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County adopts historic‑resources ordinance and Mills Act procedures; adds archivist consultation requirement
Summary
The board adopted a new historic‑resources zoning ordinance and companion Mills Act procedures to encourage voluntary preservation. The ordinance includes a technical correction and an explicit direction that planning consult appropriate resources, including the county archivist.
Peter Maurer, special projects administrator in the Planning Department, presented a draft zoning ordinance to establish review procedures for demolition, alteration or relocation of structures judged to be historically significant. Maurer said the draft grew from an urgency ordinance adopted last February and the Planning Commission recommended changes that expand review from demolition permits to include alterations and relocations that require building permits.
The ordinance sets a threshold (including a 75‑year age guideline) and directs the planning director to determine whether a structure merits historic review; if so, county staff would perform a narrow CEQA review focused on the resource and the Planning Commission would hear recommendations. The board and staff discussed a suite of implementation issues raised at the commission, including the role of the county archivist, how to handle “demolition by neglect,” and the need for transparent, efficient staff procedures.
At the supervisors’ request staff added wording that the planning director shall consult appropriate resources, "including but not limited to the county archivist," when making applicability determinations. The board also adopted the Mills Act procedures — a tax‑assessment incentive that allows property owners to enter agreements encouraging preservation — and confirmed the assessor’s office supports implementing the program locally.
The ordinance and the Mills Act resolution passed; one supervisor recused themself from the ordinance vote because of a disclosed property interest. The ordinance will become effective 30 days after adoption.
