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HomeMy WebLinkAbout214 Genoa St 7/18/24 (P:\20241838-214 Genoa St\Memo-214 Genoa St.docx) CARLSBAD CLOVIS IRVINE LOS ANGELES PALM SPRINGS POINT RICHMOND RIVERSIDE ROSEVILLE SAN LUIS OBISPO 1500 Iowa Avenue, Suite 200, Riverside, California 92507 951.781.9310 www.lsa.net MEMORANDUM DATE: July 23, 2024 TO: Eddie Kuo, K & K Development FROM: Casey Tibbet, M.A., Associate Cultural Resources Manager/Architectural Historian SUBJECT: Historic Resources Evaluation – Primary Record and Building, Structure, and Object (BSO) Form for 214 Genoa Street in the City of Arcadia, Los Angeles County, California (LSA Project Number 20241838) LSA Associates, Inc. (LSA) completed a historical evaluation of the property at 214 Genoa Street (Assessor Identification Number 5779-018-013) in the City of Arcadia. In support of this effort, LSA conducted research and an intensive-level field survey. The evaluation was documented on Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 523A (Primary Record) and 523B (Building, Structure, and Object Record) forms and the property was identified on a DPR Location Map. As a result of LSA’s evaluation of this property, it was determined that the two 1962 Minimal Traditional-style residences on this property do not appear to be eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources under any criteria or designation under the local ordinance. In summary, the property is associated with the post-World War II residential construction boom, but two-unit infill development is not an important property type in terms of this pattern of development in Arcadia. Although the residences embody characteristics of the Minimal Traditional style of architecture, they have sustained alterations that have compromised their integrity. They are not associated with historically significant people, the work of a master architect or builder, or iconic. For these reasons, the property at 214 Genoa Street does not qualify as a “historical resource” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and, for purposes of this project, the City may make a finding of “no impact” regarding built environment historical resources. Attachment: DPR Forms DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial NRHP Status Code 6Z Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date Page 1 of 6 Resource Name or #: 214 Genoa Street P1. Other Identifier: *P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County: Los Angeles and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad: Mt. Wilson, CA Date: 1988 T1N; R 11W; S.B.B.M. c. Address: 214 Genoa Street City: Arcadia Zip: 91006 d. UTM: Zone: 11; mE/ mN (G.P.S.) e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) AIN: 5779-018-013 *P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) This multi-family property is situated on the south side of Genoa Street in a residential neighborhood characterized by single- and multi-family homes. There are two, one-story, Minimal Traditional style buildings on the property (214 and 214½ Genoa Street) that appear to be identical in plan. Both have moderately-pitched, cross-hipped roofs sheathed with composition shingles, narrow eaves with exposed rafter tails, stucco walls, aluminum-framed windows, and attached one-car garages with modern doors. The façade of the front unit (241 Genoa Street) has a projecting garage, a recessed, modern front door, a wall-mounted air conditioning unit, a ribbon window that is mostly obscured from view by vegetation, another wall-mounted air conditioning unit, and a slider window. The rear unit (214½ Genoa Street) is only partially visible from the public right-of-way but is nearly identical to the front unit. It has a modern garage door and a modern entry door. The property is in poor condition and features two extremely large cacti along the west property line. The integrity of the buildings has been compromised by modern garage and entry doors. *P3b. Resource Attributes: (Original uses) HP3-Multi-family property *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date, accession #) Façade, view south (7/12/24) *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: Historic Prehistoric Both 1962 (Building permit) *P7. Owner and Address: K & K Development 214 Genoa Street Arcadia, CA 91006 *P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and address) Casey Tibbet, M.A. LSA Associates, Inc. 1500 Iowa Avenue, Suite 200 Riverside, CA 92507 *P9. Date Recorded: July 12, 2024 *P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive-level CEQA compliance *P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") None. *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record  Other (List): P5a. Photo or Drawing (Photo required for buildings, structures, and objects.) DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Page 2 of 6 *NRHP Status Code 6Z *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 214 Genoa Street B1. Historic Name: B2. Common Name: B3. Original Use: Multi-family property B4. Present Use: Multi-family property *B5. Architectural Style: Minimal Traditional *B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) 1962 Permits issued to owner James L. Felton to demolish a 900 square-foot house and construct two new 1,235 square- foot, one-story, six-room residences with 200 square-foot attached garages. The new dwellings were wood-framed, with stucco exteriors, and composition shingle roofs. Contractor is listed as Herb Cook Construction Company, Inc. 2012 Permit issued to owners Christopher P. and Evelyn Cleary to reroof both units with composition shingles. 