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CONSIDERATION OF STRUCTURE OF MERIT DESIGNATION FOR THE ‘J. MARENGO CENTER ‘M’ SIGN’ LOCATED AT 6002 PACIFIC AVENUE (P24-0148) (APN 081-371-06)
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Cultural Heritage Board adopt:
1. A resolution approving the Structure of Merit designation; or,
2. A motion denying the Structure of Merit designation; or,
3. A motion referring the Structure of Merit application to the Landmarks and Historic Sites Committee for review.
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Summary
The applicant, John Godi, submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the “J. Marengo Center ‘M’ Sign” located at 6002 Pacific Avenue near the northeast corner of the intersection of West Swain Road and Pacific Avenue. This sign was built in 1950 under the permitting jurisdiction of San Joaquin County. The property containing the sign was annexed into the City of Stockton in 1969. The request is to recognize and preserve the history of the sign being established by the Marengo family commercial development. Staff is recommending several options for the Board to consider and approve.
DISCUSSION
Background
On May 20, 2024, a Historic Landmark application (Attachment A) was submitted by John Godi for the “J. Marengo Center ‘M’ Sign” located on the northeast corner of the intersection of West Swain Road and Pacific Avenue at 6002 Pacific Avenue as shown in Attachment B (Location Map).
After discussion with the applicant regarding the need for supporting material and the application fee of $1,186.08, it was decided to change the application to a request for a Structure of Merit designation.
The sign was built in 1950 prior to the property’s annexation into the City of Stockton on December 1, 1969.
The application was provided to the Cultural Heritage Board’s Landmarks and Historic Site Committee for comment on September 5, 2024. Board Member Maxwell responded that the Marengo’s are a large and long-established family in Stockton.
The sign does not appear in the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. The building is not currently listed on the National, California, or local historic registers.
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) Section 16.220.100(B)(1), “Proceedings to designate a structure of merit may be initiated by the Board or by the filing of an application with the Department by any person or entity.”
Present Situation
Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) Section 16.220.100(A) states, “The Board may designate any structure not designated as a landmark as a structure of merit if it determines that it is deserving of official recognition as having historic, architectural, archaeological, ecological, cultural, or aesthetic significance based on the following criteria:
1. Archaeological Interest. Its potential of yielding significant information of archaeological interest;
2. Heritage. Its character, interest, or value as a significant part of the heritage of the City, the State, or the Nation;
3. Visual Feature of the City. Its unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of the City;
4. Way of Life. Its exemplification of a particular way of life important to the City, the State, or the Nation;
5. Historic Event. Its location as a site of a significant historic event regardless of its current configuration, development, or use;
6. Significant Person. Its identification with a person(s) who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the City, the State, or the Nation; or
7. Significant Person of a Specific National Origin. Its identification with a person(s) representative of a specific national origin who have contributed to the culture and development of the City, the State, or the Nation.”
Staff has attached the list of Marengo family members provided by Board Member Maxwell (Attachment C - Marengo Family in Stockton), and a Google street view photograph of the sign dated May 2022 (Attachment D - Photograph) for the Board’s reference.
Staff requested from the Applicant any additional information to support the application request; however, no further information was provided other than the information stated on the application form (Attachment A). Staff has not independently verified the information stated within the submitted application materials and, instead, requests that the Board perform such review. Alternatively, the Board may request that the Landmarks and Historic Sites Committee review the matter and provide their findings to staff for incorporation in a staff report for a future agenda.
Pursuant to SMC Section 16.220.100(B)(3), “The Board shall designate by resolution any structure deserving recognition that has not been designated as a Landmark as a structure of merit by a vote of the majority of the Board in compliance with the criteria identified in subsection A.”
Next Steps
Designation, if established, obligates the property owner to maintain the structure and premises in accordance with SMC Section 16.220.120 but does not subject the project to additional regulatory review (e.g., Certificate of Appropriateness process applicable to designated Historic Landmarks and properties in Historic Districts).
Information about a Structure of Merit designation would be published on the City of Stockton website at:
• (Name/Location List) http://www.ci.stockton.ca.us/files/HistoricDistrictsSitesSoMsrev04292022.pdf
• (Online GIS) https://stocktonca.mapgeo.io/
Pursuant to SMC Section 16.220.030 Table 7-2, the appeal body for a Structure of Merit designation is the Planning Commission and ultimately City Council should the item be appealed post Planning Commission determination.
Environmental Clearance
The designation as a Structure of Merit is not subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Also, should a Structure of Merit designation be made by the Board, it would not constitute a determination that a ‘historical resource’ is present within the meaning provided at CEQA §21084.1 and CEQA Guidelines §15064.5 since the designation criteria differs from those in CEQA. Should the City receive a development application for a property designated as a Structure of Merit which is a ‘project’ subject to CEQA, further documentation would be necessary to determine both whether: (a) a ‘historic resource’ is present or not; and (b) if a ‘historic resource’ is present, whether the ‘project’ would result in a substantial adverse change.
Public Comments
Notice for this item was published in The Record on September 19, 2024, and mailed notice was sent to all property owners within a 300-foot radius September 19, 2024, ten (10) days prior to this public hearing. As of the writing of this staff report, no written comments have been submitted.
Attachment A - Nomination for Designation as a Structure of Merit
Attachment B - Location Map
Attachment C - Marengo Family in Stockton
Attachment D - Photograph
This staff report was prepared by Alex Guilbert, Senior Planner, (209) 937-7095 or alex.guilbert@stocktonca.gov.