§ 16.52.980. The Garvey House.

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 Garvey House.

A.

Location, Description and Reasons for Designation. Constructed between 1904 and 1906 and located at 2718 East Seventh Street, the Garvey House is a two and one-half-story Victorian with all of its original features intact. It has a steep cross-gable roof with pendant trefoil ornament on the gable edges. The gable ends are slightly flared, and the roof edges wrap partially around the corners. There is a skirt roof at the midpoint of the gable and fishscale shingles above. The corner porch is recessed and supported by slender Doric columns. The picture window adjacent is tripartite with a fixed center pane and two (2) side casements. The transom has narrow vertical muntins ending in a pointed arch; this same motif is found in the upper panes of many windows on the house. The casements have similar muntin patterns with a diamond shape in the center. The front entry door is paneled with a large oval pane of beveled glass. The small hall window has the pointed arch ornate muntin pattern. On the east side is a shallow bay, containing three (3) windows, again with the ornate upper panes. The facade has a second-story balcony with brackets and ornate turned rails in a central panel. Rear decks on both floors are enclosed by intricate cut-out patterned rails. The exterior is clad in narrow shiplap siding. All the windows and doors have wide board frames. There is also an original barn and carriage house in the rear, and vintage gaslight fixtures. The interior contains its original floor plan, a stair with ornate baluster, and an ornate, baroque-inspired fireplace. Later additions include a fenced enclosure on the west, picket fences and a picket archway on the east, and a jacuzzi pavilion.

The historic value of this house is that it represents the first phase of residential settlement in the City of Long Beach, in the first decade of this century, when the rate of population growth was six hundred ninety percent (690%), the highest in the Nation. Residential development along Seventh Street was just beginning in the early 1900s. Very few of the first homes built on Seventh Street survive today on this commercial thoroughfare. This home is one of the best preserved early homes on Seventh Street, and one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the City. The trefoil pendants and rich window detailing are unusual features in Long Beach Victorians, which generally are simple and austere.

B.

Rationale for Historic Landmark Designation. In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.63.050 of this Code, the City Council finds that the following reasons exist relative to the designation of the Garvey House as an historic landmark:

1.

The Garvey House possesses a significant character, interest and value attributable to the development, heritage and cultural characteristics of the City, the Southern California region, and the State of California. The house is one of the only remaining Victorian homes surviving on Seventh Street. Its continued presence on the street denotes the first residential construction in the area, most of which has to date disappeared. The location of the house indicates the patterns of residential settlement when Long Beach was a young City, with homes dispersed over a wide area several miles from downtown. This Victorian house is one of the larger-scale early residences in the City.

2.

The Garvey House portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by its distinctive architectural style. The house is an excellent and well-preserved example of Victorian architecture, with gothic revival features. Its steeply pitched roof, slender porch columns with ornate capitals, elaborate window mullions, narrow clapboard siding, and decorative shingles under the gable, are all typical Victorian features.

3.

The Garvey House embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or engineering specimen. The house has typical features of the Victorian dwelling: a steep roof containing an attic, an off-set front porch at one corner, windows with tall proportions, enriched surface textures and details. The use of jigsaw decorative ornament, found on the roof eves and deck railings is also typical of the Victorian fascination with using machines to intricately cut and turn wood. The house is solid redwood construction. In addition, the accessory structures are reminders of the Victorian era. The carriage house and barn still exist in their original condition behind the house. The carriage house has raised tracks on the floor for the wheels of the carriage and the barn has a hayloft for the horse, and the original barn doors.

C.

General Guidelines and Standards for Any Changes. The "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" prepared by the United States Secretary of the Interior (Revised, 1991), as amended, as well as the "Procedures for Administering the Certificate of Appropriateness" found in Section 2.63.070 of this Code are incorporated herein by this reference. The guidelines are to be used as standards for the Cultural Heritage Commission in making decisions about Certificates of Appropriateness as required by Chapter 2.63 of this Code. The guidelines are an aid to property owners and others formulating plans for new construction, for rehabilitation or alteration of an existing structure, and for site development. The goal of the Certificate of Appropriateness review is to retain and preserve all original architectural materials and design features; to encourage rehabilitation which restores original historic fabric rather than remodels; and to ensure architectural compatibility between new and old.

D.

Standards and Guidelines.

1.

Changes requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Cultural Heritage Commission are as follows:

a.

Alterations or additions to roof; change in roof materials.

b.

Additions.

c.

Alterations to structure including foundation.

d.

Alterations to windows.

e.

Changes to doors and doorways.

f.

Changes to exterior materials or colors.

g.

Relocation of exterior walkways or driveways.

h.

Alteration or addition to fencing and exterior patio walls.

2.

The following guidelines shall be standards to guide property owners, architects, contractors and the Cultural Heritage Commission in reviewing proposed changes:

a.

Additions shall be compatible in materials and design, and shall be subordinate in scale, to the existing building.

b.

Important architectural features which define the character of the historic style shall not be removed or obscured. These include roofline, exterior cladding, historic wood sash windows on the facade or sides of the house, porch supports, original doors, and other original structural and decorative features.

(Ord. C-7448 § 1, 1997)