HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-23 - RESOLUTIONS - STAR OIL HOUSE PROPERTY (2)RESOLUTION NO. 15-52
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE REMOVAL OF THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION FROM
THE STAR OIL HOUSE, ACCEPTING THE DONATION OF PROPERTY TO THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA, AND ADOPTING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION TO ALLOW FOR
THE DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES LOCATED AT 24148 PINE STREET
WHEREAS, on January 8, 2013, the City of Santa Clarita (City) adopted Ordinance
No. 13-01, amendments to the City of Santa Clarita's Historic Preservation Ordinance
(Ordinance); and
WHEREAS, as part of the adopted amendments to the Ordinance, 15 structures on nine
properties within the City of Santa Clarita were designated as historic; and
WHEREAS, one of the structures designated by the Ordinance is the residence (Star Oil
House) located at 24148 Pine Street (Subject Site) (APNs: 2831-019-003, 005, and 007); and
WHEREAS, the General Plan land use designation and zoning designation of the subject
' site is Specific Plan (SP), and Urban General 2 (UG2) respectively; and
WHEREAS, the surrounding land uses include residential structures to the north, east,
and west, and a railroad right-of-way, as well as commercial structures, to the south of the
subject site; and
WHEREAS, on November 2, 2014, a fire occurred at the subject site causing significant
damage to the Star Oil House; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2014, the City of Santa Clarita placed a red tag on the
property and ordered it secured against unlawful entry; and
WHEREAS, following the fire, the property owner of the subject site approached the
City of Santa Clarita with the intent of donating the property to the City; and
WHEREAS, staff initiated Master Case No. 15-051 for the proposed removal of the
historic designation of the Star Oil House; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2015, a duly noticed public hearing was held before the City
of Santa Clarita City Council at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia
Boulevard, Santa Clarita; and
' WHEREAS, at this public hearing, the City Council considered the staff report, staff
presentation, applicant's presentation, and public testimony.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita does hereby resolve
as follows:
SECTION 1. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS. Based
upon the foregoing facts and findings, the City Council hereby finds as follows:
A. An Initial Study and a Negative Declaration for this project have been prepared in
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
B. The Initial Study has been circulated for review and comment by affected governmental
agencies and the public, and all comments received, if any, have been considered. The
Negative Declaration was posted and advertised on June 2, 2015, in accordance with
CEQA. The public review period was open from June 2, 2015, through June 23, 2015;
C. There is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the
environment. The Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment of the City
of Santa Clarita;
D. The documents and other materials, which constitute the record of proceedings upon
which the decision of the City Council is made, is the Master Case No. 15-051 project
file, and is located within the Community Development Department, and is in the custody
of the Director of Community Development; and
E. The City Council, based upon the findings set forth above, hereby finds that the Negative
Declaration for this project has been prepared in compliance with CEQA and hereby
adopts the Negative Declaration.
SECTION 2. REMOVAL OF HISTORIC DESIGNATION. Based on the foregoing facts
and findings for removal of an existing historic designation from a historically designated
structure as defined by Unified Development Code Section 17.64.040, the City Council hereby
determines as follows:
A. The subject site retains no reasonable economic use, taking into account the condition of
the structure, its location, the current market value, and costs for rehabilitation.
Due to damage sustained by the structure due to fire, the City placed a red tag on the
structure on November 4, 2014. In addition, a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment was
conducted on the subject site and concluded that, as a result of the fire, the Star Oil
House, was a total loss. All historic integrity of the property has been compromised.
The costs to restore the structure to its previous historic condition, as required by the
Historic Preservation Ordinance, are infeasible.
Section 17.64.020.A of the Ordinance provides the ability for a historic designation to be
removed from a previously designated structure in cases where:
"...the property retains no reasonable economic use, taking into account the condition of '
the structure, its location, the current market value and costs of rehabilitation..."
Section 17.64.020.A also specifies that the designation may be removed by resolution on
"...a date up to one year from the public hearing date..."
B. The historic designation shall be immediately removed from the Star Oil House due to
the elimination of the historic integrity and reasonable economic use of the property.
SECTION 3. DONATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 24148 PINE STREET.
Based on the foregoing facts, the City Council hereby determines as follows:
A. The subject site contains no evidence of contamination.
A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment of the property was conducted and concluded that
there is no observable evidence of residual contamination or subsurface impacts from
previous Iand uses or current site activities. The Phase 1 Environmental Assessment did
note the presence of asbestos and lead based paint within the structures on the subject
site. These materials were not uncommon in structures of the time, are subject to further
examination, and can be remediated.
B. The City agrees to accept the subject site.
SECTION 4. DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES LOCATED AT 24148 PINE STREET.
Based on the foregoing facts, the City Council hereby determines as follows:
IA. The Star Oil House structure represents a visual blight on the community and a threat to
public health and safety.
The fire that occurred on the project site on November 2, 2014, was significant enough
to require the structure to be red tagged by the City of Santa Clarita. The structure can
no longer be occupied for safety reasons. A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment has
concluded that asbestos and lead based paint are present in the structure. The structure
is currently sitting vacant and has been secured against illegal entry. The longer the
structure remains in place, the more potential exists for the structure to be entered
illegally or occupied illegally. As such, the structure presents a visual blight on the
community and a threat to public health and safety.
B. The demolition of the Star Oil House would not have an adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource.
The fire that occurred on the project site on November 2, 2014, was significant enough
to require the structure to be red tagged by the City of Santa Clarita. A Phase 1
Environmental Assessment of the property concluded that the structure is a total loss.
The costs to restore the property to its former historic condition are infeasible. The
reasonable economic use of the property has been compromised. Damage from the fire,
combined with costs for restoration, has also compromised the historic integrity of the
' property.
Because the fire significantly compromised the historic integrity of the property, the
demolition of the structure would not have an adverse change in the significance of a
historical resource.
C. The remaining structures on the subject site have no historic significance.
In addition to the Star Oil House, a second, vacant residential structure and a small '
storage shed also occupy the subject site. Neither of the structures are currently
designated as historic, nor have they been in the past. The structures also have no historic
significance that would potentially make them eligible for designation in the future.
Therefore, the demolition of these structures would have no impact regarding adverse
changes in the significance of a historic structure.
D. The Star Oil House and residential structures located on the subject site shall be
demolished.
SECTION 5. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS. Based on the foregoing findings of fact,
and as directed above, the City Council authorizes the City Manager to execute all documents
and take all actions necessary to execute the donation of the subject site and demolition of
structures located on the subject site.
SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 23`d day of June2015.
ATTEST:
CITY CL I /
DATE:/y �S
//a]MMMI)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Kevin Tonoian, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a
regular meeting thereof, held on the 23`d day of June 2015, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Acosta, Kellar, Boydston, Weste, McLean
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None