Whittier Municipal Code Art. II Designation of Historic Landmarks and Districts

A historic resource shall be designated a historic landmark if the council finds that it meets the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources; or meets one or more of the following criteria:

A. It is particularly representative of a distinct historical period, type, style, region or way of life;

B. It is connected with someone renowned, important, or a local personality;

C. It is connected with a use that was once common, but is now rare;

D. It represents the work of a master builder, engineer, designer, artist or architect whose individual genius influenced his/her age;

E. It is the site of an important historic event or is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or city;

F. It exemplifies a particular architectural style;

G. It exemplifies the best remaining architectural type of a neighborhood;

H. It embodies elements of outstanding attention to architectural or engineering design, detail, material or craftsmanship; or

I. It has a unique location, singular characteristic or is an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the city.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001: Ord. 2598 § 1(C), 1993; Ord. 2389 § 1 (part), 1986)

A neighborhood consisting primarily of historic resources, or the thematic grouping of same, shall be designated a historic district if the council finds that it meets one or more of the following criteria:

A. It meets the criteria for a historic landmark;

B. It contributes to the architectural, historic or cultural significance of an area, being a geographically definable area possessing a concentration of historic resources or a thematically related grouping of structures which contribute to each other and are unified by plan, style or physical development; or

C. It reflects significant geographical patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, particular transportation modes or distinctive examples of a park landscape, site design or community planning.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001)

Any person or group, including the city, may nominate a historic resource(s) for designation as a historic landmark or district by submitting an application to the planning department. Applications shall include, but are not limited to, submittal of the following:

A. Documentation indicating how the nominated resource satisfies the designation criteria;

B. Any other information determined to be necessary for review of the proposed work; and

C. Required filing fees, as set by council resolution. City initiated nominations are not subject to filing fees.

(Ord 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001)

A. Any improvement surveyed and identified by the city, in conformance with state survey standards and guidelines, and/or found to be worthy of consideration for designation by the majority vote of the commission and/or council at public hearing, shall be placed on the city's list of historic resources and shall be eligible for nomination.

B. The secretary may remove a resource from the eligibility list when he/she finds that it has lost all historical, architectural and/or cultural significance due to catastrophe, demolition or extensive alterations performed after the property was initially surveyed. Any request for removal from the eligibility list that does not meet the criteria listed in this subsection shall require review by the commission.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001)

A. Each application or city initiated proceeding for designation shall be considered by the commission at a public hearing. The secretary shall set the time and place of such hearing. Any such hearing may be continued from time to time.

B. Notice of the time, place and purpose of such hearing shall be given in writing by the secretary to the owners and occupants of the subject and adjacent properties. To include all properties within one hundred feet of the property boundary, and at a minimum, fourteen properties surrounding the project, whichever is greater:

1. For typical lots, two properties on either side of a subject parcel, five properties behind and five properties across the street from a project.

2. For corner lots, two properties on interior side of a subject parcel, three properties in front and behind and five properties across the opposite street from a project.

3. For unusual circumstances, the director of community development shall have the ability to modify the notification requirements.

C. Following the hearing, the commission shall recommend to the council approval or disapproval of the proposal for designation.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001)

(Ord. No. 3019, § 4, 3-25-14)

The sole authority to designate a historic resource as a historic landmark or district shall be vested in the council, in accordance with the following:

A. Within ten days of the recommendations, the secretary shall send a copy to the clerk. The clerk shall set a hearing at which the council shall consider the recommendation of the commission. The applicant and owner of the property shall be given notice of the time and place of the council hearing at least ten days prior to the hearing date, together with a copy of the commission's recommendation to the council.

B. Following the hearing referred to in Section 18.84.100, the council shall adopt or reject the designation recommended by the commission. In the alternative, the council may continue its consideration of the matter, or refer the proposed designation to the commission for further consideration within a period of time designated by the council.

C. Adoption of the designation of a historic resource shall be made by resolution.

D. Within ten days of the council's decision, notice thereof shall be mailed by the clerk to the applicant and record owner of the property proposed for designation.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001: Ord. 2598 § 1(C), 1993; Ord. 2389 § 1 (part), 1986)

Resolutions adopting designations of historic resources shall collectively be known as the local official register of historic resources. the local official register shall be kept on file with the secretary, who shall transmit copies to the clerk, the director of building and safety, the director of public works, the executive director of the city of Whittier Museum, the president of the Whittier historical society, and the main branch of the city of Whittier library.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001: Ord. 2389 § 1 (part), 1986)

When a listed historic resource has been demolished pursuant to the provisions of this code, the secretary, upon notice thereof, shall cause such structure to be deleted from the local official register. upon such deletion, the provisions of this chapter shall have no further application to such property.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001: Ord. 2389 § 1 (part), 1986)

The commission shall take appropriate steps to notify all public agencies and public utilities which own or may acquire property, including easements and public rights-of-way in the city, of the existence of historic landmarks and historic districts.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001: Ord. 2389 § 1 (part), 1986)

The provisions of a disposition and development agreement or owner participation agreement, approved and entered into by the city of Whittier redevelopment agency, may contain provisions superseding the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 2785 Exh. A (part), 2001: Ord. 2389 § 1 (part), 1986)