Title
PLN25-0067 - 802 Buena Vista Avenue - Applicant: Rajiv Jain. Public hearing to consider: (1) removing the property from the Historical Building Study List; and (2) a Certificate of Approval to allow the demolition of an existing 1,466 square foot one-story residential building built prior to 1942 to facilitate the construction of a new 3,179 square foot two-story residential building. General Plan: Medium-Density Residential. Zoning: R-2 Residential District. CEQA Determination: This project is exempt from further environmental review as a Class 1 categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(l)(1) - Existing facilities - demolition and removal of individual small structures listed in 15301(l), including one single-family residence, and on a separate and independent basis, as a Class 32 categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 - In-Fill Development Project consistent with the applicable general plan designation and zoning regulations. No exceptions to the exemptions apply.
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To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Historical Advisory Board
From: Steven Buckley, Historical Advisory Board Secretary
BACKGROUND
The project site is a rectangular corner lot measuring about 49 feet wide by 90 feet deep developed with a one-story 1,466 square foot single-family residential building at 802 Buena Vista Avenue, located on the southeast corner of 8th Street and Buena Vista Avenue. The property is neighbored by single-family residential buildings on all sides. The building was originally built in 1908 and has had only minor modifications since then, such as roof improvements and modifications to the site.
In May of 2022, the building suffered a fire which significantly damaged much of the building and has sat vacant for over two years. The applicant proposes to demolish the majority of the existing structure and redevelop the site with a two-story residential duplex through demolition and reconstruction that emulates some of the original architectural features of the existing building (Exhibit 1).
The property is not a City Historical Monument; however, a Certificate of Approval is required in order for it to be demolished under the City’s Historical Preservation Ordinance because it was built prior to 1942. Under the City’s Historical Preservation Ordinance (AMC 13-21), demolition means the removal of more than 30% of the value of a structure within a five (5) year period.
In 1979, the City designated the property as an “S” on the Historical Building Study List. An “S” designation refers to a historic resource distinguished by its architectural, historical, or environmental significance, and potentially eligible for inclusion on the State Historic Resources Inventory, and of secondary priority for inclusion on the list of Alameda Historical Monuments. However, due to the significant fire damage that occurred in May 2022, a substantial portion of the building’s historic elements and integrity were lost, including the majority of the public facing façade, as detailed in the 2025 Page & Turnbull Architectural Survey Memo (Exhibit 2).
On March 6, 2025, The Historical Advisory Board first reviewed the project during a duly noticed public hearing during which the HAB considered the request for a Certificate of Approval to demolish the existing structure. The applicants provided evidence that the extant building was no longer able to convey historic significance because of the significant fire damage incurred in 2022. The HAB determined that there was not sufficient information to make the findings associated with a Certificate of Approval and directed the applicants to prepare a historical/structural evaluation of the building to determine the extent to which any original features remain salvageable.
The applicants have completed the historic evaluation (Exhibits 2 and 3) and have revised their plans to incorporate the information therein. The architectural survey conducted by Page & Turnbull dated May 13, 2025 (Exhibit 2) states in their conclusions that “the building does not appear to retain sufficient overall integrity for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or California Register of Historical Resources, per the Integrity Conclusion of the associated DPR forms”. The applicant has also submitted an updated DPR form prepared by Page & Turnbull to support this position, see Exhibit 3. Confirmation was received on June 13th, 2025 that the updated DPR form was filed with the Northwest Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System. This has been provided to demonstrate that the historic significance for which the building was originally included on the Historical Building Study List can no longer be conveyed due to the fire damage, and therefore delisting the building from the study list is appropriate to reflect the existing conditions.
If the Historical Advisory Board (HAB) issues a Certificate of Approval for demolition, the proposed duplex will require Design Review approval from the Zoning Administrator, which will be considered at a later date. This action would follow the decision to remove the property from the Historical Building Study List.
