Two Homes Approved as Landmarks, a Third Named Structure of Merit

The Riverside Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) voted Wednesday June 17 to recommend landmark designation for two historic residences and approved a third property as a structure of merit, capping a hearing that underscored the city's ongoing effort to protect its architectural past.

The three properties are among a wave of homes seeking city recognition, a status that unlocks access to the Mills Act, a state program that reduces property taxes in exchange for a commitment to ongoing historic preservation.

The board unanimously recommended landmark designation for Lionhead, a 1926 Spanish Eclectic estate at 2881 Rumsey Drive in Ward 3. Designed by architect Henry Jekel for developer and orchardist Howard Heiner, the two-story residence features hand-painted frescoes, barrel ceilings, ornamental ironwork and original bathroom tile fixtures. Historic Preservation Officer Scott Watson told the board the property retains a high degree of integrity and qualifies under two of the city's landmark criteria: its architectural distinction and its association with a historically significant architect.

"I've visited it under two different owners," said board member David Crohn, who praised the current owners' restoration work. "The recent owners, I really salute for putting a huge amount of effort into restoring this property. It's a beautiful place."

The homeowner, attending remotely, said her family sees itself as stewards of the estate. She noted that a previous owner had removed more than 100 original Jekel light fixtures, all of which have since been replaced. "We view the items in the house as something that should remain with this historical structure," she said.

The board also voted unanimously to recommend landmark designation for Edie, a 1966 mid-century modern residence at 5958 Edith Avenue in Ward 4. The home was designed by Swiss-born architect E. Kurt Steinman for Dr. Robert and Margaret Robinson and is notable for its post-and-beam construction, flat roofline and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Steinman is responsible for several of Riverside's most recognizable public spaces, including City Hall and the Main Street Pedestrian Mall. The board was told that known Steinman-designed residences in Riverside are rare, making Edie one of only two identified.

Homeowner Anna Gaissert told the board she and her husband Dominick Ricci are the second owners of the home and are already pursuing a Mills Act contract, with plans to reroof and complete a structural inspection as their first priorities.

The most contested vote of the afternoon involved the Havens Residence, a 1960 mid-century modern home at 2139 Archdale Street in Ward 3. Designed by the local firm Cohen and Bussy for Dr. Fred and Barbara Havens, the home features desert rock veneer, redwood siding and large fixed-pane glazing systems.

But a prior owner replaced most of the original aluminum windows with vinyl frames, a material prohibited under the city's historic district design guidelines and one that diminished the home's integrity enough that staff said it may no longer qualify for full landmark status.

Board members debated whether approving a landmark designation for a home with vinyl windows would set a problematic precedent, ultimately voting to recommend a structure of merit rather than landmark. The board attached a condition requiring that window replacement be included in the property's Mills Act 10-year improvement plan.

Current owners David Manning and Nyle Kanda, who purchased the home from Barbara Havens before her death, told the board they had already planned to replace the windows. "We bought it from Mrs. Havens because she really wanted to find a buyer who loved the house," Manning said. "We've also applied for the Mills Act."

The window debate spilled into the board's final agenda item: a workshop on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit chain link fencing on all historic properties in Riverside, including city landmarks, structures of merit, historic districts and neighborhood conservation areas. The proposal originated with Councilmember Falcone, who brought it to the city's Land Use Committee in February. The committee asked the CHB for feedback before the item proceeds to the Planning Commission.

Watson told the board the existing citywide residential historic district design guidelines already bar visible chain link fencing in Riverside's 13 historic districts for new installations. The proposed ordinance would extend that prohibition to all designated historic properties and to neighborhood conservation areas.

Homeowner Anna Gaissert, who had earlier testified in support of Edie's landmark designation, returned to the podium to oppose the chain link ordinance, arguing that the ban conflates aesthetics with historic preservation and would impose a disproportionate financial burden on working-class homeowners. "Prohibiting chain link fences confuses aesthetics with historic preservation," she said, noting that chain link has been part of the American built environment for more than a century. Two additional written comments in opposition were submitted by eComment before the meeting.

Board members raised questions about grant availability, enforcement timelines and whether homeowners who currently have chain link fences would be required to remove them. Watson confirmed existing fences would not need to be replaced; the ordinance would only apply to new fence installations or replacements.

In a chain link fence workshop memorandum, it was noted that the Land Use Committee discussed the potential to “work with local advocacy groups, like the Old Riverside Foundation, to provide grants for the replacement of existing chain link fences.”

The Old Riverside Foundation provides a limited fund of Restoration Grants to qualifying homeowners, with typically four or five households chosen.

However, a spokesperson for the foundation told the Gazette that as of June 22, they “haven’t been approached by the city with any details regarding funding the installation of historically appropriate fencing.”

The board provided informal feedback for the Land Use Committee but took no vote, as the item was a workshop only.

The CHB also discussed a public comment request from community member Nancy Parrish, who asked the board and the Historic Preservation Officer to consider requiring building permits for window replacements in homes over 50 years old. Watson said staff could explore a future educational workshop on the topic, potentially featuring a local window restoration expert.

The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at 3:30 p.m. in the Art Pick Council Chamber at City Hall, 3900 Main Street.