento” (The Sacramento Bee: 1956: D16; Adamson 2002:107).

(Unless otherwise noted, the following narrative significance statement is adapted from the 2005 NRHP Nomination for the Greenmeadow Eichler Development (Arbunich 2005)

The South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development was built by merchant builder Joseph Eichler and his Eichler Homes, Inc. in 1955 through 1956. The development was one of Eichler’s most distant in Northern California from the hub of Palo Alto.

The South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development’s architects, A. Quincy Jones, FAIA and Frederick Emmons, FAIA whose Jones & Emmons firm became internationally renowned during their 18 -year partnership (1950-1968), were affiliated

4 JE-89 plan does not appear to have been widely used. It was not readily apparent in the 48 contributors, but future research of site plans or interior verification may clarify the existence (with possible modification) of this plan.

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with Eichler Homes throughout the building company's life, designing approximately 5,000 of Eichler ’s 11,000 California homes. The South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development reflects a local Sacramento example of Eichler’s professional and personal beliefs, which remained consistent throughout his career as a builder: that his homes should always be of the best modern design possible; that they be priced moderately; and that they be available to any buyer, without discrimination. In the 1950s, Eichler was the one of the most prominent homebuilder s in the country to practice a nondiscrimination policy, a policy that distinguished him from nearly all his contemporaries.

During his time as a homebuilder, Joseph Eichler practiced a policy of open occupancy by refusing to discriminate against potential homeowners based on race, ethnicity, or religion. Historian Ocean Howell has labeled Eichler and those connected to him as ‘merchant crusaders’ due to their efforts to sell “homes on an open -occupancy basis” while also engaging “in civil rights activism behind the scenes” (Howell, pg 381). An example of Eichler’s activism came in 1964, when he joined a committee of ten prominent Californian political and business leaders who came out against those seeking to repeal the Rumford Fair Housing Act (1963) — an act that banned discrimination in housing accommodations. The repeal initiative was sponsored by the California Real Estate Association, the California Apartment House Owners Association, and the California Home Builders Association, groups that Eichler had professional ties with. However, the committee Eichler belonged to maintained that the purpose of the Rumford Fair Housing Act was to “discourage bitterness and bigotry,” and that fair housing was not just a “fundamental property right,” but a “human right” as well (“Church Heads Fight Bigotry.” San Francisco Examiner, 7 Jan. 1964).

Eichler’s practice of open occupancy was in stark contrast with the customary discriminatory practices of most homebuilders during the 1950s and 1960s, who assumed that “profit and social progress were at odds” (Howell, pg 381). Instead, Eichler asserted that a policy of open occupancy helped to “stabilize real estate values” (Pierson, D17). On average, Eichler Homes “sold about 30 to 40 houses per year to African Americans and other racial minorities” (California Department of Transportation, pg 34). Occasionally, Eichler was required to publicly defend his commitment to open occupancy and fair housing. In 1958, owing to the association’s support for racial restrictions, Joseph Eichler resigned from the National Association of Home Builders. In 1964 at an Eichler subdivision in Palo Alto, a white married couple was worried about having an African American family as their new neighbors. Refusing to listen to the couple’s concerns, Eichler bought their house back from them and allowed the African American family to continue to move into their new home (Pierson, D17).

The non-discriminatory practices of Joseph Eichler and Eichler Homes were rare in the 1950s and 1960s. Yet, even when large homeowner associations and lobbies pushed for restrictions, Eichler remained committed to his beliefs of open occupancy and fair housing. Eichler demonstrated these beliefs in all his subdivisions, and his example in Sacramento is no exception.

Joseph Eichler’s penchant for modern design was deeply rooted in his psyche, but it was not until the second half of his life that he revealed his feelings and fully developed his interest in it. Born in New York City in 1900 to an Austrian-Jewish father and a German-Jewish mother, he was raised amid traditional circumstances. Although his family was politically liberal (they were devoted supporters of Franklin Roosevelt), Eichler’s interest in Modern design emerged gradually.

Eichler’s education was pragmatic. A business degree from New York University and a career start on Wall Street helped prepare Eichler for a mainstream career. A competitive man by nature and cultivated in the tough -minded atmosphere of America's financial capital, he was primed for business , yet found his early career as a financial officer in his wife's family business dissatisfying. Some of Eichler’s reticence for this work may have been inherited. Ned Eichler pointed out that his own grandparents did not conform with the stereotypical German-Jewish immigrants and were not ambitious about wealth It was Eichler’s in-laws who succeeded on a grand scale, building a large and successful wholesale food business called Nye and Nisson, Inc.

In 1925, Joseph and his wife Lillian Eichler moved to the Bay Area, where the company was the largest independent butter - and-egg wholesaler in the region. Eichler assumed the position of chief financial officer for the business on the West Coast.

For 20 years Eichler excelled in his job, and the family that eventually included two sons, Richard and Edward, or “Ned,” thrived, despite the nationwide depression and the approaching Second World War. Eichler, however, harbored a repressed resentment for his work; its predictability and the requirement to work for others undermined his sense of personal fulfillment.

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Then, in 1943, Eichler spotted a rare opportunity for his family when he rented one of Frank Lloyd Wright's so-called Usonians in Hillsborough (on the Peninsula south of San Francisco), the Bazett residence. Two years of living in the Bazett House may very well have loosened Joe Eichler's spirit enough to allow him to feel his own internal stirrings for creative self -expression.

