Cathedral City Municipal Code Art. 5 Procedures for Removal or Downgrading of Historic Designation

The procedures contained in this article shall apply if a property owner seeks to have a historic site designation approved by the city council pursuant to this chapter removed from their property, or having its designation as a Class 1 or 2 historic site downgraded. The city council does not have the authority to remove a historic designation approved by any other governmental agency or body.

(Ord. 865 § 2, 2022)

The owner of property, or their authorized representative, may submit an application to remove the designation of their property, or a portion thereof, as a historic site, or to have their property's historic site class downgraded. Application shall be made upon such forms as may be required by the city, and the application shall be accompanied by such application fee as may be established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 865 § 2, 2022)

Upon receipt of a complete application by the property owner pursuant to this article, city staff shall conduct or cause to be conducted such surveys, studies or investigations as it deems necessary to determine whether the subject property qualifies for a historic site designation. The applicant shall pay for all costs associated with such surveys, studies or investigations.

(Ord. 865 § 2, 2022)

The historic preservation committee shall hold a public hearing to recommend to the city council whether property shall be have its designation as a historic site (Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3) removed, or downgraded. Notice of the public hearing shall be given as provided in Section 8.62.140. The committee's recommendation shall be based upon findings, supported by substantial evidence in the record, that the property does not meet any of the criteria for a historic site designation, as listed in the definition of historic site in Section 8.62.020(A) through (G). If the committee finds that the property still meets the criteria for historic site designation, it shall also make a finding as to whether the property meets the criteria for a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 historic site designation.

(Ord. 865 § 2, 2022)

Upon receipt of a recommendation from the historic preservation committee, the city council shall hold a public hearing to consider the recommendation and determine whether to remove the designation as a historic site (Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3), downgrade the designation. Notice shall given in the same manner and to the same persons as required for the public hearing before the historic preservation committee. The city council's determination shall be based upon findings, supported by substantial evidence in the record, that the property does not meet any of the criteria for a historic site designation, as listed in the definition of historic site in Section 8.62.020(A) through (G). If the council finds that the property still meets the criteria for historic site designation, it shall also make a finding as to whether the property meets the criteria for a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 historic site designation.

(Ord. 865 § 2, 2022)

The decision of the city council shall be adopted by resolution. If the council removes the historic site designation, from and after the adoption of such resolution the property shall no longer be subject to the rules and regulations governing the demolition, preservation, rehabilitation or alteration of historic sites. A copy of the resolution shall be recorded in the records of the Riverside County clerk-recorder against the property.

(Ord. 865 § 2, 2022)