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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB HISTOR. DESIGNATION 07-02-84lnte *-Com S~J ECT: HONORABLE RAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HISTORICAL DESIGNATION OF THE RALPH RESIDENCE AT 1252 IRVINE BOULEVARD DISCUSSION: On February 27, 1984 the Planning Commission approved Use Permit 84-4 authorizing conversion of the existing spanish style residence formerly owned by the Ralph family at 1252 Irvine Boulevard to an office building. In conjunction with this use conversion, the comission also authorized construction of an additional 13,245 square feet of medical and office space. The intended occupant for the Ralph residence will be Dr. Denny who will conduct his dental practice at such time the home has been fully ' restored. The Ralph residence apparently was constructed in 1929 and named the Arloura Ranch. The home was one of a few residences alohg Irvtne Boulevard. which was a dirt road leading to the Irvine Ranch. The present property .owner, Net Development Co.any, in conjunction with Or. Oenny is requesting the City Council to designate the Ralph residence as a historical structure thereby permitting its restoration pursuant to the State Historical Building Code rather than the lgTg Uniform Building Code. Designation by the City as a historical structure is strictly a procedure to permit the property owner to use alternative methods of construction hopefully maintaining the building's original architecture. The City's designation does not relate to any State or National registrations which is solely the responsibility of the property owner. Attached to this report is the formal request by Mr. Kevin Coleman, President of Net Development Co. any, with supporting documents including a letter of support from theTusttnArea Historical Society. While the Ralph residence was not the site of any historical event, or home of any historically significant people, the structure does exempltfythe historical heritage of the community in its distinguishing architectural characteristics'and elements of design. While the State Historical Building Code permits alternative building regulations to facilitate the restoration and change in occupancy, the Code still maintains reasonable safety standards. The intent of the State Historic Building Code is to save California's architectural heritage by recognizing the unique construction problems inherent in historical buildings and offering an alternative code to deal with these problems. When applied to the Ralph residence, the State Historical Building Code would permit the dwelling structure to remain virtually unchanged architecturally which would not be possible if rehabilitated pursuant to the Standard Uniform Building Code. In fact, the structure would most likely be demolished since it could not be cost effectively reconstructed for office purposes. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt resolution 84-54 approving the designation of the Ralph residence at 1252 Irvine Boulevard as a historical structure in accordance with the State Historical Building Code. DONALD O. LAMM Director of Community Development DDL:do attachments: Resolution 84-54 Letter f~om Net Development Photographs Letter from Tustin Area Historical Society Community Development Deparlment 1 5 6 ? 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 ~0 ~.1 26 RESOLUTION NOL 84-54 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN ESTABLISHING THE RALPH RESIDENCE, [252 IRVINE BOULEVARD, AS A HISTORIC BUILDING NItEREAS: The City Council has adopted criteria for the establishment of historic buildings (Resolution 8[-33). The City Council has encouraged the renovation of exceptional examples of early Tustin community as evidenced by the approvals of offtce conversion projects such as the Mauer Building at the southwest corner of Irvtne Blvd. and Yorba and the Stevens House on Main Street. The owner of the Ralph House submitted a proper request to have the house considered as a historic building. That the Ctty Counc11 ftnds that the Ralph House should be designated as a historic building due to it's unique and Irreplaceable value to the com~ntty based upon the following considerations: a. That the structure was erected by one of Tustin's early pioneer citizens. be That the Tusttn HJstortcal Soctety has recommended favorable consideration of the house as it represents an important pertod of Tusttn htstory by betng the residence of early orchardists in the community. That the structure exemplifies the cultural, social and historic heritage of Tusttn and portrays an era of history characterized by it's distinctive spanish hacienda style. The Ctty Counctl of the Ctty of Tusttn does hereby resolve that the Steven's House located at [252 Irvtne Boulevard is declared to he a butldtng of htstortc significance to the community subject to the following conditions: "That the conditions, covenants, and restrictions for the approved office development on the stte shall contain a maintenance program for the continued up keep of the htstortc building." 