August, 2006www.alameda-preservation.org

ALAMEDA ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY

THEALAMEDA ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Alameda Legacy Home TourRecycling History by Judith Lynch

Eight alluring homes and a rescued church will be open fora tour in September to benefit AAPS; these structures havebeen carefully recycled by people who love the craftsman-ship and sense of history that animate these vintage places.

The collection of bizarre taxidermy at the Baldwin-Pellhouse alone is worth the price of admission. The "Temple ofTaxidermy" showcases several dozen splendid specimens of

Q & A with the Candidates forAlameda Mayor & City Council

With a rash of illegal demoli-tions, an approved PreliminaryDesign Concept for AlamedaPoint which calls for theremoval of historic buildings,proposed revisions to the HistoricPreservation Ordinance and a host of other construction projectsin Alameda, AAPS felt that it was important to assist Alamedaresidents in learning each candidate's views on preservationissues so that they can cast informed votes in November.

This is an opportunity for you toget your questions answeredregarding preservation issues.Therefore, we are asking youto submit your questions tous in advance. We will reviewthe questions, select themost appropriate, and pres-ent them to the candidatesat the forum. Submit ques-tions by email to chuck-

birgitt@alamedanet.net. Please put "Candidates' NightQuestions" in the email subject line. Or by mail to AAPS, P.O.Box 1677, Alameda, CA 94501 or call AAPS at 510.986.9232.

by Birgitt Evans

that 19th century pastime: a peacock in full regalia, anegret, an armadillo, a beaver, a badger, a stoat, two skunks,and a pair of dainty horse fetuses. Another treat on thetour: many examples of stunning decorative glass, includingthe brilliantly colored "Lady of Challot" window.

A cadre of prominent artisans, vendors, and woodwrightswill be available during the tour to discuss house renova-tion: Lee Jester, The Craftsman Home; master plastererLorna Kollmeyer; Diane Hayes, The Alameda Shade Shop;Jeannie and Janelle Ruiz, Ruiz Antique Lighting; and KenMatthias, Alameda Art Glass.

Candidates NightSunday, October 15, 7:00 PM

First Presbyterian Church (Corner of Santa Clara Avenue & Chestnut Street)

Parking available behind the church, enter from Santa Clara Doors open at 6:30 PM ● Free, open to all

This Queen Anne tower house epitomizes the fanciful excess of the Victorianera. It and several others of the same style will be open for the Alameda Legacy Home Tour September 17. Image: Gordon Newell

The Alameda Legacy Home Tour is Sunday, September 17, 2006from 11:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Tickets are $20 in advance,$25 on tour day. The tour benefits AAPS and the AlamedaMuseum; it is sponsored by the Perforce Software Foundation.

For information and reservations call 510.523.5907 or check outwww.alameda-home-tour.org, where you can use a credit cardto buy tickets through PayPal. You can also buy tickets atSpellbinding Tales, 1910 Encinal Ave., Daisy’s, 1347 Park Street andThomsen’s Nursery, 1113 Lincoln Ave.. On tour day, get ticketsat Franklin Park, Morton Street at San Antonio Ave., and at theAlameda Museum, 2324 Alameda Ave. near Park Street.

ALAMEDA ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY2

In early May, the new owners of theCraftsman house at 1343 FernsideBoulevard removed most of the struc-ture’s shingles, clapboard siding,windows, porch columns and railing,chimney, and architectural details.They also began relocating the windowopenings. This work exceeded thescope of the building permit whichwas limited to ‘like for like’ replace-ment of the existing wood windowsand shingles.

The City issued a stop work orderafter receiving complaints fromneighbors, and at least one AAPSmember. Plans submitted by theowners after issuance of the stopwork order indicated that the build-ing would be much plainer than itwas before the illegal demolition,missing important features such astwo kinds of siding, the originaldesign of the porch columns, and var-ious details.

The City’s Historical Advisory Board(HAB) considered the project at itsAugust 3 meeting. AAPS submittedcomments urging the Board to requirethat the front 20 feet of the building

be restored to its pre-demolition condi-tion. This expanded the staff recommen-dation, which required restoration ofa more limited range of original elements.Both the HAB and staff supportedAAPS’s recommendations. The HABalso accepted a staff recommendationto add the building to the HistoricBuilding Study List and to deny addi-tional demolition for a two storyaddition with a two car garage thatwas out of character with the building.

This demolition work is part of arecent wave of illegal demolitionsthat ironically began after the Citystrengthened its historic preservationordinance to require HAB approval ofdemolition exceeding 30 percent ofthe value of pre-1942 buildings andto impose additional penalties forillegal demolition. Other exampleshave occurred at 1104 Oak Street and500 Central Avenue (see March 2005and March 2006 AAPS News).

Because of these illegal demolitions,the City, with major input from AAPS,is investigating more effective penal-ties for illegal demolition, includingprohibiting contractors who do suchwork from doing business inAlameda. After several delays, thesepenalty proposals are expected to beconsidered at the HAB’s September 6,2006 meeting.

Stopping illegal demolitions, andother work without permit whensuch work is in progress, is criticalto preserving historic buildings.

If you see work occurring that appearsto be without permit, photographthe building, if possible, and contactthe Planning and Building Departmentat 747.6800 to determine whetherpermits have been issued. If permitshave not been issued, ask CodeCompliance Officers Tim Higares at747.6847 or Dave Valeska at 747.6846to investigate, and if appropriate,to issue stop work orders. The CodeCompliance staff has been very dili-gent in following up on complaints.Names of those who call in com-plaints are kept confidential.

