Title
Ordinance Listing 1957 13th Avenue as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (M26-010) [Published 05/08/2026]
End
FileID
File ID: 2026-01042
End
Location
Location: 1957 13th Avenue (012-0404-011-0000), District 7
End
Recommendation
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion pass a Motion recommending the City Council: 1) Pass a motion determining the listing of 1957 13th Avenue as a landmark on the Sacramento register of historic 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 2) Adopt an ordinance listing 1957 13th Avenue as a landmark on the Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources.
End
Contact
Contact: Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, (916) 808-2796, sdecourcy@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
End
Presenter
Presenter: Hazel Bess, Preservation Intern, (916) 808-2796, hbess@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
End
Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Proposed Ordinance
3-Historic Resource Evaluation
4-Presentation
End
Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: In 2025, the property owner of 1957 13th Avenue retained the services of Historic Environment Consultants, who prepared the historic evaluation for this property, which has been revised by City staff. Staff presented a statement of nomination to the preservation director, who concluded at a public hearing on May 14, 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. 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 1957 13th Avenue. No objections to listing have been received by staff.
End
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 1957 13th Ave 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…”
End
Economic Impacts
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
End
Environmental Considerations
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The listing of 1957 13th 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.
End
Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
End
Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: On May 14, 2026, in accordance City Code section 17.604.220, the preservation director held a public hearing, reviewed the historic analysis prepared by Historic Environment Consultants and city staff (Attachment 2), concurred with a draft statement of nomination, and directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance (Attachment 1) for review and consideration by the preservation commission.
End
Rationale for Recommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Listing of 1957 13th 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. 1957 13th Avenue is a distinctive example of Tudor Revival architecture. Significant features and characteristics of this architectural style that are present on the building include its front-facing gables, steeply pitched roofs, multi-lite metal casement windows, arched front entry, large chimney, and asymmetrical plan. (City Code, § 17.604.210.A.1.a.iii.)
Figure 1: 1957 13th Avenue, view north
The building at 1957 13th Avenue has integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and association.
The building retains a high degree of historic integrity of all six aspects. The neighborhood and building remain mostly unchanged. The building has had little to no alterations since initial construction, outside of the removal of the half timbering. All other elements on the façade appear to be in near original condition.
The building at 1957 13th 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 this chapter. It has been well-maintained and retains a high level of integrity with regard to its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association. 1957 13th Avenue is a significant and unique representation of the Tudor Revival style in Sacramento.
End
Financial Considerations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
End
Local Business Enterprise (LBE)
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
End