AgdaPkt 2002-10-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Io.A-I The property owners of two significant historic resources, "The Sequoia Hotel', (800 Broadway) and "The Odd Fellows Hall", (83g Main Street) did not attend the informational public meeting on the proposed Main Street Historic District proposal. Representatives of the non-contributing "Mezes Plaza" building (lggl Broadway) also did not participate. Although staff had mailed out the draft ~Main Street Historic District" booklet (under separate cover) to all affected parties 'prior to the public meeting as background information, there is always the potential for opposition to historic designation by properS/owners of historic resources who may not be accurately informed about the most current facts involving their respective properties (whether that property is officially designated as historic or not). A typical misunderstanding occurs when property owners express fear that their property values will decrease or their ability to develop their property will be encumbered as a result of an historic designation. It is a well-documented fact that historic district designations, particularly in the context of older Downtowns (undergoing significant revitalization), are a plus to owners affected by the designation. In addition, most historic properties are built out to a density and lot coverage which is well above what the zoning codes would currently allow. There are other reasons why these parcels could not be developed as intensively as they are today, which includes parking requirements and Fire Codes. However, as long as these buildings remain, they have the built-in benefit of having their non-conformance "grand-fathered-in'. In addition, California Environmental Quality Act (C.E.Q.A.) regulations have purview over any and all historic resources, whether officially designated as historic or not., the owner/developer of a (potential) historic resource is subject to the C.E.Q.A. review process and any accompanying mitigation measures, as determined by the City. Therefore, as pointed out above, the proposed district expansion will not only enhance the status of applicable historic resources which are not currently a part of a National Register district, but will offer some property owners an entire new level of benefits. ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINAT:ON: The proposed Main Street Historic District designation is not expecte~t to cause any environmental impacts and is therefore not subject to C.E.Q.A. The affected properties either currently exist as historic resources or are already located in a National Register district. The remaining historic resources which are currently outside the boundaries of the existing historic district (and which are proposed for inclusion in the historic district expansion) are either landmarks or already listed on the Historic Inventory. The incorporation of these properties in a National Register-eligible district will not trigger any known environmental impacts. PROJECT RECOMMENDATION: The H.R.A.C. unanimously recommends to the Planning Commission that the Main Street Historic District be recommended to the City Council for approval, per Chapter 40 of the Redwood City Code. S.H.P.O. has also strongly supported the proposed district expansion and has further encouraged the City to eventually pursue the official listing of the proposed Main Street Historic District on the National Register. Staff recommends that the designation be implemented since it complies with the