Commission backs listing of Velarde House and sets Mills Act conditions on decking, lighting and pergola

Glendale — The Glendale Historic Preservation Commission on April 16 recommended that 1437 Hillside Drive, identified by staff as the Velarde House and attributed to architect Charles W. Wong, be listed on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources and that the city manager be authorized to enter into a Mills Act contract that includes three conditions discussed at the hearing.

Staff (Ani) described the property as a post-and-beam midcentury modern house with a 1969 guest house and modest earlier additions. The report noted the house’s distinctive overhanging eaves, floor-to-ceiling glass, tongue-and-groove siding and the house’s association with Charles W. Wong. Staff recommended the property for designation under criterion 3 and proposed three Mills Act conditions: (1) owners should review the Wong archival materials and, if the original drawings/photos document original stairs or decking, restore those features; if not documented, replace decking and treads with period-appropriate, non-monolithic materials that avoid a single, monolithic surface; (2) replace the front-entry and guest-house light fixtures with a style more compatible with the house within one year; and (3) add a metal cap to a central pergola beam within one year as a protective measure.

Owners described their research into the house and said they had located connections to Wong’s archive and a family member who holds materials; they said they intend to pursue restoration work and consult staff. Neighbors and the Glendale Historical Society spoke in support of designation.

Commission discussion focused on appropriate decking materials for the large entry and rear deck surfaces (options discussed included pebble aggregate, grouted concrete tiles, small-format terrazzo or wood accents) and on allowing staff to work with the owners to avoid overly monolithic solutions. Commissioners asked that staff include a reasonable timeline for the decking work; staff proposed a two- to three-year timeframe for the more complex decking work and one-year timeframes for the metal cap and light fixtures.

A motion recommending the listing and the Mills Act contract with the three conditions (archive review/deck guidance; light fixtures; metal cap) passed by unanimous roll call vote. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.