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Commission discusses Mills Act reviews, historic‑district signage and wildfire preparedness for 2025 work plan
Summary
At its March 20 meeting the South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission discussed priorities for the coming year including ongoing Mills Act property reviews, a public suggestion to create historic‑district signage, concerns about wildfire risks in hillside landmarks, and revisiting a recent Arroyo landmark designation.
The South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission on March 20 discussed priorities for its 2025 work plan, including continued review of Mills Act applications, a public suggestion to develop district signage for designated historic districts, and concerns about wildfire preparedness for landmark properties in hillside areas.
Commissioners said Mills Act reviews were a recurring item and recalled several properties considered in the past year. One commissioner said the commission reviewed roughly five Mills Act properties in the prior year but did not state how many ultimately qualified. Commissioners also noted that one Mills Act review on Indiana had passed recently and that other applications are anticipated.
A commissioner raised a public suggestion to develop a historic‑district sign program after receiving examples from a resident; the idea would include sign design and an oversight role for the commission. Staff said other city bodies, including the city council and planning commission, are considering related priorities and that the mayor pro tem planned to share additional ideas at a future meeting.
Commissioners also discussed concerns about landmark properties located in high‑fire‑risk hillside areas, citing the recent fires in Altadena as a local example. A commissioner asked whether the city and fire department have plans for preparedness and whether development or code approaches for hillsides might be revisited. Staff said preparedness is a high priority in the city council’s 2025 priorities and that the planning commission has identified hillside development regulations as a work‑plan priority.
The commission also briefly revisited a previously approved landmark designation for a modern house on Arroyo, which a staff member said was approved last year and could be brought back into discussion if needed.
Commissioner Cross used the meeting to announce that this would be his final meeting after six years of service on the commission and an additional six years previously on the planning commission; colleagues offered thanks for his service.
No formal actions on Mills Act contracts, signage programs or hillside regulations were taken at the meeting; commissioners agreed to continue discussion at a future meeting when a full commission is present.
