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Salinas hires Page & Turnbull for comprehensive historic resources survey
Summary
The Salinas Historic Resources Board heard an update that Page & Turnbull is under contract to conduct a citywide historic resources survey, resurveying previously-identified properties, reviewing roughly 15,500 parcels built before 1980 and producing digital DPR documentation and a historic context statement.
The Salinas Historic Resources Board on Wednesday heard staff confirm that Page & Turnbull is under contract to update the city’s historic resources survey and related documentation.
Grant Leonard, planning manager, told the board the consultant was chosen through the city’s on-call list and that “we are under contract with Page and Turnbull as of December 3rd.” The scope described to the board includes a comprehensive, citywide review of parcels with buildings constructed before 1980 and a resurvey of properties previously identified in the city’s 1989 survey.
The board was shown examples from a recent Pacific Grove survey as an illustrative model. Staff said the Salinas project will produce digital copies of DPR forms and an integrated mapping product; Page & Turnbull also will prepare a historic context statement for Salinas. That context statement is part of the consultant’s work, Grant Leonard said, and is intended to support determinations of eligibility and future designation work.
Why it matters: the updated survey and DPR documentation will form the factual basis staff, the Historic Resources Board (HRB) and, when applicable, the City Council use to evaluate nominations and preservation requests. Board members raised accessibility of existing records — several noted that the city’s 1989 DPR forms and appendices are not fully available online and are currently accessible only in print at the library and the community development office.
Discussion and details: board members asked whether the Page & Turnbull scope would match Pacific Grove’s approach or be broader. Staff said the Salinas effort will be more comprehensive: the firm will resurvey about 104 properties identified as eligible in 1989 and will review roughly 15,500 parcels citywide to determine eligibility. Staff also confirmed the project will produce digital deliverables intended for public access and permit‑system integration so that historic-resource flags can appear as part of permit review.
The board reviewed the DPR (Department of Parks and Recreation) form used by the state and discussed the variety of DPR templates (residential, commercial and other types). Board members asked about the process for designation; staff summarized the existing local designation path: a property owner or nominator works with a historian and the planning department, the HRB reviews the nomination, and final designation is made by the City Council. Board members also noted that the survey could identify potential historic districts and properties recommended for future designation even if they do not meet a strict 50‑year threshold.
Board members asked staff to ensure the new survey’s DPR forms and appendices are available digitally and that Page & Turnbull’s mapping be accessible to the public. Staff also noted an upcoming agenda item to update the board on construction work at the Empire House, which is listed on the National Register; staff said that project’s status highlights the need to complete the audit and survey.
Next steps: staff will continue to coordinate with Page & Turnbull on the scope and digital deliverables and return with progress updates to the board.
