Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout7593_CCv0001.pdf RESOLUTION NO. 7593 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS APPROVING THE APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION AGREEMENT FOR THE CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Congress under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, amended (16 U.S.C. 470), has authorized the establishment of a Certified Local Government program; and WHEREAS, the State of California, represented by the State Historic Preservation Officer, is responsible for the administration of the program within the state and the establishment of necessary rules and procedures governing the application by local agencies under the program; and WHEREAS the City of Redlands is eligible to apply, and qualifies, for Certified Local Government status through the enforcement of the Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance and other appropriate local and state legislation for the designation and protection of historic properties, the qualifications, duties, and authority of the Historic and Scenic Preservation Corrlrnission, the maintenance of a system for the survey and inventory of historic properties, and public participation in the historic preservation program; and WHEREAS, Certified Local Government status would qualify the City to receive state and federal preservation grants and valuable technical assistance; and WHEREAS, said adopted procedures established by the State of California require the applicant to certify by resolution of the local government's elected officials the approval of an application prior to submission of said application to the state; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The filing of an application for certification under the Certified Local Government Program is hereby approved; and Section 2. The Development Services Director, or authorized deputy, is hereby appointed as agent of the city to coordinate, process, and execute all contracts, agreements, amendments, and ancillary documents within the scope of the attached application for certification. Section 3. The Mayor is hereby appointed to execute all contracts, agreements, amendments, and ancillary documents within the scope of the attached application for certification upon review and approval by City Council. Lleclerk\Resolutions\Res 7500-7599\7593 Redlands CLG 12 15 15.doc ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 15'h day of December, 2015.QV 4 l. Paul W. Foster, Mayor ATTEST: Sam IrwillyNy Clerk L\cclerk\Resolutions\Res 7500-7599\7593 Redlands CLG 12 15 15.doe I, Sam Irwin, City Clerk of the City of Redlands, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on the 15t1i day of December, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmeinbers Gilbreath, Barich, James;Mayor Foster NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmember Harrison ABSTAIN: None E Sam Irwin, City Clerk 1:cclerk-\Resolu[ions�Res 7500-759917593 Redlands CLG 12 15 15-doe City of JON I AMOSON Maur Pm"I Cm REDLANDS PAIGIL►3REATH C'nunril MOmh,•r PAUL W. FOSE GR Mawr Incorporated 1888 PAI'I"BARICH 3S Callan Street. Redland,,. CA 92373 GILHICH %IC;IIhCI' 909-795-7533 jlk,,Ici(o CII\olre II mck.(�rL, JOHN F.JAMES Council Memhrr December 15, 2015 Ms. Lucinda Woodward Local Government Unit Office of Historic Preservation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 Dear Ms. Woodward: On behalf of the City of Redlands and its residents, I am very pleased to submit for your consideration this application for Certified Local Government (CLG) certification. Redlands conveys a strong sense of place and history, which is rooted in our rich agricultural and architectural heritage and still present in the character and charm of our natural and urban landscape. Sprung from vigorous grass-roots activity, the City's municipal historic preservation program encompasses a remarkable number and quality of resources that contribute to this rich historic fabric. Participation in the CLG program will be a momentous next step for historic preservation in our City. As Mayor, I am proud of our long tradition of community awareness and historic preservation and am committed to further preserving and revitalizing our historic resources, neighborhoods, commercial areas, and open spaces. With plans to develop historic contexts, update and conduct new surveys, enhance education and outreach, streamline preservation planning, improve data accessibility, and much more, the City of Redlands envisions a more comprehensive municipal program, as detailed in this application. I look forward to supporting additional responsibilities in historic preservation as our City becomes a CLG and to partnering with your office to ensure our efforts even more effective. The City of Redlands seeks to gain CLG certification in time to submit an application in the upcoming 2016-17 grant cycle, which would support our first priority as a CLG, the development of the Citywide Historic Context Statement. I hope we may soon announce Redlands' CLG status in the New Year. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, J� THE HONORABLE PAUL W. FOSTER Mayor, City of Redlands wI�EDI 7D6"ACYRTLOVous" Certification Application Checklist A complete certification application must include the following. X Transmittal letter signers by the Chief Elected Local Official forwarding all required documents. X Resolution adopted by the elected officials authorizing application for Certified Local Government status and specifying the name and title of the person authorized to sign program documents and agreements. X Completed certification application form and application attachments. X Resumes and commissioner qualifications forms for each of the members of the local historic preservation commission/board (Attachment 5). X Names, telephone numbers, resumes, and professional qualifications forms (when appropriate) for staff members responsible for administration of the historic preservation program for the local government(Attachment 6). X Organization charts for local government and for department that administers historic preservation program (Attachment 6). X If in progress or completed, evidence of cultural resources survey(s) performed in the community, with information on the progress and future intended uses of the survey (Attachments 1,2, and 3). X Copy of the local historic preservation legislation (Attachment 4). X Copy of the local historic preservation plan or element of the General Plan (Attachment 8), NOTE: Please read the Application Procedures carefully before completing the application. Applicants must submit one (1) original, signets application with complete attachments to: Local Government Unit Office of Historic Preservation 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 PO Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 (916) 653-6624 phone (916) 653-9824 fax Application for Certified Local Government Certification Applicant (attach general organization chart) Local Government City of Redlands Address 35 Cajon Street, Ste. 20, P.O. Box 3005, Redlands, CA 92373 Chief Elected Local Official Name Paul W. Foster Title Mayor Legislative Representatives (list names and district numbers) California Assembly Marc Steinorth (District 