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CONSIDERATION OF STRUCTURE OF MERIT DESIGNATION FOR THE ‘KENDALL’ BUILDING LOCATED AT 430 EAST WEBER STREET (APPLICATION NO. P18-0855)
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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 resolution 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 November 14, 2018, a Structure of Merit application was submitted by Mr. William Maxwell for the ‘Kendall’ building (currently vacant) located at 430 East Weber Street. The subject location is depicted in Attachment A and the submitted nomination as Attachment B.
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 including a Sanborn Map for the Board’s reference in Attachment C and an article from the Stockton Record, dated September 4, 2019 (Attachment D).
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 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 §16.220.100(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 [16.22.100.A].”
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, 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 23, 2021, and mailed notice was sent to all property owners within a 300-foot radius at least ten days prior to this public hearing. As of the writing of this staff report, no written comments have been submitted.
Attachment A - Location Map and Aerial Photo
Attachment B - Nomination for Designation as a Structure of Merit
Attachment C - Location identified in a Sanborn Map, dated 1967
Attachment D - Article in the Stockton Record, dated September 4, 2019
This staff report was prepared by Francesca Carr, Assistant Planner; (209) 937-8331, francesca.carr@stocktonca.gov.