DATE: October 9, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Development Services Department
TITLE: CONSIDERATION OF A HISTORIC PERMIT (H23-00003) LOCALLY DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 602-608 SOUTH PACIFIC STREET AS A LOCAL HISTORIC RESOURCE WITHIN THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE - 602-608 SOUTH PACIFIC STREET - APPLICANT: DAMIAN MASSON
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving Historic Permit (H23-00003) to designate the property located at 602-608 South Pacific Street as a locally significant historic resource.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The subject property is located in Riverside Terrace. Recorded in 1885, the Riverside Terrace subdivision is one of the earliest subdivisions of land recorded in the City of Oceanside. The Riverside Terrace subdivision, originally comprised of 71 lots, runs along the east side of South Pacific Street from Tyson Street to Wisconsin Avenue. The subject property, which includes Lots 16, 17, 18, 19, and the Southeasterly half of Lot 20 of Map No. 197, includes two detached single-family residences. There is one San Diego County Assessor's Parcel Number assigned to the subject property (APN: 150-262-01).
The residence located at 602 South Pacific Street (Lot 19), referred to as the Gertrude Bowers Cottage, was built in 1903 and is a two-story Dutch Colonial style house. Notable features of the Dutch Colonial style include a gambrel roof, symmetrical fa?ade, wood shingles, overhanging eaves, natural materials, and double-hung windows.
The entire roof and second floor of the home is covered in wood shingles while the first floor is covered in horizontal wood siding. A wooden entry door is flanked by a set of six glass panels on either side and there is a covered porch supported by two Tuscan-style columns. Windows throughout the house appear to be original and include a variety of casement and double-hung windows. A detached wooden garage faces Ash Street. Other than a front porch that was enclosed in the early 1930's, the residence remains fully intact as originally developed. As detailed in the Cultural Resources Report (Attachment 5) prepared for the property, the resource is in fair condition.
According to the Cultural Resources Report, the property has been owned by multiple figures significant to Oceanside history, including Gertrude S. Bowers, owner of the El San Luis Rey Hotel and a member of the Oceanside Improvement Company, and Guy W. Wisdom, vice-president of a local bank, Oceanside merchant and President of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.
The residence located at 608 South Pacific (Lot 17), referred to as the Curtis Cottage, was built in 1905 and has elements of both Prairie and Craftsman architecture. Clinton Curtis, a prominent member of the Oceanside Improvement Company, purchased the property and constructed the home. The one-story craftsman bungalow has a porch which is recessed under the roof line and spans the front fa?ade. The house has horizontal wood siding and a solid wood porch rail. The windows, which appear to be original, are double hung and casement. According to the Cultural Resources Report, there appears to have been an addition to the rear of the home, but it does not detract from the architectural and historical significance of the house. The home is one of the few remaining circa 1905 extant beach cottages in Oceanside. As detailed in the Cultural Resources Report (Attachment 6) prepared for the property, the resource is in fair condition.
Although the two properties had separate owners when they were originally constructed, the two homes have been under the same ownership since around 1957 when Roy and Alta Boyer assumed ownership of both properties.
In 1992, the City of Oceanside conducted a cultural resource survey that included both properties as eligible for local historical designation.
The request is subject to the following Ordinances and City policies:
1. Oceanside City Code Chapter 14A
2. Determination of Historical Significance
As described in the Cultural Resources Reports prepared for the property, the designation of the proposed project as a historical resource complies with City Code Chapter 14A and is consistent with Criteria B and C established by the California Register of Historic Resources because both single-family residences are associated with a historic person and represent a significant design or style of construction. The proposed project maintains integrity based upon location, design, setting, materials, feeling, and association. Additional analysis on the Determination of Historical Significance is included in the Oceanside Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (OHPAC) staff report provided as Attachment 3.
The property owner is also seeking to enter into a Mills Act Contract with the City. The City Planner is authorized to enter into a Mills Act Contract with the property owner after the subject property is designated a historic resource by the City Council. The Mills Act contract allows the property owner to deduct costs associated with the preservation of the property from property taxes.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Staff analyzed the proposed project in accordance with CEQA and determined that it qualifies for a "common sense exemption" pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3) as it could be shown with certainty that the proposed project would have no adverse significant effect on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Does not apply.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Oceanside Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (OHPAC) reviewed the project at its special meeting held on August 20 2024. After due consideration, the Commission adopted OHPAC Resolution 2024-H03, recommending approval of the project to the City Council by a 4-0 vote. Overall, the Commission found that the subject resource met the required criterion to be designated as a Locally Historic Resource, and was consistent with the City's Historic Preservation Code, the State of California Register of Historical Resources, and CEQA.
CITY ATTORNEY'S ANALYSIS
The proposed request to designate the site as a historic resource requires a Historic Permit application to be submitted and reviewed by the OHPAC with a recommendation to the City Council for final action.
After conducting the public hearing, the City Council shall affirm, modify, or reject the OHPAC's recommendation.
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Prepared by: Shannon Vitale, Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Darlene Nicandro, Development Services Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. City Council Resolution
3. OHPAC Staff Report, dated August 20, 2024
4. OHPAC Resolution No. 2024-H03
5. Cultural Resources Report and Historical Assessment of 602 S. Pacific Street (September 17, 2023)
6. Cultural Resources Report and Historical Assessment of 608 S. Pacific Street (September 18, 2023)