R 4181 RESOLUTION NO. 4181
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING HISTORIC RESOURCE
DESIGNATION 08 -001 -13; DESIGNATING THE STRUCTURE
LOCATED AT 145 WEST BRANCH STREET AS A LOCAL
HISTORIC RESOURCE
WHEREAS, the process to designate local historic resources is set forth in Arroyo Grande
Municipal Code Section 16.16.135; and
WHEREAS, the purpose and intent of the local designation process is to promote the general
welfare by providing for the identification, protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of
improvements, buildings, structures, signs, features, sites, places and areas within the city that
reflect special elements of the City's historical, architectural, archaeological, cultural or aesthetic
heritage; and
WHEREAS, the Historical Resources Committee recommended that the structure located at
145 West Branch Street be designated as a local historic resource after review of a Historic
Structure Assessment authored by CRMS and after examination and consideration of other
relevant information related to the subject property from various sources, including historic
resource consultants and members of the public; and
WHEREAS, the recommendation to designate the structure located at 145 West Branch Street
was reviewed in accordance with the Municipal Code by the Architectural Review Committee,
the Community Development Director and the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has held a public hearing on this application in accordance with
the Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has found that this project is consistent with the General Plan and
the environmental documents associated therewith; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed this project in compliance with the Califomia
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines, and the Arroyo Grande Rules
and Procedures for Implementation of CEQA and has determined that the project is
Categorically Exempt per Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds, after due study, deliberation and public hearing, the following
circumstances exist:
FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL
Finding 1 The proposed project is consistent with the goals, objectives, policies and
programs of the Arroyo Grande General Plan;
Listing and protecting historic resources is consistent with the following General
Plan statements:
RESOLUTION NO. 4181
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Conservation /Open Space Objective 4 which states: "Preserve historic
and cultural resources of public interest that reflect the legacy of earlier
human settlement"
Land Use Objective 12 which states: "Components of 'rural setting' and
'small town character' shall be protected."
Land Use Policy 12 -5 "Preserve significant historic and cultural
landmarks."
Finding 2 Based upon consideration of information submitted in the record during the
Historic Resource designation process, the property meets any of the criteria listed in
16.16.135.B.
The City Council finds that the structure qualifies under criteria Z 7, and 8, based
upon associations and events as well as the location and physical characteristics
stated in the Historic Structure Assessment.
Criteria #2
The resource is strongly identified with a person who, or an organization, which
significantly contributed to the culture, history or development of the community of
Arroyo Grande, the County of San Luis Obispo, the State of California or the United
States.
The structure at 145 West Branch Street was first depicted on Sanbom Fire Insurance
Map of 1895. Based upon early photographs 145 West Branch Street was almost
identical to the structure at 139 West Branch Street. Several modifications were made
over the years, mostly to the south side of the building. Associations include:
Lino Giacomini, stonecutter
Johanas and Mildred Thieles, Thiele's Bakery,
Tyrus Jones, Baker
Criteria #7
The resource has a unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an
established and familiar visual feature of a district, community, county, state or nation.
Due to their original form as residential structures and their small scale, the
building at 145 West Branch Street serves to visually represent what at one time
was the end of the business district and the beginning of the residential district in
Arroyo Grande. Demolition of the building would create a false record of the
original downtown core and its transition into residential and mixed uses.
Criteria #8
The structure is located in a geographically definable area possessing a concentration
of historic resources that visually contribute to each other and are unified aesthetically.
Currently, the Historic Resources Committee is focusing its resources on the
commercial core of the Village. A review of the properties within this commercial core
reveals a large number of prominent and preserved buildings from the period of 1880s
RESOLUTION NO. 4181
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to the 1940s. These resources, including the structure located at 145 West Branch
Street, when viewed together contribute a sense of the history by presenting a visual
record of the settlement of the City of Arroyo Grande. Further study of individual
properties will be used to establish recommendations of a potential historic district in
which a majority of the structures would be eligible for local historic resource status.
Finding #3 The resource retains the integrity of the design, has not been inappropriately
altered, relocated, added to or remodeled.
The City Council believes that the structure retains its historic integrity based upon the
following statements in the Historic Structure Assessment:
The residence at 145 West Branch Street retains much of the look and feel that it
has had since its earliest inception. The house has not been significantly
modified since the first decade of the 1900s. Two out buildings have been
removed. The larger one probably disappeared when Traffic Way and the bridge
were put in 1932. The smaller out building may have lasted longer but that is
unclear. This house still evokes the more modest dwellings that were once a
common feature of the town of Arroyo Grande. The structure has been clad in
synthetic siding and as noted above this may have led to a significant
degradation of the original wooden clapboard sheathing. Settling problems are
also a concem but do not appear to be a significant threat to the resource.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande
hereby designates 145 West Branch Street as a local historic resource.
On motion of Council Member Fellows, seconded by Mayor Ferrara, and on the following roll
call vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Member Fellows, Mayor Ferrara, and Council Member Costello
NOES: Council Members Arnold and Guthrie
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 28 day of April 2009.
RESOLUTION NO. NI81
PAGE 4
TONY FE A, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Jai
KELLY KELLY W MO,d ,CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
7
TI THY J. tOMEL, CITY ATTORNEY
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, KELLY WETMORE, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San Luis
Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that the attached
Resolution No. 4181 is a true, full, and correct copy of said Resolution passed and
adopted at a Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande on the
28 day of April 2009.
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 29`" day of
April 2009.
gao
KELLY E' ORE, CITY CLERK