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DESIGN & HISTORIC PRESERVATION LANDMARK DESIGNATION For more information, contact the Design & Historic Preservation Section. What is a "landmark designation"?
Designation is an
action that recognizes and legally protects certain areas,
buildings, structures, objects, natural features, and works of
art which have significant historic, cultural, architectural,
and aesthetic value as part of the heritage of the City, the
State, or the Country.
According to the
Historic Preservation Ordinance, Chapter 17.62 of the Pasadena
Municipal Code, a landmark property must contribute to the
historic, cultural or architectural heritage of the City.
Historic significance may mean that a significant person
or group is associated with the property or that an important
event occurred there. Architectural
significance may be attributed to the quality of a design, a
work by a distinguished architect, or the contribution of a
building to its surroundings. How many properties have been designated as landmarks?
Pasadena has designated 80 local properties as landmarks or historic monuments. A list of local landmarks is available from the Design & Historic Preservation Section of the Planning Division, is updated periodically. The list is also published on the Design & Historic Preservation page of the City’s website: Designated Historic Properties-City of Pasadena What are some examples of landmarks?
The Colorado Street Bridge (1913), the Gamble House (1908), Pasadena City Hall (1927), the Morton Bay Fig Tree (planted 1880), the Hermitage (1869), and the Perkins house (1955) are some examples of City landmarks. What is the process for landmark designation?
Anyone may file an application to begin the nomination process; often, a property owner initiates the designation. The staff first reviews an application for a nomination, an if approved forwards it to the Historic Preservation Commission. If the Commission determines that the nominated cultural resource merits designation, it forwards a recommendation to the City Council. The Council, at a noticed public hearing, may approve the nomination and direct that it be recorded in the office of the Los Angeles County Recorder. What are the criteria for landmark designation?
The Commission uses the criteria below to evaluate historic resources for
historic landmark designation (Zoning Code, Chapter 17.62.40).
The criteria are:
What
are the criteria for designation of a monument? The Commission uses the criteria below to evaluate
historic resources for
historic monument designation (Zoning Code, Chapter 17.62.40).
The criteria are:
A historic monument designation may include significant public or semi-public interior spaces and features. What effect does designation have?
Designation brings about design review of exterior alterations (and designated interiors). It may also increase the value of a property. Owners of designated landmarks may take advantage of the State Historical Building Code (SHBC), which provides flexibility in complying with portions of the code (see State Historical Building Code for more information). Owners of designated properties may also apply for a Historic Property Contract. May designated landmarks be altered?
Yes, if the alterations comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings. The Historic Preservation Commission reviews major alterations to designated landmarks and properties listed in the national Register. City staff reviews minor projects affecting historic resources. If an alteration complies with the Standards, the Commission issues a
Certificate of Appropriateness, which allows an applicant to
proceed with an application for a building permit.
If an alteration does not comply with the
Standards, the
Commission may deny approval of the project. For minor projects, City staff may approve or approve with conditions a
project that complies with the Standards.
Staff may deny a project if the proposed work does not
comply with the Standards. Information about the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards is available at the Design & Historic Preservation Window (# 4) at the Permit Center. How long does it take for the Commission to review changes?
The Commission reviews complete applications within 30 days of the date of submittal. Applications reviewed by the Commission also require public notice and may take longer to review if there are other land use entitlements, legislative actions, or environmental studies affecting the property. May the Commission prohibit the demolition of a designated landmark?
Yes, the Commission reviews the demolition of any potentially significant historic resource and may deny applications for demolition and major alteration of a designated historic resource. Also, any historic resource, including designated landmarks, cannot be demolished without a replacement building permit or a special waiver from this requirement (see Replacement Building Permit for more information). All decisions by the Commission may be appealed to the City Council. Will landmark designation restrict the use of a property?
No. Designation has no effect whatsoever on uses permitted
by the Zoning Code. In some cases, a landmark may have some non-conforming uses,
such as small offices, within certain residential areas.
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