Title
Ordinance Listing 2548 8th Avenue as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (M26-024) [Published 10/09/2026]
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FileID
File ID: 2026-1857
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Location
Location: 2548 8th Avenue (013-0264-010-0000); District 7
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion pass a Motion: 1) to close the public hearing; and 2) recommending the City Council: a) pass a motion determining the listing of 2548 8th Avenue as a landmark on the Sacramento register of historical and cultural resources is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308, which exempts actions taken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment and where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment; and b) adopt an ordinance listing 2548 8th Avenue as a landmark on the Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources.
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Contact
Contact: Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, (916) 808-2796, sdecourcy@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: Hannah Taube, Preservation Intern, (916) 808-2796, HTaube@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance
3-Historic Resource Evaluation
4-Presentation
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: The building at 2548 8th Avenue was identified and evaluated by a graduate student in the Sacramento State Public History program. The evaluation has been reviewed by City staff. City staff then presented the statement of nomination to the preservation director, who concluded at a public hearing on October 15, 2026, that the property appears eligible for listing in the Sacramento register pursuant to the criteria provided in Sacramento City Code section 17.604.210.A.1.i, ii., and iii. Staff has prepared a draft ordinance (Attachment 2) which justifies listing the property on the Sacramento register.
A notice of the public hearing describing the proposed landmark listing was sent to the property owners of 2548 8th Avenue. No objections to listing have been received by staff. On October 15, 2026, in accordance with City Code section 17.604.220, the preservation director held a public hearing, reviewed the historic analysis (Attachment 2), concurred with the draft statement of nomination, and directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance (Attachment 1) for review and consideration by the preservation commission.
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Policy Considerations
Policy Considerations: The City Council has found “that significant aspects of the City’s rich and diverse historic resources deserve recognition and preservation to foster an understanding of our heritage, and to promote the public health and safety and the economic and general welfare of the people of the city. The preservation and continued use of historic resources are effective tools to sustain and revitalize neighborhoods and business districts within the city, enhance the city’s economic, cultural and aesthetic standing, its identity, its livability, marketability and urban character.” (City Code, § 17.604.100.A.) To this end, the city code directs the preservation director, to “make preliminary determinations relative to properties’ eligibility for listing on the Sacramento register” and to “initiate proceedings to nominate resources for listing on the Sacramento register.” (City Code, §§ 17.604.100.C.2 and 17.604.220.)
The nomination of 2548 8th Avenue for listing as a historic landmark on the Sacramento register is consistent with Sacramento 2040 General Plan goal HCR-2.3, which provides for the identification and preservation of historical and cultural resources. General Plan policy HCR-2.3 states, “The City shall maintain and update the Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources on a regular basis, including proactively identifying and listing additional unidentified landmarks and historic districts…”
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Economic Impacts
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
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Environmental Considerations
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The listing of 2548 8th Avenue as a historic landmark on the Sacramento register is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308. Section 15308 exempts from CEQA review acts that are undertaken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. Listing the property as a historic landmark would ensure that future development on the site would undergo preservation review, as part of the city’s site plan and design review process, prior to the granting of any entitlements, thereby protecting the historic resource, which would be considered part of the environment.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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Rationale for Recommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Listing of 2548 8th Avenue (Figure 1) as a landmark on the Sacramento register is consistent with the historic preservation chapter of the City Code (City Code, chapter 17.604) and the goals of the 2040 General Plan. Listing the nominated resource on the Sacramento register will help ensure its preservation and encourage rehabilitation consistent with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. 2548 8th Avenue is eligible as a distinctive example of Tudor Revival architecture and for its association with the Better Homes Movement, a national campaign launched in 1922 that promoted homeownership and educated the public about quality home design, construction, and modern household amenities through demonstration homes and community events, for which it won second prize in the Better Homes model home demonstration of 1928. Its significant features and characteristics include its asymmetrical front-gabled floorplan, crenellation and turret-topped entryway, wood shutters, leaded glass windows, wooden front door, stucco cladding, steeply pitched roof, and birdhouse-shaped air vent. (City Code, § 17.604.210.A.1.a.i., ii, and iii.)
Figure 1: 2548 8th Avenue, view south
The building at 2548 8th Ave has integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and association.
The building retains a high degree of historic integrity of all six aspects. The Curtis Park neighborhood and building remain mostly unchanged. The building has had little to no alterations since initial construction. All elements on the façade appear to be in near original condition.
The building at 2548 8th Avenue has significant historic or architectural worth, and its designation as a landmark is reasonable, appropriate and necessary to promote, protect and further the goals and purposes of chapter 17.608 of the City Code. It has been well maintained and retains a high level of integrity with regard to its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association. 2548 8th Avenue is a significant and rare representation of the Better Homes Movement and the Tudor-Revival style.
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Financial Considerations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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Local Business Enterprise (LBE)
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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