NAS UPDATEby Elizabeth Krase

After an extended delay, the Navy hasagreed to sell the former Naval AirS tat ion (NAS) to the C i ty fo r$108,000,000. Among other things,the deal is subject to Alameda PointCommunity Partners' (APCP, the City’sdeveloper), agreement to pay thisamount. APCP is supposed to respondby August 21.

If APCP decides to move forward, theCity will prepare an EnvironmentalImpact Report to assess the impactsof the City's Preliminary DevelopmentConcept (PDC); the EIR process willlast about 18 months. The PDC willconstruct approximately 1,735 newhousing units and a retail and transitcenter on the Seaplane Lagoon, butwould demolish over a third of thehistoric buildings, including all of theBig Whites and the Bachelor Officers'Quarters (BOQ). The PDC would createmuch new infill housing, which willintrude into the historic NAS setting,especially the view of the SeaplaneLagoon, Ramps, Flight Control Tower,and Seaplane Hangars. Similarly,blocks of infill housing proposed toreplace the BOQ, Big Whites, andother buildings would make it difficultto identify the historic district. Duringthe EIR process there will be moreopportunities for public input.

Illegal Partial Demolition at 1343 Fernside Boulevard

by Christopher Buckley

1343 Fernside in 1979 and after recent illegal demolition

PRESERVATIONACTION COMMITTEE

REPORT

GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!The Preservation Action Committee meets at 7:00 pm on the first Monday of each monthto address issues important to the architectural preservation of the City of Alameda.Committee meetings are open to all AAPS members. If you would like to attend a meetingor would like more information, please call Chris Buckley at 510.523.0411. We are makingan impact within the community. It’s fun and informative. We encourage all members toget involved!

ALAMEDA ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY

AAPS Board Members 2006

President Denise Brady 523.88861st Vice President Jeannie Graham 769.92862nd Vice President Christopher Buckley 523.0411Treasurer David Baker 865.5918Corresponding Secretary Birgitt Evans 521.9177Recording Secretary Nancy Hird 523.0825Member at Large Kevis Brownson 522.4966Advisor to the Board Janelle Spatz 521.4045

For more information, please contact: Alameda Architectural Preservation Society, P.O. Box 1677 Alameda, CA 94501 510.986.9232 www.alameda-preservation.org

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Alameda Museum Lectureson Local History

August 31: Paul Roberts investigates thework of the Newsom Brothers, prominentBay Area architects who designed themagnificent Carson Mansion in Eureka anda dozen homes in Alameda.

September 28: Architect Richard Rutterpresents "Steamboating on San FranciscoBay and the Sacramento Delta from 1850through 1950."

Both lectures take place at the AlamedaMuseum, 2324 Alameda Avenue near ParkStreet. Starting time is 7:00 p.m., admissionfree for Museum members, $5 for others.For information leave a message at510.748.0796 or check alameda-museum.org.

Donations

AAPS warmly thanks our contributors:

Sponsor:

Dave and Colene Gee

Partner:

Cornelia Grunsetth & Pacific Northwest Painters

Brent Perrou

Robert and Claire Risley

Dick and Annie Rutter & A Rule Design

Other:

Elizabeth Krase

Bill Essert &Wooden Window

Bettye Stratton

Matt and Monica Zuck

AAPS Newsletter Editor

Karen Tierney

510.522.3329 ktierney@sbcglobal.net

AAPS has been active in recentmonths in various efforts to preservethe NAS historic buildings. Tours ofthe interiors of the Bachelor EnlistedQuarters (BEQ), the most prominentArt Deco/Moderne buildings around alandscaped quad, and the BOQ havebeen made with City officials.

AAPS is very concerned that the Cityand its property manager, PM RealtyGroup, are not doing enough to pro-tect the vacant historic buildings fromvandalism, or making a sound effortto attract tenants for these importantbuildings. Vandals have removed cop-per downspouts, broken windows andstolen original interior equipment andfixtures. The City has agreed to pur-chase additional portable motiondetectors, but greater efforts areneeded. Poor maintenance of theNAS grounds does not create anatmosphere likely to attract tenants,and having tenants in historic build-ings is the best kind of preservation.

During June and July meetings withthe Navy, (federal) Advisory Councilon Histor ic Preservation, StateHistoric Preservation Officer, and City,AAPS continued to press for a bettereffort to reuse and preserve the his-toric NAS buildings. The meetingsare required by Section 106 of theNational Historic Preservation Act todevelop a mitigation agreement forthe historic distr ict. Among theimportant issues are getting the Cityand Navy to put in writing a covenantstating exactly which buildings willbe preserved, and ensuring that agreater effort be made to reuse historicbuildings rather than to automaticallyresort to demolition.

Other AAPS recommendations include:a Preservation Master Plan, designguidelines for new construction; andcomplete surveys of the landscaping,Cold War period buildings, and addi-tional resources AAPS has identifiedas significant. Additional meetingswill occur in the coming months.

AAPS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for 2006

September 17, SundayAlameda Legacy Home Tour

October 15, SundayCandidates Night

December TBA SundayAAPS Holiday PartyFor AAPS members

In this issue Alameda Legacy Home Tour, Meet the Candidates & Preservation Committee updates . .

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AAPS Membership CouponIf you would like to join the AAPS or renewyour membership, please send this portionback with your payment. MembershipChairperson - Nancy Hird @ 523.0825

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

❏ renewal ❏ new member

Check your Membership category:

❏ Family $30 ❏ Partner $100❏ Single $25 ❏ Sponsor $250❏ Student $5 ❏ Patron $500❏ Seniors $10 ❏ Other $

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