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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-25-22 Historic Preservation Commission Agenda PacketCITY OF ARCADIA Arcadia Historic Preservation Commission Agenda Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 6:15 p.m. As part of the City of Arcadia’s COVID-19 transmission mitigation efforts and pursuant to the Brown Act and AB 361, the Historic Preservation Commission may meet virtually or in-person. This meeting of the Arcadia Historic Preservation Commission will be conducted virtually. Per the Brown Act, the public will still be provided the ability to make public comments. For members of the public who would like to participate virtually, the meeting will be held via Zoom. The public is also welcome to view this meeting as it takes place on the City’s website at ArcadiaCA.gov/liveplanning or on ACTV (check your local listings). How to Submit Public Comment: 1. Email: Please submit your comments via email to planning@ArcadiaCA.gov by 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2022. Your comments should be 300 words or less. 2. Zoom: To join the meeting from a phone, tablet, or internet browser please select the meeting link below and enter your name and email. Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87822632039 3. Phone: To join by telephone, please call the number below and enter the meeting ID. You will remain muted until you are recognized for public comment. Call-in Number: 1(669) 900 6833 or 1(346) 248-7799 or 1(253) 215-8782 Meeting ID: 878 2263 2039 Please contact the Planning Division at planning@ArcadiaCA.gov or at (626) 574-5423 for more information. 作为阿凯迪亚市缓解新冠病毒（COVID-19）传播的一项措施，并根据《布朗法案》和 AB 361，历史保护委员会可召开虚拟会议或面对 面会议。阿凯迪亚历史保护委员会的这次会议将以虚拟方式举行。根据《布朗法案》，仍将向公众提供发表评论意见的机会。对于希望 以虚拟形式参加会议的公众，会议将通过 Zoom 召开。我们也欢迎公众在市政府网站 ArcadiaCA.gov/liveplanning 或 ACTV 上旁听会 议（请查看您的本地频道列表）。 如何提交公众评论意见： 1. 电子邮件： 请通过电子邮件将评论意见发送至 planning@ArcadiaCA.gov，截止时间是 2022 年 1 月 25 日下午 5:00。您的评论 意见不得超过 300 个英文单词。 2. Zoom： 要通过手机、平板电脑或互联网浏览器参加会议，请选择下面的会议链接，并输入您的姓名和电子邮件地址。 会议链接：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87822632039 3. 电话： 要通过电话参加，请拨打以下号码并输入会议代码（meeting ID）。在轮到您发言之前，您的话筒将被静音。 请拨打：1(669) 900 6833 或 1(346) 248-7799 或 1(253) 215-8782 会议代码（meeting ID）：878 2263 2039 如希望了解更多信息，请洽规划处：planning@ArcadiaCA.gov 或 (626) 574-5423。 Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability who require a disability related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, may request such modification or accommodation from Planning Services at (626) 574-5423. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting. 根据《美国残障人法案》的规定，需要提供残障相关调整或便利设施才能参加会议的残障人士（包括辅助器材或服务），可向规划服务部 请求获得此类调整或便利设施，电话号码 (626) 574-5423。请在会前 48 小时通知规划服务部，以便作出合理安排，确保顺利参加会议。 Pursuant to the City of Arcadia’s Language Access Services Policy, limited-English proficient speakers who require translation services in order to participate in a meeting may request the use of a volunteer or professional translator by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 574-5455 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. 根据阿凯迪亚市的语言便利服务政策，英语能力有限并需要翻译服务才能参加会议的人可与市书记官办公室联系（电话：626-574-5455 ），请求提供志愿或专业翻译服务，请至少在会前 72 小时提出请求。 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Zi Lin, Chair Kenneth Chan, Vice Chair Brad Thompson, Commissioner Vincent Tsoi, Commissioner Marilynne Wilander, Commissioner SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person) Each speaker is limited to three (5) minutes per person, unless waived by the Commission. Under the Brown Act, the Commission or Board Members are prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. PUBLIC HEARING All interested persons are invited to appear at a public hearing and to provide evidence or testimony concerning any of the proposed items set forth below for consideration. Separate and apart from the applicant (who may speak longer in the discretion of the Commission) speakers shall be limited to five (5) minutes per person. The applicant may additionally submit rebuttal comments, at the discretion of the Commission. You are hereby advised that should you desire to legally challenge in court or in an administrative proceeding any action taken by the City Council regarding any public hearing item, you may be limited to raising only those issues and objections you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing. 1. Resolution No. 2086 – Recommending that the City Council approve Historical Landmark No. HL 21-01 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) to landmark the Arcadia Woman’s Club at 324 S. First Avenue Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2086 Applicant: Cheryl Alberg, President of the Arcadia Woman’s Club and Marilyn Daleo on behalf of the Arcadia Woman’s Club ADJOURNMENT DATE: January 25, 2022 TO: Honorable Chair and Historic Preservation Commission FROM: Lisa L. Flores, Planning & Community Development Administrator By: Fiona Graham, Planning Services Manager SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 2086 – RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE HISTORICAL LANDMARK NO. HL 21-01 WITH A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”) TO LANDMARK THE ARCADIA WOMAN’S CLUB AT 324 S. FIRST AVENUE Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2086 SUMMARY The Applicant, Cheryl Alberg, President of the Arcadia Woman’s Club and Marilyn Daleo on behalf of the Arcadia Woman’s Club, a non-profit organization, is requesting that the City Council approve Historical Landmark No. HL 21-01 to designate the Arcadia Woman’s Club building as a historical landmark at 324 S. 1st Avenue. It is recommended that the Historic Preservation Commission find this landmark designation is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and adopt Resolution No. 2086 (Attachment No. 1) recommending that the City Council approve the designation. BACKGROUND On November 15, 2021, the President of the Arcadia Woman’s Club applied to designate their property as a historical landmark. The subject property is a 14,115 square foot corner lot that is located at the northeast corner of S. 1st Avenue and Diamond Street, fronting west onto S. 1st Avenue – refer to Attachment No. 2. The site is improved with a 5,224 square foot one-story building that was constructed in 1931, as shown below. The site has decorative landscaping and mature growth trees including oak and ash trees with a non-original, brick-topped stucco wall with wrought-iron front entry gate in front of the property, as shown in the image below. The property has always been owned by the Arcadia Woman’s Club, a non-profit organization. The building is currently used for a variety of community-focused, event and philanthropic activities. 1 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 2 of 12 As part of this landmark’s nomination process, the building was evaluated for local designation by a professional Architectural Historian, Ms. St. Charles from Architectural Resources Group (ARG). Refer to Attachment No. 3 for the Historical Report. The Arcadia Woman’s Club building was built by the Arcadia Woman’s Club to serve as its headquarters and events space. The building has been continuously used by the Arcadia Woman’s Club since its construction. In terms of architectural style, the Woman’s Club building is of Spanish Colonial Revival. The one-story, L-shaped building is made of brick, textured stucco, and wood frame construction. The historic west facing façade is asymmetrical, reflecting the 1931 original façade to the north and the 1941 foyer addition to the south created the building’s L- shaped plan. The front of the building features a covered porch. A wood sign reading “The Woman’s Club of Arcadia” hangs from the porch roof. The south facing building that fronts Diamond Street has a single, unornamented wood door covered by a small stucco canopy with a clay tile roof and curving supports and which is accessed by a set of concrete steps with metal railings. The eastern most portion of the façade is part of a 1941 sunroom addition which has a small concrete and stucco porch with steps and metal railings . This area contains two other secondary entries. The building’s north façade largely abuts the parcel’s northern boundary and fronts on a surface parking lot that is not associated with the Woman’s Club. 324 S. 1st A v e 2 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 3 of 12 Arcadia Woman’s Club building, eastern façade as seen from S. 1st Avenue. Southern façade of the Arcadia Woman’s Club building as seen from Diamond Street. 3 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 4 of 12 Looking south-east toward the front façade of the Arcadia Woman’s Club and the 1941 foyer addition. Diamond Street is behind the wall. Front façade of the Arcadia Woman’s Club. Visible is the covered porch and hanging wood sign. To the right is the 1941 foyer addition. 