Attachment B - Staff Report - Z-175-24-6.pdf
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Staff Report: Z-175-24-6 March 3, 2025 INTRODUCTION Z-175-24-6 is a request to establish Historic Preservation (HP) overlay zoning for the property located at the northwest corner of 7th Street and Las Palmaritas Drive [8314 North 7th Street], known as Hansen Mortuary. Maps and photos of the subject property are attached. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that rezoning request Z-175-24-6 be approved. BACKGROUND In 2011, the subject property was one of 80 properties featured in Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix 1945-1975, published by the City of Phoenix HP Office. At that time, the property was also determined eligible for listing on the Phoenix Historic Property Register and National Register of Historic Places. In September 2024, Julia Taggart of the Sunnyslope Historical Society contacted HP staff to request historic designation for the property. Ms. Taggart also prepared an historic property inventory form, which was updated by HP staff, and contacted the property owner, Hansen Mortuary Inc., whose representative, Patricia H. Kerr, signed an Ownership Authorization Form and Waiver of Claims under Proposition 207 allowing the HP Commission to initiate HP zoning on its behalf. The HP Commission formally initiated HP zoning on October 21, 2024; shortly thereafter, staff filed this rezoning application. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA The eligibility criteria for HP overlay zoning and listing on the PHPR are set forth in Section 807.D of the City of Phoenix Zoning Ordinance. To qualify, a property must demonstrate significance in local, regional, state, or national history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture, according to one or more of the following criteria: A. The property is associated with the events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of our history; B. The property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; ATTACHMENT B Staff Report: Z-175-24-6 March 3, 2025 Page 2 of 5 C. The property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, represents the work of a master, possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or D. The property has yielded or may likely yield information integral to the understanding of our prehistory or history. In addition to the significance requirement, the property must also be at least 50 years old or have achieved significance within the past 50 years if it is of exceptional importance. The property must also possess sufficient integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association to convey its significance. EVALUATION Criterion A - Historic Events/Trends Hansen Mortuary is significant under Criterion A at the local level in the area of Commerce. Continuously owned and operated by the Hansen family, the mortuary has been an integral part of the Sunnyslope community since its founding 75 years ago. Born and raised in Sidney, Nebraska, Chester “Chet” Hansen, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following the war, he attended the University of Arizona and graduated from the California College of Mortuary Science. Chet and his wife, Janice, moved to Phoenix in 1949 and settled in Sunnyslope for Janice’s health. The following year, Chet partnered with Robert Lundberg to open the first mortuary in Sunnyslope. Located at Central and Dunlap avenues, Lundberg-Hansen Mortuaries offered complete mortuary facilities, as well as emergency ambulance service and oxygen service. The firm was a member of the Order of the Golden Rule, an international affiliation of funeral directors open only to members of high professional standing. The firm opened a second mortuary in Glendale, with Lundberg overseeing the Glendale location and Hansen continuing to operate the Sunnyslope location. In 1957, the partnership dissolved, with Lundberg staying in Glendale and Hansen in Sunnyslope. In 1961, Hansen announced the construction of a new building at 8314 North 7th Street. Construction started later that year and was completed in early 1962. Hansen held an open house in February of 1962, welcoming the community and conducting tours of the new building, which were well attended. In 1967, Hansen Mortuary joined with A. L. Moore & Sons and Whitney & Murphy to create a new firm called Associated Ambulance Services, Inc. Chet Hansen served on the board of directors for the new firm, which operated vehicles 24 hours a day equipped to handle any medical emergency. A spokesperson stated that the collaborative new firm was necessary “due to the complexity of modern ambulance service and emergency patient care.” Staff Report: Z-175-24-6 March 3, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Chet Hansen continued to operate Hansen Mortuary into the 1970s and 1980s, until he retired in 1986. At that time, he passed the business on to his four children, Rae Jeanne, Bradley, Craig, and Patricia. Chet left an imprint on Sunnyslope not just as a businessman but also as a community