Historical Resources Committee

The function of the Historical Resources Committee shall be to make recommendations to the Architectural Review Committee, Planning Commission and/or Community Development Director regarding the administration of the provisions of Title 16 of the Municipal Code, whenever applicable, in a manner that will:

• Be consistent with the requirements of the General Plan and of Title 16;
• Be consistent with requirements outlined in Section 2.21.090 of the Municipal Code.

The Committee shall prepare, review and recommend appropriate historical preservation criteria, standards and guidelines, subject to Planning Commission and City Council approval. Criteria, standards and guidelines are to be set forth in pictorial and/or narrative form. The committee shall periodically review these criteria, standards and guidelines and may make recommendations for appropriate amendments.

The Committee shall make itself available to advise and assist the architectural review committee, planning commission and director in the application of its historical preservation criteria standards and guidelines for projects during schematic and development stages.

The Committee shall review and make recommendations to the architectural review committee, planning commission and/or director regarding applications for architectural review, pursuant to the development code, unless the ARC or the director certifies that the nature of the work is minor or incidental and need not be reviewed by the committee. When, in the opinion of the director, applications for projects other than architectural or sign review may create an architectural impact contrary to the objectives of this chapter,the committee may review the application prior to the planning commission and/or city council hearings.

The Committee shall have the authority to review and approve plans pursuant to specific conditions of project approval imposed by the planning commission or city council.

The Committee may nominate places, properties, structures or areas which they recommend be considered for local, state or national historical designation or considered as important setting or contributing to the historic character of their environs.

The Committee shall promulgate and publish such standards as are necessary to supplement the provisions of this chapter to inform property owners, tenants and the general public of those standards of review by which applications for development permits are to be judged. Any such standards shall be approved by the city council.

Guiding Purposes in Reviewing Projects

In reviewing potential designations, the committee shall be guided by the following purposes and intent:

• To ensure consistency with the general plan and compliance with the provisions of Title 16 of this code;
• Promote the designation, preservation, restoration, safety and use of historic structures to enrich the lives of future generations, providing opportunities to enjoy and learn about the community's history;
• Improve the local economy by attracting tourism and other business to the community;
• Foster a sense of community identity and pride;
• Stabilize and improve the economic value of historic properties and neighborhoods;
• Enhance the community's aesthetics, interest, and unique historic character;
• Encourage and provide incentives to property owners to preserve and restore historic properties, and to sensitively rehabilitate them for adaptive re-use when necessary.