4 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 5 of 12 C. Documented Changes to the Property Since original construction in 1931, the property has undergone two major changes. Concurrent with the growth and success of the Arcadia Woman’s Club, the clubhouse building was enlarged with planned additions at the primary and rear façades. Other than these additions, the greatest alterations to the structure have been repairs and retrofits following the 1987 Whittier-Narrows earthquake. 1931 Permit issued to erect a building at 324 S. 1st Avenue. 1941 Permit issued for the addition of a sunroom (at th e east façade) and foyer (at the southwest end of the building). 1973 Permit issued to re-roof entire tiled roof with new tiles. 1988 Permit issued to replace the west window, reconstruct the southwest wall, replace the chimney, and repair and reconstruct the north wall and porch due to earthquake damage. Portions of the building were also sandblasted and re - stuccoed at this time, and stucco was removed from the porch entrance leaving exposed brick cladding. Permit issued for a garden/retaining wall project consisting of a 105 linear foot wall with two gates. 1992 Permit issued for a structural retrofit. 1993 Permit issued to replace floor heater, repair floor joists and beams joists and repair other fire damage. 2015 Permit issue to remove roof tile, replace underlayment, and reinstall existing tile . In addition to the above known changes, there are also several observed alterations for which documentation could not be identified. These include: • All original stucco wall cladding replaced with a rougher textured stucco (likely in 1988 during earthquake repair work) • Brick pathway replaced with concrete • AC units added • Shutters added • Secondary door replaced • Secondary entrance railing added 5 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 6 of 12 ANALYSIS The Historic Landmark requirements in Subsection 9103.17.060 of the Development Code requires that the Historic Preservation Commission forward a recommendation to the City Council on whether the individual resource (building, structure, object, or site) should be designated as a landmark on the basis that it meets one or more of the following local eligibility criteria. The potential historic resource must also be at least 45 years of age, unless it can be demonstrated that the resource has achieved exceptional importance within the last 45 years (Development Code Section 9103.17.060(C)). The building was constructed in 1931 and is therefore 90 years old as of 2 021, meeting the age requirement. The Commission may consider, among other relevant factors, the following criteria in making the findings: 1. It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Arcadia's or California's history; 2. It is associated with the lives of persons important to local or California history; 3. It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of master, or possesses high artistic values; 4. It has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the city or state. Based on the historical evaluation that was prepared by Architectural Resources Group (ARG), the building meets two of the four criteria, which are criteria no. 1 and 3 on the basis the building was associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the City’s history and its architectural style of the building, Spanish Colonial Revival. Criterion 1: It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Ar cadia's or California's history. Facts to Support This Criteria: The Arcadia Woman’s Club building is significant under this criterion for its association with early institutional development in the City. Home to one of the City’s oldest community organizations, the Arcadia Woman’s Club building has served as the location of numerous Club events, lectures, philanthropy endeavors, and military relief programs utilizing the building as a United Service Organizations (USO) and Red Cross station throughout much of World War II for the benefit of members and fellow Arcadians. Constructed in 1931, the building has functioned as the home of the Arcadia Woman’s Club for 90 years and has played a crucial role in developing community engagement in the City. The information below explains its significant contribution this property and building have made to Arcadia’s history. 6 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 7 of 12 Institutional Development in Arcadia (1910 -1935) Arcadia was established as a town in the late 1800’s. A small business district and the area’s earliest residences began growing in the 1880s, but minimal institutional development occurred until after the turn of the 20th century. The City incorporated in 1903 and by 1904, had a school district, a city newspaper, and a number of active liquor licenses. Residential growth was slow and institution development was negligible with no churches or other social organizations beyond the school and newspaper operating in Arcadia for a few years after incorporation . The most crucial developments around time were in the realm of infrastructu re, notably transportation networks of railroads, streetcar lines, and roads. These networks were key to the success of early Arcadia. In the late 1910s, institutional development began to increase primarily in the form of schools. First Avenue School (ori ginally Arcadia Grammar School; 301 S. 1st Ave.) was constructed with 1919 bond funds to serve over 200 students, and in 1926 it was joined by Holly Avenue School at 360 W. Duarte Rd. As the city’s population continued to grow, the need for a permanent location for its local governing bodies was apparent. In 1918, Arcadia completed its first City Hall (no longer extant) at the northwest corner of Huntington Drive and 1st Avenue. Other institutions established during the 1910s and 1920s included an American Legion post, a public library, a Chamber of Commerce, several fraternal orders, a riding and hunting club, a baseball club, a golf club, and the Woman’s Club of Arcadia. Few of these institutional resources from the period between 1910-1935 remain intact in the city, making the Woman’s Club building a rare and important example of early institutional development in Arcadia. The Woman’s Club of Arcadia The Arcadia Woman’s Club was first organized as a social club in 1914 by Alice Billings. Soon, the organization’s endeavors turned to philanthropy, civic improvement, and promotional work for the city, aligning with many fraternal and sororal collectives that were initiated throughout the country after the turn of the 20th century. The group was originally known as the “Co-operative Arcadians” and early meetings were held in various member’s homes, community halls, and eventually Arcadia City Hall. In addition to lectures and philanthropic activity, the Arcadia Woman’s Club’s earliest projects included annual floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade and the creation of a small library and reading room. This library was the first Los Angeles County library branch to open within the City of Arcadia, and while City Council paid the rental fee for the library space, all books, furnishings, programming, and employee pay were provided by the Woman’s Club. In 1920 a successful ballot measure assured that the City was finally able to fund a municipal library, and the new collection was given a small room in City Hall. 7 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 8 of 12 Wartime efforts dominated the activities of the Woman’s Club following the United States’ entry into World War I. The Arcadia women organized support for the Red Cross as well as local military outposts like the Ross Field Balloon School. One of th e Woman’s Club’s most successful fundraisers sold ice cream and soft drinks at the Balloon School during an Army air show. Other early projects included the construction of a public drinking fountain and the beautification of the Second Avenue Park. In 1920 the Cooperative Arcadians organization had grown large enough to join the Los Angeles District and California Federation of Women’s Clubs, whereby the group officially changed their name to “The Woman’s Club of Arcadia” and by 1924 the Arcadia Club had joined the National Federation as well. The Arcadia Woman’s Club’s commitment to horticulture and city beautification came to fruition in 1926 when the group hosted Arcadia’s first flower show, the Chrysanthemum Fete. The successful event became an annual showcase for the Club’s active Garden Section. Later floral events included the Peach Blossom Festival and countless garden parties, luncheons, and fundraisers. Other sections throughout the Club’s history have included groups dedicated to Public Affairs, Travel, Music and Choral, Arts and Crafts, Drama, Law, Literature, Philanthropy, the Conservation of Wildlife, the Bible, and California History and Landmarks. By 1925 the Woman’s Club, consistently growing in membership, realized the need for a permanent clubhouse. A fundraiser began that year, and in 1930 the organization purchased the two lots at the corner of S. 1st Avenue and Diamond Street for $1,800. Fundraising for the new clubhouse was a primary concern of the Woman’s Club for many years, and money was raised through private donation, luncheons, bake sales, and entertainment events. Plans for the building were drawn by Monrovia Architect Frank O. Eager, and the construction contract was awarded to Arcadia builder C.P. Cassady. Construction was planned in three phases, with the clubhouse meeting hall as phase one that was set at the back of the two lots to allow for a foyer addition, which was phase two, and then a larger auditorium, as phase three, but never built. