[Calclg-l] CEQA and the preservation of historic resources

Thu May 8 11:54:16 PDT 2008

Hi Michelle:

Staff has been directing applicable CEQA questions to the excellent
"OHP.PARKS.CA.GOV" website on CEQA which includes key sections of the
California Code (Title 14, Chapter 3)including sec 15064.5 as well as
Public Resource Code sec. 21084.1 etc...

The following is a little bit more information than you asked for
relating to Redwood City's process involving CEQA and the protection of
historic resources but I thought that it could be interesting if not
useful.

Background:
Out of approximately 18,000 homes in Redwood City, many of these
dwellings are now over 50 years old (reflecting the post WWII
residential growth boom). Because these homes are so common (and
architecturally similar), these "subdivision tract-type/rancher style
homes" constructed between 1946 and 1958 are not considered potential
historic resources by Redwood City's Historic Resources Advisory
Committee (HRAC). 

Issue and process:
Many other homes however, several pre-dating WWII have not been
documented with DPR-523's.  Recently, a couple of single-family dwelling
contractors/developers affected by the City's process have questionned
Redwood City's policy to ask for more information regarding an
anticipated effect to a potential resource, and asked:
"Where does it say it in your ordinance", "I want to show this to my
lawyer..." etc..

Such homes are not regulated outright by the local preservation
ordinance, nowhere does it state that there must be a review by the HRAC
for non-designated properties. and so we are back to CEQA. The City of
Redwood City has put in a system which flags all these "potential
historic rsources" in the computer which means that building permit
applications are typically screened by staff for significant impacts to
potential resource (see attached memo to counter staff).  Staff
typically chooses to get the input of the HRAC as part of the overall
process and that this aids staff in making the most informed
determinations possible for these older properties. If determined
eligible for further research (for example, not compromised by
alterations) a process has been outlined for the applicant -- please see
enclosed chart.

Best regards,
Charles

Charles Jany AICP
Principal Planner
(650) 780-7239
FX (650) 780-0128
cjany at redwoodcity.org

-----Original Message-----
From: calclg-l-bounces at ohp.parks.ca.gov
[mailto:calclg-l-bounces at ohp.parks.ca.gov] On Behalf Of Messinger,
Michelle C.
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 10:51 AM
To: calclg-l at ohp.parks.ca.gov
Subject: [Calclg-l] CEQA

Dear Local Governments:

OHP is updating its Technical Assistance Bulletin I CEQA and Historical
Resources, and I am gathering some information.

I would be interested to learn what kind of materials you distribute/
provide for the general public concerning the management of your CEQA
responsibilities.

Could you please provide the web links, or tell me how I can obtain a
copy of your document if it is in hard copy only?

Any comments about your process would also be very interesting.

Thank you.

Regards,

Michelle C. Messinger

State Historian II - CEQA Coordinator

Office of Historic Preservation

Local Government and Information Management Unit

1416 Ninth Street, Room 1442

Sacramento, CA 95814

Tel.: 916-653-5099

Fax: 916-653-9824

webside: www.ohp.parks.ca.gov

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