§ 16.52.340. The Houser Building.

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.63 and with the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the City Council designates the following building as an historical landmark in the City: The Houser Building.

A.

Location, description and reasons for designation. Located at 2740-46 East Broadway in the City of Long Beach, the Houser Building is a three-story brick commercial/residential structure constructed in 1929. The Italianate style building was constructed by W.J. Essen and designed by architect Joseph Halstead Roberts. Mr. Roberts designed approximately seventy (70) structures in the City. Although many have been demolished, several still remain that attest to his talent as an architect. A most significant example is the St. Regis Apartments, a Long Beach Landmark by separate ordinance. This particular building represents a good example of an early neighborhood commercial development. It was constructed for Mr. John T. Houser, a prominent lawyer in Long Beach. The Houser family lived behind this structure at 2743 East Second Street. A bridge from the back of their home connected the structures.

B.

General guidelines and standards for any changes. The "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" prepared by the Secretary of the Interior (February, 1978), as amended, are incorporated by reference, and the following additional guidelines and standards as recommended by the Cultural Heritage Committee are adopted:

Any alterations, modifications or repair of the above structure shall be done so in keeping with its historic character.

No environmental changes shall be allowed unless a certificate of appropriateness has been applied for and approved by the Cultural Heritage Committee or by the City Planning Commission, upon appeal, authorizing such environmental changes.

(C-6555 § 2, 1989)