leader. He served on the John C. Lincoln Hospital Board for 37 years. In 1996, the John C. Lincoln Hospital Foundation honored Chet with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award. He was also president of the Arizona Funeral Directors Association and secretary of the National Funeral Directors Association. Janet also engaged in community service, serving as president of the John C. Lincoln Hospital Auxiliary and chairperson of the first Night of Gold fundraising ball in 1968. Janet passed away in 1986, followed by Chet in 1998. The Hansen children have continued their parents’ legacy, operating the family business and serving on community organizations in Sunnyslope. In the 1990s, the business expanded to include Chapel of Prayer Mortuary in Mesa, Mercer Mortuary in Phoenix, and Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery in Scottsdale. DECA Cremation Services and Hansen Planning Center were also established during this decade of expansion. Rae Jeanne and Craig retired in 2015, and Bradley retired in 2023, leaving Patricia as the current owner. Bradley’s son Stuart and Patricia’s son Tanner are third generation Hansens working in the business. Criterion C - Architecture The Hansen Mortuary building is significant under Criterion C at the local level in the area of Architecture. It is an excellent example of the A-frame subtype of Expressionist Modern architecture, commonly seen in high-style religious buildings from the 1960s. According to Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix 1945-1975, “At a quick glance, the Hansen Mortuary could be mistaken for a small church campus set on the bank of a canal amid a well-manicured, mature-landscaped site. An enormous Aleppo pine and three soaring palms frame the front façade of the mortuary.” The pine has since been removed, and the lawn replaced with desert landscaping, but the “church campus” description is still appropriate. The book continues, “The lofty triangular front gable of the chapel is the focus of the facility. Its heavy timber rafters at the deep-set gable are solidly planted into the earth. Each plane of the gable overhang is pierced by a series of five rectangular openings that allow sunlight to play across the wood-veneered gable wall. The lower wall of the chapel is veneered with native stone. The chapel façade is engaged by a thin flat roof at the height of the first-floor ceiling. This cantilevered overhang extends across the entire face of the long, low-profile building unifying and organizing its various elements. The front entrance immediately to the right of the chapel leads into a reception hall. The Staff Report: Z-175-24-6 March 3, 2025 Page 4 of 5 windows of the visitation rooms further to the right look forward into landscaped gardens hidden from the street by decorative block screen walls.” The A-frame design is religiously evocative, appropriate for a chapel. In The Suburban Church: Modernism and Community in Postwar America, historian Gretchen Buggeln states that the A-frame design was frequently perceived as “praying hands, a triangle representing the Trinity, a tent for God’s people on the move, an inverted ark, or even a cave for quiet renewal.” One of the quintessential examples of this style is the 1956 Air Force Academy Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. Architect Pierre Woodman of Upland, California, created the initial design for Hansen Mortuary in 1958, utilizing the characteristic A-frame building form to evoke a feeling of comfort and faith. A local architect, William A. Lockard, drafted a full architectural set in 1960 based on the Woodman plans and is the architect of record for the building. The building permit application, dated April 5, 1961, shows Valcon Builders as the contractor. Integrity The building was expanded a couple of times after its construction, with Lockard designing an addition at the north end that was built in 1976. A rear addition was constructed in 1991. Despite these alterations and the changes to the landscaping, the building still retains excellent integrity of design, materials, and workmanship. It remains in its original location and the setting is still generally intact. Integrity of feeling and association are also sufficient to convey the building’s historic significance. BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION Section 807.E states that, when applying the evaluation criteria in Section 807.D, the boundaries of a historic district should be drawn as carefully as possible to ensure that: 1. The district contains documented historic, architectural, archaeological, or natural resources; 2. The district boundaries coincide with documented historic boundaries such as early roadways, canals, subdivision plats or property lines; 3. Other district boundaries coincide with logical physical or manmade features and reflect recognized neighborhood or area boundaries; and 4. Other non-historic resources or vacant land is included where necessary to create appropriate boundaries to assist in meeting the criteria in Section 807.D. The proposed HP zoning