40) California Senate Mike Morrell(District 23) Representative Pete Aguilar(District 31) U.S, Congress Senator Dianne Feinstein Senator Barbara Boxer Local Government Contact Person(attach r6sume, professional qualifications form if appropriate, and departmental organization chart) Name Sean P. Kelleher Title Associate Planner Department Development Services Department, Planning Division Address 35 Cajon Street, Ste. 20, P.O. Sox 3005, Redlands, CA 92373 Telephone Number (909)798-7555 x7345 Fax Number (909)792-8715 Email Address skelleher@cityofrediands.org Resolution of Local Government (attach) Date Approved 12/15115 Authorized Presented by:Council Member Signature Seconded by: Council Member Local Commission/Board (attach current resume and professional qualification forms) Name of Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission CommissionfBoard Names and David Van Diest, Project Manager, HSPC Chair Professions of Shan McNaughton,AIA, HSPC Vice Chair Members Nathan Gonzales, PhD, Archivist& Curator Donn R. Grenda, PhD., RPA Kurt Heidelberg, Environmental Planner&Archaeologist Paige M. Peyton, PhD., RPA Alison Roedl, Sustainable Quality Control Manager Local Historic Preservation Ordinance or appropriate section(s) of municipal code (attach) Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance Name of Document (RMC Chapter 2.62; Attachment 4) Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission Ordinance RMC Chapter 2.24; Attachment 4 Date of Enactment 1986 Local Historic Preservation Plan or Historic Preservation Element of General Plan (attach) City Design and Preservation Element of the General Name of Document Plan Attachment 7 Date of Enactment October 1995 Local Government Assurance assure the State of California, Office of Historic Preservation, that this government shall comply with and fulfill all the requirements of the Certified Local Government program. 1 Paul W. Foster Signature of Chief Elected Local Official Printed Name of Chief Elected Local Official Mayor, City of Redlands December 15, 2015 Title Date ATTEST: Sam Irwi C ty Clerk Introduction The City of Redlands is proud to submit this application for Certified Local Government (CI-G) status, which evidences both an enduring and elevated commitment to historic preservation in the City. Home to approximately 70,000 people, the City of Redlands encompasses 36.43 square miles about 10 miles east of San Bernardino in the Inland Empire region of southern California. Redlands conveys a sense of place and history, which is rooted in its rich agricultural and architectural heritage and still present in the character and charm of its natural and urban landscape. With a remarkable number and duality of resources that contribute to a rich historic fabric, as well as vigorous grass-roots activity, the City of Redlands' historic preservation program was organically rooted and has grown from a long tradition of community awareness and action. Spurred by community interest and involvement, the City began tatting an inventory of its historic resources and established a Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission to advise on designation and protection of historic resources in the 1970s. The next decades saw additional survey work and the adoption of a historic preservation element and ordinance, which formed the basis for a municipal program housed in the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. In 2009, the City of Redlands was officially designated a Preserve America Community under a multi-agency, 2003 national initiative in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which recognizes communities that protect and celebrate their heritage, use historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourage the experience and appreciation of local historic resources through education and heritage tourism. Despite this honor, the City of Redlands' municipal preservation program has yet to reach its full potential. The City of Redlands now embarks on the maturation of municipal policy into a full-fledged historic preservation program to ensure the protection of significant historic resources and the streamlining of planning activities.As a Certified Local Government, the City anticipates a more comprehensive and consistent approach to historic preservation, greater awareness of Redlands history and its cultural assets, updated and expanded field surveys and coordination of preservation activities among City and community organizations, and greater support of City staff, volunteers, and the public through enhanced training, outreach, and educational programs on historic preservation. 1. Provide a narrative summary describing historic contexts developed and past and current historic resource survey activities, including type of survey (reconnaissance or intensive) and percentage of coverage of local jurisdiction. Additionally, provide information regarding future survey plans and how they will conform to the state and federal standards for surveys. Past Surveys The City of Redlands began taking an inventory of its historic resources in the early-19705. A state grant in 1978 led to the two-year documentation of 568 historic properties by the A.K. Smiley Library. A Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission was also established that year to advise the City Council in the designation and protection of historic resources. In 1985, the first Historic and Scenic Preservation Element of the General Plan was prepared and adopted, I and the A.K. Smiley Library Heritage Room was designated as the official City archives. Ordinances 1951 and 1954, adopted the following year, strengthened the protection of resources by formalizing the Commission and allowing designation without owner consent and authority to deny demolition. While some surrey records were completed in the early 1980s, these ordinances prompted another large-scale inventory effort known as the Redlands Historical Inventory Project. Approximately 1300 inventory forms, some of which updated a 1970s survey of the same property, were added to the City's growing survey record from the late-1980s to 1992 (Attachment 1). By June 1995, the City Council had approved the designation of 60 structures and 8 districts. As was common among many local cities at that time, dedicated community volunteers were involved in, or led, survey work, identified properties, streets, and areas for survey, and prepared nominations for historic and endangered properties to be listed as City Historic Resources and Landmarks. Many early efforts focused on individual properties, portions of streets, or small geographic areas without clear methodology or methods, and may have been neighborhood-driven or in response to then-current planning strategies. Since then, intensive- level historic resources surveys have been conducted by government agencies and private interests to fulfill the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Section 106, the federal review process,for project-specific activities. Today, Redlands recognizes over 700 designated resources, some of which have more than one type of designation, and one nominated resource, Included in the City of Redlands Register of Historic Resources are individual properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NR), local