DISCUSSION
Historical Building Study List
The building at 802 Buena Vista Avenue was built in 1908 as a one-story single-family residential building. In 1979, the property was added to the Historical Buildings Study List with an “S” designation, indicating possible eligibility for State listing as a historical resource. This was due to the location within the Mastick Park subdivision, the likely builders, and the exemplary craftsman style architecture. At the time 802 Buena Vista was built, the Mastick Park subdivision would have already been under construction. A permit history of work on the building shows a foundation raise in 1964 as well as several re-roofing projects in 1930, 1942, 1945, 1974, and most recently in 1999, plus solar panel installation in 2014. Site work included sewer lateral improvements in 1997, fences and a gated arbor in 2002, and most recently the fire damage reported in 2022.
In December of 1979, the City conducted a photographic survey of pre-1942 buildings, which included the project site. Based on these photos, the building’s front elevation in 1979 reflected the recent condition of the building prior to the 2022 fire. In May of 1980, a California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) form was prepared which articulated the potential eligibility of 802 Buena Vista Avenue to be included in the State’s Historic Resources Inventory. The description of the building therein is as follows:
“This is a one-story wood-frame Craftsman house of H-plan, sheathed in horizontal wood siding and stucco, and capped with intersecting gable roofs. Two gable ends face the street joined by a central wing which is partially voided to create a porch. The porch is faced in fieldstone, with wooden railing and wooden posts surmounting fieldstone bases. A fieldstone chimney is contained in the gable end to the left of the porch. Stout angular brackets underpin the roof eaves. A shed roof dormer is on the gable slope above the porch.”
The description of the building in the DPR form reflected the condition of the building prior to the 2022 fire. Since the fire, the subject property has remained in a badly burned state. No applications have been received for repair or reconstruction, although plywood boards have been installed to cover window and door openings. Many of the features identified in the DPR form were damaged by the fire, including the siding, roof, porch, railings, brackets, and dormer. Staff finds that the loss of these original architectural features diminishes the design, materials, and workmanship integrity of the building that originally supported its inclusion on the Historical Building Study List. The applicant hired Page & Turnbull to prepare an updated DPR form for the property, which concludes that the subject property does not maintain sufficient integrity and is therefore not individually eligible for listing in the National or California Register under any criteria.
Builder
According to City records the original builder is not known, but the original DPR form states that “[t]he builders were probably the Strang Brothers”. This conclusion is likely based on other known Strang Brothers homes constructed in the 1900s and 1910s that also exemplify the Craftsman style with bold detailing. The updated DPR form for the property supports the conclusion that the building was likely built by the Strang Brothers.
Findings
Based on these facts, staff finds that the structure at 802 Buena Vista Avenue is no longer able to convey historical significance based on the fire damage and diminished integrity of the original historic resource and its defining features, and due to its lack of association with persons important to local, state, or national history. Staff offers the following findings for consideration pursuant to Alameda Municipal Code section 13-21 and consistent with CEQA’s definition of a Historical Resource per CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5 and Public Resources Code 21084.1.
Findings
1. The structure to be demolished does not embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, nor does it represent the work of an important creative individual.
The building at 802 Buena Vista Avenue originally featured elements of the distinctive Craftsman style, however, those elements have little to no remaining integrity due to fire damage. The builder is not known, nor is the building associated with an important creative individual.
2. There are no events associated with this property that make a significant contribution to the history or cultural heritage of local or regional history.
The property was developed as part of the Mastick Subdivision, and no significant events are associated with the property, nor are there significant contributions to the history or cultural heritage of Alameda in this individual property.
3. The property is not associated with persons important to local, state, or national history.
Staff was unable to find any records that define the property as containing historical and cultural merit in association with the lives of important individuals. The original builder may have been the Strang Brothers, who were residential builders in Alameda specializing in Craftsman style buildings, but who are not known for building any of Alameda’s designated Historical Monuments.
4. The property does not yield any information important in prehistory or history.
While the property was developed in the early 1900s, it is not likely to yield more information about prehistory or history of the local community than what is already known.