boundary encompasses 1.65 gross acres. It has been drawn to include the subject property in its entirety as well as the adjacent portion of the right way, as is customary in rezoning cases. The proposed boundary contains the Staff Report: Z-175-24-6 March 3, 2025 Page 5 of 5 documented historic resources and follows parcel lines and street monument lines as much as possible. CONCLUSION The rezoning request Z-175-24-6 to establish Historic Preservation (HP) overlay zoning for the subject property should be approved for the following reasons: 1. The property meets the significance, age, and integrity requirements for HP overlay zoning set forth in Section 807.D of the Zoning Ordinance; and 2. The proposed boundaries meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Section 807.E. Writer K. Weight 3/15/25 Team Leader H. Ruter Attachments: Sketch Map (1 page) Aerial (1 page) Photos and Excerpts (5 pages) Hansen Mortuary 8314 North 7th Street Proposed Historic Preservation (HP) Zoning Overlay shown in purple Artist’s rendering from Open House article, SAGE Newsletter, February 22, 1962. SAGE Newsletter advertisement, February 22, 1962. 183 HANSEN MORTUARY 1961 At a quick glance, the Hansen Mortuary could be mistaken for a small church campus set on the bank of a canal amid a well-manicured, mature-landscaped site. An enormous Aleppo pine and three soaring palms frame the front façade of the mortuary. The lofty triangular front gable of the chapel is the focus of the facility. Its heavy timber rafters at the deep-set gable are solidly planted into the earth. Each plane of the gable overhang is pierced by a series of five rectangular openings that allow sunlight to play across the wood-veneered gable wall. The lower wall of the chapel is veneered with native stone. The chapel façade is engaged by a thin flat roof at the height of the first floor ceiling. This canti- levered overhang extends across the entire face of the long, low-profile building unify- ing and organizing its various elements. The front entrance immediately to the right of the chapel leads into a re- ception hall. The windows of the visita- tion rooms further to the right look forward into landscaped gardens hidden from the street by decorative block screen walls. This asymmetrical façade composition— an A-frame roof with attached low building wing—seems to be a locally popular motif seen also at the Tempe Mortuary, 405 East Southern Avenue (Tempe), and at Christ Church Lutheran, 3901 East Indian School Road. The Hansen Mortuary has a slightly religious image, creating an aspiring feel of faith that can provide comfort to the bereaved. This worshipful character is created by the steep- pitched A-framed roof of the chapel—an Expressionist form seen in the 1956 Air Force Academy Chapel by Walter Netsch/SOM Architects. 8314 North 7th Street from Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix 1945-1975, published in 2010 by the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office Front façade, Hansen Mortuary website, 2024. Chapel interior, Hansen Mortuary website, 2024. Native stone sheathed wall on front gable of subject building, 2024. Offset screen wall on front façade of subject building, 2024. Chapel gable and breezeway, rear façade of subject building, 2024. Decorative columnar breezeway supports, south façade of subject building, 2024. CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City of Phoenix. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting this email. Report Suspicious From: PDD Historic Preservation To: Cletus M Montoya Subject: FW: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024 2:00:50 PM From: Nancy J Gill <njgillmom@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2024 1:50 PM To: PDD Historic Preservation <historic@phoenix.gov> Subject: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Meeting October 21,2024 Agenda Item #4 Initiation of Historic Preservation (HP) Overlay Zoning for the Hansen Mortuary, located at 8314 N 7th St I am in favor of granting historical status to this building. Nancy J. Gill 1530-A E. Ironwood Dr. ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd Meeting October 21,2024 Agenda Item #4 Initiation of Historic Preservation (HP) Overlay Zoning for the Hansen Mortuary, located at 8314 N 7th St I am in favor of granting historical status to this building. Nancy J. Gill 1530-A E. Ironwood Dr. Phoenix AZ 85020 480-492-7426 CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City of Phoenix. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting this email. Report Suspicious From: Roy Otterbein To: Kevin Weight Subject: Hansen mortuary Date: Monday, February 3, 2025 4:38:38 PM As an owner of a small residence near (within 600 feet) of the above Proposed Historic Preservation site, I am fully supportive of this zoning change. The architecture of this period is particularly susceptible to demolishing and preserving this structure will add value to the adjacent area. Plus, many famous Arizona’s were interned there. Roy Otterbein, P.E. Otterbein Engineering 8312 N 8 St Phoenix, AZ 85020 Mob 602-738-2439 roy@otterbeinengineering.com CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City of Phoenix. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting this email. Report Suspicious From: Jerry Clayton jr To: PDD Historic Preservation Subject: Hansen Mortuary Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 8:36:01 PM Please approve Hansen Mortuary for Preservation. So many historic buildings were lost or destroyed in the 70's and after due to "progress", history lost. Respectfully, Gerald Clayton, jr Sent with Proton Mail [proton.me] secure email. CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City of Phoenix. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting this email. Report Suspicious From: Andy Sobczak To: PDD Historic Preservation Subject: Hansen"s Mortuary - historic status Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025 3:15:49 PM We'd like to go on record as supporting the historic status of Hansen's Mortuary. Their building has served a number of high profile people in their time...which has been quite long. The building is unique, adds character to the Sunnyslope area, is well kept and a wonderful addition to the list of buildings to be preserved in Sunnyslope. It has long been a marker on 7th Street for its unique style. Please protect it. Robert & Andrea Sobczak 819 E. Orchid Lane Phoenix, AZ 85020 It's not how you are. It's how you are with how you are. CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City of Phoenix. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting this email. Report Suspicious From: Jean Marie Clarke To: PDD Historic Preservation Subject: Hansen Mortuary Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025 3:53:12 PM I would like to express support for Hansen getting historical status. Thanks Jean Marie Clarke Jean Marie Clarke Mobile 602-369-9188 CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City of Phoenix. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting this email. Report Suspicious From: Helana Ruter To: Kevin Weight Subject: FW: Comments for 3/17/25 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 8:45:09 AM For the zoning case Helana Ruter Historic Preservation Officer City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office Planning & Development Department 200 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 Desk: 602-256-4155 www.phoenix.gov/pdd/historic-preservation From: bonnie bartak <bonniebartak16@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2025 11:19 AM To: Helana Ruter <helana.ruter@phoenix.gov> Cc: Doug Banfelder <dougbanfelder@gmail.com>; Trish Kerr <trishh@hansenm.com> Subject: Comments for 3/17/25 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting My name is Bonnie Bartak and I am a resident of East Sunnyslope and a member of the Stoney Mountains Neighborhood Association. I want to express my strong support for the historic overlay application of the Hansen Mortuary property, 8314 N. ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd My name is Bonnie Bartak and I am a resident of East Sunnyslope and a member of the Stoney Mountains Neighborhood Association. I want to express my strong support for the historic overlay application of the Hansen Mortuary property, 8314 N. 7th Street. This building is a unique mid-century modern architectural structure that qualifies for historic preservation on several points. First, it is one of the very few buildings of architectural interest that remain in Sunnyslope from its earlier period. Sunnyslope was annexed into the City of Phoenix in 1959 and the Hansen Mortuary was built in 1961. At that time on 7th Street, citrus orchards were just south of the Hansen building, which is located adjacent to the north side of the Arizona Canal. The Hansen building welcomed people who entered the Sunnyslope area from North Central Phoenix. The building was (and still is) a standout in an area of single-story residences and routine commercial strip retail buildings. Its ski-chalet roofline, diamond-shaped windows, open-block screening and native stonework are unique. The property also is unique in that it is still owned by the original Hansen family that began a mortuary business in Sunnyslope in another building in 1947. Few businesses are able to continue successfully past the second generation. Another factor to take into consideration with this particular business is that it has catered to the needs of thousands of local families in a personal way, unlike many other types of businesses. As a person who has been a part of the Sunnyslope area for much of my life, I feel this building has a special status, like a landmark, that represents the idea Sunnyslope could “grow up” to be as economically successful and stylish as North Central Phoenix a short distance away. That idea can be seen today in the several popular Sunnyslope restaurants located in renovated former bank/unique commercial buildings and modern new homes. My parents moved the family to a new Sunnyslope subdivision in 1960, where I went to grade school. My parents later