Historic Landmarks, local Historic Resources, and over 600 properties within one or more of eight local and two NR/California Register of Historical Resources (CR)historic districts (Attachment 2). Despite these significant numbers, survey efforts to date have been concentrated in South Redlands and parts of North Redlands west of the University of Redlands and represent only a small fraction of the City. Current Survay Work Recent survey work and that completed since the 1992 survey has been largely project- or property-specific and completed without the use of survey software. Although not in a single, centralized electronic database available online, historic property information is added to a historic mapping layer that is maintained as a robust GIS system accessible by City staff. Hardcopy survey data is stored internally and readily available in the Development Services Department and at the A.K. Smiley Public Library Heritage Room. All staff reports and state- approved Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Forms received for properties requesting designation or Certificates of Appropriateness are forwarded in a digital form specifically for archival storage at the library. There, Senior Archivist Nathan Gonzales makes these documents accessible for research purposes, assists in research, and is currently developing a filing system for improved storage and retrieval. Data on historic properties is further expanded through periodic, unanticipated contributions of homeowners, researchers, and professional historians who access the Heritage Room. While valuable, there is currently no mechanism in place to allow for verification, interpretation of duplicative, conflicting, or significant information, or incorporation of these donated research materials into the historic property data housed in the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. 2 Future Survey Plans With a clear understanding of the critical role that a proactive approach to cultural resources surveys play in preservation planning and the importance of establishing a consistent, clear and obvious framework, the City is focused on developing a more comprehensive historic preservation program beginning with obtaining CLG certification. In 2012, the City of Redlands formed a citizen group, who set out to prepare a Historic Context Statement (HCS) in anticipation of applying for CLG certification. The ad hoc committee was comprised of various volunteer members that collectively represented the City and the community. Their efforts accumulated in a working document titled Preliminary Draft Historic Context Statement (August 2013), which included a very brief historic overview of Redlands' early history,a list of 11 historic themes, and the biographies of several early Redlands pioneers (Attachment 3). Unfortunately, the work of the volunteer committee waned, but the City remains committed to completing this work as a central part of a more comprehensive historic preservation program. In an effort to complete the HCS, the City of Redlands will seek to contract with a qualified consultant who can build on committee members' previous efforts to successfully construct a comprehensive framework on which both large-scale and development driven, future survey work may rely to identify and evaluate potential cultural resources. The HCS will provide survey recommendations to guide the prioritization and sequencing of further survey work and identify methods to standardized future field work and the identification and evaluation of potential cultural resources. In this way, the HCS and will be a comprehensive planning tool for further preservation activity and essentially serve as the first step, or initial phase, of large-scale,future survey work. Other needs surrounding future, large-scale survey work are under consideration, including the development of an information management plan to provide for the electronic storage and online accessibility of detailed survey data for searchable retrieval and use by not only City staff but also the public. In recognizing the importance of establishing the infrastructure needed to support the vision of a more comprehensive historic preservation program, plans to Initiate the HCS have been temporarily deferred with the anticipation that timely CLG certification will allow the City of Redlands to participate in the 2016-17 CLG Grant cycle and launch this first step in a large- scale future survey effort Conformance to State and Federal Survey Standards The HCS and any future large-scale survey work would be completed in coordination with the staff of the California State Office of Historic Preservation (OHP), in compliance with the standards and guidelines set forth by the National Park Service and OHP, including the Secretary of the Interior's Standards (SOIS) for Preservation Planning, and by consultants who meet the SOIS for Professional Qualification. The HCS would be completed in accordance with the SOIS and the OHP preferred format, which utilizes the Multiple Property Documentation (MPD) approach to context development. The scope and methods for the development of the HCS would be guided by the SOIS for Archeology and Historic Preservation, which detail how to develop historic contexts, as well as several National Register Bulletins, including National Register Bulletin #166: How to Complete the National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form, National Register Bulletin: Historic 3 Residential Suburbs, and other bulletins focused on particular property types such as historic rural landscapes, properties associated with an individual, or properties achieving significance within the past 50 years. Future surveys and all work products would be required to comply with the SOLS and be guided by National Register Bulletin #24: Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning and OHP's Instructions for Recording Historical Resources. Potential resources identified under future survey work would be evaluated according to HCS-established eligibility standards for significance in accordance with City criteria for evaluation as well as that of the California Register of Historical Resources and National Register of Historic Places. 2. Provide a narrative summary of current historic preservation program activities performed by the local government. For example, local designation programs, educational/outreach programs, design review,etc. The City of Redlands enacted preservation ordinances in 1986, beginning with the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission Ordinance (Ordinance 1951) and followed closely by the Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance 1954). These became codified, respectively, as Chapters 2.24 and 2,62 of the Redlands Municipal Code and known as the Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance of the City(Attachment 4). The City of Redlands is currently reviewing the Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance in anticipation of initiating revisions, which are further discussed under Question#3, below. Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance and Commission Through its Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance, the City established general provisions for the designation, preservation, and perpetuation of historic resources,formalized the authority of the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission (HSPC), identified eligibility criteria, and defined the design review process for historic resources. Three decades later, Redlands has over 700 designated diverse resources that represent its early history, including churches, stables, railroad station and related property, the post office, YWCA, Fox Theater, Trolley Car Barn, Redlands Mutual Orange Company, the Mill Creek Zanja, packing houses, warehouses, a cemetery, parks, the A.K. Smiley Library, auto-related buildings, municipal buildings, the Redlands Bowl, downtown commercial buildings and blocks, historic wall signs, and numerous mansions and residences. Any property owner or interested party may initiate a nomination, including the HSPC or City Council, and the ordinance does not contain an owner consent requirement for designation. The HSPC consists of seven members, six of which are required to be citizens who have a demonstrated knowledge and long-standing interest in historic preservation appointed by the Mayor for staggered four-year terms, and the seventh seat is permanently filled by the Senior Archivist of the A.K. Smiley Library. Today's HSPC includes six members who meet the professional qualification requirements of the CLG Program, and it is anticipated that the SOIS for Professional Qualifications, as specified in 36 CFR Part 61, will soon be included in pending future revisions to the ordinance, which is currently under review (Attachment 5; see also Question #3). The HPSC has responsibility over the City's historic resources and must implement the duties as described in Section 2.62 of the Redlands Municipal Code. The HSPC meets on the 1st Thursday of each month in the City Council Chamber, and is supported by Development 4 Services Department Planning Division staff liaison, Associate Planner Sean Kelleher, who acts as Historic Preservation Officer to the HSPC (Attachment 6). Special meetings are called between regularly scheduled meetings in the event that timely review and action by the HSPC is needed. Public comment periods during HPSC meetings also provide the community an opportunity for input and an appropriate foram within which to raise issues affecting historic preservation policy in the City. The HPSC serves as the primary, regular forum for discussions of historic preservation policy, and is authorized to conduct surveys, maintain a list of nominated resources and a current local register of designated historic resources, undertake education and activities related to historic preservation, and provide design review for major exterior alterations to designated resources or demolition of structures over fifty(50) years old. Most actions address the proposed designation of new Historic Resources or Landmarks and Historic and Scenic Districts. Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission duties and responsibilities are further discussed under Question#4. Supporting Ordinances Separate from the Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance, specific provisions of other ordinances support the City's historic preservation program (Attachment 7). Other ordinances and programs that intersect with historic resources are discussed under Interdepartmental Coordination, below, or are presented as incentives for historic properties discussed under Question#5. City Building and Structure Demolition Ordinance. The City of Redlands has a detailed ordinance to protect potential historic structures from demolition. The ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 15.44) allows the HSPC authority to review demolition applications for any structure over 50 years old, regardless of designation status, and for any structure under 50 years old that is referred by the Environmental Review Committee, make its own determinations of eligibility, and approve, condition, or deny demolition cases. Tree Protection Ordinance. Aside from a potential property type under the local City Landmark designation, historic public and street trees are protected under a detailed ordinance that recognizes the integral quality and significant contribution of mature trees to historic sites. The ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 12.52) requires all departments, agencies, and personnel to consult with the Public Works Director before the removal of any public tree and allows any person or agency to propose that a public tree meets the criteria for designation as a City Landmark. Community Planning Policy City Design and Preservation Element of the General Plan. The protection of architectural, historic, agricultural, cultural, archaeological, and scenic resources is addressed in the City Design and Preservation Element, Section 3 of the City's General Plan (Attachment 8). First adopted in 1985, updated under the 1995 General Plan, and further revised in 1998,this section acknowledges the City's rich agricultural, particularly citrus, beginnings, architectural heritage, and sense of place and history that Redlands has retained through the character and charm of its historic neighborhoods, scenic views and natural landscapes during a century of development and identifies the need to blend new development and preservation in City-scale design throughout Redlands. The City Design subsection addresses new development that is sensitive to its historic setting while the Historic and Scenic Preservation subsection speaks to fostering awareness and protection. This section discusses existing local regulations and 5 processes in place for the identification and protection of cultural resources under the Redlands Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance. Recognizing the value of retaining and enhancing its wealth of historic resources, the City Design and Preservation Element calls for continued historic resources identification, surrey, and designation work, efforts to increase of public awareness, education, and outreach, and the development or enhancement of policies, procedures, and programs to improve preservation planning. Since its development, several policies and programs have been implemented, including greater integration of preservation concerns into government decision making, the establishment of preservation guidelines and incentives, the encouragement of public participation in public hearings and the design review process, the recognition of private property owners for appropriate repairs, rehabilitation, and preservation, and the preservation of private citrus groves for community benefit. The City Design and Preservation Element will be amended to model state and federal regulations and processes, including the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), along with local legislation. Remaining goals presented in the City Design and Preservation Element that have not yet been accomplished are expected to be among improvements in coming years and may become the focus of future Ct_G grant proposals (see Question#3). Downtown Specific Plan. The City is committed to infusing historic preservation throughout its planning policies.The downtown Redlands area,which contains a high concentration of historic structures, is