PC Res 4527RESOLUTION NO. 4527
BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF CAMPBELL RECOMMENDING THAT CITY
COUNCIL NOT RESCIND THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF A
STRUCTURE OF MERIT COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE SMITH
HOUSE, ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 74 N SECOND STREET IN
THE R-1-6 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT.
FILE NO: PLN2019-101
After notification and public hearing, as specified by law and after presentation by the
Community Development Director, proponents and opponents, the hearing was closed.
The Planning Commission finds as follows with regards to file number PLN2019-101:
1. The project site is located near the northeast corner of North Second Street and Civic
Center Drive.
2. The project site is zoned R-1-6 (Single -Family Residential) Zoning District on the City
of Campbell Zoning Map.
3. The project site is designated Low Density Residential on the City of Campbell
General Plan Land Use diagram.
4. The project site is developed with a single-family residence, a designated Structure of
Merit constructed in the 1930's in the Prairie Style commonly known as the Smith
House.
5. At its meeting of February 5, 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 11510,
adding 14 properties to the Historic Resource Inventory (HRI), including the subject
property.
6. Pursuant to Campbell Municipal Code (CIVIC) Section 21.33.060.A, designation of
property as an historic resource requires written acceptance by the property owner,
such that the owner may withdraw his or her acceptance at any time prior to final
approval of the designation of the property.
7. The owner of the subject property has submitted a request to rescind the historic
designation of the property, pursuant to CIVIC Section 21.33.060.D.1.
8. Pursuant to CIVIC Section 21.33.060.D, the City Council shall either approve or deny
the rescission, based on substantial evidence and findings of fact in the record that
the resource no longer has historic value with respect to the designation criteria.
9. The property owner's stated purpose for removing the property from the HRI is the
purported increased cost associated with maintaining the structure. However, ageing
structures must be maintained irrespective of their historical status. Moreover, older
structures often used non-standard building materials that preclude use of
contemporary standardized materials such that compliance with the applicable
historic design guidelines does not increase the maintenance cost for the home.
Planning Commission Resolution No. 4527
PLN2019-101 - 74 N Second Street
Page 2 of 2
10. The Planning Commission has considered all evidence in the record and verbal
testimony.
11. No substantial evidence has been presented which shows that the project, as
currently presented will have a significant adverse impact on the environment.
Based upon the foregoing findings of fact, the Planning Commission further finds and
concludes that:
Designation Criteria (CMC Sec. 21.33.060.13.1):
1. The resource is associated with the lives of persons important to our history;
2. The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, architectural style,
period, or method of construction; and
3. The resource possesses significant artistic value or materially benefits the historic
character of the neighborhood, community, or city.
Environmental Findinas (CMC Sec. 21.38.050):
4. This action is Statutorily Exempt under Section 15270(a) of the California Environment
Quality Act (CEQA), pertaining to projects which a public agency rejects or
disapproves.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission recommends that City
Council not rescind the historic designation of a Structure of Merit commonly known as the
Smith House, on property located at 74 N Second Street.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of September, 2019, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN
Commissioners: Buchbinder, Ching, Hines, Krey, Ostrowski, and Rivlin
Commissioners:
Commissioners: J
Commissioners:
Paul Kermbyan, Secretary