Introduction of the 50 Year
Demolition Ordinance
City Council Meeting – April 17, 2023
Attachment No. 5
Discussed in 2019
• Discussed at Council July 2019
Concerns discussed:
61% of City subject to new rule.
The scale changes every year
Potential delays in entitlement process
Existing Demolition Ordinance
• Historic Preservation Commission Review required for:
Alterations and Demolitions of Historic Properties
All buildings built prior to 1945 if demolition is proposed. • Pre 1945 Building Review
If determined not historic, can demo
If determined historic, can not demo
New Process
• Creates a 2 step process
• Step 1: Determination as to whether or not a property is eligible for designation
• Step 2: (if historic) A demolition process
New Process Benefits
• Separate historic determination from demolition (can request review at any time)
• Clear process to request demolition for any property
determined to be historic.
• Process includes CEQA process, discourages demolition of a historic building.
Additional Changes
• Remove Pre-1945 language from Certificates of
Appropriateness
• Removes Demolition language from Certificates of
Appropriateness
• Revised the definition of demolition: Pre-1945 to 50 yrs old or older
Addressing 2019 Concerns
• Situation in Planning has changed
Hired more staff
Hired Historic Preservation Supervisor
Provides qualified staff and support to other staff members to complete reviews
• Citywide Historic Context Statement
History of development in Pomona
Broken down into Themes
Period of Significance
Location
Types of property
Eligibility Standards
Character-defining / Associated Features
Integrity Considerations
Addressing 2019 Concerns
• Historic Context can rule out large portions of the City. • Reduce processing time (30-45 days)
• Can be done concurrently with entitlements (CEQA requires this review), should be no delay to applicants
• May be a delay for projects where no entitlement is required. Concurrent with Plan Check (15 day maximum delay)
Permit only (45 day maximum delay)
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council introduce, waive further and give first reading to Ordinance No. 4322.