addressed through policies in the Downtown Specific Plan, known as Specific Plan No. 45. This document was first drafted in 1994 and recently updated in 2013 (Attachment 9). This planning document recognizes that economic vitality is tied to preservation, adaptive reuse, and rehabilitation of historic structures and encourages these activities throughout the downtown area and especially in the Santa Fe Depot District and the High Avenue area. Education and Outreach Education and outreach has long been recognized by the City of Redlands as an important component of a successful municipal historic preservation program and has identified many such focused implementing policies in the City Design and Preservation Element. The Planning Division of the Development Services department is responsible for administering the City's historic preservation program and engages in education and outreach. In 1986, the City drafted the City of Redlands historic and Scenic Preservation Design Manual, guidelines that are used by historic preservation program staff and the HSPC during design review and in offering advice and guidance to property owners (Attachment 10). In addition, the HSPC recognizes appropriate rehabilitation, preservation, and repair work by issuing awards and commendation. The Planning Division has also produced a brochure to describe and promote the Mills Act incentive program, which is discussed under Question #5, and maintains a Historic Preservation page with various links to additional information and resources on the City's website. An updated Register of Historic Resources is posted there, available by request in either hard copy or digital form at City Hall, and distributed to all staff and the HSPC when updated (Attachment 2). Preservation materials are also included on several other City webpages. For example, a brief historic narrative and advertisement of several prominent historic buildings and walking tours as well as parks and museums are included in the tourism discussion at http,//www.ci!yotrediands.org/tourism, and several maps have been created or made available by the Department of Information Technology at http://cityofredlands.org/GIS 6 that allow for"self-guided tours"of Redlands' historic features, heritage trails, historic downtown, and cut stone curbs. Since 1972, the City has provided the public access to a variety of educational material on Redlands heritage and regional history and hosts many archival events through the archives in the Heritage Room at the A.K. Smiley Public Library, which are described in a brochure entitled, The Archives in the Heritage Room at the AK. Smiley Public Library. In addition, two brochures have been recently produced and printed through a generous grant to the library for the promotion of tourism from the Will J. Reid Foundation and are available to the public.A Walking Tour of Historic Redlands highlights business properties and residential properties converted to office use through adaptive reuse, and A Personality Tour of Historic Redlands highlights mostly residential properties in a variety of architectural styles (Attachment 11). For many years, though, the City has lacked sufficient historic preservation staffing to initiate more proactive educational and outreach activities and fulfill the level of ambition intended in the City Design and Preservation Element. This condition was recognized in 2007 through a review by the Blue Ribbon Committee but was unrelieved because of budgetary constraints. Instead, community preservation organizations have provided education, outreach, and assistance to the public. Two main groups outside the municipal structure have taken a leading preservation role in the community—the Redlands Area Historical Society and the Redlands Conservancy. Today's Redlands Area Historical Society, Inc. (RAHS) was established in 1972 and works to support and advance local historic preservation by providing free meetings, educational programs, and presentations, informative newsletters, and walking tours. The Genealogical Society, a subsidiary of RAHS, holds seminars and fieldtrips, and another subsidiary, The Old House Group, promotes the preservation and restoration of older homes in the Redlands area and meets nine times each year to provide presentations on various preservation techniques, such as how to repair wood-framed windows. Established in 1994 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Redlands Conservancy retains one paid staff and an army of over 300 volunteer professionals, retirees, business owners, educators, environmentalists, preservationists, and students to carry out its mission to protect Redlands` cultural heritage through the preservation of its historic built environment, agricultural and citrus groves, and natural, open space.The Conservancy offers an array of historic preservation programs, events, tours, brochures, and free or low-cost services, including assistance with adaptive reuse projects, cut stone curb repairs, and the preparation of historic nomination applications. For two weeks in May, the Redlands Conservancy and RAHS co-host Fortnight, an annual event that focuses on historic preservation through guided tours, receptions, awards, programs, films, discussions, workshops and special events to help the community understand and appreciate the value of historic preservation. Additional information on the contribution of Redlands Conservancy and RAHS are discussed in Interdepartmental Coordination, below, arid under Question#5. With a commitment to the enhancement of its preservation program and an upcoming General Plan update, the City intends to reevaluate the educational and outreach needs of the community. See Question#3 for outreach initiatives that are currently under consideration. 7 Interdepartmental Coordination While the Planning Division of the Development Services Department houses and is responsible for administering the City's historic preservation program, historic preservation activities occur throughout the City's large organization, and several other City agencies manage historic preservation requirements, pursue initiatives, or otherwise intersect with historic properties. A.K. Smiley Public Library Heritage Room & Archives. The A.K. Smiley Public Library Heritage Room &Archives is enmeshed in the City's historic preservation program. Designated as the official City archives, the library works closely with the Development Services Department to store, and provide public access to, the City's important historic documents and historic property records, including survey, designation, and Certificates of Appropriateness application forms.As host to many archival events and having produced several brochures, the library plays a critical role in community education and outreach and also serves the HPSC from a permanent seat filled by the Senior Archivist, Nathan Gonzales. Development Services Department The City of Redlands offers two important programs under the Development Services Department to assist with building projects that include multiple agencies and can involve historic resources- One Stop Permit Center and Preliminary Review. The One Stop Permit Center offers a single place for residents and developers to submit and coordinate projects and plan checks to ensure