Carmel-by-the-Sea ' The Historic Resources Board on Oct. 28 approved a resolution removing a Hugh Comstock 'unit house' at Torres Street from the Carmel inventory of historic resources after consultants concluded later additions had substantially diminished the structure's integrity.

Staff said the house, constructed in 1934 and previously listed as significant under criterion 3, has a south-wing addition from 1959 and a middle-wing addition from 1994 that city and applicant consultants identified as the primary causes of lost integrity. The staff report cited Carmel Municipal Code section 17.32.07(d) and noted the city's contracted consultant, Meg Clovis, concluded the house "does not retain substantial integrity and therefore cannot convey the reason it is significant."

Anthony Lombardo, attorney for the owners, said his review largely concurred with staff and the city's consultant. Lombardo disputed only the timing of the porch enclosure, saying the enclosed porch contains an older divided-light window that he and the owners believe dates to the 1950s rather than the 1990s.

"I agree with the staff report almost completely," Lombardo told the board, while noting the owners had additional documentary material to show the porch work predated the 1994 changes.

Owner Barbara French told the board she does not plan to demolish the house. "Oh, no. No, we do not. We do not plan on putting a second story or anything like that. Maybe adding a bedroom... This is our retirement home," she said.

Members of the public and local preservation figures addressed the board. Kent Seavey, who worked on the city's original inventory, said a few properties had been removed by the state during earlier reviews and suggested this property may have been missed in the earlier survey process. Cindy Lloyd, who said she helped a recent tenant move from the property, described pest issues she encountered while moving furniture; Lloyd characterized that as anecdotal and not central to the board's determination.

Board members said the decision was difficult because of the house's association with Hugh Comstock but that the additions, particularly the 1994 expansion, made it impossible to read the original unit-house form on the property. After discussion the board voted to approve the removal. Roll call recorded: Board member Dyer ' Yes; Board member Gualtieri ' Yes; Board member Boris ' Yes. The chair announced the motion passed.

Staff recommended the board find the evaluation is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and adopt the resolution removing the unit house from the inventory. The resolution does not authorize demolition; it simply removes the building from the municipal inventory of historic resources. Owners and speakers emphasized the owners intend to maintain and repair the property rather than replace it.