To: PUBLIC AMENITIES COMISSION
From: JOHN CIAMPA, CONTRACT PLANNER
TITLE
title
Consideration of an application requesting designation of the Garnet Historic District, consisting of contiguous historic landmark properties located along the 500 block of Garnet Street for the addresses of 501, 505, 509, and 511 Garnet Street, pursuant to Chapter 4, Title 10 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Public Amenities Commission:
1) Review the proposed applications and related materials;
2) Open the public hearing and receive public testimony;
3) Close the public hearing; and
4) Make a determination on the requested formation of a Historic District.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The applicants are requesting the Public Amenities Commission designate the Garnet Historic District, consisting of four contiguous historic landmark properties (all of which are under active Mills Act contracts) located on the north side of the 500 block of Garnet Street.
BACKGROUND
The proposed Garnet Historic District consists of four contiguous parcels located on the north side of the 500 block of Garnet Street. The district includes the properties located at 501, 505, 509, and 511 Garnet Street, all of which were constructed between 1907 and 1920. The four parcels are directly adjacent to one another and form a clearly definable geographic area with a shared historic development pattern and craftsman architectural character. The 500 block of Garnet Street was identified as a potential historic district in the City’s 1986 Historic Resources Survey, and although an initial effort to establish a district in 1990 did not proceed at that time, preservation efforts continued through individual landmark designations, resulting in all four properties voluntarily being designated as local historic landmarks and placed under active Mills Act contracts with the City.
The subject properties are located within the Low Density Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) zone.
The Public Amenities Commission is authorized to designate the Historic District pursuant to Chapter 4, Title 10 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code.
HISTORIC DISTRICT FORMATION
The applicant is requesting Historic District formation for the residential buildings located at 501, 505, 509, and 511, Garnet Street. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 10-4.201, properties proposed for designation as individual landmarks and/or as part of a historic district must meet one or more of the following criteria:
a) It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City’s cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, or architectural history;
b) It is identified with persons or events significant in local, state, or national history;
c) It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship;
d) It is representative of the notable work of a builder, designer, or architect;
e) Its unique location or singular physical characteristic(s) represents an established and familiar visual feature or landmark of a neighborhood, community, or the City.
Background
The subject properties are located on the 500 block of Garnet Street within the Original Townsite of the City of Redondo Beach, an area associated with the City’s early residential development. This area was developed during a period of significant population growth in Redondo Beach between 1900 and 1930, driven by the City’s promotion as a desirable residential community and its proximity to coastal amenities and transportation infrastructure. The City of Redondo Beach’s 1986 Citywide Historic Resources Survey identified the 500 block of Garnet Street as a potential historic district (City of Redondo Beach Historic Resources Survey (1986), p. 40) reflecting California bungalow, Craftsman and Colonial Revival architectural styles of the period.
Following adoption of the City’s Preservation Ordinance in 1989, the Preservation Commission evaluated the 500 block of Garnet Street for Historic District designation in1990. The Commission determined that the proposed district was eligible and qualified for designation, but denied the designation due to insufficient property owner participation at that time, pursuant to Redondo Beach Municipal Code Section 10-4.307. The Commission further clarified for the record that the district met the applicable requirements and could be designated upon resubmittal of an application.
Since the 1990 determination, all properties included in this submission have been individually designated as local historic landmarks and entered into Mills Act contracts, reinforcing the historic significance and integrity of the area. The following section provides a brief history of each building and discusses its individual and collective contribution to the proposed Historic District.
The Nominated Properties
501 Garnet Street
The property at 501 Garnet Street was constructed in 1919 as a single-family residence and is a one-story Craftsman-style dwelling historically known as the “Brett House”. The building is representative of early twentieth-century residential development on the 500 block of Garnet Street and reflects architectural trends associated with Redondo Beach’s period of growth between 1900 and 1930. The residence was identified in the 1986 Historic Resources Survey as an example of the Craftsman architectural style and was assigned a C+ rating, indicating that it retains much of its original architectural character and is a strong contributing resource within a historic district.
The property is listed in the City’s Historical Resources Inventory and was designated a local historic landmark in 2012, confirming its historic significance. The residence retains its original massing, scale, and defining Craftsman characteristics, including its low proportions, two front-facing gables, wide overhanging eaves, exposed beam ends, wood clapboard siding, and wood sash windows, many of which retain historic wavy glass. Despite minor alterations over time like the enclosure of the porch, the building remains well preserved and continues to convey its historic design, materials, and workmanship.