efficient and effective service and support from Building and Safety, Planning and Engineering personnel. The Building and Safety Division is a part of the Development Services Department and regulates construction and occupancy of all residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The Building and Safety Division, as the lead agency for issuing permits to build, alter, or demolish structures, is the first point of contact for applicants whose projects may affect historic structures. Preliminary Review is encouraged for most projects that would proceed to the Planning Commission and/or City Council, and it is highly recommended that all applicants participate in this process, which requires a nominal application or fee. Once a staff member has conveyed the basic regulations and applicable ordinances, the applicant meets with representatives from multiple City departments, which form a Preliminary Review Committee (PRC). The PRG is composed of members from Municipal Utilities and Engineering, Quality of Life, Fire, and Development Services and offers pre-development consultation on potential projects prior to a formal submission. In addition, a robust GIS system with a historic layer allows staff access to historic property information and guards against alteration or demolition without proper review. Quality of Life Department. The City of Redlands Quality of Life Department provides a broad spectrum of services, supported by maintenance and support staff and coordinat04, under comprehensive Green Initiatives to ensure that Redlands residents, businesses and visitors enjoy City services and facilities. The Parks Division focuses on parks, trees, City-owned groves, recreation, and open space. With a long heritage dating back to the first grove planting in 1882 by Wisconsin native E.J. Waite, the City of Redlands first became involved in citrus ownership in 1968 when it acquired the Prospect Park Grove through money donated by citizens and federal grants. In 1979, a City ordinance called for the "historical preservation of citrus" to be supported by crop receipts and park tax funds, and voters enthusiastically passed ''Measure 0" in 1987, a $7.2 million bond issue to provide taxpayer funds for the strategic purchase of land to be maintained in perpetuity 8 as open space, including parks, recreation area, and citrus groves. Acquisitions under Measure O were completed in 1999, and today, the Parks Division maintains 14 established parks, which comprise over 143 acres of land, all median islands along City streets, and 14 City-owned citrus groves throughout the City totaling 197.04 acres, which include Navel and Valencia oranges and Rio and Ruby Star grapefruit (Attachment 12). The City's citrus operation functions as an enterprise fund and has been maintained without general fund support to date through the use of harvesting revenue for on-going cultural care. The Street Maintenance Division engages in code enforcement and is responsible for over 300 miles of streets. Related street features include curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streetlights, 35 miles of improved storm drains, maintenance of 10,000 traffic and street signs, and roadway markings including centerline striping and painted legends. As district designations include streetscape features, Street Maintenance Division improvement project may from time to time include historic features like out stone curbs and walls, street trees, streetlights, entrance posts, dirt paths, and orange groves. The agency is currently supported by two commissions of City Council-appointed volunteers whose responsibilities are focused on the physical preservation of the City's open space and citrus heritage through acquisition, maintenance and operations. The eight-member Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission, established in 2011, meets publically bi-monthly and recommends to the City Council policies for the continued acquisition, development, and improvement of parks and open space in addition to duties relating to recreation. The seven- member Citrus Preservation Commission, established in 1995, makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the acquisition, improvement, preservation and retention of citrus properties within the City. The Commission brings extensive industry expertise to the oversight of daily farming operations as well as the harvesting and marketing activities for all of the City owned citrus groves. In addition, the City of Redlands has partnered with the Redlands Conservancy under their land trust component, which acquires and manages land and conservation easements and maintains a number of open space trails. In 2011,the City Council awarded a conservation easement to the Redlands Conservancy for protecting the conservation values of the San Timoteo Canyon properties, and in 2015, the City entered into an Interim Management Agreement with the Conservancy to manage the Live Oak Canyon properties. The activities of the Parks and Street Maintenance Divisions present opportunities to intersect with a variety of historic resources such as Sylvan Park, through which the historic Mill Creek Zanja flows, the grounds surrounding the Civic Center, which encompasses Smiley Park, a NR/CR and local historic district that includes the A.K. Smiley Public Library, the Lincoln Shrine, and the Redlands Bowl, and an extensive network of cut stone curbs (Attachment 13). Treatment of the City's historic resources under the stewardship of the Quality of Life Department is coordinated, as necessary, with historic preservation staff in the Development Services Department through the submittal of a development application. In addition, the City can assist residential property owners with curb restoration and repair through an encrea:hment fee waiver, and the Redlands Conservancy has arranged for contract with a local stone mason for a low-cost, $30 per linear foot fee to remove, clean or replace as needed, and re-set curb stones with a new concrete cap. Preservation Incentives The City of Redlands historic preservation program offers several incentives, including the Mills Act Program, which are discussed under Question#5. 9 3. Provide a narrative summary explaining any new or additional historic preservation program activities that will be carried out as a result of becoming a CLG. The City of Redlands is moving toward a more comprehensive historic preservation program, which will be greatly facilitated by CLG status. Significant improvements in the program are anticipated in the coming years. Administration of Historic Preservation Program • Establish an Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) within the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. A comprehensive and balanced municipal historic preservation program calls for the establishment of an Office of Historic Preservation from which centralized preservation activities can flow and to which other agencies and city staff, community organizations, and the public can look for guidance and expertise. An OHP within the City structure will ensure greater municipal ownership and focus on historic preservation, enhanced coordination with other departments and commissions, outside groups. • increase Historic Preservation Staffing. The