Spreckels Plans Presented to Commission

If publicity surrounding has been a trial balloon, the response Wednesday left Scott Aurich encouraged. 

First of all, of the speakers who appeared at the Historic Resources Commission meeting, one was opposed to the plan. Secondly, only five people showed, a development Aurich believes shows the plan is not controversial, especially .

“The spin was favorable,” he said, adding, that “the City Council will have an easier time approving this than they did the other plans."

The five commissioners did not reveal much, however. Harry Denardi supported the plans, but he warned Aurich, “this is a mountain you have to climb and it has a slippery slope.”

There were many code issues that would have to be addressed and Denardi wanted the applicants to provide a performance bond, an estimate of when the project would be completed.

“I don’t want this to become a token in somebody’s marketing effort,” he explained.   

Susan Keith, a former member of the commission, raised the marketing issue during public comments, but it's one that Aurich himself has brought up – after two infamous deaths in the Spreckels mansion last year, owner to are desperately trying to shift the narrative. 

“I understand why he needs a marketing tool for this house. He wants to change the story,” Keith said. 

Aurich asked the commission to hold a preliminary hearing to gauge community reaction to removing the tiled roof atop the mansion and replacing it with a flat roof that reflects architect Harrison Albright's aesthetic. 

The prominent Realtor also has been meeting with preservation leaders in Coronado and San Diego. Mayor Casey Tanaka has been apprised of the plans as well; he expressed reservations.

“We want to flush out and mitigate any concerns,” Aurich said.

Once Aurich has a sense that there is broad community support for the idea, Shacknai, the applicant, will request a formal hearing and submit plans.

The tile roof was added when the cottage was expanded in 1911. It is the roofline with which most residents and tourists are familiar. 

“For 100 years we’ve looked at this house with that roofline,” Keith said.

Aurich also wants to keep the original windows, and not install the French doors the commission approved for Shacknai last year, . He , three months after the tragedies.

But Commissioner Laura Crenshaw reminded Aurich that those changes were unanimously approved by the panel. 

Others expressed support for the idea. Preservationist Story Vogel thought it was “fine idea” and Doug St. Denis called it “intriguing.”

Though the owner's group has yet to secure permission for their changes to the mansion roof, the site has been given over to work crews for weeks. They are working on the home's interior and attempting to restore or rebuild original woodwork.