Alterations Requested for Spreckels Mansion

More changes are in store for Spreckels Mansion if owner Jonah Shacknai gets his request.

Shacknai has asked the city to allow him to build an interior bridge to connect the upper level of the main house and the caretaker cottage, to add an exterior staircase to the roof terrace of the main building, and to resize and recenter the windows at the back of the mansion. 

Shacknai also wants to make changes to the mansion's caretaker cottage and guest house. For the caretaker’s cottage, he wants to add a bathroom, change or repair some of the windows, and add French doors to it and to the guest house. He also wants to upgrade the garage door.

Most of these changes will be at the back of the buildings and, with the exception of the French doors at the caretaker cottage, none will be visible from the street, according to the owner. 

With some minor revisions, the Historical Resource Commission unanimously approved the request at . The final decision rests with the City Council, which will take up the matter at its May 3 meeting.

In 2006 Spreckels Mansion was designated as a Historic Resource. A year later, the City Council forged a Mills Agreement with the owner for the main house. This grants the owner property tax relief in exchange for maintaining the historical character of the property.

Any changes must meet the standards set by the secretary of the interior within the National Park Service for the treatment of historic properties and be approved by the City Council.

The council approved modifications to the main building at its December meeting. These included the addition of French doors at several locations, a site wall and gate at the front of the building, and a rear roof slope.  

Besides considering Shacknai’s request, the council will also consider raising fees for emergency medical and ambulance services and the regional transportation congestion improvement program (RTCIP).

If approved, the ambulance services cost would rise to $925 from $567 for advance life support, to $825 from $457 for basic life support, and to $200 from $150 for treat and release. RTCIP fees would rise to $2,123 from $2,081.

RTCIP fees are collected to help defray transportation cost arising from building new houses. They are part of the voter-approved TransNet initiative. Under it, cities in San Diego must have a mitigation fee for new residential units in order to collect TransNET sales tax money.

The program began in July 2008 and contains a provision that allows SANDAG to adjust the fee for inflation. At its Feb. 25 meeting, the SANDAG board of directors approved a minimum 2 percent increase for fiscal year 2012, which begins in July, 2011. If the City Council does not approve increasing the fees, Coronado will lose the money.

Other issues of general interest include changes to the city’s short-term parking space, so called “green zones” ordinance, EDCO’s offer provide an automated cart collection for green waste, similar to the ones provided for recycling and garbage and a request to the redistricting panel that Coronado remain in San Diego County’s First Supervisorial District. 

A number of proclamations are also on the agenda: Peace Officer Memorial Day, Drowning Prevention Month, National Public Works Week and Bike to Work Month. Mayor Casey Tanaka will also present Historic Preservation Plaques to owners of historically designated structures.

The City Council meets at 3 p.m. May 3 in its chambers at 1825 Strand Way.