Santa Clarita Valley History In Pictures
> CITY OF SANTA CLARITA

City Council Revises Historic Preservation Ordinance


The Santa Clarita City Council approved a reduced list of historic properties Tuesday and re-addressed the process for demolishing a building if the city deems it historic.

The 3-1 vote, with Bob Kellar voting "no" and TimBen Boydston abstaining due to his management of a building on the list, OK'd 11 structures — plus those in Heritage Junction Historic Park — to be designated as historic.

The buildings are:

  • The Newhall Ice Co. (5th Street)
  • Sheriff Substation No. 6 (now part of Canyon Theatre Guild)
  • Tom Mix Cottages (two structures on Main Street)
  • Three structures at Melody Ranch (Main Gate, Gene Autry House, Barn)
  • California Star Oil Company / Standard Oil House (now a private home)
  • Old Newhall Jail (next to Old Town Newhall Library)
  • American Legion Hall / American Theater (next to library)
  • Santa Clarita Courthouse (at Railroad & Market)

Under a 2008 ordinance that remains in place until the new preservation ordinance takes effect, 43 properties are deemed historic. The new ordinance relieves most of them from the designation.

The new ordinance requires property owners raise the standard for property owners who wish to demolish one of the 11 historic structures. Instead of obtaining a demolition permit over the counter from the city's planning division, the permit would have to be approved by the City Council. The ordinance gives the council the right, in such a case, to require that the building be moved to a location such as Heritage Junction or to a city park.

The new ordinance provides additional incentives for owners of designated properties, such as a city grant of up to $25,000 for improvements that don't changed the structure's historic character, and an exemption from certain permit fees.

There's also an opt-in clause for property owners who would like to put their structures on the list.

The point of providing incentives, said Councilwoman Laurene Weste, was to encourage the preservation of history.

Councilman Bob Kellar saw it as a property-rights issue and appeared uncomfortable with the idea of endorsing any historic preservation ordinance, regardless of whether it reduced the number of eligible properties.

"I'm not comfortable telling somebody you have to be on a list," Kellar said. "If it said 'opt in,' I'd be all for it, but I see (the ordinance) as a serious infringement on property rights."

Councilwoman Marsha McLean directed questions to City Attorney Joe Montes about the differences between the new and old ordinances. Montes said there will be fewer properties affected, the city is creating a formal process for adding or changing such properties, and incentives are being added to encourage owners to opt-in.

"All we're doing," said Mayor Frank Ferry, "is the same ordinance (as 2008) minus the 35 properties and adding the ability to move the (historic building), and it also provides funding to support" an owner who wants to move his or her property.

As drafted, the ordinance would require the property owner to bear the responsibility and cost of moving a historic building. Council members directed the city staff to change that provision and allow for the city to bear some or all of the cost. A final ordinance will be prepared for a subsequent council meeting.

City planner Dave Peterson said it would cost $15 to $30 per square foot to move a building. For the two Tom Mix Cottages on Main Street, that would come to approximately $30,000 per structure, but for the courthouse, the cost would be approximately $200,000.

"We're not saying you can't do anything (with your property)," Weste said. "We're just saying you have to go through an approval process. The only issue is if you want to demolish (the property)."

CITY OF SANTA CLARITA: HISTORIC PRESERVATION

• CURRENT General Plan (OVOV, 2011): Historic Resources


• CURRENT Historic Preservation Ordinance, 1-8-2013


thumbnail
CURRENT List of Historic Structures, Adopted 11-27-2012


• Story 11-28-2012: Council Revises Ordinance


CITYWIDE SURVEY & PROPERTY LISTING

thumbnail

Survey & List

• List Only


OBSOLETE ITEMS

• General Plan 1991: Historic Resources


thumbnail

Downtown Newhall Historic Resources Survey & Impact Analysis 2005

thumbnail

Downtown Newhall Specific Plan: Historic Properties 2005/2007 (Superseded 2012)

• Properties Under Consideration, August 2011 (List Not Adopted)


RETURN TO TOP ]   RETURN TO MAIN INDEX ]   PHOTO CREDITS ]   BIBLIOGRAPHY ]   BOOKS FOR SALE ]
SCVHistory.com is another service of SCVTV, a 501c3 Nonprofit • Site contents ©SCVTV
The site owner makes no assertions as to ownership of any original copyrights to digitized images. However, these images are intended for Personal or Research use only. Any other kind of use, including but not limited to commercial or scholarly publication in any medium or format, public exhibition, or use online or in a web site, may be subject to additional restrictions including but not limited to the copyrights held by parties other than the site owner. USERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining any permissions and/or paying associated fees necessary for the proposed use.