HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCPC Resolution 2014-03 04/08/2014RESOLUTION NO. 2014-03
CITY OF PETALUMA
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MAKING A FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANCE AND AUTHORIZING DEMOLITION OF THE FRENCH
LAUNDRY AND ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES LOCATED AT 570 BODEGA AVENUE
APN 006-441-006,
FILE NO. PLSR-13-0020
WHEREAS, Sergei Oleshko has submitted a request for Historic and Cultural Preservation
Committee approval to demolish the existing French Laundry building at the front portion of the lot and
the Craftsman -style structure including a dwelling unit located over a carriage house at the back of the
parcel located at 570 Bodega Avenue, Assessor's Parcel No. 006-441-006; and,
WHEREAS, the French Laundry and rear carriage house were constructed in 1914. The French
Laundry was designated a local historic landmarked in 1990 (Ord. No. 1815 N.C.S); and,
WHEREAS, in 2004, the French Laundry was damaged by a storm which caused a large portion
of the west fagade to collapse; and,
WHEREAS, in 2005, the roof and floor of French Laundry collapsed and the character -defining
false front parapet and sign were removed; and,
WHEREAS, other buildings and structures that once stood on the subject lot, including overhead
cranes, floor gutters, wooden water tank and a one room cottage no longer exist and remaining
structures on site are uninhabited; and,
WHEREAS, although the building has not moved since its original construction, the setting of the
designated landmark has been compromised due to the development of the surrounding
neighborhood with modern structures; and,
WHEREAS, on December 4, 2013, Sergei Oleshko, submitted an application to demolish the
French Laundry and rear carriage house; and,
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2014, Sergei Oleshko submitted a request to remove the local historic
landmark designation of the property; and,
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2014, Christina Dikas, Senior Architectural Historian at Page and Turnbull
prepared a Historic Resources Memorandum (incorporated herein by reference) assessing the integrity
of the property, and evaluated whether the property continued to represent its historic significance and
should remain a local landmark; and,
WHEREAS, the Page and Turnbull Report and found that due to a loss of several important
character -defining features and overall historic integrity, the French Laundry is no longer adequately
able to convey its historic significance and should not remain a local landmark or be considered a
historic resources pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and,
HCPC Resolution No. 2014-03 Page 1
WHEREAS, pursuant to Implementing Zoning Ordnance (IZO) Section (I 5.040.D, the City Council
may rescind designation only by ordinance and the procedure for rescinding a designation shall be the
some as that for the original designation; and,
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2014, the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee found the that
French Laundry, located at 570 Bodega Avenue, Assessor's Parcel No. 006-441-006, no longer appears
locally significant based on California Register criteria related to integrity of design, materials, and
workmanship because several of the character defining features of the building are missing or in an
irreversible state of disrepair, and other buildings on site that contributed to the integrity of setting are no
longer extant; and,
WHEREAS on April 8, 2014 the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee reviewed the
proposed rescission of the designation of the French Laundry and made an affirmative
recommendation to the Planning Commission to recommend adoption of a rescission ordinance
removing the historical designation to the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed demolition is within the scope of Section 15.060 of the Implementing
Zoning Ordinance and adopted City Council Resolution 2005-198 N.C.S. (Demolition Policy); and,
WHEREAS, the demolition was reviewed pursuant to CEQA guidelines and determined to be
categorically exempt pursuant to Sections 15301 (1) as a demolition of individual small structures. The
exception for Historical Resources in Section 15300.2(f) would not apply based on the loss of integrity
and associated lack of historical significance documented in the Page and Turnbull report and the rest
of the record; and
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2014 the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee held a duly noticed
public hearing, considered a staff report dated March 25, 2014, received public comment, and
considered the proposed rescission of local landmark designation and historic demolition of the French
Laundry building.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the above recitals are true and correct and are
incorporated herein by reference.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee hereby finds that
the French Laundry and Craftsman -style residence over garage are not historically significant and
authorizes demolition of said buildings, based on the findings made below and subject to conditions of
approval attached as Exhibit 1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference:
Although the French Laundry is a local landmark, designated in 1990, given its existing
condition, and loss of character -defining elements as described in the Page and Turnbull
report and elsewhere in the record, the building no longer retains integrity and does not
represent features important to its preservation as a local historic resource. Further, the
existing neighborhood is largely characterized by modern structures; the project structures
are not consistent with the character of the neighborhood.
2. The discussion of significance in Jane Lauder's May of 1990 California Department of Parks
and Recreation (DPR) Inventory form and Page and Turnbull's Historic Resource
Memorandum for 570 Bodega Avenue focuses entirely on the laundry building itself. The
original designation ordinance makes no mention of the Craftsman -style residence at the
rear of the lot.
HCPC Resolution No. 2014-03 Page 2
ATTEST:
3. Based on available documentation the Craftsman -style residence over garage does not
appear eligible for listing on a local, state, or national register or survey.
4. Therefore, based on the entirety of the information in the record, the rear structure is not
considered a significant local resource. This building has also fallen into a state of substantial
disrepair over several years and does not convey important architectural, visual or cultural
features worthy of retention.
5. The demolition of the French Laundry will not be detrimental to the aesthetic or economic
vitality of the community because the structure is not culturally or historically significant; is
vacant and in a state of disrepair; is subject to vandalism graffiti and trespassing; and is part
of a site viewed as a threat to emergency responders by the City Police and Fire
Departments.
ADOPTED this 8th day of April, 2014, by the following vote:
Committee Member
Aye
No
Absent
Abstain
Benedetti-Petnic
X
Lin
X
Gomez
X
Kosewic
a
X
Marzo
X
Councilmember Miller
X
Vice Chair Pierre
X
Schlich
X
Chair Wolpert
X
Bill Wolpert, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
H� other Hines, Cc Wmittee Secretary Eric W. Danly, Cit Attorney
HCPC Resolution No. 2014-03 Page 3
Exhibit 7
The French Laundry
570 Bodega Avenue
A P N 006-441-006
File No. PLSR-13-0020
1. Approval is granted by the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee to demolish the French
Laundry and rear dwelling unit and carriage house structure, at 570 Bodega Avenue constructed
circa 1914, consistent with the requirements of the Building Code.
2. Construction hours are limited to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and all holidays observed by the City
of Petaluma.
3. A demolition permit shall not be issued until after the City Council has approved rescission of the
landmark designation ordinance.
4. A demolition permit issued by the Building Division and including any required permits from the Bay
Area Air Quality Management District or other regulatory agencies shall be required prior to
demolition of the existing structure.
5. Prior to issuance of a demolition permit, the applicant shall submit, for staff review and approval, a
written statement describing how building materials, fixtures, doors, and other items of historic
nature shall be salvaged, to the extent possible, for reuse or to be made available fat the
applicant's expense) to interested parties pursuant to IZO Section 15.060A).
6. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City or any of its boards, commissions,
agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action or proceeding against the City, its boards,
commission, agents, officers, or employees to attack, set aside, void, or annul, the approval of the
project when such claim or action is brought within the time period provided for in applicable State
and/or local statutes. The City shall promptly notify the applicants of any such claim, action, or
proceeding. The City shall coordinate in the defense. Nothing contained in this condition shall
prohibit the City from participating in a defense of any claim, action, or proceeding if the City
bears its own attorney's fees and costs, and the City defends the action in good faith.
HCPC Resolution No. 2014-03 Page 4