Chapter 23.06 — HISTORICAL RESOURCES

This chapter shall be known as the “Placentia Historical Resources Ordinance.” (Ord. O-2015-01 § 3, 2015)

The purpose of this chapter is to ensure the appropriate evaluation and preservation of sites, buildings, or structures that embody the heritage, history, and culture of the city. (Ord. O-2015-01 § 3, 2015)

“Administrator” shall mean the city administrator of the city of Placentia or designee.

“Alteration” means any change, modification, or demolition, through public or private action, to the character-defining or significant physical features of properties affected by this chapter. In the case of historical resources that are buildings or structures, “alteration” shall include changes to the exterior unless otherwise designated per the permit approval or per the requirements of the United States Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Such changes may be: changes to, or modifications of, structural or architectural details, or visual characteristics; grading; surface paving; the addition of new structures; the cutting or removal of designated trees, landscapes or other natural features; the disturbance of archaeological sites or areas; or the placement or removal of any significant objects such as signs, plaques, light fixtures, street furniture, walls, fences, steps, plantings, or landscape accessories affecting the significant visual and/or historical qualities of the historical resource.

“Historical resource” means a resource listed in, or determined to be eligible by the State Historical Resources Commission for listing in, the California Register of Historical Resources (California Public Resources Code Section 5024.1 , Title 14 California Code of Regulations, Section 4850, et seq.).

“Improvement” means any building, structure, fence, gate, wall, landscaping, planted tree, work of art, or other manmade physical feature of real property, or any part of such feature which is not a

natural feature.

“Natural feature” means any naturally-occurring tree, plant life, habitat, geographical or geological site or feature, but does not include improvements.

“Permit” means a permit issued by the planning commission or the city council, as the case may be, authorizing the alteration/demolition of an historic resource.

“Person” shall mean and include any natural person, property owner, or occupant; association, company, corporation or other legal entity; local, city, county, or federal agency holding or possessing legal or equitable title in and to the historical resource and property.

“Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties” means the guidelines prepared by the United States National Park Service for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings and the standards for historic preservation projects prepared by the National Park Service with the most current Guidelines for Applying the Standards. (Ord. O-2015-01 § 3, 2015)

No permit for the demolition, substantial alteration or relocation of any historical resource shall be issued, and no historical resource shall be demolished, substantially altered or relocated without first referring the matter to the planning commission, except where the building official or the city engineer determines that demolition, relocation or substantial alteration of any historical resource is immediately necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or general welfare. (Ord. O-2015-01 § 3, 2015)

Any person seeking to demolish, substantially alter or relocate an historical resource shall apply for a permit therefor with the administrator and pay the fee established by city council resolution. The permit application, including any appeal thereof, shall be processed in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 23.87 of the Placentia Municipal Code (Use Permits). The applicant shall pay the requisite deposit to permit the evaluation of the application pursuant to the provisions of CEQA, 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15064.5 .

• (a) The commission shall base a determination on the approval of a permit for the substantial alteration of an historical resource on each of the following:

  • (1) The substantial alteration, including additional buildings on a site containing multiple buildings with a unified use, complies with the standards for rehabilitation approved by the United States Secretary of the Interior; and

  • (2) Whether the substantial alteration protects and preserves the historic and architectural qualities and the physical characteristics that make the site, building, or structure an historical resource; and

  • (3) Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, California Public Resources Code Section 21000 , et seq.

• (b) The Commission shall base its determination on the approval of a permit for the demolition or removal of any historical resource on the following:

  • (1) A report regarding the structural soundness of the building or structure and its suitability for continued use, renovation, restoration or rehabilitation from a licensed engineer or architect who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards as

established by the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61 , as the same may be amended from time to time. Said report shall be based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Architectural and Engineering Documentation with Guidelines, as amended; and

• (2) Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Section 21000 , et seq.

• (Ord. O-2015-01 § 3, 2015)