Title:
Title
(Pass for Publication) Ordinance Listing 1515 4th Street (Nisei VFW Post 8985) as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (M20-004)
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-01446
Location
Location: 1515 4th Street (006-0194-001-0000); District 4
Recommendation:
Recommendation
1) Review an ordinance listing 1515 4th Street (Nisei VFW Post 8985) 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 April 20, 2021.
FileName
Contact: Carson Anderson, Preservation Director, (916) 808-8259; Sean de Courcy, Associate Preservation Planner, (916) 808-2796, Community Development Department
Body
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Proposed Ordinance
3-Historic Resource Evaluation
4-Public Comments
Description/Analysis
Issue/Detail: In August 2019, the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) documented the eligibility of 1515 4th Street (also known as the “Nisei VFW Post 8985”) for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Subsequently, Sacramento Preservation Staff reviewed the documentation (Attachment 2) prepared by the OHP, and concluded the building appeared to meet the eligibility criteria for listing on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources pursuant to the criteria provided in Sacramento City Code section 17.604.210.A.1.a.i for its significant contribution to the broad patterns of the history of the city.
Research for the OHP nomination was performed by State Historian William Burg as part of a project interviewing former residents of Sacramento’s Japantown for an exhibit at the California Museum, called “Kokoro”. This information was also utilized to create the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) nomination for the Nisei VFW hall, in conjunction with a statewide Multiple Property Document intended to facilitate listing of properties associated with Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in California, executed by the OHP. Funding and support for several nominations of AAPI associated properties was provided by a National Park Service Underrepresented Communities grant, including some prepared by outside contractors, but due to the availability of existing research and proximity of the site, the nomination was written in-house by OHP staff.
A notice of the public hearing describing the proposed landmark listing was sent to the property owner and all adjacent property owners within 500-feet of 1515 4th Street. A hearing notice has been posted at the property 10-days in advance of the hearing as required by City Code. Preservation Sacramento and Capitol Area R Street Association (CARSA) have been notified of the landmark proceeding.
As part of the OHP nomination process, State Historian, William Burg, met with the VFW chapter and representatives of Sacramento’s Japanese American Citizens League and made several visits to the building to document the property for National Register listing and explain what listing meant. The property owners also expressed interest in listing the property on the Sacramento Register to bring positive attention to the property; the owners provided a letter of support for the listing and documentation regarding the property’s original deed and dedication of the hall.
Policy Considerations: The City has an interest in maintaining the relevance and integrity of the Sacramento register and ensuring that properties listed on the register meet the criteria for listing specified in City Code sections 17.604.210 and 17.604.220. To this end, 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” (Pursuant to City Code sections 17.604.100.C.2 and 17.604.220.).
The nomination of 1515 4th Street for listing as a historic 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 1515 4th Street 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 review actions 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 November 19, 2020, 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 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 December 16, 2020, the Preservation Commission held a hearing and passed a motion recommending the City Council adopt an ordinance (Attachment 2) listing 1515 4th Street in the Sacramento Register.
Rationale for Recommendation: Listing of 1515 4th Street (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 events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the history of the city (17.604.210.A.1.a.i). Specifically, 1515 4th Street commemorates the rich ethnic heritage of Japanese-American veterans following World War II. Nisei is a Japanese term used to specify the ethnically Japanese children born in the United States to immigrant parents born in Japan (termed Issei). At the close of WWII , Nisei members were returning to Sacramento from internment and service in the United States Army, and community leaders saw a need to establish a community hall dedicated for use by Nisei and Issei organizations.
Figure 1: Nisei VFW Post 8985 at 1515 4th Street
(Photo Provided by California OHP Staff)
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.