WHAT: Next Tuesday, September 13 at 2pm, the City Council will consider appealing the historic designation of the Lund House, 1036 Madison Avenue (at New York) in University Heights.
BACKGROUND: Point Loma resident Carolyn Kutzke wants to appeal the historical designation of the “Lund House” (approved by the City’s Historical Resources Board in March 2011). After remodeling the property without authorized city permits and significantly altering the historic features of the house, Kutzke wants the City Council to reverse the historic designation.
Prior to designation of the home, Kutkze began remodeling and altering its historic features, despite advice from numerous preservationists, historians and architects that the house would probably be designated by the city. She proceeded anyway and now has pleaded her case to various community groups, claiming that the house should no longer be considered historic, precisely because of all the alterations she made to it. Ms Kutkze would like her neighbors and the public to think that she is just a well-intentioned homeowner who wants to improve the value of her property and the neighborhood.The facts of the matter reveal quite a different agenda.
Kutzke originally bought the property with plans to demolish or relocate the Lund House in order to accommodate another historic property currently located in Hillcrest on the Scripps Mercy Hospital campus and given to her by the hospital. The Henry B. Jones home at 4040 Fifth Avenue, one of few remaining in William Wesley Whitson’s original “Hillcrest” subdivision.
The Hillcrest History Guild and the University Heights Historical Society both support retaining the designation of the Lund House and keeping the historic Jones house in Hillcrest, now 104 years old. Once part of University Heights (celebrating 123 years), our two communities share a long and fascinating history, and we are fortunate to have retained what’s left of our historic community character.However, as the city shifts its focus from development of the suburban areas to infill in older urban neighborhoods, it is more important than ever for property owners to respect the city processes designed to protect our historic architectural heritage.
You may take action in one or more ways: 1. Attend the 9/13 meeting next Tuesday afternoon and voice your opinion. 2. Call Councilman Gloria’s office at (619) 236-6633, email him or submit a Public Commit online. 3. Email all members of the City Council 4. Please copy any emails to uhhs@att.net. 5.Forward this web page to all your friends and neighbors and ask them to do the same. Please send a strong message that our communities value structures and landscaping that make up the fabric of University Heights, Hillcrest, Bankers Hill and Mission Hills, and that respect should be given when restoring structures 45 years or older by going through the appropriate City process.
