Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Board weighs making Salinas historic-property findings easier to find online; owner consent and Mills Act discussed
Summary
Board members and staff discussed creating a more accessible online list of Salinas’ historically designated properties and whether to use the label “landmark.” Staff said a consultant’s survey (Page & Turnbull) and property-owner consent will guide any formal designations; the Mills Act and Secretary of the Interior standards were referenced.
Members of the Salinas Historic Resources Board on Wednesday discussed steps to make the city’s inventory of historic properties easier for the public, tourism groups and property owners to access and use.
Chair Mazgay opened a conversation about publishing a consolidated, searchable listing on the city website, noting other cities use such lists to support heritage tourism and help residents find information about local historic resources.
Board member Sal Munoz said the board’s previously produced self-guided walking-tour pamphlet contains many buildings but that an accessible online list would help chambers of commerce, tour operators and former residents who return to the city. “It should be more prominent on the website,” Munoz said.
Grant Leonard, planning manager, said the city is working with consultant Page & Turnbull on an architectural-survey effort and that the survey results could be included in an online listing. Leonard noted that the city’s designation process and protections are set out in city code and that formal landmark or historic designation requires a multistep process: survey, board review and then city council action.
Board and public comments raised three recurring questions: whether private homes should be listed without owner consent, how to label the inventory ("landmark" versus "historically designated"), and how to use an online list for Mills Act outreach. Board member Callender urged caution about listing private residences without consent; Leonard said property-owner involvement is required for designation and that some owners may welcome the visibility.
Community members and experts who spoke during public comment urged the board to rely on existing survey work where possible. Kent Sevey, who conducted the original 1989 survey and said it was state-funded, told the board that the survey record is available at the California Office of Historic Preservation in Sacramento and that the city can use that documentation rather than repeating previous work.
Leonard confirmed the El Rey Theater was designated in 2024 and said staff will ask Page & Turnbull to include recommendations about making survey results more accessible and whether “landmark” as a label adds value beyond the city’s current "historically designated" terminology.
Board members proposed creating a short subcommittee or doing comparative research on other cities’ presentation of landmark lists; staff said the board may research best practices while Page & Turnbull completes its work and that staff will raise the accessibility question with the consultant as they finalize the survey report.
There were no formal actions taken at the meeting on this topic.
