Commission renames brochures 'pamphlets,' directs staff to collect marked edits; clarifies nomination signature rule

The Ojai City Historic Preservation Commission voted July 10 to adopt the term “pamphlets” in place of “brochures” for its public information materials and instructed commissioners to submit highlighted edits for staff to include in the August packet.

Staff reported that a set of draft brochure/pamphlet materials — including walking tours, landmark descriptions and Mills Act guidance — had been circulated. Commissioners discussed wording changes and additional detail to add, including a recommendation to explicitly note incentives in the municipal code (section 4.11) such as potential discretionary lot splits, accessory dwelling unit adjustments, fee waivers and expedited review as options that may be available to landmark owners.

Commissioners also raised a procedural correction for the nomination form: the packet’s draft language stated the ‘‘application signed by the property owner,’’ which commissioners said could be misleading because anyone can nominate a property. Commissioners asked that the pamphlet language be revised to say the nomination ‘‘must be signed by the nominating party’’ and that the pamphlet should note owners may submit an objection during council review.

The commission asked that all proposed edits be highlighted on the draft and provided to staff by the packet deadline (two Thursdays before the next meeting) so the changes can be circulated to the full commission and the public before a formal vote. Maura confirmed staff will include Elise DuPuyt’s suggested edits and other commissioners’ markups in the next packet.

Provenance: staff report and commissioner discussion on pamphlets and Mills Act language appeared in the packet review and editing discussion.