Preservation panel approves removing 640 De Visadero Street from reconnaissance survey

The Monterey Historic Preservation Commission voted to remove 640 De Visadero Street from the New Monterey Reconnaissance Survey after staff and an independent architectural historian concluded the property no longer retains the historic fabric needed for local, state or national listing.

Principal Planner Christy Sabdo told the commission that the property’s original 1945 bungalow was largely demolished and extensively rebuilt between about 1998 and 2003, leaving no remaining exterior fabric from the earlier house. “Staff's recommendation is that the Historic Preservation Commission adopt a resolution approving the application removing 640 De Visadero Street from the New Monterey Reconnaissance Survey,” Sabdo said.

Sabdo summarized the evaluation against the four standard eligibility criteria (events/patterns, persons, design/construction, information potential) and said none were met. She also noted a data error in the reconnaissance inventory that had recorded an incorrect construction date; the survey record was completed in 2009, Sabdo said, and correcting that entry requires an intensive survey and an HPC decision.

Architectural historian Ruben Mendoza, who prepared the intensive survey, told commissioners his field inspection found many nonperiod, applied elements and evidence that original fabric had been removed: “there are many faux elements,” he said, pointing to plywood details, modern brackets and decayed posts that had been replaced with retail components rather than original materials. Mendoza said those observations supported the conclusion that the existing house does not convey the historic qualities of the 1945 bungalow.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the reconnaissance survey and the photographs in the packet; Mendoza identified several decorative items in the photos as modern, mass‑produced components rather than original details. No members of the public spoke during the hearing.

A motion to remove the property from the reconnaissance survey was made and seconded and the commission voted to approve the resolution. Chair Rodriguez declared the motion carried; there were no recorded 'no' votes and one abstention by William Pisel. The commission noted that the decision is appealable to the Planning Commission, with appeal forms available online and in the planning office within 10 days.

The commission then moved on to planning updates and community event announcements.