LANDMARK ALTERATION PROCESS
IMPROVEMENTS AND
CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD AND DESIGN
REVIEW BOARD CONSOLIDATION
City Council Meeting
February 4, 2025
1 Jessica Jones, Deputy Director - Planning
Planning & Economic Development
Project Description
2 Amend the Zoning and Municipal Code, Processing Review Procedures for Owners of Historic Properties, Design Guidelines, and Council Policy 000-06, and adjust the fees for Landmark Alteration (LMA) Permits.
1. Streamline and enhance the Landmark Alteration (LMA) Permit process for properties in Preservation Districts and local landmarks; and
2. Consolidate the Cultural Heritage Board (CHB) and Design Review Board (DRB) into a single Design Review and Preservation Board; and
3. Move Board appointments from individual Council member to full Council; and
4. Amend the Fee Schedule to add Director Level LMA Permit fee and reduce fees for homeowner submitted LMA applications.
Purpose
3 The proposed amendments have been
developed to:
Streamline the LMA Permit process;
Enhance the City’s preservation efforts;
Reduce time and cost for property
owners; and
Better allocate City resources.
4 5
• 5/22/2018 – Council adopted an ordinance for streamlined Design Review. • Staff has been monitoring the process for expansion to other entitlement processes. • City has been reviewing boards, commissions and committees for potential consolidation to address resources and redundancy.
• 1/30/2024 – Council held a study session related to the draft Development Related Cost of Service Fee Study.
• 3/5/2024 – Council adopted new development related permit fees, including reductions to certain permit application fees.
• 7/17/2024 – CHB members identified concerns related to increased LMA Permit fees; 5 Board members resigned.
• 11/7/2024 – DRB Study Session on proposed amendments. • 12/12/2024 – PC unanimous recommendation to Council.
History
5 • Exemptions: Add to and clarify existing exempt projects. • Director Level LMA: Add process for projects previously requiring Minor LMA.
• Minor LMA (Zoning Administrator): Amend process for
projects previously requiring Major LMA.
• Major LMA (Board): Amend process to include only
substantial projects.
• All require a finding of consistency with Secretary of Interior’s Standards.
Zoning Code – LMA Process
6 • Recommending the duties and composition of the CHB and DRB be consolidated into a single Design Review and Preservation Board.
• Single Board would allow a more streamlined process to ensure superior design and preservation of historic character.
Zoning Code – CHB and DRB
7 • Current qualifications are desired but not required. • Proposed:
Require 2 architects, 1 landscape professional, 1 archeologist / architectural historian / historian;
Remaining involved in design, construction, engineering, and/or preservation; All members must demonstrate knowledge or interest in architectural design and historic preservation.
• Would retain the City’s ability to apply for the Certified Local Government (CLG) program in the future.
Zoning Code – CHB and DRB
8 • Municipal Code Chapter 17-22, Historic and
Cultural Preservation (adopted in 1988 and updated
in 1996):
Eliminate and replace with references to the
Zoning Code (language is in Zoning Code
Chapter 20-58 and Section 20-60.070).
Add “purpose” language and regulations for
trees from Chapter 17-22 to Chapter 20-58.
• Municipal Code and Design Guidelines: Change all
references to DRB and CHB to Design Review and
Preservation Board.
Municipal Code and Design Guidelines
9 • Adopted by Council in 2001 – intended to assist
owners, designers and citizens in the preservation
of historic resources.
• Has not been updated since adoption and is
outdated.
• Not intended to be a policy or regulatory document.
• As a Council adopted document, it requires Council
approval for any updates.
• Add language to Chapter 20-58 authorizing the
Director to make edits for consistency with the
Code and processing procedures.
Processing Review Procedures
10 Council Policy 000-06
11 • Outlines procedures for the Council to appoint boards, commissions and committees members.
• Appointment to the DRB and CHB is by individual Council members. • Given the proposed Board consolidation and required qualifications, the Policy should be amended to require appointment by the full Council.
LMA Fees
12 On 3/5/2024, Council
adopted new
development permit
fees, including
reductions to the
following:
LMA Fees – Options
13 • Concerns raised that owners are not obtaining LMA Permits. • To address this, the City has historically provided reduced the fees.
• Both DRB and PC supported:
Streamlining of LMA Permit process.
Maintaining budget for training for Board and staff.
Consideration of reduced LMA fees.
• DRB comments on Board consolidation incorporated into draft amendment:
Require licensed architects, designers, and historic preservationist. Maintain some non-licensed professionals for balance. • PC voted unanimously to recommend Council adoption, with one change:
Add definition for “qualified professional” for historic surveys/evaluations.
DRB Study Session and PC Action
14 • Notice in Press Democrat, sent via email to CHB (1,070) and DRB (1,174) mailing lists, posted on City’s social media sites.
• Project website – description of proposal and links to draft amendments. • Outreach to representatives of Preservation Districts and former CHB members. • Community Comments:
General support.
Request for training for Board and staff.
Request that the LMA Permit fees be reduced.
Recommended technical edits – completed.
Notification and Public Comment
15 Recommendation
16 It is recommended by the Planning Commission and the Planning and Economic Development Department that the Council by one ordinance and three resolutions:
1. Introduce an Ordinance to address streamlining and process improvements for the LMA Permit process and to consolidate the duties and composition of the CHB and DRB into a single Design Review and Preservation Board;
2. Adopt a resolution to amend the Santa Rosa Design Guidelines to replace all references to the CHB and DRB with a reference to the Design Review and Preservation Board;
3. Adopt a resolution to set a fee for the Director Level LMA Permit application and provide for reduced LMA Permit fees for all levels of homeowner submitted applications; and
4. Adopt a resolution to amend Council Policy 000-06 to remove references to the DRB and CHB and add the Design Review and Preservation Board to Section H, requiring appointment of Board members by the full Council.