Redlands Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions

This chapter shall be known as the HISTORIC AND SCENIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE OF THE CITY. (Ord. 1954 § 1, 1986)

The city finds, determines and declares:

A. The state legislature of California has recognized the value of identifying, protecting, and preserving places, buildings, structures and other objects of historical, aesthetic, and cultural importance and has empowered cities to adopt regulations and incentives for the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of such places, buildings, structures and other objects;

B. The city possesses many distinctive places, structures, and neighborhoods; beautiful trees, gardens and streetscapes; public parks, scenic areas and urban design features (all herein referred to as "resources") that enhance its value as an attractive and delightful community in which to live and work;

C. Certain of these resources are of cultural, aesthetic or historical significance and value because of age, architectural style, aesthetic appeal, or association with local history;

D. By preserving these resources Redlands shall contribute to the livability and beauty of the community, stimulate economic revitalization, foster architectural creativity, increase neighborhood stability and conservation; reinforce the distinctive character of the community, add to the community's understanding of its history and connection with the life and values of the past; and ensure that Redlands' cultural, historical and architectural heritage will be imparted to future generations;

E. Shifts in population and in the economy, changes in the way people live and changes in land use threaten to destroy these irreplaceable and desirable resources. Construction and alterations of inferior quality and appearance are also a threat;

F. The adoption of reasonable and fair regulations is necessary as a means of recognition, documentation, preservation and maintenance of resources of cultural, aesthetic or historical significance. This chapter is intended to carry out the goals and policies of the historic and scenic preservation element of the Redlands general plan. (Ord. 1954 § 2, 1986)

As used in this chapter:

ADAPTIVE REUSE: Converting a building to a use other than that for which it was designed.

ALTERATION: Any permanent exterior change in a historic resource.

APPLICANT: Any person who applies for designation of a nominated resource or for a certificate of appropriateness or certificate of hardship.

ARCHEOLOGY: The study of ancient peoples and customs as shown by monuments, sites, implements, inscriptions and relics.

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS: The permit granted after review by the historic and scenic preservation commission of applications to alter, demolish, move, or subdivide a historic resource or for new construction on the site of a historic resource.

CERTIFICATE OF HARDSHIP: A permit to alter, move or subdivide granted by the historic and scenic preservation commission because of extreme privation or adversity and in accordance with the procedure and findings in this chapter.

COMMISSION: Refers to the historic and scenic preservation commission.

CONTRIBUTOR: A historic resource in a designated or pending historic district, as defined in this chapter, which was built within the period of significance and/or retains enough historic integrity to contribute to the overall character and significance of other buildings and structures within the historic district which are unified aesthetically by plan or physical development.

DAY: Calendar day, including all weekend days and holidays.

DEMOLITION: The act or process of wrecking or destroying, specifically destruction of a historic resource or a major portion of a historic resource, including natural features, trees, agricultural areas as well as exterior architectural features.

DESIGN GUIDELINES: Principles contained in a document which illustrate appropriate and inappropriate methods of rehabilitation and construction. The purpose of using design guidelines is to help decision making with regard to retaining the scale, pattern and historical character of a structure or district. Design guidelines are contained in the book entitled, "City Of Redlands Historic And Scenic Preservation Design Manual".

DESIGNATION: The act of selecting in accordance with the criteria in this chapter a historic resource for official city status as significant by the historic and scenic preservation commission and the city council.

DISTRICT: A general term referring to historic and/or scenic and urban conservation districts.

HISTORIC AND/OR SCENIC DISTRICT: A significant neighborhood, agricultural or passive recreational open space, an enclave or collection of historical buildings, the majority of which are fifty (50) years old or older and are contributors to the district, that may have been part of one settlement, architectural period, or era of development. A historic and scenic district has both historic and scenic value.

HISTORIC PROPERTY: A separate structure or site fifty (50) years old or older that has significant historic, architectural, or cultural value but is not a landmark.

HISTORIC RESOURCE: A general term that refers to areas, districts, streets, places, buildings, structures, outdoor works of art, natural or agricultural, cultural, archeological, architectural, community or aesthetic value and are fifty (50) years old or older.

INTRUSION: A building or structure that does not fit into and detracts from a historic area because of inappropriate scale, materials, landscaping or other such characteristics.

LANDMARK: A building, site, or area with exceptional importance or character or exceptional historical or aesthetic interest or value as a part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the city, state, or nation.

NOMINATED RESOURCES: Those structures, buildings, places, urban design features and other objects that have been identified in a preliminary survey prepared by the commission.

NON-CONTRIBUTOR: A resource in a designated or pending historic district that was either not built within the historic district's period of significance or does not retain enough historic integrity to contribute to the overall character and significance of the historic district.

PRELIMINARY SURVEY: An informal determination by the commission that a resource is of potential significance as a historic resource. Such resources are to be kept on a list by the historic and scenic preservation commission.