Eichler learned by this experience what others have since concluded; that Frank Lloyd Wright's genius for design often achieved its most profound effect in his small residences, where his singular attention to function and detail were so complete and so deftly handled as to transform everyday life into art. Wright’s attention to the intimacies of everyday life sprung from his strongly populist philosophy, and he designed his Usonian houses specifically for middle-class homeowners. Joseph and Lillian Eichler left the house as “devotees of contemporary architecture.”

At the close of World War II in 1945, some 10 million veterans returned home from overseas. These service men and women began building families that would require new housing on an unprecedented scale. Among the regions with the greatest need was California, where the population grew at a greater rate than any other state. Many veterans had shipped out of California ports, and upon their return elected to stay in the state. Add to this an influx of new residents that moved west because California offered one of the strongest postwar economies in the nation. A great many independent builders sought to capitalize on the early postwar need for new housing. While their production soon fulfilled the basic requirements for new families, these builders produced a quality of construction that was often poor, and innovative design was rare. Eichler’s company would become an exception, responding to the challenges with ingenuity and style.

Eichler began his development career cautiously, pursuing mostly conventional techniques, while schooling himself in the home-building business. In 1947, Eichler launched a company providing prefabricated homes to owners who purchased their own lots. Even these tentative first steps, however, reflected Eichler’s modern taste. The “pre-fabs” he chose featured a contemporary look, with rectangular massing and long bands of windows. Over the next two years, his operation expanded to the building of small housi ng tracts. In 1949, Eichler hired a draftsman who produced more stylish but less overtly modern designs for two new subdivisions, in Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Eichler explained later that he put off a wholehearted plunge into original architectural designs until he acquired enough “experience and know-how” to manage a process that involved top-flight architects and full -fledged modern building techniques. Within a few years, Eichler became a merchant builder by the classic definition, his company functioning to oversee every aspect of selling housing to consumers without intermediaries.

This included land acquisition and development, construction, financing, and marketing. One obvious element that separated him from the rest of the pack was his choice of product: architect-designed modern houses.

As his business became established, Eichler defined an individualistic approach that in many ways challenged conventional practice. Not infrequently, building and planning authorities withheld support for his designs. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), set up to insure home mortgages, made it possible for families just entering the middle class to afford homes in Eichler ’s price range. However, the agency imposed several restrictive design guidelines that compromised the assistance they could give. As architectural historian Gwendolyn Wright described it, “FHA evaluators were instructed to lower the rating score of houses with conspicuously modern designs because they were not considered to be a good investment.

An agency pamphlet expressed doubt whether the modern style of flat roofs and plain asymmetrical facades would prove to be more than a fad.” When this policy threatened to exclude the market for Eichler Homes, Eichler, with company co-founder James San Jule as his negotiating partner, went to Washington, D.C. to lobby the FHA for changes to their guidelines. Apart from overcoming the objections of the authorities, Eichler ’s company would need to appeal to buyers largely unfamiliar with modern architecture. The pure, modern look of his homes limited market appeal. Despite these obstacles, Eichler embraced modern design, appealing to the authorities when necessary and marketing aggressively.

Working with architects set Eichler apart from most builders. Most builders in the postwar, needing to control the designs fo r economic and aesthetic reasons, preferred not to hire architectural firms as independent consultants. Further, according to Gwendolyn Wright, “most architects looked down on the average builder ’s aesthetic taste, as well as his cost controls; and they scorned the cautious, conservative FHA design guidelines as well. ” For these reasons, as well as the limited market appeal of modernist residential architecture, Eichler’s first architect-designed developments, designed by the emerging San Francisco-based firm of Anshen and Allen and built in Sunnyvale, California, in 1949, were considered a gamble.

Generally, homebuilders preferred to control design themselves. East Coast -based Levitt and Sons, the most successful of the postwar merchant builders, was a more typical example of merchant builder practice. Despite their company’s largescale production, the family members directed much of the design work themselves. William Levitt acted as spokesman and president, while his brother Alfred helped develop the house plans and their father Abraham oversaw the landscape design.

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One of the Bay Area ’s most successful homebuilders during the early postwar was Earl Smith, who built 2,700 moderately priced new homes in 1953 in more than 14 different Bay Area cities. Like the Levitt’s in-house process, Smith designed the homes himself.

This trend began to shift by the mid-1950s. The market for new homes softened after 1953, and competition among builders for more demanding buyers led some to commission architects to raise the standards of their products. Mackay Homes was one Bay Area com pany that began to employ architects, including for a brief period Anshen and Allen. Mackay, however, exhibited the typical builder ’s concerns about modern aesthetics, and hedged on their designs, building homes that were contemporary in plan, but clad on the outside in more familiar vernacular styles. Eichler ’s work remained distinctive among Bay Area builders for his consistent use of modern aesthetics. By 1955, when The South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development was underway, Eichler Homes, Inc.’s headquarters in Palo Alto, which would be home to 3,000 Eichler homes over the next 20 years , served as the hub of its Bay Area peninsula operation. By the mid -1950s, the company had built approximately 1,800 modern houses on the Bay Area peninsula, and the popular press regularly acknowledged Eichler ’s achievements.

Eichler’s architecturally designed subdivisions led to widespread critical acclaim. When Eichler built his first subdivision of architecturally designed homes, observers perceived his efforts as daring. Even the professional journals of the architectura l press that had been touting the advantages of modernism for middle -class American homes since before the end of the war seemed surprised with Eichler’s boldness. Architectural Forum, the most elite of the nation’s professional journals during the postwar, in April 1950 called architects Anshen and Allen ’s first Eichler Homes subdivision a “gamble in modern. ” In the December issue that year, the publication collectively named four Eichler projects in Palo Alto (El Centro Gardens, Green Gables, and Greer Park) and Redwood City (Atherwood) “Subdivision of the Year.”

Arts + Architecture, the premier west coast trade journal devoted to modern design and distributed internationally, published several features on Eichler Homes in the early 1950s. Notable was a pair of articles featuring the Ladera subdivision in Portola Valley, designed by Jones & Emmons. The first, in 1950, described the designs. Then, in the November 1951 issue, an article documented the completed first phase of the development, citing the “enormous value of real cooperation between the architect and builder.” It concluded that the results assured a “better way of living at a much more reasonable cost.”

Popular “shelter magazines” aimed at the consumer market also featured Eichler Homes during the 1950s. House and Home, published by McGraw Hill, who also produced Architecture Record , the establishment architectural journal, became a consistent supporter of Eichler Homes. The magazine’s editor, Perry Prentice, an influential advocate for improved residential design who hosted numerous symposia at the annual conventions for the American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Homebuilders, came to champion Eichler’s work. Writing in 1955, the year after the completion of the first phase of Greenmeadow, the editors praised Eichler for recognizing the benefits of modern architecture. His architects, they noted, “designed better living into houses,” enabling buyers to “live the way they really wanted today.”

Eichler’s architects brought knowledge of modern building techniques and their skills with California Modern design. Robert Anshen, of the San Francisco-based firm of Anshen and Allen, had worked for the National Housing Authority in Vallejo during World War II. In 1945, realizing the need for inexpensive, quick-to-build houses, he drew upon his experiences to write a series of papers proposing much-needed home building industry reforms. A. Quincy Jones, FAIA, with his partner Frederick Emmons, FAIA, was th e designer most responsible for the first (and only) phase of the South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development. Jones was a leader in California modernism; an educator and a celebrated practitioner, Jones taught at the architecture school at the University of Southern California for more than 20 years, ascending to the deanship in the 1970s.

The architect of the experimental steel-framed X-100 Eichler-built house, Case Study House 24, three other steel houses of note, Jones won numerous awards for d esign in several building types, yet he remained committed to the improvement of single-family house design. His practice matured and Jones was commissioned for prestigious institutional buildings. While many offices that ascend to this level decline to pa rticipate in residential work, Jones pursued single -family house designs throughout his career.

Archibald Quincy Jones, FAIA garnered national attention early in his career with designs for postwar housing. In 1946, a year after his discharge from the Navy, Jones collaborated on the Mutual Homes development in the Santa Monica Mountains, above Los Angeles, where his designs for post-and-beam houses—featuring redwood siding, concrete masonry, floor -to-

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ceiling glazing, and sweeping roof forms —gained wide recognition. In 1948, Jones designed a prototype for Southern California builder A.C. Hvistendahl that earned him an American Institute of Architects First Honor Award in 1950.

Jones committed his early career to improving the affordable single-family house. His successes in this field include work for several developers apart from Eichler Homes. Like Robert Anshen, Jones devoted a great deal of thought, and a significant portion of his career, to the issue of suburban speculative development. In addition to his contributions to home design, Jones was a consistent advocate for planning reform. He was among the first architects to call for greater density in suburban planning, preceding popular acceptance of that idea by at least 15 years.

Jones brought his experience and status to Eichler Homes, putting his recognized talents to work on the design of individual house models as well as site design and community planning. His addition to the design team helped to establish the Eichler Homes developments as a high-design product. Specific contributions credited to Jones & Emmons included refining Eichler’s construction methods by integrating an economy of means with architectural expression. Jones ’ designs were distinctive because of his use of pronounced roof profiles, which despite their lofty shape were free of expensive trusses or redundant framing typically used in builders ’ so-called “cathedral ceilings. ” Jones’ interior planning was known for its free -flowing dining/living areas and clearly zoned public and private areas, both products of his early postwar developer designs as well as his numerous experiments with his own personal dwellings.

The style of the Eichler homes is endemically Californian. The look may seem in some ways almost generically 1950s, but that is partly because during the postwar period the fashion in residential architecture often resembled work originated in California. California modernism was a social and aesthetic movement that derived ideas and practices from the modem movement in European. Many of the innovators of postwar American residential design, particularly designs suited to moderate-income buyers, were Califo rnia architects. William Wurster, a Dean of the College of Environmental Design at University California Berkeley, Joseph Esherick, John Funk, Gordon Drake, and many other lesser -known practitioners constituted a loose-knit but consistent school of designers that helped define a Californian aesthetic. This style emphasized modest-scaled homes with informal o pen plans and indoor -outdoor relationships, and often employed post -and-beam structures and natural finished wood inside and out.

Eichler and his architects brought California modernism to a middle-class mass market. Eichler initially looked to Anshen and Allen for a construction system that would be efficient to build but inherently flexible enough to provide opportunities for individual designs. Anshen recommended employing post -and-beam construction, which had the twin benefits of speedy erection time and plan flexibility. The Eichler architects’ design strategy of post-and-beam structure and exposed redwood or mahogany-veneer plywood panels was a simple one that, nonetheless, imbued their mass -produced product with a custom- designed feeling.

