City Council Minutes 2012 06 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes June 5, 2012 Page 3 of 16 RESOLUTION No. 34, SERIES 2012 — A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE ALLERA HOUSE LOCATED AT 1005 LAFARGE AVENUE AN HISTORIC LANDMARK— Public Hearing Mayor Muckle requested a staff presentation and opened the hearing. Principal Planner McCartney explained Resolution No. 34, Series 2012 approves a request to landmark a historic residential structure located at 1005 LaFarge Avenue. He reported the following on the history of the property: History: The structure was built between 1903 and 1931. Early Owners; Allera Family, Owners 1903-1943. John and Kate Allera bought the property in 1903, and were living in it by 1904. They had two sons before John died in 1905. Kate opened a grocery on the property in 1910, just south of the existing home, which she ran until her death in 1936. Kate's son, John, then lived at 1005 LaFarge until 1943. The store seems to have been demolished, and the original house expanded to the south, sometime between 1936 and 1945. John and Elma sold the house in 1943. Doctor's Office, 1945-1956 - During these years, the property was owned by three different doctors and a chiropractor. The current owners purchased the house in 1989. The current wood frame house matches the1948 assessor's photo, so it is certainly at least 64 years old. The house appears to have changed very little since the 1948 photo. The roof line, including the clipped gable on the front and rear, are intact, as is the stucco exterior. The existing porch, including the columns and the pediment, match the 1948 photo. The two banks of windows on the front also appear to be original. Some of the other windows appear to be intact as well, though others have been replaced with aluminum frames. This architecture is unique in Louisville. The HPC unanimously (4 —0) recommended City Council approve landmarking the residence at 1005 LaFarge Avenue for retaining its unique architectural form and its social history as the store and, home of Kate Allera. Staff suggested the house be named for the Allera family who owned the house for more than 30 years. Staff recommended the application to landmark the Allera House be approved for the following reasons: 1) The house has retained the clipped gable, front porch, and front windows for over 65 years; and 2) The house was associated with Kate Allera, a prominent female businesswoman in Louisville, for over 30 years. Council member Jasiak asked if a structural assessment had been done. Principal Planner McCartney stated once the property is landmarked, an assessment will be done to establish the priority of projects.