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PLN25-0067 - 802 Buena Vista Avenue - Applicant: Rajiv Jain. Public hearing to consider: (1) 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; and (2) to remove the property from the Historical Building Study List. 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) - Existing facilities - demolition and removal of individual small structures listed in this subdivision; (1) 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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CITY OF ALAMEDA
HISTORICAL ADVISORY BOARD
STAFF REPORT
March 6, 2025
PLN25-0067 - 802 Buena Vista Avenue - Applicant: Rajiv Jain. Public hearing to consider: (1) 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; and (2) to remove the property from the Historical Building Study List. 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) - Existing facilities - demolition and removal of individual small structures listed in this subdivision; (1) 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 1979, the City designated the property as an “S” on the Historical Building Study List. An “S” designation means a historic resource distinguished by its architectural, historical, or environmental significance, eligible for inclusion on the State Historic Resources Inventory, and of secondary priority for inclusion on the list of Alameda Historical Monuments. In May of 2022, the building suffered a fire which significantly damaged much of the building. The applicant is proposing to partially demolish the existing building and redevelop the site with a two-story residential duplex though addition and rehabilitation, that emulates some of the original architectural features of the existing building (Exhibit 1). Because the building was built prior to 1942, a Certificate of Approval is required in order for it to be demolished. If the Historical Advisory Board (HAB) issues a Certificate of Approval, the proposed duplex will require Design Review approval from the Zoning Administrator, which will be considered at a later date prior to a decision on the Design Review. This action will also 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. This inclusion 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 report 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 erected to cover window and door openings. Most, if not all, 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.
Builder
According to City records the original builder is not known, but the DPR form associated with the building 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.
Conclusion
Based on these facts, staff finds that the structure at 802 Buena Vista Avenue no longer has historical significance based on the fire damage and diminished integrity of the original historic resource and its design 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.
Draft 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.
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.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENTS
Property owners and residents within 300 feet of the project’s 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 noticing to consider Design Review to build a new 3,179 square foot residential two-story building on the project site. Staff preliminarily finds the proposed design is consistent with the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and the Citywide Design Review Manual. The two-story building would be a duplex that maintains the footprint area and architectural style of the existing building. The proposed duplex incorporates aspects of the original design including the front porch, central dormer, and differentiated siding, and 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 /or associations that warrant its preservation.
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.
General Plan Policy LU-15 commits to provide land appropriately zoned to accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation. The project as proposed will add one net 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. No exceptions to the categorical exemptions under CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply because the building’s original historic integrity has been severely diminished by the extant 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 adopting a Certificate of Approval to allow the demolition of a structure built prior to 1942 at 802 Buena Vista Avenue, and to remove the property from the Historic Building Study List (Exhibit 4).
Respectfully Submitted,
Steven Buckley, Secretary to the Historical Advisory Board
By,
Tristan Suire, Planner II
Exhibits:
1. Project Plans
2. 802 Buena Vista Avenue Permit History
3. 1979 Survey Photo
4. Draft Resolution
5. Historical Resources Inventory