Historic Preservation Program is housed in the Planning division of the Development Services Department and is supported by planning staff. Tasks associate with the historic preservation program include working With owners who want to rehabilitate or designate their properties, reviewing development applications for CEQA Compliance, coordinating historic preservation activities among multiple agencies, managing community partnerships, promoting education and outreach, and administering the Mills Act property tax incentive program for historic properties. However, only one planning staff member is dedicated to the day- to-day and routine administration of the City's historic preservation program, maintaining survey data and the City of Redlands Register of Historic Resources, reviewing cultural resources studies, and supporting the activities of the HSPC. Additional staffing needs will be evaluated to not only fulfil the level of ambition established by the City Design and Preservation Element of the General Plan, but also to carry out additional duties under the CLG Program such as annual reporting requirements and the administration of CLG grant projects, including the hiring and management of consultants and project timelines, review of project deliverables, and the processing of financial reimbursement requests. • Develop Internship Program. Several area universities and a community volunteer base provide a wide intern pool. Opportunities to develop a specialized OHP volunteer internship program during the school year will be explored among universities such as the University of Redlands, California State San Bernardino, and the University of California, Riverside, which offers a doctorate Program in Historic Resources Management as well as through the Redlands Conservancy. A stipend to host a paid summer intern may be pursued through a Community Impact Grant from the Redlands Community Foundation. A paid summer intern may assist in the development of the citywide historic context statement (HCS), other initiatives, and historic preservation program activities. 10 • Maximize Partnerships with Community Heritage Organizations. Several organizations are currently very active in the community, providing services such as education and outreach. City historic staff will seek to develop a structured framework for communication with the two most active, Redlands Conservancy and the RAHS, in order to enhance and develop programs. Based on this communication, the City will develop and implement policies for working with these community groups. Ordinance and Procedure Revision and Training • Complete Comprehensive Review& Revision of Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance and related Ordinances. Many provisions of the Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance (Chapters 2.24 & 2.62) have remained unchanged since 1986. An HSPC subcommittee is currently preparing a revision to the ordinance in order to incorporate the comments received from OHP in June 2012, which will ensure the ordinance remains consistent with the intent and purpose of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Comments received from OHP indicate that greater consistency with preservation planning terminology is needed and that the ordinance would benefit from the clarification and simplification of definitions and terms such as 'historic resource,' 'historic property,' 'landmark,' and 'survey.' Per OHP comments, the SOTS for Professional Qualifications language will also be included in pending revisions. The HSPC subcommittee will also be guided by Technical Assistance Bulletin X14 - Drafting and Amending Historic Preservation Ordinances: a Manual for California's Local Governments, available at htt :/iwww.oh arks.ca. ovl? a e id=1243, and will work with OHP further before revisions to the ordinance are finalized. Many other ordinances include provisions for historic preservation such as the City Building and Structure Demolition Ordinance and the Tree Ordinance. These will also be examined for consistency and accuracy with the Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance. • Develop National Register and California Register Review Procedures. As a CLG, procedures for review and comment on NR and CR nominations within the City of Redlands will be developed by the OHP and the HSPC. • Provide Training to Staff and HSPC Commissioners. The OHP will present training materials and information to advise staff and the HSPC of new, CLG-related procedures and ensure commissioners attend workshops or otherwise receive annual training that meets the CLG program requirements. The OHP and HSPC intend to take full and regular advantage of further CLG-related training and technical assistance opportunities. Community Education & Outreach • Reevaluate Community Education and Outreach Needs. The OHP is reevaluating the educational and outreach needs of the community, how they can be served by the municipal historic preservation program, where leadership is needed, and where partnerships can be established or how they can be strengthened. It has already been identified that training in survey techniques and in evaluating significance has at times been conducted by RAHS or occurs on an informal, incoming basis by City planning or library staff and may benefit from a more formal, programmatic approach. It is expected that the results of this evaluation will further guide the revision or development of programs and policies. ii • Develop OHP E-Newsletter. As a communications and outreach tool, the OHP will establish a large contact list of opinion leaders in historic preservation, community heritage groups, business, real estate development, and neighborhood organizations and prepare a quarterly e-newsletter to be sent via email to this contact list. • Provide Design Guidelines to Public. The City's Historic and Scenic Preservation Design Manual is currently only used by City staff and the HSPC. Already developed, it can easily be made available to property owners, who need practical, appropriate information on how to maintain and rehabilitate their properties. Bound, complimentary hardcopies of the Design Guidelines will be given out upon request from the Development Services Department, and a reference copy will be available for viewing in the A.K. Smiley Public Library Heritage Room. In addition, an electronic .pdf copy will be made available for viewing and download on the City's website. • Develop a Web-based Historic Resources Information Management Plan.The OHP will develop an information management plan to provide for the electronic storage and online accessibility of detailed survey data for searchable retrieval and use by not only City staff but also the public, including community enthusiasts, homeowners, and local researchers. The OHP will continue to regularly provide comprehensively updated historic resources information to other City agencies such as Building and Safety and the A.K. Smiley Library, as well as the public, but in a real-time web-based electronic format. • Improve Historic Preservation Webpage. The City's website includes a vast array of information to inform and serve the public. The Historic Preservation page of the Development Services Department, Planning Division will be restructured