505 Garnet Street
The property at 505 Garnet Street was constructed in 1920 as a two-story, single-family residence and is historically known as the “McFadden House”. This building represents early twentieth-century residential development on the 500 block of Garnet Street and is a preserved example of the Craftsman style of architecture, which was popular between 1905 and 1920. The property was identified in the 1986 Historic Resources Survey as an example of the Craftsman architectural style and a potential contributing structure to a historic district. Although no rating was assigned, the 2004 Preservation Commission Landmark report states that the structure would be eligible for a possible "C" rating confirming its historic significance
The structure is a simple example of the Craftsman style of architecture which is a style that was popular in the United States from 1905 until the early '20s and most prevalent in Redondo Beach. The two-story residential structure features two front gables on the first story and a cross gable roof design on the second floor. The front façade also features a grouping of three double hung windows with wide wood surrounds and a covered front porch. Windows throughout the structure with the exception of the front porch area are the original wood-frame, double hung windows.
In 2004 the property obtained an Certificate of Appropriateness for a first and second story addition to the rear of the existing residence and restoration actions including 1) removal of all asbestos siding materials, 2) restoration of the front entry porch and relocation of the electric panel, 3) replacement of all missing corner boards and trim, and 4) removal of a window infill on the east elevation and replacement with a salvaged window.
509 Garnet Street
The property at 509 Garnet Street was constructed in 1913 as a one-story California bungalow-style residence with Craftsman elements and is historically known as the “Cholvin House”. This building represents early twentieth-century residential development on the 500 block of Garnet Street and is a vernacular example of architectural styles that were prominent during Redondo Beach’s early period of growth between 1900 and 1930. The one-story residential structure features a front gable roof covering the front porch. The front façade has two large wood windows flanked by the entry door. The property was approved as a local historic landmark and for the Mills Act in 1995 to ensure the continued preservation of the building. The property is listed in the City’s Historical Resources Inventory and retains its original massing, form, and character-defining architectural features, allowing it to convey its historic significance and period of construction.
511 Garnet Street
The property at 511 Garnet Street was constructed in 1913 as a single-family residence and is historically known as the “Wolfsberg House”. This building represents early twentieth-century residential development on the 500 block of Garnet Street and reflects the Craftsman architectural style associated with Redondo Beach’s period of growth between 1900 and 1930. The 1986 Historic Resources Survey identifies the property as an example of Craftsman architectural style, and was given a "C" rating. The property was designated a local historic landmark and entered into the Mills Act in 2001.
The one-story residence features a simple rectangular form with a front-gabled roof and hipped rear section clad in asphalt shingles. Architectural detailing includes wide eave overhangs, exposed rafter tails, and decorative gable braces. A partial-width front porch with a front-facing gable roof is supported by tapered square columns atop a solid balustrade and includes a centered multi-pane false gable window. The front façade has double-hung windows flanking a paneled entry door. Exterior finishes consist of wide redwood clapboard siding with wood corner boards and simple wood window and door trim. Original wood-framed windows and rear French doors remain.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
The proposed action involves the designation of a Historic District and does not include any development, construction, or change in land use. The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the activity to form the Historic District does not include any physical development and is therefore “not a project” as defined in Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines. No further environmental analysis is required.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The City of Redondo Beach’s Historic Resources Survey and Preservation Commission record demonstrate that the four properties located at 501, 505, 509, and 511 Garnet Street collectively constitute a significant and intact concentration of early twentieth-century residential development. The properties exemplify the Craftsman and California bungalow architectural styles that characterized the City’s period of residential growth between 1900 and 1930. Although each residence reflects individual design attributes and construction dates ranging from 1913 to 1920, the properties share a common historic context, scale, materials, and architectural character, and together form a cohesive and well-defined historic district. Each property has been individually designated as a local historic landmark and retains sufficient integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association to convey its historic significance. Accordingly, the four properties meet the eligibility requirements to be designated collectively as a local Historic District pursuant to the Redondo Beach Municipal Code.
Staff recommends that the Public Amenities Commission review the application and supporting materials, open and close the public hearing, and take action on the request for Historic District formation for the proposed Garnet Street Historic District.
COORDINATION
The proposed project has been coordinated with the City’s Building Department and City Clerk’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution: Historic District Information
2. Historic District Map
3. 1986 Historic Resources Survey
4. 1990 Preservation Commission Minutes
5. Historic District Applications for 501, 505, 509, and 511 Garnet Street
6. Historic District Applications (individual property summary and property owners petition)
7. Preservation Commission Landmark Designation Reports for 501, 505, 509, and 511 Garnet Street Property Photographs