Historic preservation commission to lead $200,000 citywide survey; $3,000 evaluation fee remains until list adopted

The Sonoma Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission heard an overview of recent ordinance changes and next steps for a citywide historic resources survey, and staff said the $3,000 historic resource evaluation deposit will remain in place for now until the survey and local listing process are complete.

Staff described a multi-step program the city will run after City Council adoption of ordinance changes. The administration plans to issue two requests for proposals: one for a citywide survey and one for a cultural landscape survey focused on the Sonoma Plaza. Staff estimated the survey contract could be about $200,000 and said the survey work would produce documentation (DPR forms and context statements) that the city would use to create or refine a local register of historic resources.

The changes adopted by council reassign some responsibilities and rename the body the Historic Preservation Commission. Staff said the commission will no longer review demolition permits as part of its purview and that some reviews (notably many signs) will remain under planning staff or administrative review until the sign code is revised. Staff said the new ordinance will take effect in approximately three weeks, after which the new pathways for major and minor design review will be implemented.

City staff described how the permit and review process will operate during and after the survey. Houses older than 45 years will continue to require an HRE when applicants propose work that falls outside exempt categories; staff said the current HRE deposit is $3,000. If an HRE determines a property is not historic, the applicant would proceed to the appropriate permit route without a major design review. Staff said that once the citywide survey and local listings are completed and adopted, the city expects to narrow the set of properties that require HREs and that the deposit requirement for certain properties would be removed.

The draft ordinance also tightens exemptions and clarifies material standards. Staff said properties listed or eligible for listing on the local register or located within a historic district would face stricter standards for visible elements such as windows and roofs: vinyl and vinyl-clad windows would not be allowed for historic resources visible from the public right-of-way, and reroofing in historic contexts should match the predominant material and style (for example, clay tile for Spanish Colonial–style buildings). Staff said applicants can request a different material and that requests outside the exemption would proceed to a hearing.

Staff discussed a new minor design review process that would include a 500-foot notice to surrounding property owners. If neighbors raise concerns during the notice period, staff said the project could be elevated to a public planning commission hearing rather than be approved administratively.

Commissioners asked about timing and scope. Staff said the city will begin from current records and the old survey and will use GIS and field checks to identify properties citywide. Planning staff said the city could identify new historic districts and that any district listing would require demonstration of integrity and density of resources. Staff also said realtor training and public outreach will be part of the rollout to help property owners understand what listing would mean.

Several participants raised the cost and timing implications for homeowners. In public comment, Phil Driver described a city staff instruction he received that required a fee to review whether his house had historic significance before he could proceed with a mandated cool-roof permit; Driver told commissioners he lives outside the city’s historic review map and called the requirement “absurd.” Staff responded in the meeting that the HRE deposit amount is $3,000 (not $5,000) and that the survey and local listing process are intended to reduce the need for individual HREs once properties are documented and listed.

Staff demonstrated a new web application, the Sonoma Historic Resources web app, that currently shows historic districts, contributing and noncontributing resources, and DPR form data for mapped properties. Staff said the tool is a work in progress, will be linked from a city historic resources web page, and will be opened more broadly for public comment and quality assurance once the city’s public information officer and staff complete a web rollout.

Commissioners were asked to begin drafting a work plan and to consider serving on ad hoc committees to support the RFP process, the citywide survey, and public outreach. Staff said one or two commission appointments remain open and asked commissioners to prepare three to five priority projects for the commission’s next meeting.

Votes at a glance: the meeting approved the evening agenda and unanimously approved minutes from the April 8, 2025, Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission meeting; both votes were roll calls with recorded yes votes by present commissioners.

The commission will reconvene with an agenda focused on a work plan and on review of the consultant scopes once RFP responses begin arriving. Staff said the city expects to continue accepting and processing reroof and window permit applications; applicants are advised to contact staff for guidance on whether an HRE will be required before starting work.