HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2005-198 N.C.S. 11/21/2005 Resolution No. 2005-198 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PETALUMA
ESTABLISHING A POLICY AND ASSOCIATED PROCEDURES REQUIRING ALL
REQUESTS FOR DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES BUILT IN 1945 OR EARLIER TO
BE SUBJECT TO THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE HISTORIC AND
CULTURAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, the City Council recently expressed concern over the incremental loss of
building stock dating from 1945 and earlier; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council, while acknowledging that the ,potential impacts,
including demolition, - to historic resources are addressed as part of the environmental review for
a project as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), sought to provide
additional protection for structures built in 1945 or earlier that may or may not be technically
identified as historic resources; and,
WHEREAS, on October 17, 2005, after deliberation, the City Council directed staff to
prepare a resolution containing a policy and procedure that will serve to further protect buildings
constructed in 1945 or earlier from demolition and require review and approval by the Historic
and Cultural Preservation Committee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby establishes a
policy and associated procedures relating to the proposed demolition of any structure built in
1945 or earlier. Specifically, the Council directs as follows:
1. All requests* for demolition of structures built in 1945 or earlier will be
forwarded to the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee for review and
approval. In the absence of an existing written definition of "demolition," the
Council establishes the following as the official City definition to implement this
policy:
Demolition means the removal of 50% or more of the exterior walls of a building
or structure. Demolition includes the relocation of a building from one parcel of
land to another and also includes the raising of an existing structure beyond what
is required for a new foundation.
The removal and replacement in kind of deteriorated, non repairable material
required for the restoration or rehabilitation of a building which results in no
change to its exterior appearance or character is not considered a demolition.
The initial determination of whether a project meets the above definition will be
made by the Community Development Director or his or her designee. Any
dispute over whether a project meets this definition will be mediated by the
Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission.
Resolution No. 2005-I)8 N.C.S. Page 1
2. For proposed demolitions that are part of a larger project submittal that may
require other entitlements from the City Council, Planning Commission or Site
Plan and Architectural Review Committee (SPARC), the final determination
regarding the proposed demolition will be made in advance of any other
entitlements being scheduled for review.
3. Applications for demolition requests will be made with the Community
Development Department. The application will include but not be limited to the
following: application form, cost recovery form, application processing fees,
historic and/or structural evaluations of subject building(s), complete site plans,
floor plans and elevations of subject building and its environs, current title report
and/or other appropriate documentation regarding the age of the subject building.
The City reserves the right to peer review any or all of the submitted materials at
the applicant's expense.
4. The City will recover the full cost of time expended and materials used to process
the application for demolition. The applicable fee will be that for a Major
SPARC submittal as established by the most current City Council approved fee
schedule.
5. Requests for demolition will be subject to the applicable provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The applicable provisions in
Article 17 of the Zoning Ordinance (Preservation of the Cultural and Historic
Environment) and Section 7 of the SMART Code (Historic Resource
Conservation) also remain in effect.
6. At least ten days prior to a public hearing by the Historic and Cultural
Preservation Committee on a demolition request, a notice shall be published in the
locally designated newspaper and mailed to all property owners within 500 feet of
the subject site. If necessary, the notice period will be extended as required by
CEQA.
7. The Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee will be required to make the
following findings in order to support a request for demolition:
a) The building is not a significant national, state or local historic resource.
b) The building does not represent or convey important architectural, visual
or cultural features that are important in preserving the character of an
existing neighborhood.
If both of the above referenced findings cannot be made, the request for
demolition will be denied.
8. The decision of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee may be
appealed to the City Council within 14 calendar days. If no appeal is filled within
that time period, the decision will be final.
*Ancillary structures such as garages, sheds and other small outbuildings, built between
1920 and 1945, existing on lots developed with single family uses shall be exempt from
Resolution No. 2005-198 N.C.S. Page 2
this policy and procedure. Community Development Department staff will continue to
process demolition request for these types of structures administratively. The City
reserves the right to forward any proposed demolitions to the Cultural and Historic
Preservation Committee as stipulated in Article 17 of the Zoning Ordinance (Preservation
of the Cultural and Historic Environment) and Section 7 of the SMART Code (Historic
Resource Conservation). The appropriate provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act. (CEQA) apply to these administrative procedures.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approved as to
Council of Che City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 2151 day of November, for/m~:/'~
2005, by the following vote: -~~~y~ C
City Attorney`
AYES: Canevaro, Mayor Glass, Healy, Nau , Torliatt
NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Harris, O'Brien
ABSTAIN: None
a
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
Resolution No. 2005-198 N.C.S. Page 3