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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 HISTORIC PROPERTIES 03-20-00DATE: lSl0. 9 03-20-00 i n t e r- C o m MARCH 2O, 2OOO TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES WITH PLAQUES SUMMARY: On August 16, 1999, the City Council directed staff to implement a plaque designation program as conceptually recommended by the Cultural Resource Advisory Committee. This report serves to provide the City Council with more specific program parameters developed by the Committee. Should the Council agree with the recommended parameters, it would be appropriate for the Council to direct staff to t~ublicize and itnpletnent the program. RECOMMENDATION That the City Council direct staff to publicize and implement the City's plaque.designation program for historic properties. FISCAL IMPACT City Council direction to publicize and implement the plaque designation program is being requested at this time. No direct impacts to the General Fund are anticipated because the costs for individual plaques would be borne by property owners. There would be insignificant staff costs associated with the administration of the program. DISCUSSION In October of 1997, the Cultural Resource Advisory Committee identified the development of a plaque designation program as one of their medium-priority goals. At their January 21, 1998; April 22, 1998; April 19, 1999; and June 21, 1999 meetings, the' Cultural Resources Advisory. Committee discussed the potential implementation of an historic property plaque program in Tustin. On August 16, 1999, staff presented a report to the City Council on the plaque designation program for historic properties. The City Council directed staff to implement a plaque designation program, and develop specific parameters for the program and a more detailed procedure in consultation with the Cultural Resources Advisory Committee. City Council Report Plaque Designation Program March 20, 2000 page 2 Community Development Department staff mailed out letters to twelve plaque manufacturers in September of 1999 to obtain cost estimates for the proposed plaques to be used in the program. Responses were received from ten of the twelve companies. Cultural Resource Advisory Committee Recommendations On December 6, 1999, staff presented the cost estimates and sample brochures to the Committee for their review and recommendation. The Cultural Resource Advisory Committee made the following specific reCommendations pertaining to the plaque designation program: · Name of the Program "Tustin Historic Register" was recommended as the official name for the plaque designation program. · Selected Manufacturer The Committee has recommended that Erie Landmark Company be selected as the plaque manufacturer. Erie Landmark Company submitted the lowest bid and has produced plaques for the communities of Pasadena, Oceanside, Monrovia and Placentia. A bid was received from a Tustin company, but the cost was significantly higher. Because lower plaque costs may encourage property owner participation in the program, the bid amount was the most important consideration in selecting Erie Landmark Company. Eligibility All properties listed in the Tustin Historical Resources Survey will be eligible for nomination to the plaque designation program. Nominations Any Tustin resident or business will be able to nominate an eligible property for the plaque designation program using a nomination form developed by City staff. The program and a request for nominations will be advertised through press releases, direct mailings, and Tustin Today. Specific reasons for the particular nomination would be requested on the nomination form. Selection Process The Cultural Resource Advisory Committee and staff will review the nominations to determine eligibility, award certificates and provide plaque installation instructions to the property owners. Properties in disrepair or with significant code violations will not be selected for the program. City Council Report Plaque Designation Program March 20, 2000 Page 3 · Fabrication A property owner would not be obliged to purchase and/or display a plaque. However, property owners who elect to participate in the plaque designation program must use the specified design and will order their plaques directly from the selected manufacturer. Costs The cost of the plaques will be approximately $80.00 plus shipping and handling for the smaller plaque and about $105.00 for the larger size plaque. Property owners will be responsible for the cost of the plaques and shipping and handling. The plaque cost is not guaranteed and may increase over time. Design and Copy The Committee has recommended the following uniform design for each plaque: · 7" by 10" or 8" by 11 ½" ovals · Cast bronze material · Dark brown background color · Building-mounted or stake-mounted for freestanding plaques · No City seal or other logo on the plaqu, e · Single, even width, border (non-elliptical) · Cheltenham typestyle The Committee has recommended that the following information be displayed on each plaque: · The date of construction as the most prominent feature · Use of the word "circa" when appropriate · A maximum to two lines of supplemental text, such as property name, to be approved by the Committee and City staff · Display of the words "Tustin Historic Register" An example of the plaque design is shown in Attachment A. Logo The Committee has recommended that no logo or City seal be placed on the plaques because of the additional costs associated with the logo and the limited amount of space on the plaques. City Council Report Plaque Designation Program March 20, 2000 Page 4 · Placement and Installation The plaques will have to be placed on private property and may be mounted on the building, a wall or fence or on a metal stake at the discretion of the property owner. To encourage uniformity and visibility, the City will work with the property owner to determine the preferred placement location(s). Miscellaneous Parameters There will be no limit as to the number of eligible historic properties designated with plaques through the program. Existing plaques will not be affected by the new program. Property owners may install different plaques, but they would not be part of the formal program. Should the Council direct staff to publicize and implement the plaque designation program, staff will begin preparing promotional materials that will be discuSsed with the Cultural Resources Advisory Committee at their April 3, 2000 meeting. Scott Reekstin Acting Senior Planner F__Jizabeth A. Binsack Director of Community Development SR:kbm\ccreports\Piaques Report 2.doc Attachment A: Plaque Design Example ATTACHMENT A