HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLNZAD2024-00750 - 452 S 800 EAugust 20, 2024
ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION OF NONCONFORMING USE
DECISION AND FINDINGS
PLNZAD2024-00750
REQUEST:
This is a request by property owner Shane Franz for a Determination of a Nonconforming Use
regarding the subject property at approximately 452 S 800 E (Tax ID # 16-05-308-067-0000).
The applicant is specifically requesting to legalize four total units on the two-story home and
have the structure recognized as a legal fourplex. The property has a lot area of approximately
0.25 acres or 10,890 square feet and a lot width of 76 feet. The lot is zoned RMF-35 (Moderate
Density Multi-Family Residential District). The RMF-35 District requires 9,000 square feet for
3 units, plus 2,000 square feet for each additional dwelling unit up to 11 units. This lot, with
10,890 sq ft, would be allowed three units by-right.
DECISION:
Based on the review standards listed in 21A.38.075 and the documentation submitted by the
applicant, the Zoning Administrator approves the legalization of two excess units and recognizes
the structure as a three-unit dwelling. There is no evidence of a fourth unit. The request to
legalize two excess dwelling units complies with the standards of review for unit legalization in
section 21A.38.075 of the Zoning Ordinance.
The determination is subject to the following conditions of approval:
1.The unit owner shall allow the City’s Building Office or designee to inspect the dwelling
unit to determine whether the unit substantially complies with the basic life safety
requirements as provided in Title 18, Chapter 18.50, “Existing Residential Housing,” of
this code. The inspection can be scheduled by calling the Civil Enforcement division at
(801)535-7225 or email civilenforcement@slcgov.com.
2.All required corrections indicated during the inspection process must be completed
within one year unless granted an extension by the Zoning Administrator.
FINDINGS:
The applicant provided evidence of two excess dwelling units that existed prior to April 12, 1995.
There is no evidence of a fourth unit. The census document dated 1950 shows three separate
apartments numbers for 452 S 800 E, indicating the structure contained three units.
Additionally, the East Side Historic District File for the Thomas Childs House (452 S 800 E)
narrates the history of the property including the construction of two excess units. The applicant
also provided a notarized affidavit from the previous owner, Grant Fetzer who owned the
property for over 60 years, indicating that the two excess units have been rented or offered for
rent at least once every five years during that time.
The request to legalize four dwelling units does not comply with the standards of review for unit
legalization, however, there is ample evidence for the legalization of three units. The documents
comply with the standards of review for unit legalization in section 21A.38.075 of Zoning
Ordinance.
Standards for Unit Legalization:
Any request to approve an existing excess unit must comply with the following:
1.The dwelling unit existed prior to April 12, 1995. In order to determine whether a
dwelling unit was in existence prior to April 12, 1995, the unit owner shall provide
documentation thereof which may include any of the following:
a)Copies of lease or rental agreements, lease or rent payments, or other similar
documentation showing a transaction between the unit owner and tenants;
b)Evidence indicating that prior to April 12, 1995, the city issued a building permit,
business license, zoning certificate, or other permit relating to the dwelling unit in
question;
c)Utility records indicating existence of a dwelling unit;
d)Historic surveys recognized by the planning director as being performed by a
trained professional in historic preservation;
e)Notarized affidavits from a previous owner, tenant, or neighbor;
f)Polk, Cole, or phone directories that indicate existence of the dwelling unit (but not
necessarily that the unit was occupied); or
g)Any other documentation that the owner is willing to place into a public record
which indicates the existence of the excess unit prior to April 12, 1995.
2.The excess unit has been maintained as a separate dwelling unit since April 12, 1995. In
order to determine if a unit has been maintained as a separate dwelling unit, the
following may be considered:
a)Evidence listed in Subsection B.1 of this section indicates that the unit has been
occupied at least once every five (5) calendar years;
b)Evidence that the unit was marketed for occupancy if the unit was unoccupied for
more than five (5) consecutive years;
c)If evidence of maintaining a separate dwelling unit as required by Subsection B.1 of
this section cannot be established, documentation of construction upgrades may be
provided in lieu thereof.
d)Any documentation that the owner is willing to place into a public record which
provides evidence that the unit was referenced as a separate dwelling unit at least
once every five (5) years.
