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CONSIDERATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TO REMOVE AND REPLACE TWO (2) EXTERIOR STAIRWELLS AND REPAIR ONE (1) EXTERIOR BALCONY AT 1142 NORTH SAN JOAQUIN STREET WITHIN THE MAGNOLIA HISTORICAL DISTRICT (APPLICATION NO. P26-0059)
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Cultural Heritage Board recommend issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness based on the findings and subject to the conditions herein.
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Summary
A request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove and replace two (2) exterior stairwells and repair one (1) exterior balcony at 1142 North San Joaquin Street within the Magnolia Historic District on property zoned CO (Commercial, Office) with an Administrative Professional General Plan Land Use Designation. (APN 139-192-01)
Staff recommends that the Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) adopt a resolution recommending the Community Development Director issue a Certificate of Appropriateness.
DISCUSSION
Background
On March 3, 2026, Rueben Steele of Koyama Construction Inc., submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace two (2) exterior stairwells and repair one (1) exterior balcony at 1142 North San Joaquin Street within the Magnolia Historic District on property zoned CO (Commercial, Office) with an Administrative Professional General Plan Land Use Designation, herein referred to as the “project.” (Attachment A). The site is located within City Council District 5.
A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for any exterior alteration to a structure within a historic preservation district.
The structure was built in 1918 and is located at 1142 North San Joaquin Street on the southeast corner of the intersection of East Rose Street and North San Joaquin Street (Attachment B). The property is located within the Magnolia Historic District (Attachment C). A DPR 523 form (Attachment D) was prepared in 1977 and describes the structure as the Segarini House and as having a gabled roof with extended eaves, exposed rafters, bargeboards, vents, a gable dormer and clapboard siding. First and second floor porches have square posts, and the windows have multipaned upper sashes.
On October 3, 1985, a Certificate of Appropriateness (CE009-85) was issued to repair fire damage to the structure including the replacement of the roof structure and siding.
The Magnolia Historic Preservation District, designated by Stockton City Council on July 30, 1984, identified this structure as a contributor (Attachment E). There are three (3) significant structures in the immediate vicinity of the subject property. A single-family residence, known as the Catts House, located immediately adjacent to the south at 1130 North San Joaquin Street, was constructed in 1898 and was designated as a Structure of Merit on August 5, 1981. Across North San Joaquin Street and within the same block to the south are two (2) single-family residences that are designated as Historical Landmarks. The Charles E. Owen home is located at 1107 North San Joaquin Street and the Newelll Home is located at 1119 North San Joaquin.
Project Description
The project consists of replacing two (2) exterior stairwells and repairing one (1) exterior balcony on the structure at 1142 North San Joaquin Street which is located within the Magnolia Historic District and is subject to the Certificate of Appropriateness. The balcony providing outdoor living space is located on the 2nd floor of the front elevation. The balcony repair includes removing and replacing damaged decking and replacing a 2”x4” hanger located under the decking. Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) Section 16.220.060(A)(1)(a), a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for any exterior alteration within a historic preservation district. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness was submitted on March 3, 2026 (Attachment A).
Access
The two (2) new wood stairwells are located on the rear elevation. The stairwells lead to a privately fenced courtyard and provide access to the upper dwelling units. Each of the lower dwelling units (1142 and 1146 North San Joaquin Street) have access from the front elevation.
Architecture
The existing two-story multi-family structure was constructed in 1918. The State of California - Historic Resource Inventory notes the physical appearance of the structure as Craftsman architectural style (Attachment F). The Citywide Design Guidelines state that the prevailing architectural styles within the Magnolia District include Greek Revival cottages, Italianate, Queen Anne, Eastlake, Italian Renaissance, Stick, Shingle, California Bungalow, Spanish Eclectic, Art Deco, Moderne, and Gothic Revival. The Craftsman style architecture of the structure is similar to the California Bungalow style as including recessed balconies, individual open-plan entrances, natural woods and materials, low-pitched gable roofs, and exposed rafters. The design of the two (2) proposed wood stairwells are consistent with this California Bungalow architectural style.
Staff Analysis
Stockton Municipal Code Section 16.220.060(G) requires six (6) findings of fact to be made for the CHB to recommend approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness. SMC 16.220.060(C)(1)(d) requires the project applicant to provide evidence in support of the City’s required findings, that evidence is shown in italics following each individual finding below:
1. Designate, enhance, preserve, protect, restore, and perpetuate those historic districts, neighborhoods, sites, structures, and zones, which contribute to the aesthetic and cultural benefit of the City.
The project site is located in the center of the Magnolia Historic District on the southeast corner of East Rose and North San Joaquin Streets. The improvements to the two-story structure are consistent with the architectural style of the Magnolia Historic District neighborhood and contribute to the aesthetic and cultural benefit of the City.
2. Encourage public appreciation, knowledge, and understanding of, and a sense of identity with, the City’s past.
The architectural design improvements to structures within the Magnolia Historic District make the District more appealing to the public and will help encourage public appreciation of Stockton’s history and provide a sense of identity that is consistent with the City’s history and the Magnolia Historic District.
3. Foster civic and neighborhood pride in the accomplishments and beauty of the past.
The proposed project in the Craftsman style is similar to the California Bungalow architectural design style of the Magnolia Historic District, which will foster civic and neighborhood pride in the accomplishment and beauty of the past.
4. Stabilize and improve the economic value of historic districts, neighborhoods, sites, structures, and zones.
The project site is located in the center of the Magnolia Historic District on the southeast corner of East Rose and North San Joaquin Streets. The architectural design of the improvements to the two-story structure will help stabilize and improve the economic value of the Magnolia Historic District.
5. Help preserve the diverse architectural design and styles that reflect phases of the City’s history and encourage complementary design and construction.
The new improvements are designed to reflect the craftsman architectural style. The Citywide Design Guidelines state that the prevailing architectural styles within the Magnolia District include: Greek Revival cottages, Italianate, Queen Anne, Eastlake, Italian Renaissance, Stick, Shingle, California Bungalow, Spanish Eclectic, Art Deco, Moderne, and Gothic Revival. Although the craftsman architectural style is not recognized as one of the prevailing architectural styles in the Magnolia Historic District, the style is similar to the California Bungalow. Therefore, the design of the project does compliment the architectural design and styles within the Magnolia Historic District and reflects the City’s history and utilizes designs that are complementary to the historic residences.
6. Promote and encourage continued private ownership and utilization of structures currently owned and used.
The project promotes and encourages continued private ownership by being funded by a private citizen, as opposed to a corporate entity. Improvements of the site would encourage the continued utilization of the existing neighboring residential structures.
Public Comments
Per SMC Section 16.220.060(C)(3) (Noticing), a public notice or hearing shall not be required for the Review Authority’s action on a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Environmental Clearance
The proposed project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines 153331 (Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Application and Plans
Attachment B - Location Map and Aerial Photo
Attachment C - Magnolia Historic District
Attachment D - DPR 523 Form
Attachment E - Magnolia Historic District Indicating Contributors
Attachment F - Photographs
The staff report was prepared by Thomas Skidmore, Associate Planner, (209) 937-8446; thomas.skidmore@stocktonca.gov.