San Mateo City Council
June 17, 2024

Historic Policy
Study Session
Zachary Dahl, AICP
Director, Community Development
June 17, 2024
Study Session Overview
• Staff Presentation
• Historic Policy Background
• Policies and Action in General Plan 2040
• Historic Policy Workplan Options
• Public Comment
• Clarifying Questions and Discussion
• Council Direction
• Which option would the Council like staff to proceed with? 2 of 11
Historic Policy Background
• 1989 Historic Building Survey Report
• Includes historic overview of San Mateo (basis for Context Statement) • Identification of eligible districts and individual properties • Historic Preservation Ordinance
• San Mateo Zoning Code Chapter 27.66
• Adopted Plans
• General Plan 2040
• Downtown Area Plan
• Downtown Historic District Designation
• Downtown Historic District Design Guidelines
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• All potentially eligible historic resources must be evaluated as part of the environmental review process.
• 50+ years old triggers initial review
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Historic Policy Background
• General Plan 2040 Update Process
• 2023/2024 - Significant community interest and comments on historic resource preservation • Policies and Actions in Historic Resources Element updated to respond to comments • Baywood Historic District Nomination
• District nomination submitted to State in fall 2023 by the San Mateo Heritage Alliance • Nomination generated significant community comments and discussion • City Informational Resources and Support
• Hosted Community Informational Meeting - February 2024 • Updated Historic Resource Information Website
• State historic district designation process
• City’s permitting process for potential historic resources • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review historic resources • https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/4775/Historic-Resources 4 of 11
Strive San Mateo General Plan 2040
Community Design and Historic Resources Element
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Strive San Mateo General Plan 2040
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Option 1: Prioritize Implementation
• Comprehensive Update to Historic Preservation Ordinance (Action 5.8) • Create a framework for the designation of historic resources and districts • Establish review and permitting procedures for historic alterations, demolitions or relocations • Ensure consistency with Federal and State standards and guidelines, and alignment with the other goals and policies outlined in the General Plan and City adopted policies
• Prepare a Citywide Historic Context Statement (Action CD 5.9) • Outline parameters to guide future historic resource survey efforts and how to identify individually eligible resources and historic districts
• Update Internal Processes
• Screening criteria, project review processes, applicant/owner resources, etc. • Includes all work that would be completed in Option 2 • Public Outreach and Engagement
• Significant stakeholder engagement, including community meetings, study sessions and public hearings • Resource Requirements
• Staff from Community Development Dept, City Attorney’s Office and City Manager’s Office • Retention of a qualified historic consultant
• 12+ months to complete
• Cost around $500,000 (consultant, staff and other associated costs) 7 of 11
Option 2: Update Internal Historic Processes
• Update Internal Processes to Fully Develop Historic Review Process • Historical resource screening criteria
• Process for historic designations based on the current Ordinance and State/Federal practices • Would not be able to setup process for local district designations • Establish best practices for preservation and maintenance • Expand website with more historic information and resources to facilitate public awareness • Develop other tools to support clear understanding of requirements for projects associated with designated and eligible historic resources
• Public Outreach and Engagement
• Technical work, not policy work, so outreach would occur after work completed • Host a community meeting to share updated processes and resources, and answer questions • Resource Requirements
• Staff primary from CDD, with some CAO and CMO support • Retention of a qualified historic consultant
• 6-9 months to complete
• Cost around $100,000 (consultant, staff and other associated costs) 8 of 11
Option 3: Maintain Current Prioritization
• Actions CD 5.8 and CD 5.9 a Short-Term Priority
• General Plan Implementation Plan specifies actions as a Shirt-Term (S) priority • Anticipated to be completed within the next five years • Exact timing in this range dependent on City Council prioritization • Ongoing Work
• Staff would continue to do routine work to maintain and update City handouts, website resources, and other processes to support historic project reviews and public understanding of the subject
• Resource Requirements
• No additional staff resources or funding to update the Historic Preservation Ordinance, develop a historic context statement, or augment historic policies and processes at this time
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City Council Direction
Which option would the Council like to proceed with?
• Option 1: Prioritize Implementation
• Option 2: Update Internal Historic Review Processes
• Option 3: Maintain Current Prioritization
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Thank You!
Zachary Dahl, AICP
Director, Community Development
[email protected]
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