Architects overcame difficulties that Eichler Homes encountered because of their desire for innovation. Hiring architects proved valuable in terms of construction and cost efficiencies. Anshen and Allen planned the buildings on a four -foot module, and their clearly delineated drawings simplified Eichler ’s materials purchasing and construction management. Further, the architects standardized the building components. A kit-of-parts system, similar in some ways to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian concept, enabled multiple variations of the same basic plan. In Palo Alto ’s Green Gables Eichler development, a single plan type was used to compose four variations, allowing the design to adapt to different lot orientations. This strategy gave Eichler Homes a competitive edge in the market because the company could provide greater variety than other developers at comparable cost.

By the time Eichler broke ground at South Land Park Hills in 1955, he already had built hundreds of architect-designed homes in more than a dozen individual subdivisions on the Bay Area peninsula. After a string of successes in Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, Redwood City, and Palo Alto, Eichler made a decision to move up the market and leave the lower, midrange pricing that typified most of his earlier developments. In the higher, $16-$22,000 price bracket, as Eichler pointed out in a 1955 interview, he found that “people are more interested in better living than in terms. ” By 1953, the postwar housing shortage had eased, and Americans were growing increasingly prosperous while becoming more demanding consumers. They wanted larger houses with new levels of amenities, and Eichler knew he had to meet their expectations in the highly competitive housing market. The Greenmeadow development in Palo Alto met this demand by introducing a fourth bedroom or an all-purpose room (aka “family room”) to its models, and was Eichler’s first significant step in this direction. The South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development followed this lead by offering houses between the $17,750- $21,000 price range.

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These new four-bedroom layouts featured large, double-car garages instead of carports; a multipurpose room separate from the adult living area, allowing privacy; kitchens with built-in appliances instead of freestanding units; compartmentalized baths; laundry areas inside the house for increased convenience; and light-toned ceilings that made the rooms seem bigger. These plans were based on a consistent set of principles, including a clear separation of functions, rigorous geometric proportions , and private living areas that expanded to the outdoors. Here, the architects further developed the planning relationships introduced into the earlier subdivisions, refining the elements that defined Eichler’s approach to family living, including the central multi-purpose room and the second bath for children with its own exterior entrance.

Like Greenmeadow before it, the homes in the South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development are larger than those of the previous developments, show more complex planning, much more articulated building massing, and a sophisticated blending of natural and machined building materials. Perhaps most importantly, the new models advanced the theme, initiated in Eichler’s earliest architecturally design models, of indoor-outdoor living, enabling owners to better experience the benefits of the region's hospitable climate.

The architectural achievements in the South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Eichler Development homes are based upon advances in internal planning. A key example of this advance is found in a series of Jones & Emmons-initiated ‘T-shaped’ plan types. In these models the bedroom wing and living areas are defined as separate volumes, lending a distinct feel to each realm. The kitchen occupied its usual central position, but greater transparency of the living area walls meant the user, usually a wife and mother, could see both internal spaces and right through to the garden beyond. The front entry is ideally located between the garage and kitchen, overcoming the need for a back-door connection (common to most tract homes) that so often reduces the owner’s entry experience to a service -like feeling. Of particular significance and a very important achievement for homes of this class was the addition of a second bath. This enabled the planning of a master suite. The children ’s bath was provided with an independent door to the side yard. This would minimize children tracking dirt through the living areas. These advances led Eichler’s competitors to follow suit, advancing the quality of an entire class of speculative homes.

The T-shaped plan layout enabled building massing that defined multiple outdoor spaces, increasing and enriching the living spaces throughout the house. First, placing the garage separately from the house defined a protected court off the kitchen, advertised in Eichler’s sales literature as an “outdoor dining nook.” The bedroom wing was positioned such that the master bedroom projects beyond the living room volume, defining a rear -yard terrace. Sliding-glass doors in full height glass walls offer access to this patio from both rooms. Front-yard courts are enclosed with a street-side concrete masonry wall bounded on two other sides by the bedroom wing and the garage. This feature alludes to the atrium, a later innovation that might not have emerged without this precedent.

The theme of integrating building and landscape was further advanced with the use of varied materials. Street -side concrete masonry walls built up to the eave height enriched the texture of the buildings while blurring the distinction between landscape and building. Low-pitched roof forms alluded to more traditional imagery of forms while also enabling more day lighting through clerestories beneath the eaves. Finally, the massing of the houses, derived from the separate volumes for bedrooms and living areas, enhanced this interplay of exterior and interior spaces.

The architects’ attention to design extended to site planning and placed homes in ways they felt best fit individual lots, provided the best solar orientation possible, and ensured privacy for neighboring residents. In this way the architects made Eichler ’s houses feel like custom homes. Although a specific landscape architect was not listed for South Land Park Hills, it is known that landscape architects were hired to finish exterior spaces. This was another example of the improved design quality.

Eichler’s continued work until the mid -sixties left a legacy of design integrity, and set new standards for developer housing, which remain unparalleled in the history of American building. During the construction of South Land Park Hills, Eichler was expanding his operation into Marin County (the Terra Linda development of San Rafael), San Mateo County (Highlands), and the East Bay (Rancho San Miguel in Walnut Creek). In all, by 1974, he would build nearly 11,000 tract houses and hundreds of custom homes in scores of developments in 32 Northern and Southern California cities and towns.

