Did the City Manager Get the Mira Monte Mess Correct?

Bad Billy.

Mod: The Henry A. Darling house debacle continues to play a large role here. In the latest edition of the City Manager's report (link), the following analysis is provided for us. The matter has now been pushed to a March Planning Commission meeting at the request of William Kefalas's lawyer, something the City Manager might not have known about at the time this was written. This news was announced at Thursday evening's meeting, but perhaps it was late breaking information that had only just been revealed. So anyway, all of that having been said, in your opinion is the following official account factually correct?

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm. The Planning Commission (Commission) will consider approving Discretionary Demolition Permit 16-01 and/or a Certificate of Appropriateness 17-01 for 126 East Mira Monte Avenue. The Commission will apply the Secretary of the Interior’s standards in their evaluation of the project.

Background: At the November 3, 2016 meeting, the Commission reviewed Discretionary Demolition Permit 16-01. The Commission continued the public hearing to December first, directing staff to provide a building observation report of the as-built conditions of the remaining structure, and requested that the applicant obtain a historical resources evaluation of the property prepared by a qualified architectural historian.

At the December 1, 2016 meeting, the Commission reviewed the Construction Observation Report prepared by the City Building Official. The purpose of the report was to determine the structural integrity of the roof, foundation, and exterior framing of the primary structure and detached garage. The determination of the report indicates that a full demolition of the structure is not warranted and that reconstruction of the building is possible.

The Commission also reviewed the findings provided in the Historical Resources Evaluation report, prepared by Charles Fisher, Architectural Historian, whom identifies the structure as an early example of a pre- Craftsman Arts and Crafts residence. The report further states that the property prior to demolition was eligible for designation as a local historic landmark.

Based on this determination, the Commission requested the property owner to submit an application for a certificate of appropriateness for the Commission’s consideration. A certificate of appropriateness is an authorization awarded by the Planning Commission allowing alteration, demolition, or new construction to a historic site or structure to ensure that potential changes to the structure are consistent with the property’s character and/or setting.

The Commission continued the public hearing from December 1, 2016 to January 19, 2017. At the request of the applicant, the January 19, 2017 meeting was continued to February 16, 2017 to allow additional time for the applicant to prepare the submittal requirements for the certificate of appropriateness.

Mod: I guess one thing that I found to be missing from this account is any mention of Kefalas having already demo'd the H.A. Darling house prior to receiving any permit or authorization from the city to do so. Appropriateness or not. An important item that I think bears mentioning, but somehow has been skipped over here.

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