PRESERVATION OFFICER: The person designated by the administrator of the community development department to serve as staff to the historic and scenic preservation commission and to coordinate Redlands' historic preservation programs.

REGISTER OF HISTORIC AND SCENIC RESOURCES: The official city list of all designated historic resources.

SURVEY: The accepted method of systematically studying historic resources. It includes a physical description and a photograph of each historic resource, legal information from title or assessment records, statements of significance according to the criteria in this chapter and a statement of any threat to the integrity or continued existence of the resource. The information for each resource is recorded on a survey sheet.

URBAN CONSERVATION DISTRICT: A residential or commercial neighborhood, a majority of whose buildings are fifty (50) years old or older and are contributors to the district, which the city wishes to maintain and revitalize although it contains a significant proportion of non- contributor properties. (Ord. 2899 §2, 2019: Ord. 1954 §3, 1986)

A historic and scenic preservation commission is authorized to make recommendations, decisions, and determinations concerning the designation, preservation, protection, enhancement and perpetuation of these historical, scenic and cultural resources which contribute to the culture and aesthetic values of the city. (Ord. 1954 § 4, 1986)

The regulations set out in sections 2.62.060 through 2.62.090 of this article shall apply to the membership and organization of the historic and scenic preservation commission. (Ord. 1954 § 5, 1986)

The historic and scenic preservation commission shall consist of seven (7) members. (Ord. 2142 § 2, 1990: Ord. 1954 § 5(a), 1986)

Six (6) members of the commission shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council from city residents at large who have demonstrated that they have knowledge of and long standing interest in the preservation of historic resources. Current members shall continue to serve their terms. (Ord. 2142 § 3, 1990: Ord. 1954 § 5(b), 1986)

One member of the commission shall be the archivist curator of the Redlands A.K. Smiley public library. (Ord. 2491 § 18, 2002: Ord. 1954 § 5(c), 1986)

Members of the commission appointed from the Redlands citizens at large shall serve for terms of four (4) years. (Ord. 1954 § 5(d), 1986)

The regulations set out in sections 2.62.110 through 2.62.150 of this article shall govern the procedural matters of the historic and scenic preservation commission. (Ord. 1954 § 6, 1986)

The commission shall, at its first regular meeting in January, elect a chairperson and such other officers as the commission may deem advisable. (Ord. 1954 § 6(a), 1986)

The historic and scenic preservation commission shall adopt such rules and regulations for its own organization as are necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of sections 2.62.100 through 2.62.150 of this article, and shall designate the time and place for the meetings of the commission. (Ord. 1954 § 6(b), 1986)

The historic and scenic preservation commission shall keep records of all its actions and proceedings and shall have regular meeting dates. Meetings shall be tape recorded; tapes shall be kept for at least twelve (12) weeks. (Ord. 1954 § 6(c), 1986)

The members of the historic and scenic preservation commission of the city shall serve without monetary compensation. (Ord. 1954 § 6(d), 1986)

The powers and duties of the historic and scenic preservation commission are as follows:

A. Conduct or cause to be conducted a survey of structures, buildings, places, scenic areas, urban design features, and objects (resources) for the purpose of identifying those of cultural, aesthetic or historical significance;

B. Recommend, in accordance with the criteria set forth in sections 2.62.160 through 2.62.190 of this chapter, the designation of landmarks, historic properties, historic and scenic districts, and urban conservation districts to the city council;

C. Compile and maintain a list of nominated resources and a current local register of all properties designated as historic resources;

D. Approve, approve conditionally, or deny applications for certificates of appropriateness and certificates of hardship for designated or nominated resources pursuant to sections 2.62.200 through 2.62.230 of this chapter;

E. Review and send comments to the appropriate commission about proposed general plan and zoning text and map changes, municipal improvements, and housing and redevelopment plans that have bearing on the protection, maintenance and enhancement of designated or nominated resources;

F. Endeavor to promote public interest in and understanding of historic, cultural and aesthetic resources and their preservation;

G. Consult with and advise public officials and agencies; civic, educational, professional and other agencies; and with citizens generally in relation to the preservation of these resources and to serve as liaison between the city and historical organizations;

H. Undertake educational programs and activities in order to teach community members methods to maintain and rehabilitate Redlands' historic resources;

I. Advise the city council regarding easements, other less than fee interest in property, and development agreements for the purposes of preservation of resources;

J. Seek out information and advise the city council regarding the availability and utilization of gifts or special funds from federal, state and private sources;

K. Make recommendations to the city council in order to provide technical expertise necessary to carry on the functions of the commission;

L. From time to time to issue commendations to owners of historic resources who have rehabilitated their property in an exemplary manner;

M. Ensure that historic preservation is coordinated with other city activities;

N. Acquire facade easements and monitor them;

O. Submit a budget to the city council and make recommendations regarding the hiring of staff. (Ord. 1954 § 7, 1986)