In 1961, Eichler Homes became a public stock company, although Joseph Eichler disliked being beholden to the stockholders.

Having to put sales goals ahead of his intuitive schemes and continual tinkering with designs frustrated Eichler's creative ambitions and contributed to a brooding dissatisfaction. Loath to have any con trol wrested from him, he was skeptical of

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2, 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

financial advisors and mistrustful of those who counseled for more cautious strategies for the company. Eichler resisted even his own son Ned's counsel when he pleaded with his father to take fewer risks. Eventually, Eichler ’s continuous quest to pursue progressive ideas overwhelmed the company ’s ability to remain profitable. Construction in the urban core of San Francisco was more expensive, and conditions far more complicated, than those the company had faced in the suburbs.

Several of Eichler Homes’ urban projects were in transitional neighborhoods in which Eichler gambled that his developments could turn conditions around. In addition, Eichler made what some saw as fundamental marketing mistakes. While the suburban projects continued to do well, the difficulties with the urban projects began to jeopardize the operations as a whole, and Eichler Homes began to lose money. In 1966, Eichler’s company was taken over when two southern California investors bought a controlling share of the company's stock, perhaps not realizing that the firm’s worth was almost completely depleted from the overambitious projects of the by -then glamorous, but doomed, Eichler Homes. Eichler continued to build housing through a series of reincarnations of his original company until his death in 1974. However, none of these subsequent efforts matched the earlier projects in their enthusiasm for new design ideas or social aspirations.

The District meets NRHP/CRHR Criterion A/1 and Sacramento Register Criterion I as it is an early example of a residential development that deviated from the standard practice of racially restricting new subdivisions in the United States. Research suggests that this district and its developer played a significant role in promoting fair-housing and non-discriminatory housing practices that contributed to the historical development if the region . The District does not appear to meet NRHP/CRHR Criterion B/2 or Sacramento Register Criterion ii. Research did not support that any of the residences have direct associations with individuals who made significant contributions in Sacramento or the larger region.

Architecturally, the District appears significant as an important example of Eichler Homes Modernist style in Sacramento and represents the collaborative work of Joseph Eichler, Archibald Quincy Jones, FAIA and Frederick Emmons, FAIA. The District expresses a unified entity that expresses the Mid -Century Modern design elements of Jones & Emmons designs for Eichler Homes, Inc. The District represents Eichler and Jones & Emmons, leaders in modern design. It is Eichler’s only development in Sacramento and it conveys an architectural cohesiveness through its design, setting, materials, and association. The District displays the character -defining features evidenced in several aspects of noted Eichler design. These aspects include: 1) complex geometric floor plans for the exposed post-and-beam constructed one-story residences; 2) public-facing facades that eschew the use of typical eye-level fenestration for greater use of simple vertical composition wood siding, thus suggesting a deference to owner’s privacy; 3) flat or low-pitch gabled roof forms that lack attic spaces but feature extended eaves and frequent use of clerestory windows ; 4) varied orientation of residences along the streets and customization details such as patio enclosure walls, trellises, and floor to ceiling window configurations within the non-public-facing areas.

As a built environment resource, the building does not appear to meet NRHP/CRHR Criterion D/4 or Sacramento Register vi because it is not the sole source of important information to history.

In addition to being architecturally significant, the District retains the necessary aspects of integrity to represent that significance. Integrity of location remains because the District contributors remain in their original location. The overall design of the District is intact with few residences having been modified extensively. The District’s design is reflected in its curvilinear street alignments along which the District was laid out; the series of model homes along South Land Park Drive (north of 47th Ave) that provided the welcoming entryway to the larger district; its planned orientation options for residences to allow for a variety of facades ; and its innovative spacing by using professionally designed landscape between houses that focused occupants views into the backyard areas instead of out to the front areas. In some instances, rear roofs have been upgraded but are not highly visible from the street . In its 62 years, the District has retained integrity of materials for most contributors with few residences having updated metal garage doors or vinyl window replacements. Very few non -historic materials have been introduced. Those that have been altered are primarily major roof reconfigurations from flat to hipped in the front and conversion of garages to living space . These few non -contributing resources do not detract from the overall integrity of contributors with regards to their visible materials, which is evidenced in retention of composite wood siding, wood frame transom windows, and exposed wood beams. The settin g for the District has not been significantly altered as it has always been part of a larger subdivision of similar period houses. Integrity of feeling is displayed because the District expresses the aesthetic and historic sense of the mid-1950s when Eichler Homes was at its peak of production and success.

In summary, the District is significant architecturally and for its association with non-discriminatory housing practices and is therefor also considered a historical resource under the California Environmental Quality Act.

*Recorded by P. Ambacher, M. Bowen, GEI, M. Montag, Volunteer *Date September 2, 12, 2017  Continuation  Update

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial ____________________________________________

References (cont.)5

Adamson, Paul. 2002. Eichler: Modernism Rebuilds the American Dream. Gibbs Smith Publisher. Layton, UT.

Arbunich, Marty. 2005. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Greenmeadow (Units I and II). Available at https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/9045e8b8-559b-43ce-8546-12bb24f49aab?branding=NRHP, accessed July 26, 2017.

California Department of Transportation, Caltrans. “Tract Housing in California, 1945-1974.” (2011), pg 34.

“Church Heads Fight Bigotry.” San Francisco Examiner, 7 Jan. 1964.

