Correspondence - 9/27/2016Community Development Department
MEMORANDUM
To: Nicholas Welzenbach, Managing Partner Darling Fischer Funeral Home
From: Paul Kermoyan, Community Development Director< \ ,h
Date: September 27, •2016
Subject: .Establishment of Residential Unit above the Funeral Home
231 E. Campbell Avenue
Purpose
A recent inquiry was made to the Planning Division requesting information on how to
perform improvements to the upper level of the Darling Fischer Funeral Home. Upon
review of the City's records, the counter planner questioned the legitimacy of an existing
residential unit located on the top floor of the building. As a result, the Planning Division
would be unable to process improvements to the residential unit until a determination
could be made that it was legally established. Therefore, the purpose of this
memorandum is to clarify the unit's establishment and provide an official determination of
its legitimacy.
Back round
The subject home was constructed in 1910 by local Campbell a~-chitect/builder, George-
Whitney, for Benjamin Campbell's daughter (Lena Malicia Campbell) and son-in-law
(George Rodeck) according to ,County Assessor's records (Attachment 1). Following
the passing of Lena in 1930, the Grizzle family lived in the home for many years.
In 1950, the home was purchased by Gilbert H. Krug, Clyde Fischer, Jack Fischer, and
Roger Darling where it was converted to the Darling-Fischer-Krug Memorial Chapel. It
was common for a caretaker to remain on the premises of a funeral home and staff has
reason to ,believe that the upper floor was converted to a living quarters at that time. In
order to confirm this opinion, staff performed an extensive research of City and County
7o North First Street • Campbell, California 95008-1436 • TEL 408.566.2140 • FAx 408.871.5140 • TDD 408.866.2790
~~100^h RECYCLED PAPER '
records, understanding that the City was incorporated in 1952, two years after the home
was converted into a Memorial Chapel.
Records reveal that an extensive remodel occurred on October 4, 1950 in the amount of
$2,500 (Permit #19231 -issued to Gilbert Krug). Although staff has reason to believe the
unit was created at that time when the home transitioned into a chapel, it is unclear what
work was actually performed due to the lack of plans (Attachment 2).
City records reveal that a Building Permit to remodel the second floor of the Funeral
Home was issued on October 8, 1964 (Permit #3912). A final inspection notes the work
was completed on October 20, 1964 (Attachment 3)
City records also reveal that a Plumbing Permit to install two kitchen sinks and sewer line
work was issued on April 19, 1965 (Permit #2771). The rough-in, water piping and
sewer line work received final inspection approval on April 20, 1965. All appliance work
and vents received final inspection approval on April 28, 1965 (Attachment 4).
In order to obtain a clearer understanding of the unit's origination, the City's Senior
Building Inspector inspected the unit's interior on September 23, 2016. The existing
decorative interior staircase provides access from the first floor to the second level as it
has historically done so since the building's construction. The upper floor windows have
been closed off and the date of such improvements remain unclear. An inspection of the
electrical reveals that it is from the early 1960's which confirms that the upper floor was
remodeled as stated in the previously issued City Building Permit #3912.
Conclusion
Given the age of the home, the County Assessor's Office records, and the City's records,
it is clear that a residential unit has existed in the upper story of the Funeral home for
over 50 years. Based on this opinion, the City believes the unit was legitimately created.
Although the unit can be viewed as legally established, the City strongly encourages the
property owner to provide proper egress exiting windows in each of the bedrooms for
safety purposes. The Senior Building Inspector also requested that smoke detectors be
installed in each bedroom.
Attachments
Photo taken in 1912
2. County Permit #19231
3. City Building Permit #3912
4. Plumbing Permit #2771