[Calclg-l] Preservation planners

[Karana Hattersley-Drayton]

1)  The City of Fresno has a Historic Preservation Project Manager
(Officer)... the position is housed within the Planning Division of the
Planning and Development Department.  We have 270 individual properties
on the Local Register (10 of those are heritage properties) and two
historic districts with numerous other districts proposed and/or in
progress.  Fresno's population is a tad under 500,000.

2)  Overview of historic properties is only one part of the job.   The
HP Project Manager reviews projects for compliance with CEQA, reviews
ALL demolition permits and subdivision maps, serves as staff to the
Historic Preservation Commission, writes Council reports, organizes
special workshops and events.   "Structures," remember are only a small
part of the historic landscape.

3)  Hmm.  We are required under our agreement with the OHP and under
our Historic Preservation Ordinance to have someone who meets the
Secretary of Interior's Professional Qualifications...  most traditional
planners do not have this expertise in architecture, ethnicity and
preservation law.

4)  What can I say... I'm GREAT!  Seriously, the position is critical
to celebrating, protecting, preserving Fresno's heritage, which of
course is an important component of cultural tourism.

5)  There is a great team effort now... some wonderful young and
seasoned planners who appreciate historic preservation for all its
complexities.  This has not always been the case, however. Some  Code
staff still see historic preservation as obstructionism, as "hysterical
preservation."

6) Geez Louise, I sure hope so.

7)  I initiated the Planning Department's Fresno Green building program
and also chaired (for several months) the City-wide Green Team. 
Historic preservation, landscapes, canals are all credits in the
building program.

8)  It is important to see "historic preservation" in the broadest
possible terms... again, it is not just about historic buildings, but
about neighborhood preservation, historic landscapes, education,
heritage tourism etc.  What price do you put on this?

Feel free to call me if you want to chat-

Karana Hattersley-Drayton
Historic Preservation Project Manager
City of Fresno (559) 621-8520

>>> Wendy Ward <wwbike at pacbell.net> 6/1/2008 7:04 PM >>>
Greetings to all CLG folks

I*d like to know from CLG cities the following:
1. IF you have a dedicated preservation planner, how many historical
resources does this individual look-over? And what is the population of
your
city/town? 
2. Does this planner collaborate with other planners on other projects
or is
there enough work to focus solely on Historical structures?
3. Why was it deemed necessary to hire a preservation planner in your
community? 
4. How do you feel this person has benefited your historic resources,
your
community 
5. Is there a synergy, good cooperation between this planner and other
departmental staff or is the planner seen as a hindrance?
6. Is it perceived that the costs for this focused planner has been
worth
it? 
7. Is this planner being integrated into Green Building ordinance
work?
8. --any added commentary you may feel necessary to add--

Thank you
Wendy Ward
Cultural Heritage Commissioner
City of Napa
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