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ITEM 6 |
Planning & Zoning Commission Memorandum Development Services Memo No. DS23-011
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Date: |
May 17, 2023 |
To: |
Planning and Zoning Commission |
Thru: |
Derek D. Horn, Development Services Director, Historic Preservation Officer Kevin Mayo, Planning Administrator David de la Torre, Planning Manager Harley Mehlhorn, Planner, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer |
From: |
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Subject: |
Ordinance 5053, PLH23-0028, creating a Historic Preservation District Landmark zoning overlay on a parcel zoned Agricultural District (AG-1) for the McCullough-Prive House located at the southwest corner of West Fry Road and South Chandler Village Drive. |
Request: |
Move Planning and Zoning Commission recommend Ordinance 5053, PLH23-0028, McCullough-Price House Historic Preservation District Landmark zoning overlay |
Location: |
300 South Chandler Village Drive |
Applicant: |
City of Chandler |
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Proposed Motion: |
Move Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of Ordinance 5053, PLH23-0028, McCullough-Price House Historic Preservation District Landmark zoning overlay subject to the conditions as recommended by Development Services staff. |
Background Data: |
Existing Zoning: AG-1 Background: The McCullough-Price House (House) sits just south of the Chandler Museum at the intersection of Frye Road and Chandler Village Drive. The House has been a fixture at that location since 1938 and provides significance to Chandler's history in three ways. First, the House was owned and occupied by prominent Chandler families and has a direct family connection to the City's founder, Dr. A. J. Chandler. Second, it is a near intact example of Pueblo Revival style architecture and one of the few remaining in the Valley. Third, it was designed by the well-known and prolific local architectural firm of Lescher and Mahoney. The House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. Discussion: The Families: William Davis McCullough, an industrialist from Detroit, Michigan, and his family began traveling to Chandler in 1936 to spend the winters at the San Marcos Hotel, a popular winter destination for wealthy and famous families. Deciding to stay for longer times during the winter, Mr. McCullough purchased 200 acres southwest of the town of Chandler in 1937, and two years later he purchased 40 more. McCullough commissioned the Phoenix architectural firm of Lescher & Mahoney in 1938 to design the house in the Pueblo Revival style. The house was built on the McCullough property later that year. McCullough died in May 1940. Mrs. McCullough decided to relocate back to Detroit, so their property was conveyed to her recently widowed friend, Odessa Lochhead, in July 1942. The Lochhead family, Roy and Odessa, owned Pecos Valley Milling Company and had been operating businesses in Chandler since the late 1920s. When Mr. Lochhead died in 1941, the business was sold to Hal Bogle. Mrs. Lochhead lived in the house until she passed in 1943. Bogle, a trustee for the Lochhead estate, worked with San Marcos Hotel manager John Quarty to hold the house in trust for the Lochhead family while their son, Jim finished his time in the service and completed subsequent schooling. Quarty leased the house to visitors as an extension of the San Marcos Hotel. In 1946 Jim and his new wife Anna moved into the house where it became a social gathering place for residents of Chandler. The Lochheads lived there until 1950 when they sold the house to Arthur and Louise Price. Arthur Price grew up in the state of Washington and attended Washington State University, Harvard Law School and the University of Washington where he received a law degree. Originally planning on starting his career in California, he decided to try the Phoenix area instead. He passed the Arizona bar and became a legal counselor to Dr. Chandler in 1913. Seeing the vision and potential of the new town, Price decided to make Chandler his home and wrote its incorporation papers, constitution, by-laws and served as its first town attorney. He went on to be active in the community for many years. Price married Louise Chandler, a niece of Dr. Chandler in 1918. They had three children and initially resided on Washington Street in the Silk Stocking district before moving into their new home. After purchasing the house, the Prices spent their retirement years there until Arthur died in 1971. Louise lived in the house for three more years. After her death in 1975 the house passed into the hands of her daughter Suzanne Price Propstra. The land around the McCullough-Price House remained primarily agricultural up until the 1980s. Gradually, however, the land around the house was sold for development, first on the west side for residential subdivisions, then in the early 2000s the remainder for a commercial complex that now includes the Chandler Fashion Center Mall. Fortunately, the house remained on its original site. After the deaths of the Prices, the house remained mostly vacant and fell into disrepair. In 2001 Suzanne donated it to the City. Originally planned as a community center, the development adjacent to the house forced a change in plans. After a renovation by the City that restored the exterior and parts of the interior to their original 1938 appearance, the house opened as a visitor center and gallery in 2007. Today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Chandler