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 4, 1931, and the dedication of the clubhouse was held on July 31, 1931. In the 1941 the second phase of clubhouse construction, which added a foyer to the west of the original building and a sunroom to the east, was completed by builder C.P. Cassady. The timing of this construction was convenient as the added space allowed the Woman’s Club to organize quickly and efficiently to once again be of service to wartime efforts. The clubhouse served as a United Service Organizations (USO) and Red Cross station throughout much of World War II. Club members organized entertainment for soldiers, housed the families of servicemen and women, and sold over $20,000 in war bonds. The Woman’s Club estimates that by the end of 1945, approximately 10,000 service people had used the Club’s facilities. 8 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 9 of 12 The postwar period marked a renewed interest in civic investment outside the realm of military support, and the organization was able to focus on other activities and fundraisers. Since that time, the Arcadia Woman’s Club has continued to serve the community through regular programming and special events such as hosting athletes and coaches during the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Today the organization promotes and supports causes such as the Domestic Violence Action Coalition and the Pennies for Pines Reforestation Project. In 2021 the Woman’s Club celebrated the 90th anniversary of the clubhouse at 324 S. 1st Avenue. The organization remains committed to community engagement and civic investment through fundraisers, volunteering activities, and monthly meetings. Criterion 3: It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of master, or possesses high artistic values. Facts to Support This Criteria: The Arcadia Woman’s Club building is significant under this criterion because the building embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style. The subject property is a refined and relatively modest example of that style applied to an institutional building. The building remains relatively intact and retains many important features of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Character defining features of the building’s exterior include: cross-gable roof covered in cl ay tiles, stucco cladding, covered entrance porch supported by wood posts with brick flooring, and fixed and double -hung wood windows. The information below further explains why this building’s is a good example of this architecture. Spanish Colonial Reviv al architecture gained widespread popularity throughout Southern California after the 1915 Panama -California Exposition in San Diego. The exposition’s buildings were designed by Architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who wished to go beyond the popular Missi on architectural interpretations of the state’s colonial past and highlight the richness of Spanish precedents found throughout Latin America. The exposition prompted other designers to look directly to Spain for architectural inspiration. The Spanish Colo nial Revival style was an attempt to create a “native” California architectural style that drew upon and romanticized the state’s colonial past. The versatility of the style, allowing for builders and architects to construct buildings as simple or as lavish as desired, made the style popular throughout Southern California. The style’s adaptability also lent its application to a variety of building types, including single- and multi-family residences, commercial properties, and institutional buildings. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture often borrowed from other styles such as Churrigueresque, Gothic Revival, Moorish Revival, or Art Deco. The styl e is characterized by its complex building forms, stucco -clad wall surfaces, and clay tile roofs. 9 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 10 of 12 Spanish Colonial Revival architecture remained popular through the 1930s, with later versions simpler in form and ornamentation. A prevalent Period Revival st yle in Arcadia, Spanish Colonial Revival is typically applied to single -family residential properties in neighborhoods south of Huntington Drive. However, there are several institutional buildings in the city that are also designed in the style. The Arcadia Woman’s Club building retains original and significant Spanish Colonial Revival architectural features including the following: • The original covered porch with square wood posts, brick floor and stucco ceiling; • Stucco building exterior ; • Red clay roof tiles; • Low-pitched, cross-gable roof form; • Architectural details such as exposed rafter tails, clay tile coping, and small decorative pipe vents with grilles ; • Multi-pane casement and double hung windows with decorative shutters ; • Three sets of fully glazed wood French doors lining the porch ; and • L-shaped building footprint. Additionally, the building is in a prominent corner location, setback from the street and is surrounded by lawn and mature trees. The building was designed by Frank O. Eager, who ran an architectural firm, Eager & Eager in Los Angeles. Eager & Eager designed a wide range of buildings including residences, business buildings, schools, and other institutional Str uctures in Southern California and Nevada. In addition to the requirements listed above, an individual resource must satisfy at least one of the following requirements : 1. It is listed on the National and/or California Register of Historic Places The subject site is not listed on the National or California Register of Historic Places. 2. It is an iconic property The Arcadia Woman’s Club building is an iconic property within the City because the building has undergone relatively few changes in the last 90 years. The property houses one of the oldest institutions in the City, the Arcadia Woman’s Club. The Arcadia Woman’s Club has a long history of supporting the City, its 10 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 11 of 12 residents, and the community, and is inextricably linked with the City’s history and development over the past century. ARG has assigned the building with a California Historical Res ource Status Code 3CS/5S3 - appears eligible for individual listing in the California Register and as an Arcadia Landmark. If the building is designated as a local landmark, the status code would change to the Status Code of 5S1 – individual property that is listed or designated locally. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT It has been determined that the designation of a historic resource is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15308, Class 8, pertaining to actions by regulatory agencies for the protection of the environment. Refer Attachment No. 4 for the Preliminary Exemption Assessment. PUBLIC NOTICE/COMMENTS Public hearing notices for this item were mailed to the owners of those properties that are located within 300 feet of the subject property and published in the Arcadia Weekly on January 6, 2022. As of January 21, 2022, staff did not receive any concerns or comments related to the historical designation. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended the Historic Preservation Commission adopt Resolution No. 2086, recommending that the City Council find that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approve Historical Landmark No. HL 21-02, designating the Arcadia Woman’s Club building at 324 S. 1st Avenue as a historical landmark. