Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 20.10 Authority and Responsibilities

Pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII of the City Charter, a Cultural Heritage Board has been created by the City Council. The Board shall be composed of nine members appointed by the Mayor and the City Council. Board members shall have the duties and functions set forth in this title.

A. All members must have a prior demonstrated interest, competence, or knowledge of historic preservation.

B. No less than two members should be professionals in architecture, history, architectural history, planning, prehistoric and historic archaeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, landscape architecture, urban planning, American studies, American civilization or cultural geography, to the extent that such professionals are available in the community.

C. The Board shall elect officers and establish its own rules and regulations which shall be consistent with the Charter, the City Council meeting rules, and this Code. The Planning Division shall provide the necessary staff and support to administer the activities of the Board. The Board shall keep a copy of its procedures with the Planning Division.

(Ord. 7108 §1, 2010; Ord. 6765 §1; 2004, Ord. 6566 §1, 2001; Ord. 6263 §1 (part), 1996)

A. The Cultural Heritage Board shall:

1. Make recommendations to the City Council regarding surveys of cultural resources within the City, in conformance with State Office of Historic Preservation survey standards and guidelines;

2. Recommend to the City Council the designation of Landmarks, Historic Districts, Structures or Resources of Merit, and any additional matters pursuant to the provisions of this title;

3. Have discretionary authority to review and approve applications and actions to alter, relocate or demolish cultural resources pursuant to the provisions of this title;

4. Hear appeals from the Historic Preservation Officer or Qualified Designee's determinations on Administrative Certificates of Appropriateness or the Historic Preservation Fund Committee's recommendations;

5. Accept referrals from the Historic Preservation Officer or Qualified Designee;

6. Hear appeals taken from formal interpretations made by the Historic Preservation Officer or Qualified Designee;

7. Hear appeals from the Historic Preservation Fund Committee's recommendations;

8. Adopt standards including preservation guidelines to be used by the approval authority, as defined in this Title, in reviewing applications for permits to preserve, alter, relocate or demolish any cultural resource;

9. Work for the continuing education of the citizens of Riverside about the heritage of the City and its cultural resources;

10. At the direction of the City Council, seek means and resources to protect, retain and preserve cultural resources, such as suggesting legislation and seeking financial support from individuals and local, state and federal governments;

11. Consult with and advise the City Council about the Board's duties and functions;

12. Assume the responsibilities and duties assigned to it by the City Council under the Certified Local Government Provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; such as National Environmental Protection Act ("NEPA") and California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") compliance;

13. As part of the Board's CEQA review responsibilities, the Board shall identify and advise appropriate City departments and governmental entities of known historical, cultural and archaeological resources; assess and advise the City Council whether any proposed project would have an adverse effect on the significance of such Cultural Resources; and recommend to the City Council appropriate action in compliance with the City's adopted CEQA procedures; and

14. Encourage public participation in the Cultural Resources program to identify and inventory significant cultural resources in the City;

B. The Cultural Heritage Board may:

1. Recommend zoning and general plan amendments for cultural resources preservation;

2. Conduct an awards program to recognize and encourage public participation in Cultural Resource efforts; and

3. Nominate eligible City-owned cultural resources to the National Register of Historic Places, and encourage, advise, and guide persons in nominating cultural resources to the National Register of Historic Places.

4. By a consensus of the Board, request a workshop to discuss topics under the purview of this Title.

(Ord. 7657, § 2, 2024; Ord. 7206 §1, 2013; Ord. 7108 §1, 2010; Ord. 6765 §1; 2004, Ord. 6566 §1, 2001; Ord. 6263 §1 (part), 1996)

The Historic Preservation Officer or Qualified Designee, in concert with or at the direction of the Community and Economic Development Director, shall:

A. Provide professional support to the Board.

B. Administer the Cultural Resources program;

C. Manage the Boards Certificate of Appropriateness process;

D. Execute the Administrative Certificate of Appropriateness process;

E. Coordinate the activities with Riverside County, the State of California, and the federal government;

F. Compile and maintain a current inventory of all designated Cultural Resources and maintain a database of other properties as appropriate.

G. Advise the City Council on historic preservation easements, transfer of development rights, property tax incentives, or other Cultural Resource preservation mechanisms;

H. Assist and support the Board in meeting Certified Local Government requirements; and

I. Establish criteria for and provide a continuing comprehensive survey of Cultural Resources within the City, conforming with State Office of Historic Preservation Survey Standards and guidelines, and to publicize and periodically update the survey results.

J. Determine when Cultural Resource reports for specific projects are required for this title and/or CEQA.

(Ord. 7657, § 3, 2024; Ord. 7248 §1, 2014; Ord. 7206 §2, 2013; Ord. 7108 §1, 2010)