Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09132011 - C.144RECOMMENDATION(S): ADOPT the recommendation of the Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee (HLAC) designating the Eugene A. Bridgford House located at Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 030-140-002, more commonly known as 4090 Gateway Road in the Bethel Island area as a historical building of significance, and REFER the designation to the Contra Costa County Historical Society for inclusion in the County Historical Resources Inventory (HRI). FISCAL IMPACT: The applicant is responsible for costs associated with this nomination. BACKGROUND: The Eugene A. Bridgford House was originally built from 1913-1916 as a two-story 7,200 square foot Prairie style residence with cedar shingles. The house was constructed on a neighboring property before there was a bridge to Bethel Island and was situated on an earth mound in the center of a 300 acre parcel located on a property fronting Gateway Road. The APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 09/13/2011 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Christine Louie, 925-335-1237 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: September 13, 2011 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: C.144 To:Board of Supervisors From:Catherine Kutsuris, Conservation & Development Director Date:September 13, 2011 Contra Costa County Subject:Designation of the Eugene A. Bridgford House in the Bethel Island area to the County Historical Resources Inventory residence was remodeled in 1948 which included the enclosure of a portion of the front porch, porte-cochere, and rear porch. Care was taken with the remodel so that the alterations did not alter the identity and integrity of the Prairie style building. In 1948, the house became the Mounds Club. After 1951, the house was used as a studio and residence of architect-engineer Mr. Wesley Anderson. The first owner of the property Judge Eugene A. Bridgford was a former state legislator, former judge, and successful San Francisco lawyer when he built the house. He was involved in the formation of the reclamation district that encompasses Bethel Island, and organized agricultural production on the island. He also owned a cattle ranch and dairy business on Bethel Island. In December of 2000, Mr. Thomas Trost relocated the Eugene A. Bridgford House approximately ¼ mile to the subject property from the original lot in Bethel Island to make way for the Delta Coves Subdivision project. Due to a deadline imposed by the developer of the Delta Coves Subdivision, Mr. Trost relocated the house onto the subject 1.80 acre parcel without obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from the Community Development and Building Inspection Divisions. The subject property is located within the 100-year floodplain boundary as determined by the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA), and is subject to the County Floodplain Management Ordinance. This ordinance requires that the foundation for the residence be elevated out of the floodplain, which would require that the residence be sited approximately 17 feet above the elevation of the natural grade on the subject property. The original location of the house on the Delta Coves Subdivision property was on an earth mound which rose the building 7 feet above flood level. Since 2004, the applicant has been attempting to obtain a State historical designation, which could qualify the building for the State Historic Building Code and lessen the foundation elevation requirement under the County Floodplain Management Ordinance. The house has been vacant since its relocation, and is currently in disrepair with broken windows, missing siding, no utility connections, and is set on jacks and wheels and not on a permanent foundation. BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) Past HLAC Discussion: On December 4, 2002, the nomination of the Bridgford House to the HRI was placed on the HLAC agenda. The applicant was Mr. Trost. At that meeting, the members discussed the nomination, with concerns that they didn’t want the applicant to see the HLAC as a way to escape regulations regarding compliance with the Building Code and Flood Plain Management Plan. At that time, the HLAC asked the applicant to obtain an accurate account of the regulations and then present his findings to the Committee. The HLAC acknowledged that the house had historic merit, and scheduled a time to view the building at their next meeting. On February 3, 2003, the HLAC continued this item to the next meeting with requests for Mr. Trost to come into compliance with the noted violations in order that the HLAC can sustain the recommendation to the Board. On March 5, 2003, the HLAC reiterated their support for historical designation of the Bridgford House, but would not proceed further until Mr. Trost cleared all of the violations on the property and proceeded with his application, i.e., small lot review, variance due to height restrictions, flood plain permit, etc. Mr. Trost was to communicate with Community Development once the violations were cleared or an appeal filed. This item was placed on the HLAC agenda until February 8, 2006, by this time, no communication was received from Mr. Trost. Current HLAC Action and Discussion: On June 28, 2011, staff received an application from Mr. Trost for nomination of the Eugene A. Bridgford House. On August 11, 2011, the Contra Costa County Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee (HLAC) approved a nomination by Mr. Trost, for the historical designation of the Eugene A. Bridgford House as a building of historical and architectural significance. Prior to the meeting, Mr. Trost, the owner of the property, provided the HLAC with an informational packet that included articles, photos, and other historical information on the proposed historical building. After hearing a presentation from Mr. Trost and review of the submitted material, the HLAC voted unanimously to approve the nomination and recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the Eugene A. Bridgford House be designated as a historical resource and placed on the County’s Historical Resources Inventory. The HLAC directed staff to prepare the Board staff report for the nomination at the Board’s meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Permit History: On April 2, 2003, the applicant filed a small lot design review application to obtain approval to legalize the relocation of the Bridgford House to the subject property. A request for public hearing was filed in response to the public notification. On July 10, 2003, the applicant submitted a development plan application to enable the continuation of the processing of the project. The development plan was approved with conditions on October 5, 2009, but this permit has since expired and the applicant has not completed any of the conditions of approval, or filed a building permit. In 2004, the applicant applied for the listing of the building to the National Register, however, the house was never added to the National Register. It was only acknowledged by the State Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) as being eligible for listing on the National Register. In a letter from the OHP dated November 18, 2004, it was indicated that the house could qualify for eligibility for listing to the National Register. However, there were concerns regarding the raising of the house on an elevated foundation, which would potentially compromise the integrity and appearance of the house. In 2008, state records indicate that the application for nomination to the National Register was withdrawn. Pending Actions: On February 8, 2011, a Notice to Comply was issued by the Building Inspection Division as follows: the building was moved to the property without a permit, the building is stored on wheels and jacks with no permanent foundation, no utilities, broken windows, and storage of a commercial modular trailer. On May 10, 2011, a Notice and Order to Abate was issued with the options to 1) vacate, demolish, and remove the building from the property within 30 days, or 2) repair the building by obtaining the required permits and making all corrections so that the building is no longer substandard within 30 days. On June 7, 2011, Mr. Trost filed an appeal of the Notice of Abatement. The appeal of the Notice of Abatement will be brought before the Board of Supervisors on September 13, 2011. The HLAC acknowledges the pending Code Enforcement Notice of Abatement for Mr. Trost to remove or comply with the building code, however, health and safety matters are beyond the scope of the HLAC. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: If the building is not placed on the County Historical Resources Inventory, it would not be eligible for historic building code alternatives that relate to the foundation construction, and the integrity of the architectural design may be impacted. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: No impact. ATTACHMENTS Resolution No. 2011/365 Nomination Packet Bridgford House Maps Bridgford House Photos