Eichler Homes. 1955. Eichler Homes Comes to Sacramento (Sales Brochure). https://www.flickr.com/photos/atomicpear/sets/72157621914235795

Howell, Ocean. “The Merchant Crusaders: Eichler Homes and Fair Housing, 1949–1974.” Pacific Historical Review 85, no. 3 (2016), pg 381.

Pierson, John. “Builder Finds Unbiased Policy Need Not Cut Home Values.” The Sacramento Bee, 20 Dec. 1964, p. D17.

Sacramento Union. 1955. “Eichler Home Units are Opened to the Public.” May 15.

Shell Oil Company. 1956 Shell Street Map of Sacramento. Shell Oil Company. Chicago, IL. David Rumsey Map Collection. https://www.davidrumsey.com/rumsey/Size4/D5005/5840155.jpg

The Sacramento Bee. 1956. Eichler Homes Advertisement: “Last Chance!” December 8.

________. 1956.“Home Builder Gets National Awards.” June 30.

5 Accessing relevant portions of the A. Quincy Jones papers held at the University of Southern California Library Special Collections was not part of this evaluation but could be considered in the future to augment understanding of the history of the South Land Park Hills development and to provide a clearer identification of model types, etc. used by Eichler Homes.

*Map Name None *Scale see map *Date of Map 2017
DPR 523J (1/95) *Required Information

State of California – The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________ LOCATION MAP Trinomial ____________________________________________

February 22, 2024

Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director
City of Sacramento Community Development Department
300 Richards Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95811
Submitted via e-mail
Re: South Land Park Hills Unit Number 7 Proposed Historic District Sacramento Modern (SacMod) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2010; we are dedicated to preserving modern art, architecture, and design in the Sacramento region. We are writing in support of the nomination to add South Land Park Hills Unit Number 7 (an Eichler Homes neighborhood) as a historic district on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

These homes were designed by master architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick E.

Emmons for builder Joseph Eichler of Eichler Homes. The South Land Park Hills Eichler Homes neighborhood is the northernmost of all Eichler Homes neighborhoods located in California, and is the only Eichler Homes neighborhood in our region. Of note, this proposed historic district would be the first historic district recognized by the City of Sacramento outside of “the grid,” the first historic district within the boundaries of District 7, and Sacramento’s first Mid-Century Modern (MCM) historic district.

It is SacMod’s neighborhood as well! Our organization was co-founded by three South Land Park Hills neighbors — two of whom owned Eichler Homes — to celebrate and educate neighbors and the public about the area’s history and MCM architecture. Over the years, SacMod has featured eight different Eichler Homes during three separate home tours in the proposed historic district, as well as many other MCM homes and buildings. The funds from SacMod’s tours allowed our organization to work with the City of Sacramento’s then-Preservation Director, Roberta Deering (and, subsequently, former Preservation Director Carson Anderson, and now, with you) — and co-sponsor A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and protecting modern art, architecture and design in the Sacramento region.

Gretchen Steinberg 4910 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822 [email protected]
SacMod.org
the city-wide Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Context and Survey, which serves as a reference and starting point toward identifying and understanding MCM buildings and spaces throughout the city (see link and details below). The proposed district is the final of five historic resources identified by the MCM Survey/Context to be landmarked — and has been years in the making.

Though this effort was delayed by the pandemic, the resolve and commitment by involved neighbors to the historic district has remained. There is overwhelming consensus within the neighborhood in favor of the historic district. Outreach by the City was extensive and conducted over the course of the last four years, with multiple community meetings and mailers.

We urge all City of Sacramento decision-makers throughout the nomination process to understand the long-term commitment, energy, and enthusiasm the neighborhood has expended — and support our efforts to ensure that South Land Park Hills Unit Number 7 is added as a historic district on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

Respectfully submitted,

Gretchen Steinberg
President, SacMod

* The Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Context and Survey can be found here:
https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community-Development/Planning/Urban-Design/ Preservation/Survey-and-Context It was made possible from over $66,000 in grant funding, with support from the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and matching funds from SacMod. A historical consulting team led by GEI Consulting with Mead & Hunt conducted extensive evaluations of five properties. The survey was conducted by volunteers.
2024.2.22 SacMod re: Re: South Land Park Hills Unit #7 Historic District Page 2

WWW.SLPNA.ORG PO BOX 22903 SACRAMENTO, CA 95822

February 26, 2024

Mr. Sean de Courcy
Preservation Director
City of Sacramento

Re: SLPNA Letter of Support for South Land Park Hills Unit Number Seven Historic District

Dear Mr. de Courcy:

The South Land Park Neighborhood Association (SLPNA) would like to express its support for the South Land Park Hills Unit Number Seven Historic District. Eichler homes are prolific and inspirational styles of Mid-Century Modern architecture that continue to be sought after to this day. Their unique design, open space, and use of light, remain an iconic aesthetic.

Beyond their timeless appearance, Eichler homes represent the laudable and inclusive philosophy of their architect, Joseph Eichler. Eichler endeavored to make his homes affordable and available to the general public. Regardless of ethnicity or religion, he believed that his homes should be within reach of any buyer. Surely this legacy is one that we should honor and preserve. The City of Sacramento has an opportunity to do so, and that is why the SLPNA Board of Directors supports the designation of the Eichler Historic District.

