Below is the text of the letter from the AMAP Board to the City of Pacific Grove Building Official in opposition to the city's granting of an emergency demolition permit for the historic Eardley Pump Station #1, located at 260 Sinex Avenue in Pacific Grove. The 1920's pump house structure, located in the circular traffic island and owned by California-American Water, was on the city's Historic Resources Inventory.


July 2, 2014
City of Pacific Grove
Attn: John Kuehl, Building Official
300 Forest Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

 Re: Cal Am Pump Station #1 Notice to Demolish Structure

 Dear Mr Kuehl:

At their June 30, 2014 meeting, the Board of the Alliance of Monterey Area Preservationists  reviewed the public record surrounding the City of Pacific Grove's June 10, 2014 "Notice to Demolish Structure” for the Eardley Pump Station #1  in the circular traffic island at 260 Sinex Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA.

The structure was placed on the City of Pacific Grove's Historic Resources Inventory in November of 2004 by the City of Pacific Grove Historic Resources Committee where several members expressed concern regarding the lack of maintenance of the structure.

The Order states that the structure received substantial damage to the North-East end of the structure.  The last vehicle impact was in 2012, according to public record.

In their August 16, 2013 Structural Assessment Report, Howard Carter Associates, Inc. Structural Engineers, recounted the unrepaired condition of the structure, including reference to damage sustained based upon "reported accounts of a vehicle colliding into the building."

It is clear that California American Water, the building owner, has neglected the structure. Lack of basic maintenance and its decisions not to make repairs as needed to protect this historic structure are the direct cause of its current state.

The California Environmental Quality Act states per "Section 21060.3: "Emergency" means sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services. "Emergency" includes such occurrences as fire, flood, earthquake or help.  

 The "NOTICE" was dated almost ten months after the engineer's report and roughly two years since the last auto impact.

 Due to the lack of timely response to the cause of sudden damage, we believe that this matter does not qualify as an emergency and is not exempt from CEQA review.  Such review would ultimately define proper mitigation measures to be undertaken with regard to this historic structure. We hope you would concur with this evaluation and rescind this "NOTICE" in favor of a set of actions that will not only address the health and safety of the community while complying with State law, but will l also serve to preserve this historic structure.

 Respectfully,

 Mike Dawson, President
Alliance of Monterey Area Preservationists