City of Sacramento
Personnel and Public Employees Committee Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-01962 2/24/2026
City of Sacramento Preservation Commission 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan (M25- 019)
File ID: 2025-01962
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and provide direction on the 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan for the City of Sacramento Preservation Commission (“Commission”) and pass aMotion either: 1) directing staff to forward the Annual Report and Workplan to the City Council for review; 2) directing staff to update the Annual Report and Workplan based on Personnel and Public Employee Committee recommendations and forward to the City Council for review; or 3) asking the Commission to update the Annual Report and Workplan based Personnel and Public Employee Committee recommendations and come back to the Personnel and Public Employee Committee for additional review.
Contact: Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, (916) 808-2796, [email protected], Community Development Department
Presenter: Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, (916) 808-2796, [email protected], Community Development Department Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Chapter 17 of the Council Rules of Procedure states that each city advisory body shall provide an annual report for review by the Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE). At a minimum, reports should include the following:
· Highlights and accomplishments from the previous year’s work; · Proposed projects, priorities, and recommendations for the upcoming year, including
File ID: 2025-01962 2/24/2026
resources required and information on feasibility; and
· Any other information required of the advisory body according to the Sacramento City Code.
This item is to forward the Preservation Commission’s 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan to the P&PE Committee.
Policy Considerations: Chapter 17 of the Council Rules of Procedure outlines the Advisory Body reporting process.
Economic Impacts: Not Applicable.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): This action is not a project that is subject to CEQA because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines §15378(b)(5)).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: The Preservation Commission reviewed the annual report and workplan on September 17, 2025. It didn’t recommend any changes. The Preservation Commission reviewed the annual report and workplan on October 22, 2025, and passed a motion recommending the P&PE Committee review the report and make a recommendation to City Council to approve the report.
Rationale for Recommendation: The P&PE Committee shall facilitate the process for advisory bodies to communicate their accomplishments, projects, priorities, and recommendations to the City Council so that advisory bodies may effectively incorporate their important role, voice, and work to provide thoughtful community recommendations to the City Council on a consistent basis.
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
915 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 [email protected] (916) 808-7200
Sacramento Preservation
Commission Annual Report
January 2025 through December 2025
Sacramento Preservation Commission Annual Report Page 2 of 9 Table of Contents
Introduction: Establishment, Commissioners, and Staff ........................................................................... 3 Purpose, Powers and Duties of the Preservation Commission ............................................................. 5 Message from the Preservation Commission Chair ................................................................................. 6 Key Accomplishments ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Commission Resources Expended ............................................................................................................... 8 Workplan for Upcoming Year ....................................................................................................................... 9
Sacramento Preservation Commission Annual Report Page 3 of 9 Introduction: Establishment, Commissioners, and Staff
The Sacramento Preservation Commission was established in 2006 by ordinance 2006-063 and is codified in Sacramento City Code chapter 2.58.
The commission consists of seven members who are nominated by the Personnel and Public Employees Committee and appointed by the mayor with the concurrence of a majority of the city council. Commissioners must meet the following requirements:
Seat I: a member who is a licensed historical architect who meets the Secretary of the Interior qualifications for historical architects; Seat 2: a member who is an architectural historian with training or experience in the architectural history of Sacramento, the Sacramento region, Northern California, or the West arid who meets the Secretary of the interior's qualifications for architectural historians;
Seat 3: a member who is a registered structural engineer; Seat 4: a member who is a licensed contractor and who has training or experience in restoration of historic properties;
Seat 5: a member who is a landscape architect, designer, or historian with training or experience in historical landscapes.
Seat 6: an at-large member with a preference for an individual with training or experience in historic preservation and/or urban planning; Seat 7: an at-large member with a preference for an individual with training or experience in the history of Sacramento, the Sacramento region, Northern California, or the West and who meets the Secretary of the interior's qualifications for historians.
Current Sacramento Preservation Commissioners
The following commissioners are currently serving on the commission.
Max McSlavkin
Margo Nayyar
Patricia Ambacher
Brian Burns
Ian Lee Merker
Salvatore Ricca
Ella Cross
2024 Commissioners
The following commissioners served on the commission prior to 2025.
Max McSlavkin
Margo Nayyar
Patricia Ambacher
Brian Burns
Ian Lee Merker
Sacramento Preservation Commission Annual Report Page 4 of 9 Salvatore Ricca
Sacramento Preservation Commission Staff
The commission is supported primarily by the following staff members.
Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, Community Development Department Michael Sparks, Senior Deputy City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office Bruce Monighan, AIA, Urban Design Manager, Community Development Department
Sacramento Preservation Commission Staff Contact Information
Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director
City of Sacramento – Community Development Department
300 Richards Blvd. 3rd Floor – Sacramento, CA 95811
[email protected]
(916) 808-2796
https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/community-development/meetings-and- hearings/preservation-commision
Sacramento Preservation Commission Annual Report Page 5 of 9 Purpose, Powers and Duties of Sacramento Preservation Commission
Purpose of the Sacramento Preservation Commission
The Preservation Commission is established for the purpose of providing advice and recommendations to the City Council on policies and programs in support of historic preservation, including the goals and policies for the general plan and updates of the preservation program, and to exercise the authority set forth in Sacramento City Code chapter
2.58 and as otherwise provided in the Sacramento City Code.
Powers and Duties of the Sacramento Preservation Commission
Pursuant to Sacramento City Code section 2.58.030, the Preservation Commission has the power and duty to do the following:
Recommend to the City Council policies and programs in support of historic preservation, including goals and policies for the General Plan Preservation Element and other regulatory plans; periodic updates of the preservation program, including the standards, criteria, and procedures set forth in the Sacramento City Code; and programs for historic preservation incentives.
Evaluate and submit comments and recommendations on proposed plans, public and private development projects, and environmental reviews that are not subject to review under the Sacramento City Code, but that may potentially affect the physical development and historic preservation of the city involving landmarks, contributing resources, historic districts, nominated resources, or the historical value of any other building, structure, or neighborhood, in coordination with review and action by the City Council, planning commission, or other public agencies on the plan, project, or environmental review.
Review and make recommendations to the State Office of Historic Preservation regarding nominations of property located within the city to the National Register of Historic Places.
Assume duties assigned by the City Council pursuant to the certified local government provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, or duties that may be assigned to the Preservation Commission through any agreement(s) approved by the City Council. This shall include undertaking review and comment upon those projects on which the City, as a certified local government, has an obligation or opportunity to provide review and comment under the National Historic Preservation Act, including but not limited to private and public projects undertaken within the Old Sacramento national historic landmark district.
Annually, report to and make recommendations to the City Council regarding the activities of the Preservation Commission and the status of policies and programs in support of historic preservation, including the goals and policies for the General Plan and updates of the preservation program in the City.
Any other powers and duties conferred upon the preservation commission by the city council.
Sacramento Preservation Commission Annual Report Page 6 of 9 Message from the Sacramento Preservation Commission Chair
As Chair of the Sacramento Preservation Commission, I’m honored to share an update on our recent accomplishments and the exciting initiatives ahead that conti nue to celebrate and protect our city’s rich and diverse heritage.
This year, the Commission proudly recommended landmark status for more than a dozen properties.
Many of these nominations build on the momentum of the African American History Project, highlighting the remarkable individuals and places that have shaped Sacramento’s story. These sites honor the legacy of doctors, architects, business owners, faith leaders, civic organizations, and the Civil Rights Movement— each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of our community.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are committed to supporting efforts to document underrepresented histories.
Key initiatives include:
Supporting the Hackett House nomination to the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom, spotlighting Sacramento’s role in the Underground Railroad. Developing the Historic District Plan for Lavender Heights, as identified in the 2024 LGBTQ+ Historic Context and Survey.
Updating the Old Sacramento National Register Historic District to better reflect stories beyond the Euro-American and Gold Rush narratives.
In addition to these projects, the Commission will continue with its core responsibilities: reviewing grant - funded preservation work, reviewing historic landmarks and districts, advising on development proposals and appeals, and contributing to long -range planning and policy development. We also look forward to supporting educational programming, especially during Preservation Month in May, which offers a valuable opportunity to engage the public in celebrating our shared history.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are preserving Sacramento’s past while thoughtfully shaping its future.
Warm regards,
Margo Nayyar
Chair, Sacramento Preservation Commission
Sacramento Preservation Commission Annual Report Page 7 of 9 Key Accomplishments
This report covers the period since the last report, January 2025 through December 2025.
