Bungalow Court Preservation Concerns City Council September 8, 2014

Planning & Community Development Department Bungalow Courts 2 Mary Louise Court, 599 N. Mentor Avenue Cornish Manor Court, 500 S. El Molino Avenue Gartz Court, 743 N. Pasadena Avenue Harnetiaux Court, 48 N. Catalina Avenue

Planning & Community Development Department Historic Designation Status Summary Councilmember Tornek recently raised a concern about historic bungalow courts that may be threatened with demolition due to development pressures Staff conducted preliminary research  116 total remaining in City  44 with historic designation  36 eligible for designation  22 ineligible for designation due to alterations  14 require further research due to construction after

Planning & Community Development Department Existing Protections 44 Designated Courts:  Certificate of Appropriateness is required for major and minor projects.  Review authority can deny application if inappropriate. 36 Eligible but Undesignated Courts:  Certificate of Appropriateness required for major projects only.  Review authority can delay application for up to 180 days if inappropriate.  If demolition proposed in conjunction with a new development project, CEQA requirements may be sufficient disincentive to ensure protection. 22 Ineligible Courts & 14 Requiring Further Study:  No protection required (not historically significant) 4

Planning & Community Development Department Potential Threats to 36 Eligible but Undesignated Courts Demolition  11 courts are developed below the allowable density by 5 or more units – could be considered threatened. Serial Alterations  Minor projects (replacement windows/doors, minor additions, changes to the setting, etc.) are exempt from Certificate of Appropriateness. Deterioration/Neglect  Some courts have high levels of deterioration on the exterior.  Education is needed to inform property owners of economic incentives available for historic properties. Potential Condominium Conversions  Condominium conversions could assist with preservation; however, compliance with current parking requirements would be an issue. Condominium conversions could potentially have the effect of eliminating affordable housing. 5

Planning & Community Development Department Possible Strategies for Further Study 6 Conduct further study of 22 ineligible bungalow courts and 14 requiring further study. Conduct outreach to property owners to encourage designation of eligible courts. Establish limitation on the number of building permits that may be issued for minor projects affecting historic resources within a given time period. Conduce educational outreach to inform property owners of economic incentives available for historic properties. Revive previous effort to modify parking requirements for bungalow court condominium conversions (after consulting with Housing to ensure that affordable housing stock would not be impacted).

Planning & Community Development Department Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council receive the report and direct staff to bring the issue of bungalow court preservation to the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission to develop a strategy and recommendations for further protection of historic bungalow courts. 7

Bungalow Court Preservation Concerns Discussion/Direction from Council