Thank you for your consideration,

Anthony Jackson
President
South Land Park Neighborhood Association

CC: Councilmember Rick Jennings, Dennis Rogers

PO Box 162140, Sacramento CA 95816 – [email protected] - PreservationSacramento.org - (916)604-8320

Preservation Sacramento – Founded in 1972 as Sacramento Old City Association Sean deCourcy, Preservation Director
City of Sacramento, Community Development Department
300 Richards Blvd. Sacramento CA 95811

April 11, 2024
RE: M19-002, South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Dear Director DeCourcy,
The Board of Directors of Preservation Sacramento wishes to express our support for listing the South Land Park Hills Historic District in the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. The district is eligible for the Sacramento Register for its innovative implementation of Mid-century Modern architecture and design principles, and its even greater innovation due to the developer’s refusal to implement racial exclusion covenants on the district’s homes, defying the status quo for residential developers of that era.

In 2021, Preservation Sacramento featured one of these homes on our first virtual historic home tour, built for Elbert and Nellie Jung. Elbert was born in China, and served in the United States Marines during World War II, later becoming an engineer. In almost any other Sacramento suburban tract built during this era, the Jungs would have been refused the right to purchase a home. Instead of being turned away, the Jungs found a home in Sacramento where they raised their sons, remaining for 24 years.

Preservation Sacramento volunteers have attended several of the public meetings held for residents and property owners of the district. We heard the strong expressions of support for listing the district from those residents, who obviously take enormous pride in their Eichler homes. Listing in the Sacramento Register will simplify their long-term maintenance and use as housing, while the historic district design guidelines will provide the neighborhood with room to grow, simultaneously protecting its historic features.

Sincerely,

William Burg
President, Preservation Sacramento Board of Directors

Gretchen Steinberg
Location:

Submitted At: 5:05pm 06-20-23
As both a neighbor and preservation advocate, I support the South Land Park Hills Eichler Homes Historic District within the City of Sacramento.

This effort has been over a decade in the making: from the neighborhood’s long history of involvement, activism, and civic pride—beginning with the loving rehabilitation of many homes over the last 25 years; to the celebration of the neighborhood through home tours; and to the welcoming of new neighbors who have been attracted to live there as a result.__
The proposed historic district is the last of five landmark nominations that were the result of the Sacrament Mid-Century Modern Historic Context Statement and Survey, which was a collaborative effort and collective effort between the City of Sacramento’s Preservation Director, SacMod, the California Office of Historic Preservation, and interpretation/analysis of architectural historians from GEI Consultants, Inc. and Mead & Hunt.
__Support from within the neighborhood has remained overwhelmingly strong throughout the process.

The South Land Park Neighborhood Association supports the proposed district as well.__ Thank you for your time; we appreciate your review and comments.

From: Susan Ballew <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 5, 2024 12:14 PM
To: Rick Jennings <[email protected]>
Cc: Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>
Subject: Support for South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Historic District To: Councilmember Rick Jennings
From: Susan Henas
My husband, Dane, and I live in South Land Park Hills on Oakridge Way.

We are asking you to please support the nomination of the proposed South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Historic District.

Dane and I are very proud to live in an Eichler home and in a neighborhood with so many excellent examples of the original homes. Our neighborhood deserves historic designation.

Thank you.

From: Mapeso, Ray
To: Sean deCourcy
Cc: Rick Jennings; Dennis M. Rogers; Henry Feuss; Samuel Ruttenburg Subject: Support for the Eichler Historic District--South Land Park Hills Historic District Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 11:55:45 AM
Hello Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director,

I am writing this email in support of the South land Park Hills Historic District. I have lived in the Eichler neighborhood since 2011, but have admired the architecture and design of these homes for a very long time, prior to moving into the neighborhood.

It is important to our Eichler community, and the City of Sacramento at large, that these homes are preserved and designated as a historic district for future admirers of these unique homes.

Therefore, I am in strong support of designating these homes, and this neighborhood, a Sacramento historic district.

Best, Ray Mapeso

Dr. Ray C. Mapeso
Counselor/Professor
Counseling Faculty Chair, 2023-25
Science, Math, Engineering (SME) Counselor
Cosumnes River College
8401 Center Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95823-5799
Appts: (916) 691-7316
Office: (916) 691-7139
E-mail: [email protected]

From: Curtis Chong
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 3:12 PM
To: Sean deCourcy <[email protected]>; [email protected] Subject: S Land Park Drive - Eichler Historic District
Dear Mr. de Courcy,
Thank you for the flier regarding inclusion of our home as a non-contributing resource to the proposed Eichler Historic District.

While we love living in our Eichler, I oppose inclusion in the historic district. Specifically, I am concerned that additional building restrictions may be added to our home beyond those for other, non-historic district homes in Sacramento. There have been a number of recent incidents in our neighborhood that are concerning including:
1/ A loaded gun was found on the sidewalk of a home across the street 2/ People are routinely setting off pipe bombs or fireworks in and near Reichmuth Park 3/ There was drag racing and speeding down South Land Park Dr, which has somewhat improved after the City installed more speed bumps
4/ People who appear intoxicated often are walking in the neighborhood late at night This is concerning to me as all there is between the interior of our home and the street is a glass door.

Given these challenges it may make sense to have the option of building a fence or to bring in landscaping consistent with current regulations that would leave our house less exposed to the street, but I worry that with the proposed historic district this may not be possible.