2024 Permit issued to owner Christopher Cleary to change out the water heater at 214 Genoa Street. *B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: *B8. Related Features: B9a. Architect: None found b. Builder: Herb Cook Construction Company, Inc. *B10. Significance: Theme: Area: Period of Significance: Property Type: Applicable Criteria: NA (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.) This 1962 multi-family property does not meet the criteria for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources (California Register) or for designation under the city’s ordinance. It is not a “historical resource” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Historic Context: Originally owned by the San Gabriel Mission and then a part of Rancho Santa Anita, the land that includes present-day Arcadia was also owned by Scottish immigrant Hugo Reid (Architectural Resources Group 2016). Reid was the first to make a modern impact on the land, raising cattle and building the first structure. After a succession of owners, in 1875 Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin purchased 8,000 acres of the rancho along with much of the surrounding area (Ibid.). He established the Baldwin Ranch in the area that now contains the Los Angeles County Arboretum in what would become Arcadia (Ibid.). Residential development from 1875 to 1909 is one of the first important themes in the City’s history (Architectural Resources Group 2016). See Continuation Sheet B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) *B12. References: Ancestry.com Var. A variety of records were accessed online in July 2024 at: http://home.ancestry.com/. These include city directories, voter registration records, and United States Census Data. Arcadia Historical Society 2021 Arcadia History. Our History. Accessed online in September 2021 at: https://arcadiahistoricalsociety.org/arcadia-history/ Arcadia Tribune 1963 Real estate advertisements. January 24, page 24. Architectural Resources Group 2016 “City of Arcadia Citywide Historic Context Statement.” Accessed online at: https://www.arcadiaca.gov/government/city- departments/development-services/historic-preservation California Department of Transportation 2011 Tract Housing in California, 1945-1973. A Context for National Register Evaluation. Caltrans Division of Environmental Analysis, Sacramento. See Continuation Sheet B13. Remarks: *B14. Evaluator: Casey Tibbet, M.A., LSA Associates, Inc., 1500 Iowa Avenue, Suite 200, Riverside, CA 92507 *Date of Evaluation: July 2024 (This space reserved for official comments.) (Sketch Map with north arrow required.) Refer to Location Map DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION CONTINUATION SHEET Primary # HRI # Trinomial Page 3 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 214 Genoa Street *Recorded by LSA Associates, Inc. *Date: July 2024 X Continuation Update *B10. Significance: (continued from page 2) In 1883, Baldwin subdivided 3,000 acres into the Santa Anita Tract (Architectural Resources Group 2016). The townsite included “town lots, villa sites, and larger 30-acre farm parcels (Architectural Resources Group 2016:27). Despite the construction of the Los Angeles & San Gabriel Valley Railroad (LA&SGVR) and one of its depots in the new townsite, sales were slow and “Baldwin deeded the remaining acreage of the Santa Anita Tract to his ranch manager Hiram Unruh” who had much greater success selling the lots (Ibid.). By 1887, the townsite was known as Arcadia and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad (ATSF) had gained control of the LA&SGVR, bringing more traffic through the area (Ibid.). The densest development occurred in the core of the town near the intersection of the ATSF and Southern Pacific railroads (Architectural Resources Group 2016:33). Residential development in this part of town was on small lots, while development further south was on multi-acre parcels (Ibid.). As late as 1903, when a census was taken to ascertain the population of the proposed City of Arcadia, the area only had 642 residents, and many lived and worked on the Baldwin Ranch or were temporary residents working for the railroads (Ibid.). Regardless, with a booming economy increasingly based on entertainment, horse racing, hospitality, and gambling, Arcadia was incorporated in 1903, with Baldwin as its first mayor (Arcadia Historical Society 2021). In 1907, Baldwin established the first Santa Anita Park, a horse racetrack that was “billed as the most modern and beautiful in the nation” and quickly became the biggest attraction to the new city (Architectural Resources Group 2016:31). However, the track’s success was short-lived, as California banned horse racing in 1909 resulting in the closure of Santa Anita Park (Ibid.). Moving into the 1910s, Arcadia’s growth remained slow and steady (Architectural Resources Group 2016). However, the city began shifting away from “its sporting days to more respectable pursuits, as it outlawed liquor licensing in 1912 and embarked on a series of civic improvements” (Architectural Resources Group 2016:44). By 1915, electric streetlights had been installed in some areas and streets were graded and oiled (Ibid.). Residential