Title
Historic Preservation Grant - Kunz-Carbajal House - 1721 S. 7th Ave. (Ordinance S-47282)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with the Arizona Preservation Foundation to expend Historic Preservation Funds to cover the cost of the liens for the historic Kunz-Carbajal House located at 1721 S. 7th Ave. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The fees associated with this item will not exceed $1,300.
Report
Summary
Constructed in 1904, the Kunz-Carbajal House is a rare representative of a Territorial-era adobe building. Louis Kunz, a German immigrant, constructed the home and was its first occupant along with his two sons. The property is also associated with early Filipino-American immigration in Phoenix. The Carbajal family has the longest association with the home, from 1940 to 1997. The property was listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register in 1994.
Ella Young acquired the property in 1997. In 2002, the Neighborhood Services Department, in response to a complaint, notified Ms. Young of a violation of trash, litter, over-height weeds, dead vegetation, and an unsound fence. The property was not brought into compliance and was abated, and a lien was placed on the property. Ms. Young approached the city stating she was not able to maintain the property but was willing to donate it, so the City approached the Arizona Preservation Foundation (APF) about acquisition. APF is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting Arizona’s historic resources. APF acquired the property from Ella Young in 2004 with the intent to rehabilitate the adobe home and use it for their offices. At the time of the donation, there was a lien of $454. Interest on the lien has increased to $1,216.43 as of June 30, 2020.
The grant request (Attachment A) for the Kunz-Carbajal House is specifically for paying off the balance of the lien to the city so APF can transfer the property to a new owner, Omar Fabian. In exchange for the grant funds, the city will receive a 15-year conservation easement to ensure future protection of the property. Although the requested amount was for $1,216.43, staff recommends rounding the grant amount up to $1,300 given that additional interest will accrue prior to any approval by City Council and recordation of the conservation easement. General funds are available in the Historic Preservation Office budget to cover the cost of the lien.
Financial Impact
The amount requested for the Historic Preservation Grant is $1,300. In exchange for the grant funds, the city will receive a 15-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 Historic Preservation operating budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
City Council previously approved a Demonstration Project Grant in 2002 for the rehabilitation of the house. The grant was not executed until 2008. Rehabilitation work included structural stabilization, re-roofing, adobe patching, porch reconstruction, and other necessary items to complete the exterior rehabilitation of the building. A 20-year conservation easement was recorded that expires Sept. 29, 2028. Approval of this grant would extend the existing conservation easement by 15 years so it would expire on Sept. 29, 2043. The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item on Nov. 16, 2020, by a vote of 8-0. The Land Use and Livability Subcommittee recommended approval of this item on Jan. 21, 2021, by a vote of 4-0.
Location
1721 S. 7th Ave.
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Planning and Development Department.