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City Council Unanimously Upholds Designation of Bungalow Court
January/February 2018
By A. Hayes
 The City of San Diego Historical Resources Board (HRB) unanimously designated the Gordon B. Wells Bungalow Court Apartments, 1525-1537 Union Street, on August 24, 2017. This 1926 bungalow court is an excellent example of the Spanish Eclectic style and is the notable work of Master Builder Allen H. Hilton (Criteria C and D, respectively). (Read the HRB staff report)
Prior to the August designation hearing, the HRB received a letter from an adjacent property owner stating this bungalow court should not be deemed historic under Criteria C or D. Further, the letter asserts that the designation would impact easement rights, which run along the southern portion of the property. (Read the appeal application)
While it is not true that an easement could be affected by a historical designation (and this issue is beyond HRB purview), nonetheless, the neighbor decided to appeal the designation. However, the appeal lacked any supportive information to explain factual errors in materials or information presented to the Board, or any new information, which are the only grounds for an appeal.
At the December 5 hearing for the appeal, the appellant's legal team still did not present any errors or new information to the City Council, and instead requested a continuance until 2018, which would delay the owner's ability to enter into a Mills Act contract until 2019. However, the staff report recommends upholding the designation because no alternative documentation had been submitted. (Read the staff report)
Fortunately, Councilmember Chris Ward understood the request for a continuance was a delay tactic. After thanking the bungalow court's owner for saving a piece of San Diego history, he motioned to deny the appeal and uphold the historical designation. Councilmember Scott Sherman seconded the motion, noting that it is unusual for someone other than the resource's owner to appeal a designation. The Council passed the motion unanimously, affirming the historic significance of the Gordon B. Wells Bungalow Court Apartments.
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