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ACTION If the Historic Preservation Commission intends to recommend City Council approval of this project, the Commission should move to recommend the City Council adopt the historic landmark designation, state that the proposal meets the requisite criteria, adopt the attached Resolution No. 2086 that incorporates the requisite environmental and historic landmark designation criteria, and direct staff to prepare a report that incorporates the Commission’s recommendation for review by the City Council. If any Historic Preservation Commission, or other interested party has any questions or comments regarding this matter prior to the January 25, 2022 hearing, please contact Planning Services Manager, Fiona Graham at (626) 574-5442, or by email at fgraham@ArcadiaCA.gov. 11 Resolution No. 2086– HL 21-01 324 S. 1st Avenue January 25, 2022 – Page 12 of 12 Approved: Lisa L. Flores Planning & Community Development Administrator Attachment No. 1: Resolution No. 2086 Attachment No. 2: Aerial Photo with Zoning Information and Photos of the Subject Property and Vicinity Attachment No. 3: Historical Evaluation of the Arcadia Woman’s Club Attachment No. 4: Preliminary Exemption Assessment 12 Attachment No. 1 Attachment No. 1 Resolution No. 2086 13 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2086 A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE ARCADIA WOMAN’S CLUB AS A HISTORICAL LANDMARK, HISTORICAL LANDMARK NO. HL 21-01 WITH A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”) AT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 324 S. FIRST AVENUE WHEREAS, on November 15, 2021, a Historical Landmark application No. HL 21- 01 was filed by the President of the Arcadia Woman’s Club, Cheryl Alberg, and representative Marilyn Daleo on behalf of the Arcadia Woman’s Club (“Applicant”), a non- profit organization to designate the Arcadia Woman’s Club building as a historical landmark at 324 South 1st Avenue; and WHEREAS, on December 16, 2021, Planning Services completed an environmental assessment for the designation of a historic resource in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission determine that the designation of a historic resource is exempt under Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines pertaining to actions by regulatory agencies for the protection of the environment; and WHEREAS, on January 25, 2022, a duly noticed public hearing was held before the Historic Preservation Commission on said application, at which time all interested persons were given full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence; and WHEREAS, on January 25, 2022, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the application for the purposes of transmitting a recommendation to the City Council concerning the designation of the Arcadia Woman’s Club building as a local landmark. 14 2 NOW, THEREFORE, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The factual data submitted by the Community Development Division in the staff report dated January 25, 2022 are true and correct. SECTION 2. This Commission finds, based upon the entire record, pursuant to section 9103.17.060 of the Development Code, that the potential resource is eligible to be designated as a landmark based on two of the four criteria for designation and that as an individual resource, the building must also comply with one of the two additional requirements listed in the Local Eligibility and Designation Criteria of the Development Code to be eligible for designation. Those required findings are set forth below. 1. Criteria No. 1 – It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Arcadia’s or California’s history. FACT: The Arcadia Woman’s Club building is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Arcadia's history. It is significant for its association with early institutional development in the City. Home to one of the City’s oldest community organizations, the Arcadia Woman’s Club building has served as the location of numerous Club events, lectures, philanthropy endeavors, and military relief programs for the benefit of members and fellow Arcadians. Constructed in 1931, the building has functioned as the home of the Arcadia Woman’s Club for 90 years and has played a crucial role in developing community engagement in the City. 2. Criteria No 3 – It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of master, or possesses high artistic values. 15 3 FACT: The Arcadia Woman’s Club building embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style. The subject property is a refined and relatively modest example of that style applied to an institutional building. The building remains relatively intact and retains many important features of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Character defining features of the building’s exterior include: cross-gable roof covered in clay tiles, stucco cladding, covered entrance porch supported by wood posts with brick flooring, and fixed and double-hung wood windows. 3. It is an iconic property. FACT: The Arcadia Woman’s Club building is an iconic structure within the City of Arcadia. The property is located on the corner of 1st Avenue and Diamond Street and has undergone relatively few changes in its 90-year history. The building is home to one of the oldest institutions in the City, the Arcadia Woman’s Club. The Arcadia Woman’s Club has a long history of supporting the City, its residents and the community, and is inextricably linked with the City’s history and development over the past century. SECTION 3. Pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), the proposed historic landmark designation qualifies as a Class 8 Categorical Exemption. This is because the project consists of actions taken by the City to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, and protection of the environment, and the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment per Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines. SECTION 4. For the foregoing reasons, the Historic Preservation Commission determines that the proposed historic landmark designation is Categorically Exempt 16 4 under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Section 15308, Class 8, and recommends that the City Council approve a historic landmark designation for the Arcadia Woman’s Club building at 324 S. 1st Avenue. SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. Passed, approved and adopted this 25th day of January 2022. _____________________________ Zi Lin Chair, Historic Preservation Commission ATTEST: ______________________ Lisa L. Flores Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________ Stephen P. Deitsch City Attorney 17 5 Page Intentionally Left Blank 18 Attachment No. 2 Attachment No. 2 Aerial Photo with Zoning Information and Photos of the Subject Property and Vicinity 19 Overlays Selected parcel highlighted Parcel location within City of Arcadia Yes Property Owner(s): Lot Area (sq ft): Year Built: Main Structure / Unit (sq. ft.): MU Number of Units: MU Property Characteristics 1931 5,224 0 Property Owner Site Address:324 S 1ST AVE Parcel Number: 5779-002-001 N/A Zoning: General Plan: Yes Downtown Overlay: Downtown Parking Overlay: Architectural Design Overlay:N/A N/A N/A N/A Residential Flex Overlay: N/A N/A N/A N/A Special Height Overlay: N/A Parking Overlay: Racetrack Event Overlay: This map is a user generated static output from an Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. Report generated 13-Dec-2021 Page 1 of 1 20 Arcadia Woman’s Club – site and surrounding area photos Page 1 of 13 Photo references for the Arcadia Woman’s Club (identified with red border) and surrounding area. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 21 20 15 19 14 18 First Avenue Middle School 21 Page 2 of 13 Figure 1 Looking toward the southeast corner of California Street and S1st Ave Figure 2 Looking south on S. 1st Avenue. The Arcadia Woman's Club is behind the low cream colored block wall. 22 Page 3 of 13 Figure 3 Looking north on S. 1st Avenue. The red building is adjacent to the Arcadia Woman's Club building. Figure 4 Looking east toward the front facade of the Arcadia Woman's Club building 23 Page 4 of 13 Figure 5 Looking toward the north east corner of S. 1st Ave and Diamond Street, toward the Arcadia Woman's Club building. Figure 6 Looking north toward the Diamond Street facade of the Arcadia Woman's Club. 24 Page 5 of 13 Figure 7 Looking east along Diamond Street. Photo taken outside Arcadia Woman's Club building. Figure 8 Looking toward the Arcadia Woman's Club building from the corner of Diamond Street and S. 1st Ave. 25 Page 6 of 13 Figure 9 Diamond Street facade of the Arcadia Woman's Club building, looking in the direction of S. 1st Ave. Figure 10 Looking north at the rear of the Arcadia Woman's Club building. 26 Page 7 of 13 Figure 11 The rear of the Arcadia Woman's Club building showing the 1941 sunroom addition. Figure 12 Adjacent property to the rear of the Arcadia Woman's Club: 113 Diamond Street. 27 Page 8 of 13 Figure 13 Residential properties opposite the Arcadia Woman's Club on Diamond Street. Figure 14 Front facade of the Arcadia Woman's Club building showing the vinyl window replacement. 28 Page 9 of 13 Figure 15 Front facade of the Arcadia Woman's Club showing the covered porch. 29 Page 10 of 13 Figure 16 Under the covered porch looking north. 30 Page 11 of 13 Figure 17 Under the covered porch looking south. 31 Page 12 of 13 Figure 18 Looking east from the covered porch towards S. 1st Avenue and First Avenue Middle School. Figure 19 Front facade of the Arcadia Woman's Club building showing the 1941 foyer addition. 