1326 allston way (city corp yard) · 5/3/2012 · 1326 allston way (city corp yard) project...

L A N D M A R K S

P R E S E R V A T I O N

C O M M I S S I O N

M e m o r a n d u m

2120 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 Tel: 510.981.7410 TDD: 510.981.7474 Fax: 510.981.7420

E-mail: [email protected]

FOR COMMISSION COMMENTS MAY 3, 2012

1326 Allston Way (City Corp Yard)

Project Referral: LM# 09-40000015, Referral to review site conditions and provide advice and guidance with respect to the anticipated removal of five trees compromised during construction. (Prepared by Maria Lusherovich)

I. Application Basics

A. Parties Involved:

Property Owner City of Berkeley Figure 1: Vicinity Map

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION 1326 ALLSTON WAY May 3, 2012 of 3

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LPC_Memo_5.3.12- City Corp Yard.doc

II. Background

On July 1, 2002 The City Corp Yard was designated a Landmark with features called out to be preserved, including the 28 Cedar trees at the north east corner of the site. On July 20, 2009 a Structural Alteration Permit LM #09-40000015 to make alterations to rehabilitate the landmark building, including demolishing parts of the interior and southern portions, and to construct an addition on the southern portion was approved by the LPC. During the construction the root structure of five Cedar trees on the north side of the building were damaged, compromising their stability. On March 13, 2012 the LPC Corp Yard Subcommittee met with City staff to discuss solutions, including amending planting plans, with: replacement species options, suitable locations, and tree protection details.

III. Project Description

The replacement of five compromised trees will be the same species that are to be removed; Calocedrus decurrens (Incense Cedar). The grading plan has been revised to delete the previous trench adjacent to the trees and level the area for tree replacement. The trees will be fifteen-gallon sized. It will be necessary for each tree to have two “tree-bubbler” irrigation heads that can provide 20 gallons of water per week between March and November. The Urban Forestry Unit will maintain the tree to keep their structure as a single trunk. The drip irrigation system for the larger site is proposed to be extended to support the establishment of the five new replacement trees.

IV. Site/Building Description

The Corporation Yard Building, also known as the Ratcliff Building, located at 1326 Allston Way is a one-story structure comprised of three interconnected parts in an L-shaped configuration. The original part, the east/west wing, was designed as stables and open storage and has since had one major addition and numerous renovations in order to create new office space. This original part of the structure was designed by Walter H. Ratcliff, Jr. and was built in 1916. It was designated a City of Berkeley Landmark in 2002 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Corporation Yard Building houses the offices of the Streets & Utilities, Electrical, Building Maintenance, Landscape Maintenance and Forestry Divisions of the City. In addition to being the primary base of operations for the routine maintenance of the City’s infrastructure, it serves as the Public Works Departmental Operations Center during emergency conditions.

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION 1326 ALLSTON WAY May 3, 2012 of 3

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LPC_Memo_5.3.12- City Corp Yard.doc

V. Historical Resource Eligibility

As discussed in the attached NOD, the 28 Cedar trees at the North east corner of the site were found to be significant features in the designation of this property.

Landmarks Preservation Ordinance Review Standards and Criteria (Section 3.24.310) The Commission to render advice and guidance with respect to any proposed work that does not require a City permit but may affect structures, sites or areas of historical, architectural, archaeological or aesthetic interest or value. Examples of the work referred to are: painting and repainting of exterior surfaces, fencing, landscaping and installation of lighting fixtures. In rendering such advice and guidance, the Commission shall be guided by the purposes and standards of this chapter and by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

VI. Recommendation

Provide advice and guidance with respect to the appropriate replacement species for the anticipated removal of the compromised trees. (Section 3.24.310)

Attachments:

1. Subcommittee Meeting Minutes 2. Landscape Plan 3. Landmark Designation NOD 4. Pictures

Staff Planner: Maria Lusherovich; [email protected]

Planning & Development Department Land Use Planning Division

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION

Subcommittee Meeting Action Minutes

1326 Allston Way

LPC Subcommittee Meeting

Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Time: 11:00 AM

Place: 1326 Allston Way (City Corporation Yard)

Please refrain from wearing scented products to public meetings. Pursuant to section 54954.3 of the California Government Code, public comment during this special meeting is intended to provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the Landmarks Preservation Commission concerning any item that has been described in the notice for the meeting before or during consideration of that item. This limits public comment to only the items listed on this agenda. Contact person: Sally Zarnowitz, Landmarks Preservation Commission Secretary, (510) 981-7429. The Landmarks Preservation Commission subcommittee for this project consists of three of the nine members appointed by the City Council: Carrie Olson, Gary Parsons, and Anne Wagley.

I. ROLL CALL Sue Ferrera, Superintendent, PRW

Dan Gallagher, City Arborist, PRW Carmella Rejwan Architect, Project Manager, PW Sally Zarnowitz Architect, Sr. Preservation Planner, Planning

Carrie Olson Austene Hall (Alternate) Gary Parsons Architect

II. PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items Only, 5 minutes)

None

ATTACHMENT 1 LPC 05-03-12

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Landmarks Preservation Subcommittee Meeting Agenda

March 13, 2012

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Shaded Text indicates that there are staff reports, application materials or correspondence included in the packet

III. AD-HOC SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING:

Potential Resolutions:

1) Replace (e) trees with same species tree and of large size

a. Pros:

i. Clearly meets the Standards and preserves historic

context of site and neighborhood

ii. No further LPC review requested

b. Cons:

i. Species not recommended by City Arborist due to site

constraint

ii. Large size specimens are not available

2) Replace (e) trees with appropriate replacement trees

a. Pros:

i. (n) appropriate species has better chance of survival

ii. (n) appropriate species are a better fit for the limited

growing space

b. Cons:

i. Smaller species

(LPC subcommittee preferred full size replacement,

however City Arborist and PRW Parks Superintendent

discussed several factors re: long term health of smaller

specimens and industry availability of others)

ii. (n) irrigation required for minimum three (3) years

1. Irrigation is not in the building plans

2. Funding has not been identified for installation

of irrigation system

3. Funding has not been identified for maintenance of

the irrigation system or water costs

iii. Full LPC referral requested

Next Steps:

Public Works to present amended planting plans, with: replacement

species options, suitable locations, and tree protection details;

provided by City Arborist, to Planning for LPC discussion

IV. ADJOURN


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1326 allston way (city corp yard) · 5/3/2012 · 1326 allston way (city corp yard) project...

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