Title
PLN25-0134 - 1319 Clinton Avenue - Applicant: Ken Carvalho. Public hearing to consider a Certificate of Approval to allow the demolition of an existing approximately 2,290 square foot, two-story single-family residence to facilitate the construction of an approximately 4,242 square foot, two-story single-family residence. The existing building was built prior to 1942 and is not listed on the Historical Building Study List. Upon action by the Historical Advisory Board on the Certificate of Approval the Planning Director will review the Design Review application to construct the new two-story home. A separate public notice will be issued for the Design Review decision when it is scheduled. General Plan: Low Density Residential. Zoning: R-1, 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 including one single-family residence, and on a separate and independent basis, as a Class 3 categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(a) - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures - construction and location of a limited number of new, small facilities or structures including one single-family residence in a residential zone. None of the exceptions to the exemptions apply.
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Historical Advisory Board
From: Steven Buckley, Historical Advisory Board Secretary
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to AMC Section 13-21, the demolition of any pre-1942 structures require a Certificate of Approval by the Historical Advisory Board (HAB). On April 10, 2025, the applicant submitted an application for Design Review and Certificate of Approval to demolish the approximately 2,290 square foot, two-story single-family residence and construct a new approximately 4,242 square foot two-story single-family home (Exhibit 1: Plans). The property is not listed as an Alameda Historic Monument and is not listed on the Alameda Historical Building Study List. As part of their application, the applicants submitted a Historic Resource Evaluation Memorandum and draft Department of Park and Recreation Form completed by Garavaglia Architecture on October 20, 2025. The findings in the evaluation support the assertion that the building is not eligible for inclusion in any local, Statewide or National historic register (Exhibit 2 & 3: Evaluation & Draft DPR Form). If the Historical Advisory Board approves the Certificate of Approval, staff will consider a separate action on the Design Review application at a later date.
The project site is located on the north side of Clinton Avenue between Sherman Street and Paru Street at 1319 Clinton Avenue. The property is a 9,000 square foot interior lot measuring about 60 feet wide by 150 feet deep. The site is zoned R-1 Residential and contains an approximately 2,290 square foot, two-story single-family home and 650 square foot detached garage. Surrounding properties are also within the R-1 Residential District and include a four-plex to the west and single-family residential buildings within the remaining surrounding properties.
The home was built in 1924 by the original owner Arthur. E. Forderer and has a modest Vernacular-style design with some Mission Revival elements. Records were not found identifying who the architect of the structure was. Building Permit history indicates that an addition was made to the home in 1926, repairs were made to the front porch in 1976, the home was reroofed in 2002, and some of the windows were replaced in 2024. In May of 2022, the building suffered a fire in the attic that damaged some of the framing. As a result, the prior owner started the process of partially replacing the roof, removing the 2nd story, and stripping some of the plaster, but they did not finish the work. The current owners, attempting to fix the building, stripped the plaster and added waterproofing to the roof to protect the building and the framing. The result is the building has a partially finished asphalt shingle roof, unfinished interior, and a mix of wood and vinyl windows. (Exhibit 4: Photos) The distinctive features of the building include the large front yard, brick skirting, arched entrance and windows, and a bay window. The existing detached two car garage was constructed in 1981 and has a modest hipped roof with a garage door and vinyl windows. The applicant proposes to demolish the home and garage and replace the existing building with a new two-story Mission Revival style home and new detached garage.
DISCUSSION
In 1979, the City completed a survey and established the Historical Buildings Study List, which identified buildings with historical character that warranted further study to determine if the structures should be included as historic resources. Many properties on the Study List were assigned designations to identify potential eligibility. The home located at 1319 Clinton Avenue was not included on the Historical Building Study List and the City determined the property did not warrant further study.
On October 20, 2025, the applicants submitted a Historic Resource Evaluation Memorandum conducted by Garavaglia Architecture that confirmed the 1979 determination of the City that the building is not historically significant and is not eligible for inclusion in any local, Statewide or National historic register, or listed in the City of Alameda Historical Building Study List. Because the property was not found to exhibit historic association, architectural or design significance, the building was not evaluated for integrity.
The evaluation describes the builder, Arthur E. Forderer, as the son of Joseph Forderer who was a former Oakland mayor and founder and president of Forderer Cornice Works. Forderer Cornice Works was a construction company that specialized in high quality metal products and construction related services that worked on many buildings throughout the State. While the company Forderer Cornice Works may be historically significant, the significance is best tied to Joseph Forderer, the company founder and long-time president, rather than his son Arthur. Arthur Forderer eventually took over as president of the company but his impact on the broader community cannot be measured beyond his economic contributions as the head of Forderer Cornice Works. A search was also conducted in a variety of databases to find out who the architect of the building was, but no listed architect was found within the historical record.