If you have any questions regarding this interpretation, please contact Olivia Cvetko at (801)
535-7285 or by email at Olivia.Cvetko@slcgov.com.
APPEAL PROCESS:
An applicant or any other person or entity adversely affected by a decision administering or
interpreting this Title may appeal to the Appeals Hearing Officer. Notice of appeal shall be filed
within ten (10) days of the administrative decision. The appeal shall be filed with the Planning
Division and shall specify the decision appealed and the reasons the appellant claims the
decision to be in error. Applications for appeals are located on the Planning Division website at
https://www.slc.gov/planning/applications/ along with information about how to apply and
processing fees.
Olivia Cvetko
Principal Planner
CC: Nick Norris, Planning Director
Mayara Lima, Zoning Administrator
Casey Stewart, Planning Manager and Development Review Supervisor
East Central Community Council
Posted to Web
Attachments:
Chronology of Events from the applicant Census
Record for Property
Affidavit
Historic Record for the Thomas Childs House
Applicant: John Shane Franz, 801-915-8333
Secret Garden Project Description:
Request to have the use of the property at 452 S 800 E designated as a four plex. It is
understood that the home has always been used in this manner, however, City records may
indicate single family.
Supporting Evidence:
Key property features:
Property Zoned RMF35
There are currently three dedicated kitchens, and 4 bathrooms. The fourth kitchen area was
used as a washroom and storage most recently.
Each apartment has dedicated entrances (two) for each apartment.
The home was built on a double lot. There is plenty of parking on the property for cars if
needed, and lots of street parking.
There is multi meter electric service to the property.
Historic Chronology of events as told to us by Grant Fetzer for 452 S 800 E Salt Lake
City:
1910 - Thomas B Child hires an architect to construct a custom bungalow home at this address.
Full plans are drawn. Construction is completed per plan.
1920’s - Thomas B Child devotes half of basement for a dedicated apartment for his unmarried
sister. She occupies the property until the time of her death.
1940’s - Thomas B Child constructs an addition to the rear of the home for a dedicated
apartment for his son, who is suffering from a long illness. The apartment has complete kitchen
and bathroom facilities. Apartment is occupied by son until his death, then continued to be used
as an apartment thereafter.
Approx 1920’s-1960's – Thomas B Child operates his construction business from a dedicated
basement apartment separate from his sister. The apartment has a bath, laundry room, wash
facilities, cooking area, closet and bedroom which was used as his office.
1966 Grant and Sandra Fetzer purchase property. They are only the second owners.
During this time the Fetzer family raises their own family, including four children, fostering many
children and adopting two additional children. The apartments are occupied by various family
members. Most recently the lower apartment was occupied by his adult daughter and her
daughter for some time.
The basement apartment was rented or used for family members (various throughout their 60
year ownership).
2024 Property purchased by J. Shane and Sharon Franz
Additional Details:
A quick search of Ancestry.com revealed a lot of information about various people who have
occupied apartments on the property over the years.
An example, the census from 1950, is included below. The reader will note that on lines 4-8
there are four addresses and residents at the property:
452 apt 1 – Thomas B. and Bertha Child,
452 apt 2 – Ann I. Child,
452 apt 3 - (Not listed in census as it was the business office of Thomas B. Child)
452 apt 4 – Robert R. Child.
