07-18-18 CHB Report 02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IV. BACKGROUND /HISTORY: Case Background: In 2015, the original church building was gutted by a fire and determined by the City Building Official as an imminent threat to life safety. A demolition permit was issued in accordance with Section 20.25.010 of the Riverside Municipal Code, which states that a Certificate of Appropriateness is not required when a building presents an unsafe or dangerous condition constituting an imminent threat as defined in the California Building Code. The remaining accessory building has been vacant since the fire. Because the accessory building was not damaged by the fire it did not constitute as an imminent threat and Certificate of Appropriateness is required for demolition. The applicant hired Steve Kuchenski of ONYX Architects, who is qualified under the Secretary of the Interior Professional Qualifications, to complete an evaluation of the property and an analysis of the potential impact of demolition of the structure to the Evergreen Quarter Historic District. The attached report dated April 13, 2018, found that the previously demolished church may have been eligible for individual designation because of its connection to the Echo Park Foursquare Gospel Church and notable evangelist Aimee Semple MacPherson. However, the Cultural Resources report states there was no record of any connection between the remaining Sunday school annex building and MacPherson. Instead, the Sunday school annex, which abutted the sanctuary building, served as an accessory building to the main sanctuary building. Furthermore, staff evaluated the property and found that despite being constructed during the period of significance of the property, the annex no longer retains sufficient integrity to maintain contributor status due to the loss of setting, feeling, and association with sanctuary building. V. DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project is to demolish the remaining accessory building which abutted the sanctuary building. The demolition also includes the demolition of the semi - subterranean basement. No new construction is proposed at this time. VI. PROJECT ANALYSIS: • Compliance with section 20.25.050 of the City of Riverside Municipal Code: CHB staff has analyzed the proposed project in accordance with Title 20 of the Riverside Municipal Code and finds the project to be consistent because the removal of the accessory building at 4291 Eleventh Street will not impact the historic district. The Cultural Resource report by ONYX Architects found the accessory building ineligible for local designation both individually and as part of a district. The significant feature of the property, the sanctuary building, was destroyed by fire and subsequently demolished. Therefore, the demolition of this accessory structure will not impact the historic district. • Environmental Compliance: The project is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to the general rule Section 15061 (B) (3) (No possibility of Impact to the Environment) and is categorically exempt pursuant to Sections 15301 (L) (4) (Demolition of Accessory Structures)of the CEQA Guidelines as the project is to demolish an existing accessory building, which does not contribute to the historic district. According to Section 15061 (B) (3), "The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies CHB — Certificate of Appropriateness July 18, 2018 2 of 7 P18 -0355