Mendocino Historical Review Board votes against water tower replacement

In its first in-person meeting since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Mendocino Historical Review Board voted against the removal and replacement of the water tower staircase on Main Street with an enclosed faux water tower that would include a lift to the adjacent Flow restaurant.

Proponents of the replacement structure argued that the structure is not historic because it does not appear as a historical structure in the inventory compiled of such buildings. Further, they argued, the structure is in need of costly structural repair. Once it is replaced, the new structure would be required to allow accessibility to the restaurant using a lift of some kind that is best enclosed. Board member Aum questioned the feasibility of finding suitable material to rebuild the structure as is, but that an enclosed replacement should follow the proportions of the existing structure.

A number of community members wrote letters and appeared at the meeting who disagreed with the project. The structure, they argued, was originally built 120 years ago and moved from its original location at Mendosa’s approximately 50 years ago to its current location. They pointed out that the MHRB Guidelines state that there is a duty on the part of owners to maintain buildings of historic significance. The project opponents on the Board questioned the need for replacement of the structure at this time, and Chair Roth argued that if accessibility to the Flow restaurant upstairs becomes necessary then it should be within the building itself and not rely on the adjacent water tower staircase.

The Board denied the project in a close 3-2 vote, with board members Aum and Madrigal voting to approve the project and board members Kappler, Saunders, and Chair Roth voting to deny the replacement of the structure.

MHRB unanimously approved certain after-thefact modifications at the MacCallum House properties, including existing ceiling heat lamps on the porch, the installation of EV charging stations, and the removal of an upstairs window in the barn building. The existing heaters, which were installed 10-12 years ago, were approved with the understanding that the applicant and staff would come back to the Board with potential ways to mitigate the view of the heaters. The charging stations had already been approved by the Board a few years ago but the property owners failed to receive a finalized permit before the 2-year period allowed before such permits lapse. And the removal of the upstairs window was approved since it is in keeping with the historical character of the barn building and may not have previously existed anyway.

The Board also unanimously approved the replacement of the workshop, a northern portion of the roof, and new exterior lighting at the Category I Maxwell-Jarvis House on Little Lake Street.

The next MHRB meeting will be on March 6, at which time the Board will consider changes to the guidelines effecting signage, windows, and paint, along with other potential project applications.