Title:
Title
(Pass for Publication) Ordinance Listing 1860 60th Avenue (James Dodd Residence) as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (M20-006)
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-01560
Location
Location: 1860 60th Ave (035-0314-002-0000); District 4
Recommendation:
Recommendation
1) Review an ordinance listing 1860 60th Avenue (James Dodd Residence) as a landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources; and 2) pass for publication the ordinance title per Sacramento City Code section 32(c) for consideration on February 16, 2021.
FileName
Contact: Carson Anderson, Preservation Director, (916) 808-8259, Community Development Department
Body
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance
3-Historic Resource Evaluation
4-Public Comments
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: In 2016-2017, the City of Sacramento received a Certified Local Government grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior to prepare an historic context statement and conduct a city-wide reconnaissance-level survey of Mid-century historic resources. The Mid-century context statement identified master architect James C. Dodd, the first licensed African-American architect in Sacramento, and discusses the significance of his design practice in advancing Mid-century Modernism within the Sacramento region. The property at 1860 60th Avenue was designed by Dodd as his residence during the Mid-Century period and is an excellent example of the architect’s residential work.
After conducting intensive-level background research and preparing a historic resource evaluation (Attachment 3), staff concluded 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.a.ii (the property is associated with the lives of persons significant in the city’s past) and 17.604.210.A.1.a.iv (the property represents the work of an important creative individual or master).
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 and its livability, marketability and urban character.” (Sacramento City Code section 17.604.100.A.)
To this end, City Code directs the Preservation Director, to “make preliminary determinations relative to properties’ eligibility for listing on the Sacramento [R]egister” and to “initiate proceedings to nominate resources for listing on the Sacramento register” (Pursuant to City Code sections 17.604.100.C.2 and 17.604.220.).
The nomination of 1860 60th Avenue for listing as a landmark on the Sacramento Register is consistent with Sacramento 2035 General Plan goal HCR 2.1, which provides for the identification and preservation of historical and cultural resources. General Plan policy HCR 2.1.1 states, “The City shall identify historic and cultural resources, including individual properties, districts, and sites, to ensure adequate protection.”
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: The listing of 1860 60th 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.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: On January 7, 2021 the City of Sacramento’s Preservation Director, in conformance with Section 17.604.220 of the City Code, held a public hearing, reviewed the historic analysis prepared by staff (Attachment 3) and concurred with a draft statement of nomination and directed staff to prepare a draft Ordinance (Attachment 2) for review and consideration by the Preservation Commission. On January 20, 2021 the Preservation Commission held a hearing and passed a motion recommending the City Council adopt an ordinance (Attachment 2) listing 1860 60th Avenue in the Sacramento Register.
Rationale for Recommendation: Listing of 1860 60th Avenue (Figure 1) as a landmark on the Sacramento Register is consistent with the Historic Preservation Chapter (17.604) of the City Code and the goals of the 2035 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. The building is associated with the lives of persons significant in the city’s past (17.604.210.A.1.a.ii) for its association with James Dodd, one of the first licensed African-African architects in Sacramento who gained local significance for his contributions in Mid-Century Modern architecture. The building also represents the work of an important creative individual or master (17.604.210.A.1.a.iv) because the resource exemplifies the residential work of James Dodd’s during the Mid-Century period. Dodd was the creator of important works, including the Shiloh Baptist Church at 3565 9th Avenue (1963) which is listed on the California Register of Historic and Cultural Resources and the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance.
Figure 1: James Dodd Residence located at 1860 60th Avenue
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.