built several commercial centers in Sunnyslope and operated their own family business there for years, as well as living in Sunnyslope for a while again. Later, my husband and I built a home in East Sunnyslope in the foothills of the Stoney Mountains, within a mile of Hansen Mortuary, where we have lived for 35 years. We operated our own family business in Sunnyslope too. Most recently, my husband Richard Weiland and I helped found the Stoney Mountains Neighborhood Association to work with our neighbors to see that the area is protected and will continue to thrive. Most of historic Phoenix is located in the central city. But I urge the Historic Preservation Commission to seriously consider adding Hansen Mortuary to the Historic Property Register, while also considering a few other potentially historic properties in Sunnyslope in the future. Sunnyslope has been a significant contributor to the development of Phoenix over the decades since it was first settled by miners and health-seekers in the late 1890s. It is time to recognize the few remaining properties of note for their historic significance to help protect the properties and help uplift the surrounding community. Sent from my iPad From: Nadine Alauria <nadine@3aautomotive.com> Sent: Monday, March 17, 2025 1:20 PM To: PDD Historic Preservation <historic@phoenix.gov> Subject: TODAY Hansen - Item # 4 Dear Historical Preservation Commission, I am writing in support of Hansen Mortuary on 7th Street receiving Historic Perseveration status. I am a Phoenix Native and the Hansen building definitely brings back nostalgia of growing up in Phoenix. ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd Dear Historical Preservation Commission, I am writing in support of Hansen Mortuary on 7th Street receiving Historic Perseveration status. I am a Phoenix Native and the Hansen building definitely brings back nostalgia of growing up in Phoenix. The Hansen building is special to so many people in Phoenix for this reason and to my family. Please approve Historic Preservation status. Sincerely, Nadine Foletta Alauria 602-315-3388 From: Helana Ruter To: Helana Ruter Cc: Bridget J Collins; Kevin Weight Subject: FW: Comments for HP Meeting 03/17 Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 3:15:22 PM Attachments: image003.png Good afternoon, Sorry for the last minute here. Preserve Phx is commenting on a number of agenda items. Helana Ruter Historic Preservation Officer City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office Planning & Development Department 200 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 Desk: 602-256-4155 www.phoenix.gov/pdd/historic-preservation From: Erin Ross <erin@phoenixartdeco.org> Sent: Monday, March 17, 2025 3:07 PM To: Helana Ruter <helana.ruter@phoenix.gov>; PDD Historic Preservation <historic@phoenix.gov> Cc: 'Jim McPherson' <jmcphersoniii@cox.net>; 'Rachel Ewell' <rachelewell1@gmail.com> Subject: Comments for HP Meeting 03/17 Good afternoon Helana, Please excuse the late email, I thought I was going to be able to attend the HP meeting, but I got tied up with something this evening. I wanted to submit the following comments on behalf of Preserve Phoenix: Item 4: Public ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd Good afternoon Helana, Please excuse the late email, I thought I was going to be able to attend the HP meeting, but I got tied up with something this evening. I wanted to submit the following comments on behalf of Preserve Phoenix: Item 4: Public Hearing for Rezoning Application (Hansen Mortuary) We fully support the Historic Preservation Overlay Zoning for Hansen Mortuary and thank the Sunnyslope Society for their hard work. Item 5: Demonstration Project Grant (412 W Roosevelt St) Preserve PHX supports the grant funding for this address Item 6: Tovrea Castle updates We’d like to request a specific timeline for ongoing restoration projects at Tovera Castle We are prepared to advocate for expanded public access programs Preserve Phoenix offers volunteer resources to support educational initiatives if needed Item 7: PreserveHistoricPhoenix2025 Draft Plan We advocate for stronger protection measures in historic districts We request clearer implementation timelines and accountability measures Item 10: Staff updates (OIC Building and Palo Verde Library) Preserve PHX requests comprehensive condition assessments for both properties Our positions on Palo Verde are outlines in a letter send to commissioners and staff. This site has ample space for a splash pad which we believe should be considered as an alternative to demolishing the library for its location. Item 11: Future agenda items (HB2721 Missing Middle Housing) We request an impact analysis of HB2721 on historic neighborhoods Preserve volunteers to prepare a position statement on compatible infill development in historic districts Thank you for your understanding and thanks for all you do at HP! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! J Sincerely, Erin Lindsey President Phoenix Art Deco Society erin@phoenixartdeco.org [avg.com] Virus-free.www.avg.com [avg.com]