To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MARC WIENER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT UPDATE WITH A SPECIFIC FOCUS ON POLICIES RELATED TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City's Historic Preservation Program was created to encourage property owners to participate in the recognition and preservation of local historic resources. Key features of the program include the voluntary owner nomination of properties for historic landmarking, Mills Act contracts that substantially reduce property taxes for homeowners, and requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations or demolition of designated landmarks or potential historic resources.
The City is in the process of updating the Land Use, Open Space & Conservation, Safety and Noise Elements of the General Plan. The draft Land Use Element Update includes policies pertaining to historic preservation. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on historic preservation policies prior to preparing the Land Use Element for final consideration.
BACKGROUND
The primary purpose of the City's Historic Preservation Program is to foster public appreciation of Redondo Beach's historical and architectural heritage. The Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC) specifies some of the following reasons for the program (RBMC 10-4.102):
* To safeguard the City's heritage by encouraging the protection of landmarks representing significant elements of its history.
* To foster civic and neighborhood pride and a sense of identity based on an appreciation of the City's past and the recognition and use of historic resources.
* To enhance the visual character of the City by preserving diverse architectural styles reflecting phases of the City's history and by encouraging complementary contemporary design and construction.
* To conserve valuable material and energy resources by ongoing use and maintenance of the existing built envir...
Click here for full text