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Rancho Cordova directs staff to craft preservation work plan for historic buildings and sites
Summary
Council members agreed to direct staff to prepare a work plan to implement General Plan actions on historic resources, focusing first on eight sites identified in the General Plan and adding other locally nominated properties; residents urged recognition of Native American sites and Kilgore Cemetery.
Dolce Gullert, a planner with the Community Development Department, presented the General Plan’s historic-resources element and a staff recommendation to focus initial work on eight locally identified sites while allowing the council and community to nominate additional properties for study.
"Before you this evening will be a discussion regarding historical buildings and sites within the city and receive some direction on potential next steps," Gullert told the council, summarizing the General Plan action items and noting that some properties already have state or federal designations such as the American River Grange Hall.
Why it matters: Council members said the current list in the General Plan is out of date and urged a broader inventory and protections for locally significant sites. Council members mentioned likely additions including Mill Station, the former Edwards Motel, Brookside/Silver Brothers Winery and local historic houses; several members also emphasized acknowledging Native American history associated with sites such as Kilgore Cemetery.
Resident Helen Willem Beshaw told the council the city has done significant work at Kilgore Cemetery and that the community lacks formal recognition of the Nisenan and Maidu peoples. "There is nothing in the city that recognizes them, and I've been pushing for that for a long time," she said, urging relocation of the Routier Station and protection of heritage trees.
Dolce Gullert said staff’s recommended approach is to compile the list, conduct cultural-significance research and, where appropriate, return with proposals for ordinances or standards to protect buildings while avoiding undue burden on private homeowners.
Council action and next steps: Several council members voiced support for compiling an expanded list and asked staff to research cultural significance and protections. Gullert said staff did not require a formal motion; the council’s clear direction to proceed was sufficient and staff will return with research, community outreach plans and proposed regulatory options.
The item concluded with staff confirming that the next steps will include community outreach, a formal list and analyses to come back to the council for further direction.
