Title
Exterior Rehabilitation Grant Application for 1533 W. Taylor St. (Ordinance S-45408)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into necessary agreements and conveyances with Jo Buys AZ Houses LLC related to a Historic Preservation Exterior Rehabilitation grant of up to $43,100 for reroofing and wood siding repair at two historic residences 1533 W. Taylor St. in the Oakland Historic District. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The property at 1533 W. Taylor St. consists of two dwellings built ca. 1929. Both are single-family residences constructed of wood frame. Their character-defining features include gable roofs sheathed with asphalt shingles, exposed rafter ends, lattice ventilators at the gable ends, wood windows and wood siding. Both buildings are contributors to the Oakland Historic District and are among the few remaining in the district with their original wood siding. Both buildings are vacant and in poor condition.
The property was purchased by the current owner, Jo Buys AZ Houses LLC, in August 2018. The owner is requesting funding assistance for this property as well as a neighboring property at 1529 W. Taylor St., which is also a wood frame, wood siding residence similar in style to the subject buildings. The grant request for 1533 W. Taylor St. is specifically to provide assistance with the siding and roof repairs, although additional items may be included as appropriate. The estimated cost for the siding repair on the front house is $15,800 and the cost for the roof repair is $12,500, while the same costs for the rear house are $9,500 and $5,300, respectively. The combined total of these items is $43,100.
Given the condition of the property, it would have qualified for funding as a threatened building, but because the City’s Warehouse & Threatened Building grant funds have all been committed, staff is recommending that Exterior Rehabilitation grant funds be used instead. Generally, Exterior Rehabilitation grant projects are approved in an annual grant round and there is a $10,000 limit; however, given that there are additional funds available and that they will be lost if they are not encumbered by the end of this fiscal year, staff recommends making an exception. Exterior Rehabilitation grant funds are intended to fund improvements to properties in residential historic districts, and therefore the use for this project is appropriate.
The $43,100 in grant funds will be disbursed to the applicant on a reimbursement basis, as work items are completed. The applicant will be required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match, which may be used for exterior work or for items such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical, interior or site work, which are not eligible for historic preservation grant funds.
Financial Impact
The amount requested for the Exterior Rehabilitation grant is $43,100. In exchange for the grant funds the City will receive a 20-year conservation easement on the property. The easement will require preservation of the property and that it be insured and maintained in good repair. Funding is available in the Planning and Historic Preservation CIP budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item on Jan. 14, 2019, by a vote of 6-1.
This item was recommended for approval by the Planning and Economic Development Subcommittee on Feb. 5, 2019, by a vote of 4-0.
Location
1533 W. Taylor St.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Planning and Development Department.