Commission seeks City Council clarification on 1872 townsite design standards, ADUs and SB 9 effects

The Landmarks Commission discussed whether the city’s historic-design guidelines for the 1872 townsite require amendment to clarify how new construction, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and modular homes are reviewed.

A commissioner said Amy (city staff) advised that the existing standard applies primarily to priority 1 and 2 buildings and that certain changes—such as demolition of a secondary structure—can remove a property’s priority status and thereby remove design-review requirements. Commissioners said that was not made clear when earlier surveys and design guidelines were created and that this gap allows demolition or new construction to proceed without design guidelines applying.

Commissioners also raised concerns about SB 9 and its interplay with local review of ADUs in historic areas. One commissioner said they were previously advised that historically designated areas were exempt from some SB 9 provisions but that current staff guidance indicates ADUs may now be allowed without owner-occupancy or design-review requirements. Commissioners said this could undermine the historic character of the 1872 townsite unless the design standards are amended and clarified by City Council.

Commissioners asked that the topic be put on a November agenda to begin the process of developing an amendment and that the commission recommend to City Council that the design standards be revised to explicitly address new construction, ADUs and modular homes within the historic townsite. The commission did not adopt any ordinance or formal motion at this meeting; the item was discussed as a recommended next step for City Council consideration.