Commission votes to forward 5241 J Street (El Dorado School) to City Council after narrowing landmark language

The Sacramento Preservation Commission voted June 17 to forward an ordinance to City Council recommending that 5241 J Street (the El Dorado School / A. Warren McClaskey Adult Center) be listed on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources, and approved an amendment to the proposed ordinance to remove language describing the site's "expansive grounds" as a character-defining feature.

Preservation intern Hazel Bess described the property as embodying Spanish Revival characteristics and as work by James and Charles Dean of Dean & Dean. Bess said the building and its 1939 auditorium retain design elements that convey the school's significance to Sacramento's 1920s school-building program.

Preservation planner Henry Fuse told commissioners the ordinance would be amended in response to public comment to avoid any implication that the entire parcel's size should be treated as a character-defining feature. "We are going to be amending the ordinance to remove the language that notes the expansive property as a character defining feature," Fuse said, adding the edit is intended to avoid misinterpretation that could limit future redevelopment options.

Three public speakers representing preservation groups spoke in support: William Berg of Preservation Sacramento said the nomination is moving in parallel with a State-level National Register submittal; Bruce Marwick, president of the Sacramento Art Deco Society, highlighted the 1939 auditorium and a WPA-era mural; and Will Green (East Sacramento Preservation) noted broad community support and letters submitted to the preservation director. Bess told commissioners the property owner had neither voiced support nor objection through the department.

Commissioners debated edits to the attached National Register nomination form and discussed process limitations for making changes to that separate form. The clerk recorded a motion to amend the ordinance language (removing the expansive-grounds phrasing) and forward the nomination to City Council; the clerk recorded that the motion was made by Commissioner Cross with a second by Vice Chair Merker. The motion passed with no recorded opposition or abstentions.

Next steps: staff will revise the ordinance language as directed and transmit the revised ordinance and supporting materials to City Council for final action. The staff report cites CEQA Guidelines section 15308 for the exemption determination included with the recommendation.