City of Santa Clarita Historic Preservation Survey & Planning Analysis Prepared by Historic Resources Group August 2009 City of Santa Clarita Historic Preservation Survey & Planning Analysis Prepared for The City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Boulevard Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Prepared by Historic Resources Group 1728 N. Whitley Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028 August 2009 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................1 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS ............................................................................3 PREVIOUS PRESERVATION EFFORTS .......................................................................... 3 REVIEW OF POLICY DOCUMENTS ............................................................................. 5 LEGAL BASIS FOR PRESERVATION ............................................................................ 5 HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS ....................................................................................11 3. HISTORIC CONTEXT ................................................................................14 PURPOSE .......................................................................................................14 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................14 HISTORY & ASSOCIATED PROPERTY TYPES.................................................................15 SELECTED CHRONOLOGY .....................................................................................41 SIGNIFICANT PERSONS .......................................................................................45 4. HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY...............................................................50 SURVEYED PROPERTIES.......................................................................................50 SURVEY METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................53 SURVEY RESULTS..............................................................................................57 5. RECOMMENDATIONS ...............................................................................58 FUTURE SURVEY EFFORTS ....................................................................................58 CITY POLICIES .................................................................................................60 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ..................................................................................63 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...........................................................................................65 Appendices APPENDIX A: Review of Policy Documents APPENDIX B: Comparison of the “List of 49” and the “List of 45” APPENDIX C: California DPR 523 Forms APPENDIX D: Properties for Consideration in Future Survey Efforts APPENDIX E: Property Data Table APPENDIX F: South Central Coastal Information Center Record Search APPENDIX G: Financial Incentives Historic Preservation Survey & Planning Analysis City of Santa Clarita 1. INTRODUCTION This report presents the results of a planning analysis and historic resources survey conducted for the City of Santa Clarita. The report addresses the current state of historic preservation in Santa Clarita, including past preservation efforts and the legal framework for local preservation. Also presented herein are the results of a historic resources survey of selected properties identified by the City for historic evaluation. The survey effort includes a citywide historic context statement, detailed evaluation methodology, State DPR Forms for all surveyed properties, as well as an extensive listing of properties to be considered in future survey efforts. Finally, this report makes specific recommendations regarding the ongoing identification and evaluation of the City’s historic resources, and identifies specific ways in which the City can strengthen its preservation program. This project was conducted by Historic Resources Group, including Christy McAvoy, Managing Principal; Kari Fowler, Senior Preservation Planner; Laura Janssen, Senior Architectural Historian; and Alison Jefferson, Historian; all of whom meet the Secretary of the Interior's qualifications for professionals in historic preservation.1 Historical research was the provided by the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society and coordinated by Pat Saletore. The project was managed by Alex Hernandez, Administrative Analyst with the City of Santa Clarita’s Redevelopment Department. Santa Clarita is a city rich in history, with resources relating to its role as a primary transportation corridor between northern and southern California, as well as to its early ties to many of the region’s most important industries, such as mining, oil, and film. The preservation of these resources has become an important priority for the City and its citizens. In June 2007, the City Council Economic Development/Redevelopment Subcommittee met to discuss the issue of historic preservation in the City of Santa Clarita. Since that time, City staff has developed a phased approach to addressing the need for a comprehensive historic preservation program. The first phase was to establish a temporary historic preservation review process to evaluate demolition or alteration requests for identified historic resources. The second phase, now underway, includes development of a historic preservation ordinance; a survey of historic properties; identification of additional properties for consideration in future survey and planning efforts; and recommendations for the continued preservation of historic resources. To this end, the City of Santa Clarita has asked Historic Resources Group for assistance in developing a comprehensive historic preservation program to guide its future preservation efforts. 1 Federal Register, Vol. 48, No. 190, pp. 44738-44739, September 29, 1983. Historic Preservation Survey & Planning Analysis 1 City of Santa Clarita A survey of selected resources identified by the City has been completed, along with a citywide historic context statement which highlights the trends and patterns critical to the understanding of the city’s built environment. A list of additional properties to be considered in future survey and planning efforts has also been compiled. These essential components of a meaningful preservation program will prove to be useful tools for City planners and other decision-makers. The next step will be to draft a Historic Preservation Ordinance, which will establish the procedures and regulations by which the City can recognize, preserve, protect and use its historic resources. A Historic Preservation Ordinance typically includes a provision for the creation of a local historic preservation commission, criteria used to determine what properties can be designated under the ordinance, and a process for such a designation.2 The information contained in this report will serve as technical support for the development of this Ordinance. 2 Local Ordinances. California Office of Historic Preservation website, Accessed April 2009. Historic Preservation Survey & Planning Analysis 2 City of Santa Clarita 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS PREVIOUS PRESERVATION EFFORTS According to the October 2008 revised draft of the Open Space & Conservation Element of the General Plan, the City of Santa Clarita has worked toward the protection of a range of historically significant sites: The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society was formed in 1975 to identify, preserve and protect the unique historical sites and structures throughout the Valley. The City and County have both worked cooperatively, along with the Historical Society, to protect significant sites. For example, the County has provided a portion of Hart Park to be set aside as “Heritage Junction,” and the City and Historical Society have cooperated on relocating structures to that location for renovation and preservation. The County has also been instrumental in setting aside Harry Carey Ranch Historic District and providing funding to preserve the Placerita Canyon Park and Nature Center, where a historic cabin has been preserved and is open to the public. The City has worked cooperatively with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to preserve artifacts related to the oil history and cultural lifeways of Mentryville in Pico Canyon. In addition, the City routinely conditions commercial and residential developers to halt work in the event that cultural resources are encountered during grading. The City of Santa Clarita has evaluated options regarding adoption of a Historic Preservation Ordinance, and will pursue completion of this ordinance as a General Plan objective. The City has also adopted the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan, with architectural guidelines that acknowledge the importance of the historic buildings there. The City has consistently involved the Historic Society in review of development proposals in areas containing historic sites and resources, and has required projects to mitigate impacts to historic resources as a condition of development approval. As noted above, the City has adopted an interim historic preservation review process as part of its Zoning Ordinance (Municipal Code 17.03.145). The City is in the process of completing a selected survey and a citywide historic context statement, and will soon be working to draft to historic preservation ordinance. All of these measures are important steps toward the development of a comprehensive preservation