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CONSIDERATION OF STRUCTURE OF MERIT DESIGNATION FOR THE ‘CATHEDRAL OF THE ANNUNCIATION’ BUILDING LOCATED AT 400 WEST ROSE STREET (P24-0070) (APN 137-106-04)
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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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DISCUSSION
Background
On April 18, 2024, a Structure of Merit application (Attachment A) was submitted via fax by Dahlia Loza for the ‘Cathedral of the Annunciation’ building, formerly known as ‘New Saint Mary’s Church,’ located at 400 West Rose Street as shown in Attachment B (Location Map). The Community Development Department received the application on April 23, 2024. The cathedral is currently a Catholic parish and serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton.
Per the City of Stockton building permit application for the subject structure (Attachment C), the reinforced concrete building, faced with brick and cast stone, was approved and constructed in 1941. The building appears in the 1950 Sanborn Map (Attachment D). The building is not currently listed on the National, California, or local historic registers.
Building Design
The building was constructed in the Gothic Revival style, containing notable architectural features such as pointed arches on the building’s doorways and windows, tracery windows with stained glass, and a belfry tower on the northeast end of the structure that houses the original Saint Mary’s church bell, as illustrated in photographs of the site (Attachment E). The building’s exterior façade is in good condition and appears to be the same as when first constructed.
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 supplemental materials referenced in the report, including the building permit application (Attachment C - City of Stockton Building Permit Application), 1950 Sanborn Map (Attachment D - Sanborn Map), and site photos (Attachment E - Site Photos) for the Board’s reference. The building permit application dated March 4, 1941, states that Stockton contractors Sheperd and Green constructed the church. The Gothic Revival style of the building, as illustrated in the site photos, is unique to Stockton.
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 property 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 Section 21084.1 and CEQA Guidelines Section 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 May 30, 2024, and mailed notice was sent to all property owners within a 300-foot radius May 30, 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 - City of Stockton Building Permit Application
Attachment D - Sanborn Map
Attachment E - Site Photos
This staff report was prepared by Savannah Hudson, Assistant Planner, (209) 937-8267 or savannah.hudson@stocktonca.gov.