HomeMy WebLinkAbout030425-06.4ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 6.4
TO: Mayor and Town Council March 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 13-2025, designating the Danville Grange located at 743
Diablo Road as a Danville Heritage Resource and approving a historic
incentive package
BACKGROUND
The Town received a letter dated January 2, 2025, from the Danville Grange Board
requesting that the Danville Grange building located at 743 Diablo Road be designated
as a Danville Heritage Resource. The letter stated that the Grange Board passed a
resolution in December 2024 requesting inclusion in the Town’s Heritage Resource list
(Attachment B).
On February 10, 2025, the Town’s Heritage Resource Commission adopted Heritage
Resource Commission Resolution No. 2025-01 recommending that the Town Council
approve the heritage designation and historic incentive package.
DISCUSSION
Historic Significance
The existing structure on the site is not currently a designated heritage resource but is
listed as a potential heritage resource on the Town’s survey of historic properties.
The Town’s Historic Preservation Ordinance includes a list of criteria to consider in
determining whether a resource is suitable for heritage designation. The Town and
Heritage Resource Commission believes that the following historical facts related to the
Grange Hall building make it eligible for designation:
1.The Danville Grange was first established in Danville on October 1, 1873, with 30
charter members and was the 85th charter approved by the State of California.
Charles Wood of Sycamore Valley was elected as the first Worthy Master. The first
Grange Hall was constructed at 233 Front Street, the current site of the Danville
Village Theater, in 1874.
2.The “new” Danville Grange Hall was constructed at 743 Diablo Road and was
completed and dedicated on July 19, 1953.
Heritage
Designations
743 Diablo Road
2 March 4, 2025
3.The building is representative of a particular architectural style and reflects special
elements of a distinct historical period, type, style or way of life important to the
Town.
4.The Grange Hall helped unite farmers and allowed them to share new agricultural
techniques, learn more about world events, market crops and strengthen
friendships.
5.For 40 years the Grange Hall was the largest meeting room in the valley and hosted
meetings, speeches, plays, parties, and church services.
Incentive Package
The Town’s Historic Preservation Ordinance also establishes the basis for granting
potential Danville Heritage Resources an incentive package related to historic
designation. The recommended incentive package for the Grange Hall includes:
1.Town assistance with any federal or state grant applications or a Mills Act
Contract.
2.Use of the historic building code and waiver of Town-controlled fees for any
future modifications requiring building permits.
3.Installation of Town historic plaques for the building.
4.Inclusion of the site in all marketing plans and public information brochures
developed and maintained by the Town of Danville to increase public awareness
of the Town’s Historic Preservation Program.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
Heritage
Designations
743 Diablo Road
3 March 4, 2025
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No. 13-2025, designating the Danville Grange located at 743 Diablo
Road as a Danville Heritage Resource and approving a historic incentive package.
Prepared by:
David Crompton
Chief of Planning
Reviewed by:
Diane J. Friedmann
Development Services Director
Attachments: A - Resolution No. 13-2025
Exhibit 1 - Heritage Resource Commission Resolution No. 01-2025
B - Danville Grange Designation Request
RESOLUTION NO. 13-2025
RECOMMENDING THE TOWN COUNCIL DESIGNATE THE DANVILLE
GRANGE AS A DANVILLE HERITAGE RESOURCE AND APPROVE A HISTORIC
INCENTIVE PACKAGE
WHEREAS, Danville Grange No. 85 is the owner of the property located at 743 Diablo
Road; and
WHEREAS, the Danville Grange Board passed a resolution requesting that the Town of
Danville designate the building as a heritage resource (Exhibit 1); and
WHEREAS, Chapter 32-72 of the Danville Municipal Code (Historic Preservation)
requires that the Heritage Resource Commission review and recommend approval of a
Heritage Resource Designation and a Heritage Resource Incentive Package for Town
Council review; and
WHEREAS, at their meeting on February 10, 2025, the Heritage Resource Commission
reviewed the request by the Danville Grange and adopted Resolution No. 2025-01
recommending the Town Council designate the Danville Grange as a Danville Heritage
Resource and approve a Heritage Resource Incentive Package for the property located at
743 Diablo Road; and,
WHEREAS, the property is also eligible to receive a Heritage Resource Incentive
Package; and
WHEREAS, Section 32-72 of the Danville Municipal Code establishes criteria for
designation of a Heritage Resource; and
WHEREAS, the history of the Danville Grange includes the following:
1.The Danville Grange was first established in Danville on October 1, 1873 with 30
charter members and was the 85th charter approved by the State of California.
Charles Wood of Sycamore Valley was elected as the first Worthy Master. The first
Grange Hall was constructed at 233 Front Street, the current site of the Danville
Village Theater, in 1874.
2.The “new” Danville Grange Hall was constructed at 743 Diablo Road and was
completed and dedicated on July 19, 1953.
3.The building is representative of a particular architectural style and reflects special
elements of a distinct historical period, type, style or way of life important to the
Town.