Site Plan:
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452 S 800 EAST
. THOMAS CHILDS HOUSE
SALT LAKE CITY , SALT LAKE COUNTY
EAST SIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT
CANNED
UAR 12 aDa
UTAH STATE HISTORY
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 3 9222 00583 3772
HISTORIC SITE FORM
(Historic Sites Database version)
Utah State Historic Preservation Office
1. Identification
Property Name: THOMAS CHILDS HOUSE
Address:
City:
452 S 800 EAST
SAL T LAKE CITY
2. Documentation/Status
Evaluation: (A) ELIGIBLE/SIGNIFICANT
National Register Status:
EAST SIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT
Date Listed Date Delisted:
ID#: 28571
Old ID#: 307220
Plat:
Block:
County : SALT LAKE COUNTY Site:
Dates Surveyed / Added to SHPO Files
Recon. L eve l Survey:
Intensive Level Survey:
General/Misc. File:
01 /00
/
/81
Thematic or MPS Affiliation: Areas of Significance:
3. Building Information
Date(s) of Construction: 1911
Height (# stories): 1.5
Original Use SINGLE DWELLING
Outbldgs : Contrib. Non-Contrib. 2
Comments:
4. Other SHPO File Information
F edera l Tax Project No .(s)
State Tax Project No.(s)
Plan/Type : BUNGALOW
Style(s): ARTS & CRAFTS
Material(s) REGULAR BRICK
STUCCO/PLASTER
Architect(s): BERNARD O. MECKLENBURG
106 Case No ..
D evel. Grant :
Historic Photo Date:
HABS/HAER:
Printout Date: 121912003
Surveyor A fA
Date '8 -/4 ,<;3Q
Salt Lake City
Architectural Survey
Salt Lake City Planning Commission
Structure/Site Information Form
Plat No.8 ------
Block No. ~\ ------
Lot No. ------
a I============================================================== .~ Street Address: <-i S--2. So ,,d:-~ 80b E",-<.·t u Census Tract I'D
:a .... Name of Structure: Ownership: Public ~ /-aiflJl 1taJ 13. { {'5Mtl(tr D K. ejutd 1/ciW£ Private:8
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2================================================ Construction Date or Period: }0 / I
Original Use:
Present Use:
Single Family
:ZMulti Family
Public
Commercial
Building Condition:
Excellent
lGood
Deter iora ted
Park
Industrial = Agricultural
Site
Ruins
Vacant
Religious
Other
Integrity: X Unaltered
-Minor Alterations
Major Alterations 3============================================ Preliminary Evaluation: I Significant
-Contributory
Not Contr ibutory
Intrusion
Eligibility Status:
National Landmark
National Register
-State Register = City Register
Historic District
Multi-Resource
Thematic
Conservation
District
4============================================ Research Sources/References (if used):
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Photography:
Date of Photographs: 1980
Views: Front j Side Rear --Other
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6==~~~~~====~==============~ Statement of Historical Significance:
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Nolen Leigh Mendenhall
528-13-2517
March 5, 1984
Thomas B. Child Home
452 South 800 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
The craftsman style bungalow that is located at
452 South 800 East, is a fine example of this style of
architecture during this era. The home was designed by
Bernard o. Mecklenberg, a prominent Utah archiect (dis-
cussed later). The location of the house on the site is
typical to most Utah bungalow styles; a long rectangular
shaped structure projecting deep into the site.
The contractor of the home was Thomas Battershy
Child, who was also the original owner. The home was
built in 1911 for Thomas Child and his new wife, Bertha
Derrick Rumel. The property was obtained "possibly as
a wedding gift from her parents."l
Some history on Thomas Child: His father, Thomas B.
Child, Sr., was a stone and brick mason and a contractor
by trade; the name of his company being Thomas B. Child
and Company. At the retirement of his father, Thomas B.
Child, Jr., took over the operation of the company, having
learned the craft from his father. He became one of the
states leading contractors and stone masons. His work
included buildings on the University of Utah campus and
the Brigham Young University campus, the L.D.S. Church
Relief Society Building, the Daughter of Utah Pioneers
Building, the Salt Lake Greek Orthodox Church, the Primary
1 .. "Home Magazine," Salt Lake Tribune, Sept. 22, 1963, p. 5
1
Children's Hospital, the Holy Cross Hospital, and L.D.S.
temples in Idaho Falls and Los Angeles to name a few.
In 1949 Thomas received an honor from the Utah Chapter
of the Architectural Institute of America (A. LA.). He
also served on the Salt Lake City Board of Education and
in the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce. His home was
not only built for he and his wfie but also used in photo-
graphic advertisements for his contracting business as can
be seen in the Directory of 1912 at the Utah State Historial
Society Library. Also from this photo-advertisement we can
see that no exterior change has been made on the front
facade of this house. As a place of business, Thomas
Child was able to show his craftsmanship in masonry to both
clients and friends. The Child's lived in the home for some
fifty-two years until his death in November of 1963.