32 Page 13 of 13 Figure 20 Looking east across 1st Avenue from the Arcadia Woman's Club toward First Avenue Middle School. Figure 21 Looking south along S. 1st Avenue from the front of the Arcadia Woman's Club. 33 Attachment No. 3 Attachment No. 3 Historical Evaluation of the Arcadia Woman’s Club 34 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 1 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination A. Property Description Site The Arcadia Woman’s Club (Woman’s Club of Arcadia) building is located at 324 S. 1st Avenue in central Arcadia, to the east of Santa Anita and Arcadia County parks and to the south of the commercial development surrounding Huntington Drive. The topography of the area is relatively flat, and the street pattern is a regular grid resultant from planned development along streetcar lines.1 Multi-family residential buildings predominate in this section of Arcadia with commercial and institutional development located along larger thoroughfares. The subject property is located at the northeast corner of S. 1st Avenue and Diamond Street, fronting west onto S. 1st Avenue. The building is set back on a square-shaped parcel with lawn to the west and south dotted with decorative landscaping and mature growth trees including oak and ash. A circa 2016 commemorative bench dedicated to former Club president Floretta Lauber is set amongst decorative foliage on the property’s front lawn. A non-original, brick-topped stucco wall with wrought iron entry gates encloses the lawn fronting the building’s primary entrance, and a gently curving concrete walkway leads from the front gate to the entrance. A 1941 sunroom addition at the rear (east) of the building abuts the adjoining parcel. Building – Exterior The Woman’s Club building was constructed in 1931 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The one-story building has an essentially L-shaped plan and is of brick and wood frame construction. It is capped with a cross-gable clay tiled roof featuring exposed rafter tails, clay tile coping, and small decorative pipe vents with grilles. A reconstructed exterior stucco chimney is located at the south façade. The building is clad in brick and textured stucco. The historic primary (west) façade is asymmetrical, reflecting the 1931 original façade to the north and a 1941 foyer addition to the south which creates the building’s L-shaped plan. The 1931 portion of the west façade is clad in brick and features a nearly full-width recessed entrance porch, which has a brick floor laid in a basketweave pattern. The porch is flush with the concrete walkway from S. 1st Avenue. Its roof is supported by square wood posts embellished with rounded capitals and topped by horizontal beams. Some of the posts are connected by simple metal railings. The porch’s ceiling is clad in textured stucco and has compatible metal light fixtures. A wood sign reading “The Woman’s Club of Arcadia” 1 Architectural Resources Group, “Arcadia Citywide Historic Resources Survey Report,” Prepared for the City of Arcadia, Development Services, Planning Division, 2017, 40. 35 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 2 hangs from the porch roof. Fenestration at the 1931 portion of the west façade includes two single doors at opposite ends of the entryway and three sets of French doors. The primary door is a wide, unornamented wood door located at the southern wall of the porch. It is mirrored by a smaller wood door with a wood screen at the northern wall underneath the porch. The regularly spaced French doors are wood, fully glazed, and multi-light, and have transoms that have been infilled with air conditioning units and wood panels. Two of the three French doors have wood screens and each set of doors is accessed by a shallow brick step. The northmost portion of the west façade, adjacent to the entry porch, is a smaller volume clad in textured stucco and containing two pairs of multi-light wood casement windows. To the south of the porch is the 1941 foyer addition, which is clad in textured stucco and has a front- gabled roof. Its west façade contains a large, fixed vinyl replacement window on the west end, and its north façade (perpendicular to the porch) contains two pairs of steel, multi-light, casement windows flanked by matching fixed sidelights. The building’s south façade fronts on Diamond Street; its western portion is the 1941 foyer addition, while its eastern portion is primarily the 1931 volume. The 1941 portion contains a secondary entrance: a single, unornamented wood door covered by a small stucco canopy with a clay tile roof and curving supports. The door is accessed by a set of concrete steps with metal railings. This portion of the façade contains a pair of multi-light steel casement windows flanked by fixed sidelights and wood shutters. The eastern portion of the façade contains multiple single, multi-light fixed wood windows and multiple single, wood double-hung windows. The eastmost portion of the façade is part of a 1941 sunroom addition; recessed from the rest of the façade, it is fronted by a small concrete and stucco porch with steps and metal railings, which is covered by a shed-roofed, clay tile-covered canopy with simple wood post supports. This area contains two other secondary entries; one is a single wood door and the other is a set of fully glazed wood French doors with divided lights. The east (rear) façade is adjacent to the parcel’s lot line, which is marked by a concrete masonry unit wall. This façade represents the bulk of the 1941 sunroom addition. Multi-light steel casement windows with fixed sidelights are the only fenestration at this rear façade. Access to the shallow pathway separating the east façade from the wall at the property line is granted by a wrought iron gate. The building’s north façade largely abuts the parcel’s northern boundary and fronts on a surface parking lot that is not associated with the Woman’s Club. Fenestration at this façade includes a small door and a single double-hung wood window. Building – Interior The interior of the Woman’s Club building is characterized by a large rectangular auditorium with a raised stage, and back-of-house kitchen occupying the majority of the building’s original footprint. Additions in 1941 expanded the interior to include a sizable foyer at the southwest end and a sunroom 36 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 3 along the rear (east) edge of the building. Restrooms, a dressing room, and storage spaces comprise the rest of the interior. The main entry foyer is entered from either the porch at the building’s primary (west) façade or the exterior door at the south façade, which has become the building’s de facto main entrance. The foyer, which provides access to the auditorium, has plaster wall and ceiling finishes and non-original carpet and laminate flooring. Simple plaster pilasters that arch to cross the ceiling demarcate the junction between the 1931 and 1941 portions of the building. Other details include small recessed, arched nooks, and a non-operational plaster fireplace with a corbeled wood mantel, painted-over tile surround, and reddish brown glazed tile hearth. An arched doorway with arched, paneled wood double doors leads from the foyer into the auditorium, which reaches double-height under the primary roofline. The auditorium retains wood flooring, plaster wall and ceiling finishes, and a wood truss ceiling with polychromatic painted ornamentation on its crossbeams. The raised stage is located at the north end of the room and is flanked by arched doorways leading to a bathroom, dressing room, and storage space. Additional access to the auditorium is provided by three mirrored sets of French doors leading to the porch (at the west wall) and sunroom (at the east wall). Single paneled wood doors provide additional access to the sunroom, kitchen, and foyer. Secondary spaces, including the kitchen, bathrooms, storage space, and dressing room, are utilitarian in character and comprise plaster walls and primarily carpet or tile flooring. These spaces do not appear to retain any original finishes or fixtures. Building Chronology and Alterations Concurrent with the growth and success of the Arcadia Woman’s Club, the clubhouse building was enlarged with planned additions at the primary and rear façades. Other than these additions, the greatest alterations to the structure have been repairs and retrofits following the 1987 Whittier- Narrows earthquake. 1931 Permit issued to erect a building at 324 S. 1st Avenue. The Woman’s Club of Arcadia is listed as the owner, and C.P. Cassady is listed as the builder (Permit No. 2476). 1941 Permit issued for the addition of a sunroom (at the east façade) and foyer (at the southwest end of the building). C.P. Cassady is the builder (Permit No. 5725). 37 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 4 1947 The Woman’s Club of Arcadia deeded the westerly ten feet of lots 1 and 2, block 64 ½, Santa Anita Tract, to the City of Arcadia for street and highway purposes (Resolution No. 1471). 1973 Permit issued to re-roof entire tiled roof with new tiles (Permit No. 43046). 1988 Permit issued to replace the west window, reconstruct the southwest wall, replace the chimney, and repair and reconstruct the north wall and porch due to earthquake damage. Portions of the building were also sandblasted and re- stuccoed at this time, and stucco was removed from the porch entrance leaving exposed brick cladding (Permit No. 8935). Permit issued for a garden/retaining wall project consisting of a 105 linear foot wall with two gates (Permit No. A8802612). 