A. The Preservation Commission reviewed the following historic resource nominations:
Address/Historic Resource Name Action Taken
1112 40th Street - Landmark Recommendation to City Council San Francisco Boulevard - Landmark Recommendation to City Council 5850 Freeport Boulevard - Landmark Recommendation to City Council New Helvitia Historic District Recommendation to City Council 2014 10th Street Recommendation to City Council
6390 South Land Park Drive Recommendation to City Council 4991 Warwick Avenue Recommendation to City Council
4322 4th Avenue Recommendation to City Council
4214-4216 Lotus Avenue Recommendation to City Council
4200 Broadway Recommendation to City Council
3948 33rd Street Recommendation to City Council
3639 4th Avenue Recommendation to City Council
3555 3rd Avenue Recommendation to City Council
2710 X Street Recommendation to City Council
2685 26th Street Recommendation to City Council
2404 21st Street Recommendation to City Council
B. The Preservation Commission provided direction on the following policy documents:
1. Accessory Dwelling Unit Objective Design Standards for Historic Properties
2. Water + Project Environmental Impact Report
3. New Helvitia Historic District Plan
4. Railyards Special Planning District - Static Digital Signs for Large Entertainment Venues within Sacramento Shops Historic District
Sacramento Preservation Commission Annual Report Page 8 of 9 Commission Resources Expended
The estimated cost to support the Sacramento Preservation Commission in 2024 was $24,000.
The estimated cost to support the Sacramento Preservation Commission in 2025 was $24,000.
In 2024 we held eight meetings and in 2025 we held eight meetings. Below is a breakdown of expenditures made to support the commission during this review period.
The estimated cost per meeting is as follows:
Meetings Hours Rate Total
Staff report creation and review – department staff 8 2 $234 $3,744 Staff report review – city attorney staff 8 1 $216 $1,728 Agenda review, preparation, and publishing – city clerk 8 10 $35 $2,800 Meeting presentation preparation 8 1 $117 $936
Meeting attendance – department staff 8 4 $165 $5,280
Meeting attendance – city attorney staff 8 2 $216 $3,456 Meeting attendance – city clerk staff 8 4 $58 $1,856
Meeting attendance – IT staff 8 4 $53 $1,696
Post meeting tasks: minutes, legislative document processing, attendance tracking
8 5 $35 $1,400
Commissioner stipend processing (quarterly) 12/year $42 $504 Commissioner stipends (7 commissioners) $50 $600
Total Meetings Cost $24,000
Sacramento Preservation Commission Annual Report Page 9 of 9 Preservation Commission Workplan for Upcoming Year
NPS Network to Freedom – Hackett House Nomination. The City received a grant from the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom program to nominate the site of the Hackett House. The Preservation Commission will review research findings, draft nomination materials, and the final document prior to submittal, and will serve as a public meeting venue.
LGBTQ+ Historic Context & Survey – Implementation. Following the 2024 completion of the LGBTQ+ Historic Context and Survey identifying the proposed Lavender Heights Historic District and five associated individual landmarks, the Commission will: (1) review a Historic District Plan for Lavender Heights; (2) hold hearings on nominations for the district and the identified landmarks; and (3) forward recommendations to City Council. Staff will conduct property-owner engagement in advance of hearings. Old Sacramento Historic District – NRHP Update & District Plan. Consultants are preparing an update to the Old Sacramento Historic District National Register nomination. The Commission will review draft materials prior to Office of Historic Preservation submittal and host public meetings during document development. Old Sacramento Sign Ordinance Update. The Commission will serve as the hearing body for proposed updates to the Old Sacramento sign regulations and will make a recommendation to City Council on a draft ordinance.
Local Register Nominations. The Commission anticipates hearings on new Sacramento Register listings in 2026, including the proposed Old Sacramento Historic District (local designation) and resources identified through recent context and survey efforts. Potential National Register Nominations. Additional NRHP nominations that may come before the Commission in 2026 include Grant Union High School, Sierra II School/Community Center, 2015 21st Street (Briggs Mansion), and the Diggs Building (R Street).
Ongoing/Recurring Responsibilities.
o Serve as a public review body for grant-funded preservation projects and recommend whether to accept final deliverables.
o Continue reviewing historic landmarks and districts for listing on the Sacramento Register.
o Hear and make recommendations on significant development projects and appeals affecting historic resources.
o Provide feedback on long-range planning efforts and other department policy documents, forwarding policy recommendations to the Planning and Design Commission and City Council.
o Host training presentations by City staff and outside experts, particularly during Preservation Month in May.