The architect, Bernard O. Mecklenberg, worked in Salt
Lake from about 1902-1919 who then later moved to Los Angeles
to pursue his career in becoming one of that area's leading
A 1
architects:¥ I1df~ ~1 ~ .
In studying this home, we find the exterior front
facade has retained the same front facade as in the day that
it was completed (see slide 1). The carmel colored stucco
and cream batten boards and trim are of similar values and
color to the black and white photo advertisement in the
Directory of 1912. The half-story foundation visable above
2
the ground of the home is a cobblestone set in concrete (see
slide 12). The pointing is detailed to add a craftsman
style finish. The arched stone work over the basement windows
around the house also add a decorative craftsman quality (see
slide 9). The horizontal cast stone capping above the
cobblestone foundation creates a natural break and emphasizes
the horizontal quality to the carmel color brick and is also
the sill plate to the large casement windows. The deep
pointing of the brick also creates horizontal shadow lines
to the house (see slide 8) playing on the horizontal aspects
of the home. The windows on the perimeter of the house
are typical of the Bungalow ciaftsman building style;
leaded glass in the front casement windows and some side
windows (see slide 8).
The front door is on a recessed front porch, the full
width of the home. The front door is of oak with three
glass panels with leaded glass inserts of a stylized orchid
motif in green and carmel colored glass (see slide 16).
The door is flanked by two side lights of multi-paned
beveled glass inserts in an oak framing system. The columns
supporting the cantilevered roof over the porch are detailed
with vertical indentations and flaired caps and bases, in
clusters of two or three (see slide 7) • The small projecting
eave on the front fa1ade adds to the decorative quality,
creating an enterag~'portal to the facade of the house (see
slide 6) • The decorative knee bracing under the front eaves
3
are also typical of craftsman style homes (see slide 6).
The extended rafters under the soffits have been cut to add
a decorative pattern to the edge of the roof line (see slide
4). On the north side of the home are two piers of cobble-
stone construction with Wrightian style urns of cast stone
(see slide 10). No date is obtained for the construction
of these elements but are probably of a latter addition.
Upon study f th~ interior we find the home is of a
typical bungalow layout (see floor plan).
at the front (living room, entry, dining room), with
private areas at the rear (kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms,
pantry) . The floor in the home has been covered with carpet
and vinyl but beneath exists oak flooring.
The walls are of cedar lath and plaster. Most of the
original surfaces are still exposed, not being covered with
wallpaper, etc., and retain their original qualities.
In the dining area, a wainscot of a pressed board
material is used to create an organic leaf motif (see slide
14) in a copper color. This pattern was also used ln some
of the L.D.S. ward houses in the area. The buffet and
cabinet that existed in the dining
material of construction is a soft
rooiare original.
pine, stained to an
The
almost rosewood color. The leaded glass is of a stylized
orchid blossom with green and carmel colored chipped glass.
The beveled mirror below the china display case helps to
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to add depth to the buffet cabinets. A small bay
window, typical of the bungalow style, exists to one
. side of the dining room but has no stained glass patterning.
A gridded box beam pattern that exists in the entry,
living room, and dining room, is also of the same material
of soft pine and stain as the buffet. The living room is
divded from the dining room by a pair of paneled, stained
pine pocket doors with brass hardware. In the living room
the fireplace is flanked by two bookcases, the doors being
leaded glass patterned with horizontal and vertical bands
that intersect (see slide 15) of the same green and carmel
chipped glass as the front doors. The hearth of the fire-
place is of a brown tile pattern. All the living room
windows are leaded glass in the banding motif similar to
the bookcases (see slide 8). The original light fixtures
still exist; they are of a bell shape, sandblasted and pol-
ished glass with a clustered grape pattern. Between the
entry and dining room exists a half-wall supporting wood
box columns of similar size to those on the exterior with
caps and bases,· though they have no relief detailing.
The bathroom retains the original fixtures of toilet,
sink and tub, with a white hexagon tile floor. The pantry,
with a full swinging door to the dining area, seems to have
had no changes made except for the wall and cabinet colors.