1992 Permit issued for a structural retrofit (extent of work unknown) (Permit No. A920191). 1993 Permit issued to replace floor heater and repair fire damage (Permit No. A9301237). 1993 Permit issued to repair floor joists and beams from fire damage (Permit No. A9301207). 2015 Permit issue to remove roof tile, replace underlayment, and reinstall existing tile (Permit No. B00-048-959). Dates Unknown All original stucco wall cladding replaced with a rougher textured stucco (likely in 1988 during earthquake repair work) Brick pathway replaced with concrete AC units added Shutters added Secondary door replaced Secondary entrance railing added 38 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 5 B. Statement of Significance Summary The building at 324 S. 1st Avenue meets the following criterion for designation as an Arcadia Historic Landmark: 1. It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Arcadia’s or California’s history. The Arcadia Woman’s Club building is significant under Local Criterion 1 for its association with early institutional development in the city. Home to one of the city’s oldest community organizations, the Woman’s Club building has served as the location of numerous Club events, lectures, philanthropy endeavors, and military relief programs for the benefit of members and fellow Arcadians. Constructed in 1931, the building has functioned as the home of the Woman’s Club of Arcadia for 90 years and has played a crucial role in developing community engagement in the city. Historical Background Institutional Development in Arcadia (1910-1935) Like other Southern California cities, Arcadia was established as affordable train fares and attractive weather lured people from across the country in the late 1800s. A nascent business district and the area’s earliest residences sprang up in the 1880s, but minimal institutional development occurred until after the turn of the 20th century. By 1904, Arcadia had a school district, a city newspaper, and a number of active liquor licenses. Residential growth was slow, but institutional development lagged even further, with no churches or other social organizations beyond the school and newspaper finding a foothold in Arcadia for a few years. The most crucial developments at this time were in the realm of infrastructure, notably transportation networks of railroads, streetcar lines, and roads. These networks were key to the success of early Arcadia, starting with the establishment of rail services, quickly moving to the construction of local roads, and reaching their zenith with the addition of streetcar service along what is now Huntington Drive in 1903. While the railroad and streetcar lines are no longer present, their routes remain etched on the physical layout of Arcadia in the form of wide streets with medians cutting diagonally through the otherwise rectilinear grid of the city. Institutional development finally began to catch up with the rest of Arcadia, most visibly in the form of schools. First Avenue School (originally Arcadia Grammar School; 301 S. 1st Ave.) was constructed with 1919 bond funds to serve over 200 students, and in 1926 it was joined by Holly Avenue School at 360 W. Duarte Rd. in the western part of town. And as the city’s population continued to grow, the need for a 39 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 6 permanent location for its local governing bodies was apparent. In 1918, Arcadia completed its first City Hall (no longer extant) at the northwest corner of Huntington Drive and 1st Avenue.2 One of the most notable institutional developments of the 1910s was the establishment of the Ross Field Balloon School for the training of observation balloon crews during World War I. Constructed by the U.S. War Department, this facility trained soldiers to operate large hydrogen balloons in order to observe enemy position and movements. The training camp was located where Arcadia County Park and Santa Anita Golf Course are now. Other institutions established during the 1910s and 1920s included an American Legion post, a public library, a Chamber of Commerce, several fraternal orders, a riding and hunting club, a baseball club, a golf club, and the Woman’s Club of Arcadia.3 Few of these institutional resources from the period between 1910-1935 remain intact in the city, making the Woman’s Club building a rare and important example of early institutional development in Arcadia. The Woman’s Club of Arcadia The Woman’s Club of Arcadia was first organized as a social club in 1914 by Alice Billings. Soon, the organization’s endeavors turned to philanthropy, civic improvement, and promotional work for the city, aligning with many fraternal and sororal collectives that were initiated throughout the country after the turn of the 20th century. Originally known as the “Co-operative Arcadians” the group’s motto was, “Arcadia—Her asset is beauty, her aim is progress.”4 Alice Billings was chosen as the first president of the 12-member group, and dues were set at 25 cents a month. Early meetings were held in various member’s homes, community halls, and eventually Arcadia City Hall. In addition to lectures and philanthropic activity, the Arcadia Woman’s Club’s earliest projects included annual floats in the Tournament of Roses Parade and the creation of a small library and reading room. This library was the first Los Angeles County library branch to open within the City of Arcadia, and while City Council paid the rental fee for the library space, all books, furnishings, programming, and employee pay were provided by the Woman’s Club. In 1920 a successful ballot measure assured that the City was finally able to fund a municipal library, and the new collection was given a small room in City Hall. Wartime efforts dominated the activities of the Woman’s Club following the United States’ entry into World War I. The Arcadia women organized support for the Red Cross as well as local military outposts like the Ross Field Balloon School. One of the Woman’s Club’s most successful fundraisers sold ice cream and soft drinks at the Balloon School during an Army air show. 2 Architectural Resources Group, “Arcadia Citywide Historic Resources Survey Report,” Prepared for the City of Arcadia, Development Services, Planning Division, 2017, 47. 3 Gordon S. Eberly, Arcadia: City of the Santa Anita (Claremont, CA: Saunders Press, 1953), 57, 64. 4 Mattie B. Peck, “The Woman’s Club of Arcadia,” San Gabriel Valley Digest, April 1930. 40 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 7 Other early projects included the construction of a public drinking fountain and the beautification of the Second Avenue Park. In 1920 the Cooperative Arcadians organization had grown large enough to join the Los Angeles District and California Federation of Women’s Clubs, whereby the group officially changed their name to “The Woman’s Club of Arcadia.” By 1924 the Arcadia Club had joined the National Federation as well. Around this time, the group changed their slogan to “Let Us Build Together.”5 The Arcadia Woman’s Club’s commitment to horticulture and city beautification came to fruition in 1926 when the group hosted Arcadia’s first flower show, the Chrysanthemum Fete. The successful event became an annual showcase for the Club’s active Garden Section. Later floral events included the Peach Blossom Festival and countless garden parties, luncheons, and fundraisers. Other sections throughout the Club’s history have included groups dedicated to Public Affairs, Travel, Music and Choral, Arts and Crafts, Drama, Law, Literature, Philanthropy, the Conservation of Wildlife, the Bible, and California History and Landmarks. The Club was also at times organized with administrative sub-groups such as the Membership, Decoration, Ways and Means, Courtesy, Social, Press, and Door committees. By 1925 the Woman’s Club, consistently growing in membership, realized the need for a permanent clubhouse. A fund was begun that year, and in 1930 the organization purchased the two lots at the corner of S. 1st Avenue and Diamond Street for $1,800. Fundraising for the new clubhouse was a primary concern of the Woman’s Club for many years, and money was raised through private donation, luncheons, bake sales, and entertainment events. Plans for the building were drawn by Monrovia architect Frank O. Eager, and the construction contract was awarded to Arcadia builder C.P. Cassady.6 Construction was planned in three phases, with the clubhouse meeting hall (phase one) set at the back of the two lots to allow for a foyer addition (phase two) and larger auditorium (phase three, unbuilt). A groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 4, 1931, and the dedication of the clubhouse was held on July 31, 1931.7 Interest in the Woman’s Club did not waver despite the Great Depression, and in 1937 the Junior Woman’s Club was established to engage women between 18-35 years old. This energetic organization promoted the civic-minded causes of the Woman’s Club until the group’s numbers dwindled in the 1990s. In the 1941 the second phase of clubhouse construction, which added a foyer to the west of the original building and a sunroom to the east, was completed by C.P. Cassady. The timing of this construction was convenient as the added space allowed the Woman’s Club to organize quickly and efficiently to once again be of service to wartime efforts. The clubhouse served as a USO and Red Cross station throughout 5 Emma D. Meade, “39 Years of Progress: The Woman’s Club of Arcadia,” 1953. Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage Collection. 6 “Women Dedicate Clubhouse,” Los Angeles Times, October 9, 1931. 7 Emma D. Meade, “39 Years of Progress: The Woman’s Club of Arcadia,” 1953. Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage Collection. 41 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 8 much of World War II. Club members organized entertainment for soldiers, housed the families of servicemen and women, and sold over $20,000 in war bonds. The Woman’s Club estimates that by the end of 1945, approximately 10,000 servicepeople had used the Club’s facilities.8 The postwar period marked a renewed interest in civic investment outside the realm of military support, and the organization was able to focus on other activities and fundraisers. Since that time, the Arcadia Woman’s Club has continued to serve the community through regular programming and special events such as hosting athletes and coaches during the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Today the organization promotes and supports causes such as the Domestic Violence Action Coalition and the Pennies for Pines Reforestation Project.9 The clubhouse building was damaged by the Whittier-Narrows earthquake in 1987. Repairs included the replacement of the building’s exterior stucco chimney and prominent west façade window. At this time the building was also sandblasted and restuccoed, though the brick walls at the porch were left exposed. Only five years later the building underwent a costly structural retrofit to meet new standards for earthquake safety. Since that time the building has remained relatively unchanged, though regular maintenance is ongoing in 2021. In 2014, the Arcadia Woman’s Club research material collection was donated by the organization to the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage. The collection, which consists of scrapbooks, photographs, newspaper clippings, meeting minutes, financial records, and memorabilia, was later curated and digitized by the Gilb Museum.10 In 2021 the Woman’s Club celebrated the 90th anniversary of the construction of the clubhouse at 324 S. 1st Avenue. The organization remains committed to community engagement and civic investment through fundraisers, volunteering activities, and monthly meetings. Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture The subject property embodies the characteristics of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and is a refined and relatively modest example of the style applied to an institutional building in Arcadia. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture gained widespread popularity throughout Southern California after the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in San Diego. The exposition’s buildings were designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who wished to go beyond the popular Mission architectural interpretations of the state’s colonial past and highlight the richness of Spanish precedents found throughout Latin America. The exposition prompted other designers to look directly to Spain for 8 “Arcadia Woman’s Club Virtual Exhibit,” Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage, https://www.arcadiaca.gov/Library/History%20Room/Museum/Exhibits/Arcadia%20Woman's%20Club%20Virtual %20Exhibit_2nd_rev1.pdf. 9 “Our Services,” Arcadia Woman’s Club, accessed September 2021, http://www.arcadiawomansclub.org/ourwork.html. 10 “Arcadia Woman’s Club Virtual Exhibit,” Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage. 42 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 9 architectural inspiration. The Spanish Colonial Revival style was an attempt to create a “native” California architectural style that drew upon and romanticized the state’s colonial past. The popularity of the Spanish Colonial Revival style coincided with Southern California’s population boom of the 1920s. The versatility of the style, allowing for builders and architects to construct buildings as simple or as lavish as money would permit, helped to further spread its popularity throughout the region. The style’s adaptability also lent its application to a variety of building types, including single- and multi-family residences, commercial properties, and institutional buildings. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture often borrowed from other styles such as Churrigueresque, Gothic Revival, Moorish Revival, or Art Deco. The style is characterized by its complex building forms, stucco-clad wall surfaces, and clay tile roofs. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture remained popular through the 1930s, with later versions simpler in form and ornamentation. A prevalent Period Revival style in Arcadia, Spanish Colonial Revival is typically applied to single-family residential properties in neighborhoods south of Huntington Drive. However, there are several institutional buildings in the city that are also designed in the style. Frank O. Eager, Architect Architect Frank O. Eager is credited in multiple periodicals with designing the Arcadia Woman’s Club building, though his name does not appear on building records.11 A longtime resident of Monrovia, Eager was born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1878 and moved to California in 1901. Eager and his brother ran the architectural firm Eager & Eager which had offices in Los Angeles. The firm designed a wide range of buildings including residences, business buildings, schools, and other institutional structures in Southern California and Nevada. One of Eager’s best known designs is the Leven Oaks Hotel, constructed in 1911 and still extant at 120 S. Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia (the building has been remodeled and is now used as an assisted living facility). Eager was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 308 and was active in Monrovia community life with his wife, Emma and son, Alvin. Frank Eager died on June 2, 1945.12 C.P. Cassady, Contractor Born in Iowa in 1893, Clarence P. Cassady was a general contractor in the city of Arcadia for many years. Cassady constructed a number of institutional, commercial, and residential buildings in the San Gabriel Valley, though he was not well known outside the area. In addition to the Arcadia Woman’s Clubhouse, Cassady also designed and built the local Glenn Dyer Post (1932, no longer extant) of the American Legion where he served on the board of directors.13 He resided in Arcadia with his wife Ora, and children June and Clarence J. Cassady. C.P. Cassady was awarded the contract for the Arcadia Woman’s Club building after the organization declared their intention to only consider local builders. Cassady’s was the lowest bid submitted at 11 “Women Dedicate Clubhouse,” Los Angeles Times, October 9, 1931. 12 “Death Claims Frank O. Eager,” Monrovia News-Post, June 2, 1945. 13 “World War Scenes Are Reenacted,” Pasadena Post, March 6, 1932. 43 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 10 $6,375.14 Announcements in local newspapers in early 1931 state that the building was constructed of brick, though photographs of the building’s opening in August 1931 appear to show that none of the brick was left exposed, and the entire building was clad in stucco. Cassady was further involved in the phased construction of the building and built a wood-framed sunroom and foyer addition in 1941. However, the third phase of the building plans—for an additional auditorium—never came to fruition. Cassady and architect Frank Eager would again collaborate in 1932 on the design and construction of the Greater Arcadia Building-Loan Association (no longer extant). Period of Significance A building’s period of significance is defined as the span of time during which a property attains the significance for which it meets local, state, or federal eligibility criteria. For its association with the Arcadia Woman’s Club, a prominent community organization with ties to the early development of the city, the clubhouse building’s period of significance is 1931 to 1945. This period is most reflective of the Club’s contribution to the early institutional development of Arcadia, prior to the city’s increased growth and development after 1945 and the end of World War II. The period of significance includes the additions constructed in 1941 by original contractor C.P. Cassady that were part of a phased construction plan conceived when the building was designed. The year 1945 also marked a shift in focus for the Arcadia Woman’s Club. While the organization had been heavily involved in wartime efforts during World Wars I and II, even serving as a USO from 1943-1945, the group was less actively involved in military support during subsequent conflicts as Arcadia’s infrastructure fully developed in the postwar period. Character-Defining Features – Exterior • Prominent corner location, set back from the street and surrounded by lawn and mature trees • L-shaped building footprint • Cross-gable roof covered in clay tiles (clay tile replaced in-kind) • Stucco cladding (original stucco replaced with more textured stucco) • Recessed entrance porch supported by wood posts with brick flooring • Three sets of fully glazed wood French doors lining the porch • Multi-light steel casement windows flanked by fixed sidelights at multiple façades • Fixed and double-hung wood windows at multiple façades • Painted wood sign that reads “The Woman’s Club of Arcadia” at the porch entrance 14 “Clubhouse Contract Awarded to Cassady,” Arcadia Tribune, April 17, 1931. 