as the OHP page and enhanced to include even more information on Redlands heritage, how to rehabilitate and maintain properties and process development applications, and incentives for historic preservation. All existing materials such as the Redlands Register of Historic Resources will be updated, and a policy for regular review and update will be established. Links will be added to all related City departments and services, materials such as the Mills Act application, plaque program, survey records, and design guidelines, and off-site resources like National Park Service bulletins and technical briefs and the California Office of Historic Preservation. Inventory& Designation Development • Develop Citywide Historic Context Statement. The City of Redlands hopes to participate in the 2016-17 CLG grant cycle in order to contract with a qualified consultant for the development of a citywide HCS, which will provide a comprehensive framework within which both large-scale and development driven, future survey work may rely to identify and evaluate potential cultural resources. • Conduct Further Survey Work..The HCS and will be a comprehensive planning tool for further preservation activity and essentially serve as the first step, or initial phase, of large-scale, future survey work. The OHP will look to the recommendations of the HCS to guide the prioritization and sequencing of further surveys. • Consider Designation of Redlands' Historic Downtown. Although identified on the City website's digital tour as a "historical downtown, many of the downtown structures are not designated. The OHP will consider initiating designation after the completion of 12 the HCS, which will reexamine the period of significance, eligibility, and potential boundaries of the downtown area. Preservation Incentives • Pursue passage of amendment to extend the Mills Act Program. When the City Council adopted the City of Redlands' Mills Act Ordinance in November 2012, the City committed to accepting up to seven applications a year for five years, from January 2013-March 2017. However, to date, only one resident has entered into a contract and is involved with the Mills Act Program. The OHP will pursue passage of an amendment to extend the Mills Act Program another five years,through 2022. • Develop a plan to promote the Mills Act Program. Considering the very low participation in the Mills Act Program to date, OHP will embark on an education and outreach initiative to spread word about this incentive program. The existing Mills Act Program brochure will be given out upon request from the Development Services Department and provided for display and distribution at the A. K. Smiley Public Library Heritage Room and with community heritage groups. In addition, OHP will initiate a campaign to mail Mills Act Program literature to historic property owners, advertise and hold a community workshop to provide education and literature, and consider arranging for a presentation regarding the Mills Act Program to the HSPC and City Council, which may include reports from Redlands or area participants. • Enhance Development Standards for Historic Resources. OHP will investigate, advise on, and seek to implement additional opportunities for enhanced development standards that will encourage adaptive reuse of potential and designated historic resources. • Expand Fee Reductions and Waivers for Historic Resources. OHP will research and advise the City of Redlands regarding the opportunity for additional fee reductions and waivers for potential and designated historic resources, seeking to implement greater fee-based incentives for processes such as Preliminary Review and Certificates of Appropriateness. • Complete Development of Plaque Program. The City Council has approved a program that will allow individually designated historic property owners to purchase a plaque from the City for prominent display on their building or property. The OHP will finalize the plaque design, and once complete, this program will be advertised on the City website and be made available through printed literature or brochures at the A. K. Smiley Public Library Heritage Room and with community heritage groups. Historic Preservation Planning Policy • Review and Revise the City of Redlands General Plan, The City is committed to infusing historic preservation throughout its planning policies, implemented through the Development Services Department, Planning Division. With an upcoming theme-based General Plan Update planned, OHP will work with Planning staff to review and revise, as needed. 13 • Develop Preservation Policies in future Community or Specific Plans. The downtown Redlands area., which contains a high concentration of historic structures, is addressed through policies in the Downtown Specific Plan, known as Specific Plan No. 45. Updated in 2013, the plan includes historic preservation goals and policies that focus on economic vitality through preservation, adaptive reuse, and rehabilitation. The OHP will consider and communicate with Planning staff regarding additional planning policies and guidelines and work together to blend historic preservation and community planning in areas of the City where historic structures are concentrated. 4. Provide a narrative summary which explains the current functions, responsibilities,and authority of the local review commission/board. Under the City's Historic and Scenic Preservation Ordinance, the HSPC 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§3, 1986). Aside from promoting public interest and education in the maintenance and preservation of historic, cultural, and aesthetic resources, providing consultation and nontechnical advice, coordinating historic preservation with other City activities, and serving as a liaison between the City and historical organizations, below are specific powers and duties of the HSPC: • Conduct, surveys, or cause them to be conducted, for the purpose of identifying resources of or historical significance; • Review and approve applications for the designation of Historic Resources, Historic Landmarks, Historic and Scenic Districts and Urban Conservation Districts, in accordance with established criteria, and forward recommendations for such designations to the City Council; • Compile and maintain a list of nominated resources and a current local register of all properties designated as historic resources; • Review and approve, approve conditionally, or deny proposed substantial alterations to designated or nominated historic resources and demolition of any structure over fifty(50) years old; • Review and advise on proposed general plan and zoning changes, municipal improvements, and housing and redevelopment plans that have bearing on the protection, maintenance and enhancement of designated or nominated resources; • Issue commendations to owners of historic resources who have rehabilitated their property in an exemplary manner; and • Acquire and monitor facade easements. HPSC review is conducted through the Certificate of Appropriateness and Certificate of Hardship application process,which involves a Public Hearing and the Statement of Findings as defined by the Redlands Municipal Code (Attachment 4). The history and membership requirements of the HSPC are discussed under Question#2, above. 14