The cabinets (though painted) and countertops are of wood.
The kitchen has a basic sink and a tiled countertop;
5
other changes are not known. The door of the kitchen
originally led to a covered porch area that has now been
closed in by the latter addition on the rear.
The basement consisted of a stair access, boiler room,
utility room, and a storage area that ran the full length
of the house.
All of the interior panel doors and wood casements
are of stained soft pine.
The home through the years has had an addition added
on the rear to accommodate an apartment for a relative.
Consisting of a living room, bedroom combination with a
small kitchen-eating area in another room. The addition
was handled at a sensitive level to the existing home.
Though not having the cobblestone foundation, the brick
color, size and pointing are of similar treatment as well
as the carved roof rafter ends and roof structure (see
sl ide 5). The basement was also converted from a boiler
room, coal room, utility room, and long storage space, into
an office space for Thomas Child's business meetings and
clients. Then in later years, this had been converted into
an apartment space. The rear apartment has now been con-
verted to a master bedroom and closet for the present home-
owners.
After Thomas Child died in November of 1963, the home
was willed to Lucille Higgs, daughter of Thomas Child. The
6
hom~w~~~ ~~ H. P. Fetzer, who is related to Fetzer
of Fetzer cand6~hitects. The Fetzer's are the first
family since Thomas Child's family to occupy the house.
Mr. Fetzer, as a boy, used to work for Thomas Child in his
rock garden and knew the house as a child and has made
minimal changes on the interior or exterior of the home
other than required maintenance on minor improvements
such as carpet, etc.; thus the preservation and existence
of the original conditions that existed when the home was
originally built.
Upon retiring ln 1949 from construction and masonry
business, Thomas Child devoted his free time to the con-
struction of numerous monuments, plaques, and sculptures
of stone and masonry in his backyard. The space was
originally used as a salvage and storage yard for equipment
and tools dealing with his trade. The motivation behind
his work is "to show what my religion has done for me and
what I have learned from it.,,2 Being a strong member of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he wanted
to create something to show his conviction to religion.
"His first sculpture work was a shrine-like structure
containing a rough cut stone cross above which is a relief
of clasping hands.,,3 The Thomas B. Child Garden is now
2. Ibid
3. Handout on Gilgal
7
known locally as Gilgal Garden. Gilgal meaning "stone
circle or a circle of sacred stones.,,4 A stone circle
surrounds a headless figure (see slide 20), which is the
garden's Gilgal. Other L.D.S. religious meanings exist
in the sculptures within the garden (see slides 17 and 19).
A written copy of other sculptures and their meanings can
be obtained from the existing property owners.
In the garden is a statue of the likeness of Thomas B.
Child himself. The statue is surrounded by the two things
Child enjoyed most; the tools for his trade (masonry and
stone) and religious symbolisms (see slide 18). The method
of creating mose of these sculptures was with the use of an
oxyacetylene torch to cut the stone. He also used cast
stone and brick masonry in his sculptures.
The garden is important because "Nationwide, the number
of comparable folk art projects has been estimated at per-
haps three hundred over the pastcentury.5 Although each
of the projects is unique, they generally have several
characteristics ln common. Most of the projects are created
for a private purpose by an individual, usually an elderly
person, who performs the work himself.6 The works are often
termed "folk art," meaning that art which is created by common
folk outside the traditional art realm. Folk art, in addition
4. Ibid
5. Robert Crease and Charles Mann, "Backyard Creators of
Art That Says: "I did it, I'm here,'" Smithsonian, Aug '83 p. 83.
6. Ibid
8
to being a form of self expression for the "artist," re-
flects the values of the region in which it was built and
. 7
uses locally familiar designs and patterns. The Thomas B.
Child Garden is Salt Lake City's best example of folk art.
The site and the home are of worthwhile note in the
understanding of an era gone by. Both the . bungalow style
and the craftsman's many contributions are still being
enjoyed by man.
7. Ibid., p. 91.
9
Thomas Childs House.
East Side Historic District.
o
452 S 800 E
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County.