MEMORANDUM

TO: Sausalito Planning Commission FROM: Sausalito Historic Landmarks Board RE: 18 – 22 Varda Landing: (APN 063-010-05) DATE: April 20, 2016

Methodology Pursuant to City Council direction, it is the responsibility of the Sausalito Historic Landmarks Board to examine any remodel or demolition application in the City if the application involves a structure of fifty or more years of age. The Board assigns two members to review each project and to consider the gathered information and produce this report. Our report is not intended to replace or augment any technical reports pertaining to this project: any comments regarding structural integrity, engineering, etc., are purely observational.

Architectural Research At the request of the Planning Department, the Historic Landmarks Board conducted research into the history of the property at 18-22 Varda Landing to determine its historic significance.

Proposed Property Modification/Remodel A design review permit has been submitted to remodel three unites in the mixed-use building. The remodel will convert the existing ground floor office to a recording studio with associated interior remodeling. The two residential units and third levels will be remodeled with new windows, interior remodeling, new exterior façade improvement, expanded rooftop decks and related upgrades. New landscaping in the rear yard and a new exterior stairway to access the second level residential units are also proposed.

Property Description According to MarinMaps database, 18-22 Varda Landing was constructed in 1961. The structure is located in a mixed-use neighborhood and located in the Marinship Specific Plan area. Varda Landing is in the northern area of Sausalito, adjacent to the water, directly south of Waldo Harbor and about three blocks north of Heath Ceramics.

The street contains a mix of residential, commercial and mixed-use residential and commercial. Varda Landing is also used to access several houseboats adjacent to and directly south of Waldo Harbor. One houseboat of note is the Vallejo, the former home of Jean Varda. Jean Varda was an artist and Sausalito resident of note, living in Sausalito from the late 1940’s to the 1970’s.

The lot size is approximately 3,700 square feet, with a living space of approximately 3,269 square feet on three stories.

The house appears to be a wood frame with wood vertical siding. It has a single beam supporting the roof with slight eaves. The front of the structure has exposed decking on the third floor and the back of the structure has a series of wall-to-wall, floor to ceiling windows with multiple lights. An exterior stairway in the back also leads to a large deck.

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The architectural features are in keeping with the minimalist design elements and simple fenestration for structures built in the 1960’s.

18 – 22 Varda Landing is situated among other structures of similar design from the 1960s, and structures evocative of the bohemian water lifestyle of Sausalito. Along the street in between midcentury structures are small waterfront cottages and workshops, which have been modified over time to serve as residences, artists’ studios and businesses. 18 – 22 Varda Landing also neighbors houseboats of historic and modern design.

Historic photographs and original drawings and permit records are not available.

Sausalito City Permit Records Reviewed: Yes_XX___ No_____

Construction Date: 1961

Address Change: Yes____ No__XX__

Alterations: Yes__XX__ No____

Building Permits Issued a. A9444: Re-roof; install fascia and gutter on front roof line: (11/2001)

b. AS234: Re-roof (12/1991)

c. A3784: Deck repair at rear of building (12/1992)

d. A2453: Structural reinforcement within building (12/1989)

e. A2342: Re-roof (9/1989)

f. 8084: Dry rot repair (5/1984)

Historical Society Archive Property File Available and Reviewed: Yes __XX__ No______Historical Society Property Description: No records on file

Marin County Assessor’s and Recorder’s Office Records Reviewed: Yes____ No_XX___ Construction Date: 1961

Ownership History: Original owner: not found and could not confirm if Janet Kaplan had the building constructed Janet Kaplan: 1961 – 2015 Theresa Chaffee: 2015 – current George Ryan: occupant 1994

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Research Findings Janet Kaplan was mentioned in the Historical Files in the obituary of her husband, Gene Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Beyond that, there were no other records or items of note in the files for the owners and residents of 18 – 22 Varda Landing.

However, the structure is located in an area significant to Sausalito’s history. It sits adjacent to the houseboat Vallejo. The Vallejo is a defunct ferryboat purchased in 1950 by acclaimed artist and controversial character, Jean Varda.

Varda was a known Cubist, sharing a studio with …… and consorting with Henri Matisse and . (Source: Elizabeth Stoman, author of The Art and Life of Jean Varda.)

“The old ferry became the epicenter of the waterfront counterculture, or what has been called the Sausalito ‘Bargeoisie’.” (Source: Sausalito Historical Society, Larry Clinton, Feb. 24, 2010.)

“Jean Varda channeling Poseidon on the Vallejo.” Larry Clinton, Sausalito Historical Society, Feb. 24, 2010.

Jean Varda and Varda Landing were associated with the early organization of the Sausalito Art Festival, and setting up a community art center where people could come and make art. In the 50’s and 60’s, Varda and Varda Landing were associated with lively plays and “masques” on the Vallejo, drawing artists, poets and performers such as Maya Angelou, and Anais Nin. (Source: Moments in Time, Sausalito Historical Newsletter Autumn 2006; Elizabeth Stroman, The Art and Life of Jean Varda.)

Given the flamboyant and artistic contributions Varda Landing has made, it seems fitting that the remodel of 18-22 Varda Landing proposes the accommodation of a recording studio.

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Historical Significance Listings: -Sausalito List of Notable Structures: Yes ____No ___X____ - Historic Resource Information Systems Database: Yes ____ No ___X____ -Previously identified as a Historic Resource: Yes _____No ___X___ -Architectural Drawings Found: Yes _____ No ___X___

Findings

1. Is the structure associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the history, culture, or heritage of Sausalito, California, or the United States? Such structures may include but are not limited to civic structures, properties featured in publications, and sites where significant events occurred.

The board finds under this criterion.

2. Is this structure associated with the life or lives of one or more people important in our past? Such structures may include but are not limited to homes of prominent persons and places referenced by prominent persons.

The board finds under this criterion.

3. Does the structure embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represent the work of an important creative individual, or possess high artistic values? Such structures may include but are not limited to exceptional examples of architecture or an architect’s work; more ordinary examples of such work are emblematic of a particular style or era; and any works by prominent creative individuals.

The board finds under this criterion.

4. Has the structure yielded, or may it be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history? Such structures may include but are not limited to archeological sites.

The board finds under this criterion.

Recommandations :

(HLB members)

Sources: Sausalito Planning Department address files, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

The Sausalito Historic Landmarks Board, at their publicly noticed meeting of (date) acknowledged this memorandum:

AYES: _____ NOES: _____ ABSTAIN: _____ ABSENT: _____

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