In their analysis, Garavaglia Architecture describes how the property does not represent the work of a master builder or architect, as it was built by a local with no other record of involvement in architecture or building beyond working for Forderer Cornice Works. Furthermore, the items associated with Forderer Cornice Works, including the metalworks, skylights, and towers, are not present on the subject home. Furthermore, the architecture of the home does not embody the distinctive characteristics of a particular type, period, or method of construction. The arched entryway and bay window indicate an early/mid-20th century style, but the replacement to the roof, the stucco siding, and the vinyl windows detract from a clear style and period. Based on this information, Garavaglia Architecture determined that the builder is not eligible to be considered a historically significant person, nor can the building be said to be built by a master architect or have an historically significant association with Forderer Cornice Works.
The evaluation concludes that the building does not embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, represent the work of a master, possesses high artistic values, or that represent a significant or distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. None of the occupants of the building have had a considerable impact on the history of the broader community, and no historic events have taken place at the house. The home is not a source, or a likely source, of important historical information, nor does it appear likely to yield important information about historic construction methods, materials, or technologies. The style of the building is not historic and is considered commonplace among the area, as its materials, construction type, and style is present among other Alameda buildings. As a result, the building was not included on any local, Statewide or National historic register or on the City of Alameda Historical Buildings Study List.
Findings
No Evidence of Historical Significance: Staff agrees with the conclusions of the historic evaluation that “the building is not historically significant” and does not warrant further research. The modest Vernacular-style building does not warrant listing as a local, state or national historic resource or on the Historical Building Study List. The structure does not represent the work of a master, nor does it possess high artistic values. There are many other homes that exist in Alameda that exhibit greater architectural character and are better examples of architecture popular during the early 1920s. The property was also reviewed for potential associations to significant persons or events important in local, regional, state or national culture and history. No records can be found indicating Arthur E. Forderer made any significant contributions to local history. There are no other records that define the property as containing historical and cultural merit in association with the lives of important individuals and it is unlikely this property had any important historical association. Although the property was developed in the early 1900s, it does not yield more information about prehistory or history of the local community than what is already known
Conclusion: Staff is recommending that the Historical Advisory Board approve the Certificate of Approval Based upon the findings in the draft resolution (Exhibit 5: Draft Resolution). Staff would also welcome any direction from the Board regarding the proposed design of the addition, which will be considered for approval by the Planning Director at a later date.
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. One comment in support of the project was received as of the writing of this report (Exhibit 6: Public Comments).
DESIGN REVIEW
Upon action by the HAB on the Certificate of Approval, Staff will provide separate public noticing to consider Design Review to build a new 4,242 square foot two-story single-family home 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 proposed new single-family home is a Mission Revival style design that is a similar style of adjacent Mission Revival Home at 1315 Clinton Avenue that is listed on the Historical Building Study List with an “H” designation. The new design also incorporates aspects of the original design including the bay window, arched entryway, front porch, and vertically proportioned casement windows on the ground floor. The footprint of the new home will extend approximately 15 feet toward the street to increase the area in the rear yard while maintaining setbacks that comply with the development standards of the R-1 District. The building height of the new structure is approximately 26 feet 3 inches, where the maximum building height in the R-1 zoning district is 30 feet and the existing two-story homes in the surrounding area are generally taller than 28 feet. The design provides a low-pitch hipped roof form which is consistent with the existing roof form and reduces the massing of the second story. The new construction also features a combination of Spanish Mission barrel tile roof, arched entry door and arched windows, copper gutters and downspouts, iron wall sconces, smooth hand trowel stucco, black wood clad windows with bullnose corners, and deep eves with rafter tails which are similar features to the neighboring Mission Revival home. Overall, the new design incorporates features of the existing and adjacent buildings and is compatible with the architecture in the surrounding neighborhood.
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, and on a separate and independent basis, as a Class 3 categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(a) - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures - construction and location of a limited number of new, small facilities or structures including one single-family residence in a residential zone. None of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions under CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply.
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 1319 Clinton Avenue.
Respectfully Submitted,
Steven Buckley, Secretary to the Historical Advisory Board
By,
Henry Dong, Planner III
Exhibits:
1. Project Plans
2. Historic Resource Evaluation Memorandum
3. Draft DPR Form
4. Photos
5. Draft Resolution
6. Public Comments