TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft an ordinance to designate property located at 1500 East 1st Street as a Long Beach Historical Landmark. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
In July 2018, the property owner of 1500 E. 1st Street communicated interest in the process to nominate her property as a local historic landmark. Planning Bureau staff described the benefits, restrictions and special permitting requirements that are applicable to designated historic landmark properties as well as the review and approval process. Subsequently, the property owner filed an application to designate the subject building as a historic landmark. The subject property is in the Alamitos Beach neighborhood, which is not a designated historic district.
On December 10, 2018, the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) held a public hearing to consider the nomination of the subject property (Attachment A - CHC Staff Report). To be designated a historic landmark, the property must meet at least one of the four criteria for landmark designation outlined in Chapter 2.63 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, which contains four criteria for landmark designation. Criterion A - associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; Criterion B - associated with the lives of persons important to the City’s past; Criterion C - embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region or method of construction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values; or, Criterion D - has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important in prehistory or history. The CHC made two of these findings in support of this nomination: Criterion A recognizing the building’s association with the early 20th century development and expansion period from 1902-1920, and Criterion C recognizing the building as a unique and excellent example of Craftsman architectural style with Japanese influences. After reviewing all materials and taking public testimony, the CHC made a recommendation to the City Council to designate the property as a historic landmark.
The proposed nomination is complementary to the surrounding neighborhood. The building and its designation as a historic landmark raises awareness of both City and Alamitos Beach neighborhood history and preserves the historic building. The nomination for Landmark status is consistent with the General Plan Land Use Element Goal of Neighborhood Emphasis. Nomination of the building also specifically forwards Policy 2.7 of the Historic Preservation Element through the landmarking of a private building.
If approved, the property would be recognized as the Ferguson House in recognition of the original property owner.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael J. Mais on February 13, 2019 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa Jose-Murray on February 11, 2019.
SUSTAINABILITY
Landmark designation helps retain buildings, reducing construction waste as compared to new construction.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 5, 2019, to allow sufficient time for the City Attorney to draft the Ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LINDA F. TATUM, FAICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER