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CONSIDERATION OF STRUCTURE OF MERIT DESIGNATION FOR THE ‘STOCKTON GAS PLANT’ LOCATED AT 535 SOUTH CENTER STREET (APPLICATION NO. P18-0861)
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Cultural Heritage Board adopt:
1. A motion approving the Structure of Merit designation; or,
2. A motion declining 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 June 15, 2018, a Structure of Merit application was submitted by Cultural Heritage Board Chairperson Wesley Swanson for the ‘Stockton Gas Plant’ located at 535 South Center Street. The subject location is depicted in Attachment A and the submitted application (Attachment B).
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) §16.220.100(B)(1), proceedings to initiate a Structure of Merit designation “may be initiated by the Cultural Heritage Board.” In the absence of clarifying language or legislative history evidencing exclusivity to the Board, staff has interpreted that section broadly to mean any person may initiate the consideration of a designation.
Present Situation
Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) §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.”
The application includes a proposed justification for the Structure of Merit designation. Staff has not independently verified the information stated therein and, instead, requests that the Board perform such review. Alternatively, the Board may request the recently appointed 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 §16.22.100(B)(3), a majority vote of Board members present is necessary to designate a Structure of Merit.
Next Steps
Designation, if established, obligates the property owner to maintain the property in accordance with SMC §16.220.120 but does not subject it 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.stocktongov.com/files/HistoricDistrictsSites.pdf
• (Online GIS) https://stocktonca.mapgeo.io/
Pursuant to SMC §16.220.030, Table 7-2 there is no appeal body for a Structure of Merit designation.
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
SMC §16.220.100(B)(2) provides that no public notice or hearing is required for a Structure of Merit designation. However, since the subject application was not submitted by the property owner, staff provided the owner advance written notice of the application and Cultural Heritage Board meeting date via certified mail. As of the release of this staff report, the owner has provided no written response.
Attachment A - Location Map and Aerial Photo
Attachment B - Application
This staff report was prepared by Kevin Colin, Planning Manager (209) 937-8446; kevin.colin@stocktonca.gov