CITY OF GLENDALE, REPORT TO THE:

Joint fl City Council ~ Housing Authority U Successor Agency U Oversight Board U

August 27, 2019

AGENDA ITEM

Report: 1837 Sherer Lane — Glendale Register Nomination

1) Resolution to list 1837 Sherer Lane on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources and authorize a Mills Act contract between the owner and the City.

2) Motion to not list 1837 Sherer Lane on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources and not authorize a Mills Act contract between the owner and the City.

COUNCIL ACTION Public Hearing N Ordinance U Consent Calendar U Action Item U Report Only U

Approved for ñt9usk &~-~ ‘~ek4 calendar

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION

Submitted by: Philip Lanzafamé, Director of Community Development

Prepared by: Jay Platt, Senior Urban Designer

Approved by: Yasmin K. Beers, City Manager

Reviewed by: Michael J. Garcia, City Attorney

Erik Krause, Deputy Director of Community Development

9C1 RECOMMENDATION The Historic Preservation Commission recommends that City Council approve the designation of 1837 Sherer Lane as a historic resource, place it on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources as property number 128 (GR-128), to be known as the Howland House, and authorize a Mills Act contract for the property. Planning staffs recommendation to the City Council is consistent with that of the Commission.

BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS On July 18, 2019, the Glendale Historic Preservation Commission unanimously adopted (4-0) a motion recommending that the City Council approve the designation of 1837 Sherer Lane as a historic resource, place it on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources, and authorize a Mills Act contract for the property.

1837 Sherer Drive is a two-stow single4amily residence located in the Verdugo Woodlands neighborhood. It was designed by the firm of Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury in the Mediterranean Revival style and built in 1926. It is an excellent and mostly intact example of its style and the work of a significant architectural firm that was based in Pasadena and designed a number of notable works throughout the region. It was built for businessman Charles H. Howland and his second wife Mary May Howland. Mr. Howland died in 1934 and his wife remained in the house until her death in 1942.

The nomination provides an excellent, thoroughly researched historical background regarding the Howlands and the work of Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury, which is attached to this report as part of Exhibit A. Mr. Howland was a descendant of an early American family of some note, but nothing in the nomination suggests that he individually made any contributions to the history of Glendale or beyond. Six owners have occupied the house since it was sold by the Howland family, but none appear to be of any of historical significance.

Architectural De&cription 1837 Sherer Lane is a wood-frame, stucco clad structure with the blocky massing typical of its style. It is placed on an irregularly shaped lot that is the result of earlier subdivision that took place, at least in part, in 1976. For this reason, its primary façade does not address the street and is instead oriented toward the views across Verdugo Canyon (its original address was 1750 Verdugo Road). The asymmetrical composition feature a main two-story volume set on a plinth above the level of the driveway and motor court. The front entry is accessed via a pair of staircases with stepped cheek wall that run parallel to the façade. The landing between the two staiiways feature a stone plaque carved with the Howland family crest. The stairs open onto an entry terrace that extends across the main façade and widens toward the south, where it fronts onto a one-story loggia appended to the side of the two-story volume. The loggia features two simple rouhd columns, masonry lattice railings, and a large arched opening that faces the street. At the north end of the house, the first story extends ove