Historic Sonoma homes look for new life as vacation rentals

Historic Sonoma homes on West Napa St. look for new life as vacation rentals|

Remodeling has begun on historic bungalows on West Napa Street, just a block from the Sonoma Plaza, with the goal of creating three new vacation rentals in the downtown district that will 'reflect what historic Sonoma was intended to look like,' according to the developer.

Michael D. Marino, who purchased the property in 2013 that once housed the offices of the Sonoma Sun and KSVY radio and television studios, has several other vacation rental properties in town, but is focused on restoration of the turn-of-the-century character of the three houses, one of which has historical designation from the city of Sonoma.

The Hawker Home, at 158 W. Napa St., was built around the turn of the 20th century, and though it's been modified inside and out several times, it still retains its historic character and requires the least remodeling of the three.

The other two houses, at 164 and 172, were built somewhat later, between 1912 and 1924, but were passed over for historic status in 2002.

Marino, who has lived in Sonoma most of his life, is not deterred. 'We're going through design review on some ideas on how to make the other two look a little bit better,' he told the Index-Tribune. 'Our goal is to create what Sonoma would have looked like in the early 1900s, between 1900 and 1920.'

Although the two lots are in the historic downtown district, according to Senior Planner Rob Gjestland they are zoned commercial – which means they can be converted to vacation rentals according to City of Sonoma regulations.

'Vacation rentals are a conditionally permitted use in the Commercial zone per our Development Code,' said Gjestland, adding that conditional use permits are 'subject to review and approval of a Use Permit by the Planning Commission rather than simply being allowed as of right.'

The Planning Commission did review Marino's conditional use application in March 2014. After lengthy discussion on vacation rental policy they approved his application, and decided not to change present vacation rental policy.

While only two vacation rentals are allowed on any city lot, the three buildings Marino is working on are on two lots. He has also considered building a small multi-room guest house at the back the properties, but is focused on the restoration of the current buildings first.

The Hawker Home is considered a historic resource, and may be eligible for listing on the Historic Register. A historic resource inventory, prepared by the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation in 1979, notes its 'Jacobean Revival and Colonial Revival influences' and calls it 'one of a kind and rare in the City of Sonoma.'

Ironically, though the Sonoma Sun had its newspaper offices here for about 10 years, from its founding in 2004, its original owner was publisher of a local newspaper, the Sonoma Valley Expositor.

The Expositor published from 1890 to 1912, when it merged with the Sonoma County Herald, edited by another 'historic home' owner, William Hooker.

In more recent years, when the Sun and the radio-TV stations were located there, it was informally called 'Media Gulch' by employees.

Marino purchased the property in late 2013, after the media companies had left and the property was in foreclosure. His plans for remodeling were put on hold for about a year, due to an employee's illness, but as February began he and a crew began the project by demolishing unsafe and non-consequential structures on the properties.

First up is the historic Hawker Home. 'Now that we've got the inside opened up,' he said, 'you can see what was old and what was new, and all the things that people have unfortunately done to it over the years. '

With the remodels planned for the Hawker Home, and the more extensive work work needed for the other two, Marino expects the entire project to take about a year.

'The idea is to make them look like they were built back in the early 1900s, that's really what we're shooting for.'

Gjestland is among those looking forward to the remodeling, and is glad to see the once-vacant houses show some life.

'They sat like that for quite a bit of time, so we're hoping that ultimately the renovation and the upgrades improve the streetscape. '

Contact Christian at christian.kallen@sono manews.com

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