Duarte : Relocation of House Nixed
The City Council Tuesday unanimously rejected a plan to relocate a 97-year-old Queen Anne house from its present location in Monrovia to a lot near the City of Hope.
The owner of the lot, which is at 1412 Duarte Road, requested permission to demolish an existing single-story home to make way for the Queen Anne house.
Council members expressed concern that the 1 1/2 story structure, while a beautiful example of the architectural style, was incompatible with the neighborhood, which is zoned for apartments and condominiums.
The council’s decision came after a public hearing in which many residents living near the property spoke in favor of the project.
Property owner Leonard Aten, who also owns the Queen Anne home, has been trying to win city approval for its relocation for about a year.
Aten, who currently lives in Santa Ana, said he planned to live in the house while restoring it.
Although the Planning Commission in October unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the project, Aten contested a requirement that he construct a two-car garage behind the house.
Instead, Aten proposed a single parking space to leave room for a rear service porch.
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