Title
Extend Conservation Easement for 612 N. 5th Ave. (Ordinance S-48339)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to amend the Conservation Easement on 612 N. 5th Ave. to extend the term an additional 15 years.
Report
Summary
In 2007, the property owner, RAN Holdings, LLC, received a $10,000 Exterior Rehabilitation grant from the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation (HP) Office to repair and replace windows, repair masonry, and replace the roof of the historic duplex at the front of this property. In exchange for the grant funds, the City received a conservation easement on the property, which remains in effect until June 26, 2022. The conservation easement requires that the historic character of the property be preserved and that the City review and approve exterior changes to the property.
In August of 2021, the property owner's representative filed a Certificate of Appropriateness application to allow the construction of a new detached three-story, four-unit building with a rooftop deck and roof screening structure at the rear of the subject property. On September 23, 2021, the HP Hearing Officer approved the application subject to the stipulation that the building height be reduced to two stories to maintain similarity in height to historic structures in the vicinity. The applicant appealed the decision to HP Commission, which heard the case on October 18, 2021, and continued the hearing to November 15, 2021 and December 20, 2021. At the December hearing, the HP Commission voted 5-1 to modify the HP Hearing Officer's decision and approve the three-story structure with rooftop garden in conjunction with the proposed recording of an extension of the current conservation easement for an additional 15 years.
Prior to the December 20, 2021 hearing, the property owner's representative delivered to the City an amendment to the deed of conservation easement signed by the property owner. The amendment extends the term of the conservation easement 15 years so it will expire on June 26, 2037. Subject to City Council approval, the amendment will be signed by staff and recorded with the Maricopa County Recorder.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item on Dec. 20, 2021.
The Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee recommended unanimous approval on Jan. 26, 2022.
Location
612 N. 5th Ave.
Council District: 7
Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Planning and Development Department.