development in the 1910s saw the subdivision of larger parcels into smaller ones (2.5 to 5 acres) that attracted a wider variety of buyers who were interested in a more suburban lifestyle with room for some agricultural pursuits (Architectural Resources Group 2016:49). Most of the 1910s subdivisions followed a grid pattern with graded and sometimes paved roads without curbs or sidewalks (Architectural Resources Group 2016). In 1917, Anita Baldwin sold the old 185-acre Santa Anita Park property to the County who deeded it to the federal government for use as a balloon training school (Architectural Resources Group 2016). Known as Ross Field, the facility included storehouses, barracks to house approximately 3,500 men, and enormous hangars for the hydrogen balloons, as well as many other buildings (Ibid.). This property later became Arcadia County Park. After World War I, the region thrived and the 1920s were a transformative period in Arcadia’s development (Ibid.). Residential subdivision accelerated with tracts designed in grid patterns like those of the 1910s, but with smaller lots (Architectural Resources Group 2016:36). Single-family residential construction dominated the period (Ibid.). Most of these were modest in size and the earliest were constructed in the Craftsman style, with Period Revival styles becoming dominant in the mid-1920s and into the 1930s (Ibid.). The smaller lot subdivisions were located closer to the original town center, Pacific Electric lines, and the commercial district at Huntington and First, while the larger multi-acre lots were in what was then the southern part of town (Ibid.). The 1929 to 1941 period was characterized nationally by massive unemployment and economic uncertainty, but Arcadia was one of the few places that did not experience a near cessation of construction (Architectural Resources Group 2016:65). The major factors for this were Anita Baldwin selling off the remaining approximately 1,300 acres of the Baldwin Ranch; establishment of military facilities and the related increase in demand for commercial businesses; and construction of a County park, which was a large Works Progress Administration (WPA) project (Ibid.). “In 1933, California re-legalized horse race betting, and Anita Baldwin seized her opportunity to revive her father’s racetrack dream” (Architectural Resources Group 2016:55). She sold 214 acres to a group of investors who hired Gordon Kaufman to design the grandstand, Turf Club, and clubhouse and landscape designer Tommy Tomson to design the park’s lush landscaping (Ibid.). “Santa Anita Park opened on Christmas day, 1934, and quickly became Arcadia’s signature landmark” (Ibid.). Other Baldwin acreage was parceled out into several residential subdivisions that jumpstarted construction between 1936 and 1941 (Ibid.). In Arcadia, multi-family development remained a very small component of the city’s housing stock during the Depression and World War II (WWII; Architectural Resources Group 2016). With the end of WWII and the return of thousands of veterans, Arcadia and the greater Los Angeles area saw an enormous explosion in the development of affordable housing. “For the first time in Arcadia, construction of multi-family housing helped to accommodate the large influx of new residents (Ibid.:86). Courtyard apartments were built along major thoroughfares like Baldwin Avenue, Santa Anita Avenue, and Huntington Drive (Ibid.). In the 1950s, one-story fourplexes and courtyard apartments were common, but in the 1960s two-story apartments and courtyard housing became more popular (Architectural Resources Group 2016). Residential construction in the 1960s was largely single- and multi-family infill housing in the Contemporary Ranch and Mid-Century Modern styles (Ibid.). Development during the 1945-1970 period transformed the city from semi- rural to suburban earning it the nickname a “Community of Homes” (Architectural Resources Group 2016:85). Post World War II Residential Development (1945-1973). The two units on this property were constructed in 1962 and are associated with the post-WWII residential boom that made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local, regional, and even national history. In the 1960s, demographic and social changes led to major changes in the housing market (California Department of Transportation 2011). Young adults waited longer to get married and had children later. This, coupled with (see Continuation Sheet) DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION CONTINUATION SHEET Primary # HRI # Trinomial Page 4 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 214 Genoa Street *Recorded by LSA Associates, Inc. *Date: July 2024 X Continuation Update *B10. Significance: (continued from page 3) a rising divorce rate, created an increase in the formation of single-person households that translated into a demand for apartments (California Department of Transportation 2011). “The proportion of multi-family housing (apartments and condominiums) grew steadily in the 1960s, surpassing 40 percent of all new housing units constructed each year from 1968 through 1973. In California, the proportion of multi-family housing began to increase in the late 1950s and grew to become most of the new housing units built from 1962-64 and again from 1969-73” (California Department of Transportation 2011:53). The majority of the multi-family construction “took the form