5. The project no longer meets the criteria for a Historical Monument, or has become a detriment to the community and that the condition making it a detriment cannot readily be cured.
The project was never designated a Historical Monument. Nonetheless, by virtue of having been constructed prior to 1942, demolition requires a Certificate of Approval under Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) Section 13-21.7(a). The extant building is a detriment to the community insofar as the fire damage has made it structurally unsound and visually displeasing. The fire damage is structurally significant enough that the building has been red tagged and therefore cannot be entered. Therefore, the detriment cannot be readily cured through restoration, and demolition is necessary to remedy the existing conditions.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENTS
Property owners and residents within 300 feet of the project boundaries were notified of the public hearing and given the opportunity to review and comment on the proposal.
DESIGN REVIEW
Upon action by the HAB on the Certificate of Approval, the Zoning Administrator will conduct separate public review to consider Design Review to build a new 3,179 square foot residential two-story building on the project site. Staff will review the proposed design to ensure that it is consistent with the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and the Citywide Design Review Manual. The proposed building is a two-story duplex that maintains the footprint area and will be reviewed to ensure consistent architectural style with the existing building. The proposed duplex will be required to retain and reuse aspects of the original design including the front porch, central dormer, and differentiated siding, such that the proposed building is compatible with other buildings in the neighborhood.
ALTERNATIVES
The HAB could deny the application if it found that the building did possess distinctive characteristics and maintained sufficient integrity to convey its historic significance.
The HAB could propose modifications to the proposed project and approve the Certificate of Approval with conditions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None.
MUNICIPAL CODE / POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This application is being considered pursuant to AMC Section 13-21, Preservation of Historical and Cultural Resources. The proposed removal from the Historical Building Study List is being considered under the HAB’s authority to review and revise the list pursuant to AMC 13-21.3(c). Although the building is not a designated City Historical Monument, the Certificate of Approval is required because the building was constructed before 1942. Under AMC 13-21, demolition means the removal of 30% of the value of a structure within a five (5) year period.
General Plan Policy LU-15 commits to provide land appropriately zoned to accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation. The project as proposed will add new and one replacement housing unit in furtherance of this policy.
The project will submit a Waste Management Plan for the handling of Construction and Demolition Debris pursuant to AMC, Chapter 21-24.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project is Categorically Exempt from additional environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15301(l) - Existing Facilities - Demolition and removal of individual small structures listed in this subdivision. (1) One single-family residence. On a separate and independent basis, the proposed replacement project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15332 - In-Fill Development Project consistent with the applicable general plan designation and zoning regulations. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5 (a)(2), the HAB may determine that the preponderance of the evidence demonstrates that the subject property has lost sufficient integrity to be considered a historical resource. As detailed in the 2025 Architectural Survey Memo (Exhibit 2), the building has lost its historic integrity and no longer maintains sufficient integrity and is therefore not individually eligible for listing in the National or California Register under any criteria. Further, this action includes the removal of the property from the City’s local historic register, the Historical Building Study List. Accordingly, no exceptions to the categorical exemptions under CEQA Guidelines apply, including Section 15300.2, because the building’s original historic integrity has been severely diminished by fire damage.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report. The project will submit a Waste Management Plan for the handling of Construction and Demolition Debris pursuant to AMC, Chapter 21-24.
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct a public hearing and approve the Draft Resolution removing the property from the Historic Building Study List and issuing a Certificate of Approval to allow the demolition of a structure built prior to 1942 at 802 Buena Vista Avenue (Exhibit 6).
Respectfully Submitted,
Steven Buckley, Secretary to the Historical Advisory Board
By,
Tristan Suire, Planner II
Exhibits:
1. Project Plans
2. 2025 Historic Evaluation
3. Updated DPR Form
4. 802 Buena Vista Avenue Permit History
5. 1979 Survey Photo
6. Draft Resolution
7. Superseded DPR Form