Docusign Envelope ID: 665F593C-4880-4C81-B444-B6FE7BEB8C21
ATTACHMENT A
PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION 13-2025
4. The Grange Hall helped unite farmers and allowed them to share new agricultural
techniques, learn more about world events, market crops and strengthen
friendships.
5. For 40 years the Grange Hall was the largest meeting room in the valley and hosted
meetings, speeches, plays, parties, and church services.
WHEREAS, the Danville Grange is eligible to receive a Heritage Resource Incentive
Package; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Heritage Resource Commission recommends that the Danville
Town Council designate the Danville Grange as a Town of Danville Heritage Resource
and grant a Heritage Resource Incentive Package that includes the following:
1. Commitment by the Town to assist the developer in any efforts they undertake to
obtain Federal and/or State historic preservation grants and/or aid;
2. Authorize the Town Manager, on behalf of the Town, to enter into and execute a
Mills Act Contract with the property owner, potentially providing for a reduction
in property taxes associated with the historic building;
3. Authorizes application of the provisions of the Historic Building Code to work
involving the historic building;
4. Provision of a Heritage Resource identification plaque for the building;
5. Waives all other Town-controlled fees (except plan check fees where outside plan
check consultant review services are utilized) associated with the issuance of
building permits for the historic building; and
6. Inclusion of the site in all marketing plans and public information brochures
developed and maintained by the Town of Danville to increase public awareness
of the Town’s Historic Preservation Program.
Docusign Envelope ID: 665F593C-4880-4C81-B444-B6FE7BEB8C21
PAGE 3 OF RESOLUTION 13-2025
APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on March 4, 2025, by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAINED:
ABSENT:
MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
CITY ATTORNEY CITY CLERK
Docusign Envelope ID: 665F593C-4880-4C81-B444-B6FE7BEB8C21
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-01
RECOMMENDING THE TOWN COUNCIL DESIGNATE THE DANVILLE
GRANGE AS A DANVILLE HERITAGE RESOURCE AND APPROVE A
HERITAGE RESOURCE INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED 743 DIABLO ROAD (APN: 202-020-001)
WHEREAS, Danville Grange No. 85 is the owner of the property located at 743
Diablo Road; and
WHEREAS, the Danville Grange Board passed a resolution requesting that the
Town of Danville designate the building as a heritage resource (Attachment A);
and
WHEREAS, the property is also eligible to receive a Heritage Resource Incentive
Package; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 32-72 of the Danville Municipal Code (Historic
Preservation) requires the Heritage Resource Commission review and
recommend approval of a Heritage Resource Designation and a Heritage
Resource Incentive Package for Town Council review; and
WHEREAS, Section 32-72 of the Danville Municipal Code establishes criteria for
designation of a Heritage Resource; and
WHEREAS, the history of the Danville Grange includes the following:
1.The Danville Grange was first established in Danville on October 1, 1873
with 30 charter members and was the 85th charter approved by the State of
California. Charles Wood of Sycamore Valley was elected as the first
Worthy Master. The first Grange Hall was constructed at 233 Front Street,
the current site of the Danville Village Theater, in 1874.
2.The “new” Danville Grange Hall was constructed at 743 Diablo Road and
was completed and dedicated on July 19, 1953.
3.The building is representative of a particular architectural style and reflects
special elements of a distinct historical period, type, style or way of life
important to the Town.
4.The Grange Hall helped unite farmers and allowed them to share new
agricultural techniques, learn more about world events, market crops and
strengthen friendships.
Docusign Envelope ID: 230C14F5-A545-4FA2-B7FA-7986BDB6BB56
EXHIBIT 1
Docusign Envelope ID: 665F593C-4880-4C81-B444-B6FE7BEB8C21
PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION NO. 2025-01
5.For 40 years the Grange Hall was the largest meeting room in the valley and
hosted meetings, speeches, plays, parties, and church services.
WHEREAS, the Danville Grange is eligible to receive a Heritage Resource
Incentive Package; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Heritage Resource Commission recommends that the
Danville Town Council designate the Danville Grange as a Town of Danville
Heritage Resource and grant a Heritage Resource Incentive Package that
includes the following:
1.Commitment by the Town to assist the developer in any efforts they
undertake to obtain Federal and/or State historic preservation grants
and/or aid;
2.Authorize the Town Manager, on behalf of the Town, to enter into and
execute a Mills Act Contract with the property owner, potentially
providing for a reduction in property taxes associated with the historic
building;
3.Authorizes application of the provisions of the Historic Building Code to
work involving the historic building;
4.Provision of a Heritage Resource identification plaque for the building;
5.Waives all other Town-controlled fees (except plan check fees where
outside plan check consultant review services are utilized) associated with
the issuance of building permits for the historic building; and
6.Inclusion of the site in all marketing plans and public information
brochures developed and maintained by the Town of Danville to increase
public awareness of the Town’s Historic Preservation Program.
Docusign Envelope ID: 230C14F5-A545-4FA2-B7FA-7986BDB6BB56Docusign Envelope ID: 665F593C-4880-4C81-B444-B6FE7BEB8C21
Docusign Envelope ID: 665F593C-4880-4C81-B444-B6FE7BEB8C21
ATTACHMENT B