of low-rise garden apartment complexes in suburban areas. These typically consisted of multiple two-story buildings with separate, common parking shelters. Some of the larger apartment and condominium complexes had layouts based on cluster planning principles, with considerable areas of open space. Many included facilities for recreation such as swimming pools and tennis courts. Such shared amenities became increasingly popular, probably more than amenities within the individual living spaces, as builders competed for a portion of the youthful apartment market” (California Department of Transportation 2011:53). According to the evaluation criteria provided in the Arcadia Citywide Historic Resources Survey Report (2016), most residential properties associated with the theme of post-WWII housing will not be individually significant since individually they do not express the patterns of post-WWII development. However, collections of single- and/or multi-family properties may be historically significant if they “are excellent and intact examples of residential development representing the growth of the city during this period” (1945-1970) (Architectural Resources Group 2016:94). People Associated with this Property. Based on city building permits, the two residences were built in 1962 for owner James L. Felton by contractor Herb Cook Construction Company Inc. (City of Arcadia var.). Herb Cook opened Herb Cook Construction Company in the early 1950s and built “numerous homes” before opening a Century 21 real estate office with his wife Ruth in Monrovia in 1974 (Daily News-Post 1974). A news article celebrating the eighth anniversary of Herb Cook Construction Company stated that the business began in Pasadena and relocated to Monrovia in 1955 (Daily News-Post 1963). The article stated that the company was known as “one of Monrovia’s better builders” (Ibid.). Based on advertisements during the 1960s, the company specialized in building “homes, duplexes, multiple units” and was located at 254 E. Huntington Drive (no longer extant) in Monrovia (Independent Star-News 1965). His achievements include being president of the Exchange Club of Monrovia and attending the first national convention of the National Federation of Independent Business in Washington, D.C. in 1971 (Daily News-Post 1971). Research indicates that James L. Felton, the original owner, lived at 214 Genoa Street with his wife Nola V. prior to and after constructing the two units in 1962 (Ancestry.com var.). James was employed as a meat cutter in the 1960s (Ibid.). In 1965, the couple is listed at 214½ Genoa Street (rear unit), but by 1969, they had moved and their unit was listed as vacant (Ibid.). No additional relevant information was found for the Feltons. In January 1963, a new home with three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, built-ins, air conditioning, a garbage disposal, and a private yard was advertised for lease for $130 per month at 214 Genoa Street (Arcadia Tribune 1963). It was apparently leased to Robert W. and Barbara Pfiefer who lived there at least until 1965 (Ancestry.com var.). Robert worked as a salesman at Fruehauff Trailer (Ibid.). By 1969, Mrs. Mabel Gessup was listed at 214 Genoa (Ibid.). No additional information was found for either the Pfiefers or Mrs. Gessup. Significance Evaluation. In compliance with CEQA, this property is being evaluated under the California Register criteria and the City of Arcadia criteria for Landmarks (Chapter 1, Section 9103.17.060 of the City’s Municipal Code). The California Register criteria and 1-4 of the local criteria are identical, however, in addition to meeting one of the first four criteria, the local criteria also requires that the property either be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or California Register (criterion 5) or be an iconic property (criterion 6). Because of this additional requirement, the local criteria are more restrictive than the California Register criteria. Therefore, it is possible for a resource to meet the California Register criteria, but not the local criteria. Criterion 1 - Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or the United States. This two-unit property is associated with the post-WWII residential boom that made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local, regional, and even national history. In the 1960s, young adults waited longer to get married and had children later. Along with a rising divorce rate, this created an increase in the formation of single-person households that translated into a demand for multi-family housing. In California, the proportion of multi-family housing (typically condominiums and apartments) grew to become the majority of new housing units built from 1962-1964, and again from 1969-1973 (California Department of Transportation 2011). Overall, the single-family detached house was the predominant housing type during the post-WWII period and the single-family tract is the fundamental unit for postwar housing. Infill development, such as this two-unit property, is not identified in Arcadia’s historic context statement as an important property type or representative of the post-war period. Therefore, individually, this property is not significant. Of the 56 properties on Genoa Street between S. 1st Avenue and S. 5th Avenue, 18 (32 percent) are developed with historic-period multi-family residences, while 22 (39 percent) are