8.A.
Heritage Preservation Commission
- Meeting Date:
- 10/21/2026
- From:
- Lauren Clementino, Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Manager/HPO
TITLE:
Discussion on 418 E. Birch Ave. Project
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
Executive Summary:
Kevin Peterson, the property owner of 418 E. Birch Ave., requested a discussion item for the Heritage Preservation Commission to provide informal feedback or guidance on changes to his previously approved development plans and mitigation measures for major impacts. Chair Westheimer also requested information on the Cultural Resource Study requirements for this project in previous Commission meetings.
The Commission held a public hearing on May 21, 2025, in regard to a Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for this property. The study determined the property to be a significant cultural resource. The Commission approved the study (by a vote of 7-0) with the following conditions:
The property owner now proposes different development plans, which are also attached. The proposed plans show that the majority of the existing house would be demolished, retaining only the enclosed front porch. The new design would be a different, larger footprint than what was previously approved and now includes an attached two-car garage. The previous project approval is no longer valid due to the change in design. This constitutes a major impact to a significant cultural resource per Section 10-30.30.050 of the Zoning Code. The Heritage Preservation Officer has determined that completion of a Phase 2 Cultural Resource Study is required (including as-built drawings and archival photography to supplement the existing Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study) to meet Cultural Resource Study requirements for major impacts under Section 10-30.30.050 of the Zoning Code.
The Commission held a public hearing on May 21, 2025, in regard to a Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study for this property. The study determined the property to be a significant cultural resource. The Commission approved the study (by a vote of 7-0) with the following conditions:
- Make the following changes to the study:
- Using the term one and a half story as opposed to two story
- Identifying the source of the word “Townsite” for clarity
- Identifying the upper story addition as a major impact per Section 10-30.30
- Propose restoration of the clapboard siding as mitigation for the major impact per Section 10-30.30
- The Heritage Preservation Officer can approve changes made to the cultural resource study administratively
The property owner now proposes different development plans, which are also attached. The proposed plans show that the majority of the existing house would be demolished, retaining only the enclosed front porch. The new design would be a different, larger footprint than what was previously approved and now includes an attached two-car garage. The previous project approval is no longer valid due to the change in design. This constitutes a major impact to a significant cultural resource per Section 10-30.30.050 of the Zoning Code. The Heritage Preservation Officer has determined that completion of a Phase 2 Cultural Resource Study is required (including as-built drawings and archival photography to supplement the existing Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study) to meet Cultural Resource Study requirements for major impacts under Section 10-30.30.050 of the Zoning Code.