Atherton Municipal Code Art. II Obtaining Historical Designation

• A. Preconditions to Listing. A building will only be considered for inclusion on the Atherton historical register, if one or more of the following is met:

  1. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  2. The building is listed on the California State Historical Landmarks, Points of Interest, and the California Register of Historical Resources.

  3. The building is determined to be of local significance by the city council.

• B. Determining Local Significance. The City Council may determine a building is of local significance if it can make any of the following findings with respect to the building:

  1. The building is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the town’s history;

  2. The building is associated with a person that played a significant role in the town’s history;

3. The building embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction, that have yielded or may be likely to yield information important in history or prehistory of the town; or

4. The building is listed as a historically significant building in the open space and conservation element of the general plan. (Ord. 652 § 1, 2022)

A. Application for Designation. Historic designation may only be sought by the owner of the property on which the proposed historic building is located. Applications must be accompanied by such documentation as may be required by the town planner to evaluate the criteria described in Section 8.15.200. Applications must also be accompanied by a fee as set by city council resolution.

B. Planning Commission Hearing. The planning commission will hold a public hearing on the application in accordance with Section 17.06.090. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the planning commission will make a recommendation to the city council whether to add the proposed building to the Atherton historical register.

C. City Council Hearing. Upon receipt of the planning commission recommendation, the city council will hold a public hearing on the application in accordance with Section 17.06.080. If the city council approves an application, such approval shall be made by resolution and be communicated to the Atherton heritage association. (Ord. 652 § 1, 2022)

• A. Methods of Removing Historical Designation

  1. Application for Removal. Removal of historic designation may be sought by the owner of the property on which the historic building is located. Applications must be accompanied by such documentation as may be required by the town planner. Applications must also be accompanied by a fee as set by city council resolution.

  2. Removal for Violation. Town staff may seek removal of historic designation where a violation of this chapter has resulted in damage to a historic building.

  3. Removal Following Destruction. Town staff may seek removal of historic designation where a historic building is destroyed, whether by accident or deliberate act.

B. City Council Hearing. Upon receipt of an application, the city council will hold a public hearing on the application in accordance with Section 17.06.090. If the city council approves an application, such approval shall be made by resolution and be communicated to the Atherton heritage association. (Ord. 652 § 1, 2022)