developed with modern multi-family residences. The remaining 16 properties include 10 residences, 1 church, and 1 parking lot. The current pattern of development is not an excellent and intact example of multi-family residential development during the post-war period (1945-1973). The property is not significant under this criterion. See Continuation Sheet DPR 523L (1/95) *Required Information State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION CONTINUATION SHEET Primary # HRI # Trinomial Page 5 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 214 Genoa Street *Recorded by LSA Associates, Inc. *Date: July 2024 X Continuation Update *B10. Significance: (continued from page 4) Criterion 2 - Associated with the lives of persons important to local, California or national history. Based on the research discussed above, the residence does not appear to be associated with persons important in history. It is not significant under this criterion. Criterion 3 - 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. The two residences embody characteristics of the Minimal Traditional style such as the one-story height, boxy appearance, small, recessed entry, and lack of ornamentation or architectural details. However, the garage and front doors have been replaced. This has compromised the integrity of materials and, to a lesser extent, the integrity of design, workmanship, feeling, and association. Neither residence has high artistic value, and no evidence was found that they are the work of a master architect or builder. The property is not significant under this criterion. Criterion 4 - Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California or the nation. These units were built in 1962 using common materials and construction practices. They do not have the potential to yield information important to the history or prehistory of the local area, California, or the nation. The property is not significant under this criterion. In addition to meeting one or more of the above criteria, the local ordinance requires that one of the following criteria be met. Local Criterion 5 – Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and/or California Register of Historical Resources. The online National Register database (current through 2012) and the National Register weekly lists from 2013 through the present, were searched, but no listings for this property were found (National Park Service n.d.a and n.d.b). In addition, the California Office of Historic Preservation’s (OHP) Built Environment Resource Directory (BERD) was reviewed to determine whether this property is listed in or is eligible for listing in either the National Register or California Register (California Office of Historic Preservation 2021). It is not significant under this criterion. Local Criterion 6 – Is an iconic property. According to the City’s ordinance, iconic means a property that “exhibits the City’s unique character, history, or identity and/or has been visited and photographed so often by residents and visitors to the city that it has become inextricably associated with Arcadia” (9103.17.160 Definitions). This multi-family property does not exhibit the City’s unique character, history, or identity. Online searches of historic images of Arcadia did not reveal any photos of this property. It is not significant under this criterion. *B12. References: (continued from page 2) California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) 2022 Built Environment Resource Directory for Los Angeles County. Accessed online in July 2024 at: https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30338 City of Arcadia Var. Building permits for 214 Genoa Street. Accessed online in July 2024 at: https://laserfiche.arcadiaca.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?startid=537578&cr=1 City of Los Angeles 2011 Jefferson Park HPOZ Preservation Plan, City of Los Angeles. On file at the City of Los Angeles. Daily News-Post 1963 Herb Cook Celebrates 8th Year in Construction Business. May 20, page 22. 1971 Monrovia businessman attends conference in Washington, D.C. May 27, page 18. 1974 Herb Cook opens Century 21 office. March 1, page 6. Independent Star-News 1965 Advertisement. December 12, page 93. Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor n.d. Property information accessed online in July 2024 at: https://maps.assessor.lacounty.gov/m/ National Park Service n.d.a National Register Database and Research. Accessed online in July 2024 at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/weekly-list.htm n.d.b Weekly Lists Previous Years. Accessed online in July 2024 at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/weekly-lists- previous-years.htm State of California -Resource Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION LOCATION MAP Page 6 of 6 *Map Name:USGS 7.5' Quad, El Monte, Mt. Wilson; Nearmap 1/2 Primary# _____________ _ HRI # _______________ _ Trinomia ______________ _ *Resource Name or 214 Genoa Street *Scale: 1 :24000 *Date of Map: 1994, 1988; 2024 0 S:::ECE:30===1::i OOOE===:: 200 3:: 0==:::::30 ::E 00 :::=::=::43: 000:==::::::::5000E====�6000C==::::i 7000 FEET 1:\2024\20241838\GIS\Pro\214 Genoa Street\214 Genoa Strcet.aprx (7110/2024) DPR 523) (1/95) *Required Information 07-26-2024 SEE PLAN 2024-02 REVISIONS DATE NO Date Scale Drawn Job Sheet 2- U N I T C O N D O M I N I U M 21 4 G E N O A S T . , AR C A D I A , C A D-1 DEMOLITION PLAN