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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 HISTORIC PROP'S 08-16-99DATE: AUGUST 16, 1999 inter-Com NO. 9 8-16-99 TO: FROM' SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES WITH PLAQUES SUMMARY: The Cultural Resource Advisoo~ Committee has recommended that the City implement a program to designate historic properties with plaques. This report serves to provide the City Council with a general overview of the Committee's recommendations pertaining to the proposed program. Should the Council wish to support a plaque designation progra~n, it wouM be appropriate for the Council to provide direction regarding its implementation. RECOM'MENDATION That the City Council provide direction to staff regarding the implementation of a plaque designation program. FISCAL IMPACT City Council direction regarding the plaque designation program is being requested at this time; therefore, no impacts to the General Fund are anticipated. The fiscal impacts associated with the implementation of a plaque designation program are specifically related to the type of program implemented. Should the Council direct staff to implement the Cultural Resource Advisory Committee's recommended program, costs would be borne by the property owner and there would be no direct fiscal impacts to the City. DISCUSSION in October of 1997, the Cultural Resource Advisory Committee identified a plaque designation program as one of their medium priority goals. At the January 21, 1998, April 22, 1998, and April 19, 1999 meetings, the Cultural Resources Advisory Committee discussed the potential implementation of an historic property plaque program in Tustin. The Committee also requested that staff contact other cities and the County to obtain information about other existing plaque programs. Staff contacted the County of Orange and the cities of Orange, Pasadena and Vallejo and Charleston, South Carolina. Each of these communities follows a different, procedure, in some communities, the plaques are provided to the property owners at no cost. The program proposed for Tustin, however, would be completely voluntary and property owners would be responsible for purchasing the plaques. In most of the communities surveyed, property owners are responsible for installing and maintaining the plaques. City Council Report Plaque Designation Program August 16, 1999 Page 2 The Community Development Department also consulted with the City Engineer to obtain preliminary input on the feasibility of placing plaques in the sidewalk or having the City install the plaques on private property. Given liability and maintenance concerns, the Public Works Department recommended that the plaques be installed by property owners on private property. Purpose of a plaque designation program The purpose of a plaque designation program is to recognize Tustin's historic properties, educate the public, increase public interest in historic preservation, and promote community pride. Cultural Resource Advisory Committee Recommendations The Cultural Resource Advisory Committee has made the following recommendations pertaining to a plaque designation program: · 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 should be provided on the nomination form. · Selection Process The Cultural Resource Advisory Committee and staff will review the nominations to determine eligibility, and 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. · 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 a designated manufacturer. The Committee and staff will select the manufacturer by obtaining at least three informal bids and contacting references. · Costs The cost of the plaques should be in the range of $150 to $200. Property owners will be responsible for the cost of the plaques and shipping and handling. City Council Report Plaque Designation Program August 16, 1999 Page 3 · Design and Copy The design of the plaques will be uniform and established by the Committee and staff in consultation with the chosen manufacturer. The Committee and staff will designate the type of information to be provided on the plaques, such as date of construction, property name, etc. The total amount of copy will be kept to a minimum. Property owners will obtain, approval for the copy from the Committee and staff. Logo Every plaque will be identified with an identical logo. The logo will be selected through a design contest open to the public and judged by the Committee. In areas with sidewalks and cUrbs, the logo could also be painted on the curb face to clearly identify a property that has a plaque. Placement and Installation The plaques will have to be placed on private property and could be mounted on the building, a wall or fence or a pedestal structure at the discretion of the property owner. If the plaque is placed on a pedestal, the City will provide a standard detail for construction of the pedestal. 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. Alternatives Staff has identified the following three alternatives for the City Council's consideration: Alternative 1: Provide direction that a plaque designation program be implemented in the manner recommended by the Cultural Resource Advisory Committee. Alternative 2 Provide direction that a plaque designation program be implemented in a manner recommended by the City Council. (Under this alternative, the Council would provide specific program parameters that differ from the Cultural 'Resource Advisory Committee recommendations). Alternative 3 Provide direction that no plaque designation program be implemented at this time. City Council Report Plaque Designation Program August 16, 1999 Page 4 Should the Council direct staff to implement a plaque designation program, staff will develop specific parameters for the program and a more detailed procedure that will be developed in consultation with the Cultural Resources Advisory Committee. Scott Reekstin Associate Planner Elizabeth A. Binsack Director of Community Development SR:kbm\ccreports\Plaques Report.doc