44 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 11 Character-Defining Features – Interior • Floorplan dominated by an auditorium and 1941 foyer addition surrounded by secondary, back- of-house spaces • Double-height auditorium with open wood-truss ceiling, wood flooring, and raised stage • Ceramic-tiled fireplace • Three sets of fully glazed wood French doors with glazed transoms connecting the auditorium to the sunroom Integrity In addition to meeting Local Criterion 1, the Arcadia Woman’s Club building at 324 S. 1st Avenue retains sufficient historic integrity. Historic integrity is the ability of a property to convey its significance and is defined as the “authenticity of a property’s historic identity, evidenced by the survival of physical characteristics that existed during the property’s prehistoric or historic period.”15 The aspects of integrity, as defined by the National Park Service, are location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. • Location: The clubhouse building has remained on its original lot since it was constructed in 1931 and therefore retains integrity of location. • Design: While the building has undergone some alterations to its design, including the replacement of its large picture window at the west façade with a smaller vinyl window, the building’s overall form, structure, and L-shaped plan are intact from its period of significance (1931-1945). In addition, it retains the majority of its historic Spanish Colonial Revival design elements, including its low-pitched, cross-gable roof with clay tile roofing, stucco wall cladding, French doors, and steel windows. Thus, it retains integrity of design. • Setting: While the residential neighborhoods to the east and west of the subject property have been altered with new residences in the 1970s onward, and S. 1st Avenue has experienced some change since its initial development in the late 1910s and 1930s, the low-scale character of the area surrounding the subject property is still largely intact. The Woman’s Club of Arcadia and the First Avenue School (located across the street), along with a few smaller commercial properties, continue to anchor this section of the city’s historic civic core, and S. 1st Avenue retains enough of its historic context to reflect its early commercial and institutional growth in central Arcadia. Thus, the subject property retains integrity of setting. • Materials: While the clubhouse building has experienced some alterations to its original materials, most replacements have been of similar or in-kind materials, such as its clay tile roofing and stucco cladding. Additionally, the building retains its original brick construction and 15 U.S. Department of the Interior, National Register Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form (Washington D.C.: National Park Service, 1997), 4. 45 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 12 the majority of its original fenestration (wood French doors and steel windows). Overall, the building retains some of its material properties from its period of significance. • Workmanship: Alterations to the building, including replacement of its original west façade picture window and replacement of its original stucco cladding with textured stucco, have somewhat compromised the physical evidence of its original craftsmanship. However, because the overall design of the building is intact and the property retains some of its original materials (brick construction, wood French doors, steel windows), it retains its overall integrity of workmanship from its historical period. • Feeling: The building sits in its original location on S. 1st Avenue, Arcadia’s original commercial and civic center, and its design is still intact. Additionally, it still retains some of its historic materials and features that help to convey its original workmanship. It continues to express the feeling of a pre-World War II institutional clubhouse building. Thus, it retains this aspect of integrity. • Association: Continuously occupied by the Woman’s Club of Arcadia for 90 years, 324 S. 1st Avenue represents the organization’s permanent home and has served as an integral part of Arcadia community life. Thus, it retains integrity of association. 46 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 13 Bibliography Ancestry.com (various databases). Accessed September2021. https://www.ancestry.com/. Arcadia Public Library Special Collections, various primary sources. Arcadia Tribune, various dates as noted in footnotes. “Arcadia Woman’s Club Virtual Exhibit,” Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage, https://www.arcadiaca.gov/Library/History%20Room/Museum/Exhibits/Arcadia%20Woman's% 20Club%20Virtual%20Exhibit_2nd_rev1.pdf. Architectural Resources Group. “Arcadia Citywide Historic Resources Survey Report.” Prepared for the City of Arcadia, Development Services, Planning Division (2017). City of Arcadia Building Permit Center. Building permit records (various dates). Accessed September 2021. http://laserfiche.ci.arcadia.ca.us/weblink/Browse.aspx?startid=537578&cr=1 Eberly, Gordon S. Arcadia: City of the Santa Anita. Claremont, CA: Saunders Press, 1953. Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor. Property assessment data and maps. Accessed September 2021. https://portal.assessor.lacounty.gov/. Los Angeles Times, various dates as noted in footnotes. Meade, Emma D. “39 Years of Progress: The Woman’s Club of Arcadia.” Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage Collection. 1953. Monrovia-News Post, various dates as noted in footnotes. NETR Online. “Historic Aerials” (various dates). Accessed September 2021. https://www.historicaerials.com/. “Our Services.” Arcadia Woman’s Club. Accessed September 2021. http://www.arcadiawomansclub.org/ourwork.html. Pasadena Post, various dates as noted in footnotes. Sanborn Map Company. “Arcadia, California.” 1932 map, Sheet 7. San Gabriel Valley Digest, various dates as noted in footnotes. 47 Arcadia Woman’s Club Historic Landmark Nomination September 10, 2021 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP 14 U.S. Bureau of the Census, multiple dates. U.S. Department of the Interior. National Register Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service, 1997. Woman’s Club of Arcadia Collection. Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage, various primary sources. 48 Attachment No. 4 Attachment No. 4 Preliminary Exemption Assessment 49 Preliminary Exemption Assessment FORM “A” PRELIMINARY EXEMPTION ASSESSMENT (Certificate of Determination When Attached to Notice of Exemption) Date: December 16, 2021 Staff: Fiona Graham, Planning Services Manager 1. Name or description of project: HL 21-01 – Historic Landmark with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to landmark the Arcadia Woman’s Club at 324 S. First Avenue. 2. Project Location – Identify street address and cross streets or attach a map showing project site (preferably a USGS 15’ or 7 1/2’ topographical map identified by quadrangle name): 324 S. 1st Avenue – The property is located on S. 1st Avenue, on the northeast corner of 1st Avenue and Diamond Street. 3. Entity or person undertaking project: A. B. Other (Private) (1) Name Cheryl Alberg and Marilyn Daleo, on behalf of the Arcadia Woman’s Club. (2) Address 324 S. 1st Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007 4. Staff Determination: The Lead Agency’s Staff, having undertaken and completed a preliminary review of this project in accordance with the Lead Agency's "Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)" has concluded that this project does not require further environmental assessment because: a. The proposed action does not constitute a project under CEQA. b. The project is a Ministerial Project. c. The project is an Emergency Project. d. The project constitutes a feasibility or planning study. e. The project is categorically exempt. Applicable Exemption Class: 15308 – Class 8 (Actions by regulatory agencies for the protection of the environment) f. The project is statutorily exempt. Applicable Exemption: g. The project is otherwise exempt on the following basis: h. The project involves another public agency which constitutes the Lead Agency. Name of Lead Agency: 50