Rancho P.V. : Replica Wallace Home OKd

When radio buffs visit the home of radio pioneer Don Wallace Sr. at a park built in his honor, it will be a replica of his old, rambling ranch-style home rather than the original.

By a 3-2 vote, the City Council decided that the original structure, on property to be developed at Armaga Spring and Highridge roads, is too fragile to be moved and must be destroyed, with the possible exception of a fireplace. If “humanly possible,” the fireplace will be moved and become part of a replica of the Wallace home, which will be built by the owner of the property, Wallace Ranch Associates, at the northeast corner of the 24.1-acre parcel.

Wallace died in 1985 and his heirs sold the large parcel, cluttered with numerous radio antennas, to Wallace Ranch Associates, which has plans to build 82 homes there.

In February, when Wallace Ranch Associates was given approval to develop the property, one of the conditions of approval was that a park be dedicated that incorporated the Wallace home and some of Wallace’s radio equipment. This week’s vote amends those conditions.