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Resolution No. 84-54 page ~wo That the city shall have approval authority for the' preservation program. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the Ctty of Tusfln, held on the 2nd day of July, [984. A~E ST: URSULA E. KENNEDY, Mayor MARY E. WYNN, City Clerk June 8, 1984 City Council City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92680 Dear Council, The following is a request, made by Irvine Street Associates and Net Development Company, to have the existing 1929 Spanish Hacienda home, located at 1252 Irvine Boulevard, reviewed and declared as a historical building per resolution 81-83, of the City Council, City of Tustin. We respectfully submit the following information as a basis for our request. This home was constructed and completed in 1929, by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph as their private residence. The name of the ranch was Arloura, which in latter yea~s also became the name of the adjoining cul-de-sac, when. Mrs. Ralph sold the property and the street was named. Accompanying this letter, you _will see photo copies Of the ranch, surrounded by the orchard, as it was in the early years. Also enclosed is a photograph of the present day view o~ the site, with all of the growth and development which has occured in the City of Tustin. The home was designed in the true nature of the era. Using the architectural concept of the Spanish Hacienda, it was constructed with high ceilings, wooden flooring, mexican paver tiles, dramatically arched windows and softly rounded corners and arches. The exterior of the home is accented with many unique multi-paned windows, as well as a large arched window in the main living room area. Setting off the second floor, we find stepped Out windows with hand forged balcony railings. Topping out the structure is a roof covered with spanish tile set in mortar, which puts the finishing touches oB the irreplacable aestetic quality of a generation long since past. It is the intent of Irvine Street Associates and Net Development to preserve this theme and extend it into the new facility, for which we are presently in plan check. A copy of the elevations has also been attached to show that the conceptual theme has been carried throughout the project, blending the entire complex with the architectural quality original structure. 17165 Newhope St., Suite F Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 751-0630 City Coun=il, Tustin June 8, 1984 Page 2 At present, we have had contact with the planning commision, who has recommeded approval for the Historical Society . Also, the Tustin Historical Society has made their walk through and reviewed the project and the attached correspondence from them to the city of Tustin, gives their blessing that this home be included into the Historical Society Roster. Incorporated into the refurbishing and new construction of this project, we have instituted a maintenance program by which the entire site including the historical home will be maintained on an ongoing basis, which will be a constant reminder of the beauty and style of our builders of the past. We would sincerely like to thank you for your review of this matter and at this time, we hope that we have met the requirements of the City of Tustin to see that this home is awarded its historical rating. If you should have any further questions, comments or anything of which our firm can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Kevin A. Coleman, President Irvine Street Associates, Managing Partner KAC/kc Enclosure~ ~dm**d~ iii,ii, iL a,. ill- P.O. Box 185, Tustt-, Cgltfornia 92680 Phone (714) 5~ 5341 June 1, 1984 To the City of Tustin: Re the Ralph house project The Museum Committee recently toured the Ralph house on Irvine Blvd. with Kevin Coleman of the Net Development Company. We concur that this beautiful 1929 home should be preserved. While Mr. and Mrs. Ralph did not play a major role in Tustin's history, they, like most Tustin residents of that period, were orchardists and their home was an asset to the community. We feel that the house meets your criteria both architecturally and as a representative of a past era of Tustin's history. Owner Dr. William Denny and the Net Development Company are to be congratulated for con- ceiving the plans by which this home can be restored to a place of beauty. The concept of a professional square in the style of the old house has already been well demonstrated by Stevens Square. These homes help Tus- tin retain some of the charm that comes with age--a commodity rare in Orange County that cannot be purchased. We look forward to seeing the completed project. Sincerely, Carol H. Jordan, Curator, Tustin Area Museum Tusttu Area Museum -- 395 E1 Camino Real -- Tusttn