I would hope that inclusion in the historic district would only be done with the consent of owners. Has the commission sought to poll current owners to see what level of support there is for this initiative, and can we opt out?
Thank you again for including us in this dialog.

Sincerely yours,
Curtis Chong, MD
From: Zann Gates
To: Sean deCourcy
Cc: Rick Jennings; Dennis M. Rogers; Henry Feuss; Samuel Ruttenburg Subject: Letter of Support for the Eichler Historic District Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:24:50 PM
Hello Sean,
We live in the proposed historic district and we support this nomination. We like Eich! Sincerely,
Zann Gates and Jeff Roush
6432 S. Land Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95831
From: daneh
To: Sean deCourcy
Cc: Rick Jennings; Dennis M. Rogers; Henry Feuss; Samuel Ruttenburg Subject: South Land Park Hills Eichler Historic District Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024 4:49:50 PM
Sean de Courcy
City of Sacramento Preservation Director

Dane Henas
6448 Oakridge Way
Sacramento, CA 95831

Mr. de Courcy:

I support the South Land Park Hills Eichler Historic District proposed for the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. I have lived in an Eichler home since 2000 and have been an Eichler enthusiast before that. Kudos to the City of Sacramento Preservation staff for taking the necessary steps to recognize the historic importance of this neighborhood. Sacramento is important to the history of Mid- Century Modern architecture and art.

South Land Park Hills was the first Eichler neighborhood outside the Bay Area and Eichler heavily influenced other residential developers in the Sacramento area like Streng, Lewis & Bristow and Carter Sparks.

I encourage you to please forward the nomination to the Preservation Commission for their review.

Sincerely,
Dane Henas
(916)847-1984
From: Jacquolyn Duerr
To: Sean deCourcy; Rick Jennings
Cc: Albert Balingit
Subject: Support for South Land Park Hills Historic District (M19-002) Nomination Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024 6:54:29 AM
We live in South Land Park Hills at 6280 S. Land Park Drive and have been in our Eichler home for over 26 years.. Ours is the first Eichler home going south on South Land Park Drive and will be included in the historic district when it is approved.

We are asking you to support the nomination of the proposed South Land Park Hills Unit No. 7 Historic District.

We are fortunate to live in an Eichler home. However, this pales in comparison to our good fortunate to enjoy in a neighborhood that is rich with diversity, enduring friendships and neighborly support, and classic examples of the original "California look" homes. Among our neighbors, are longtime residents who bought homes here because they were redlined out of such opportunities elsewhere in Sacramento. The Eichler development policy of lending and selling homes to anyone who desired and could afford them made this possible. This is a part of the neighborhood's history that an historic district will help us remember and honor.

Thank you for your consideration of the decision to approve South Land Park Hills Historic District.

Jacquolyn Duerr and Albert Balingit
6280 S. Land Park Drive
Sacramento, CA. 95831
From: lyndonmt
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; Sean deCourcy Subject: Eichler Preservation
Date: Monday, April 15, 2024 1:04:33 PM
My name is Lyndon Thomson and I live in the proposed Eichler historic district. I support this district being listed on the Sacramento Register of historic snd cultural resources.

Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
-------- Original message --------
From: Sacramento Antique Faire <[email protected]> Date: 4/12/24 8:19 AM (GMT-08:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: We are open this Sunday, 4/14!

Forecast: Dry weather after mid-day Saturday!!
Sleep Train Arena Lots - East Entrance (off Truxel Rd)

From: Lisa Foster
To: Rick Jennings
Cc: Dennis M. Rogers; Sean deCourcy
Subject: Proposed Eichler Historic District
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 9:10:46 PM
I live in the proposed Eichler Historic District and strongly support this District being listed on the Sacramento register of Historic and Cultural Heritage. Eichler homes are an important part of Sacramento's history.

Lisa Foster
6496 S Land Park Dr.

Sacramento
From: Frank Farmer
To: Rick Jennings
Cc: Dennis M. Rogers; Sean deCourcy
Subject: Proposed Eichler Historic District
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 1:04:12 PM
Good Day,
My name is Frank R. Farmer, and I live in the proposed Eichler Historic District. I support this District being listed on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.

Respectfully,
Frank R. Farmer
--
=====================================
"Entropy ain't what it used to be"
=====================================
Frank R. Farmer
[email protected]
https://tiocampo.smugmug.com/
=====================================
From: California Kid
To: Sean deCourcy
Subject: Fwd: Proposed Eichler Historic District
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 3:58:16 PM
Forwarding a corrected email address. See below.
-------- Forwarded message --------
1:28 PM, April 14, 2024, California Kid <[email protected]>:

Hello Councilmember Jennings.

My name is Akira Yamamoto, and I live in the proposed Eichler Historic District in South Land Park. I support this District being listed on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources.

Thank you,
Akira Yamamoto
6464 Fordham Way
Sacramento, CA 95831-2218
(916) 572-5811
--
Sent from Yandex Mail for mobile
-------- End of forwarded message --------
--
Sent from Yandex Mail for mobile
From: Adrian Newson
To: Rick Jennings
Cc: Dennis M. Rogers; Sean deCourcy
Subject: South Land Park Hills (Eichler) Historic District Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024 4:54:01 PM
Hello
My name is Adrian Newson, and I live in the proposed Eichler Historic District. I support this District being listed on the Sacramento Register of Historic Cultural Resources.

Best Regards
Adrian
(6465 Fordham Way, 95831)