Museum complex. The House: When the McCullogh family decided to build a house near Chandler, they commissioned the established and prolific Phoenix architectural firm of Lescher & Mahoney to design their new home. The firm was known for both its aesthetic designs and technical excellence. During its existence, the firm completed over 2500 commissions, many of which still exist. Lescher and Mahoney did primarily commercial and governmental buildings, so McCullough house was a departure from their standard practice. The design they produced is in the Pueblo Revival style which has its roots in the early Southwest. Examples of this style are rare in Chandler. The house was constructed on the original McCullough property, which was 240 acres at its height. It is about 3,308 square feet in area. The front primary facade faces east and at one time was accessed from the east by a long driveway. It is "L" shaped with the living room, dining room, den and kitchen located in the main portion of the building. Four bedrooms and bathrooms were in the south leg of the "L." To the north of and recessed from the primary facade is a service wing that contained a maid's room, bathroom, laundry and three-car garage. The former bedrooms are now used as offices and the service wing contains the archive of the Chandler Museum. The garage is now a meeting room. The main living room is largely intact and serves as the Price Gallery for the Chandler Museum. The original plans show a rectangular stable building north of the house, but it is unknown if it was ever constructed. The house is constructed of brick with a stucco finish and has several notable features including the wood lookouts, or "vigas" that run along the top of the facade; embellishments with Native-American inspired designs on the walls; and the original metal casement windows. The vigas, stucco exterior which mimics adobe, along with the minimal window penetrations give the house its Pueblo Revival style look. The house retains its original appearance from its construction in 1938. Additional information and details on the architectural features and history of the house and its families are in the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form which is attached to this memo. |
Surrounding Land Use Data: |
North |
Open Space/Commercial |
South |
Open Space/Commercial |
East |
Commercial |
West |
Price Park, then Residential |
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General Plan and Area Plan Designations |
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Existing |
Proposed |
General Plan |
Regional Commercial |
Regional Commercial |
Country Crossing |
Single Family Residential |
Single Family Residential |
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Review and Recommendation |
Historic Preservation Commission Vote Report Historic Preservation Commission meeting May 4, 2023 Motion to Approve In Favor: 6 Opposed: 0 Absent: 1 (Finbraaten) Review: Since its construction in 1938, the McCullough-Price House has been a part of the agricultural, commercial, and social heritage of the City of Chandler. Its families, the McCulloughs, Lochheads, and Prices contributed to the founding, growth and development of Chandler. Former residences of founder Dr. A. J. Chandler no longer exist, so given the relationship of Louise Chandler Price to Dr. Chandler, the house is the closest to a founder's home in Chandler and its importance to Chandler's history cannot be understated. The house retains its original architectural integrity on the exterior and is judged the best example of both Pueblo Revival Style of architecture and of Lescher & Mahoney buildings in Chandler. It is also listed on the National register of Historic Places. The McCullough-Price House meets the following qualifications for historic designation:
- It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- It is associated with events and/or people important to Chandler's history
- It is an example of a significant architectural style associated with the past
The request to add the Historic Preservation Landmark zoning overlay does not change the underlying zoning of AG-1. The overlay honors the history of the house and its families along with ensuring the house remains a historic structure and landmark of Chandler's history. Recommendation: In conclusion, the Development Services Staff recommends the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend the City Council approve PLH23-0028, Ordinance 5053, and the McCullough-Price be designated as a Historic Preservation District Landmark and be listed on the City's Historic Property Register. |
Public / Neighborhood Notification |
- This request was noticed in accordance with the requirements of the Chandler Zoning Code.
- A neighborhood meeting sign was posted on the site.
- A neighborhood meeting was held on April 27, 2023. No one attended other than City staff.
- As of the writing of this memo, Development Services staff is not aware of any opposition to the Landmark designation
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Recommended Conditions of Approval: |
The Development Services staff recommends the Planning and Zoning Commission move to recommend approval of PLH23-0028, Ordinance 5053, Historic Preservation District Landmark zoning overlay subject to the following conditions: 1. The property shall be subject to the General Design Guidelines for Historic Preservation Districts and Landmarks. |
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