HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 Historic RegisterITEM #4
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DATE: AUGUST 14, 2007 I C1 ~ 8 C - C O C1"1 ~~'~~,~~~
TO:
PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: HISTORIC REGISTER AND COMMENDED PROPERTY PROGRAMS
RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission receive this report and provide direction to staff.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On May 1, 2007, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1332, which assigns cultural and
historic resources responsibilities to the Planning Commission. These responsibilities
were formerly assigned to the Historic Resource Committee.
In a letter dated July 24, 2007, Tustin Preservation Conservancy President Linda Jennings
expressed the Conservancy's interest in assuming responsibility for administering the
Tustin Historic Register Plaque Program and the Commendation Program. As noted in the
attached letter, the Conservancy Board has offered to receive plaque requests from local
residents and business owners, use the City's Historical Survey to research the property,
and then order the plaques from the same manufacturer that has been providing the
plaques. The Conservancy Board is also willing to recognize residences and businesses
through administration of the quarterly commendation program.
Commendation Program
The commendation program recognizes an Old Town residence of outstanding merit every
calendar quarter. A decorative sign is displayed at the residence and the owner is
provided with aCity-paid plaque and recognized at a City Council meeting. Properties
commended to date include 355 West Second Street, 320 West Third Street, 520 West
Main Street, and 160 South Pacific Street.
If the Conservancy were to assume this responsibility, their Board of Directors could
present the commended properties to the Planning Commission and/or City Council on a
quarterly basis.
Tustin Historic Register (Plaque) Program
Owners of historic homes or commercial buildings in Tustin are eligible to participate in the
City's plaque designation program, called the Tustin Historic Register. The purpose of the
Planning Commission Report
Work Program
August 14, 2007
Page 2
voluntary program is to recognize Tustin's historic properties, educate the public, increase
public interest in historic properties, and promote community pride. The bronze plaques
purchased through the program may be mounted or set on metal stakes. Property owners
who would like to participate are responsible for the cost, installation, and maintenance of
the plaques.
The plaques display the construction date of the building, up to two lines of text, and are
identified with the words "Tustin Historic Register." Nomination forms are obtained from
the Community Development Department. Anyone, including the Commission, may
nominate properties.
If the Conservancy were to assume this responsibility, their Board of Directors could
administer the program according to the criteria approved by the City Council and provide
Community Development Department staff with the addresses of the properties that
participate in the Tustin Historic Register Plaque Program.
Should the Commission wish to consider the Conservancy's request, it would be
appropriate for the Commission to direct staff to forward the request to the City Council for
their consideration.
~C`Q~ /~~~~~
Scott Reekstin
Senior Planner
Attachment A -Letter dated July 24, 2007
S:\Cdd\PCREPORT\2007\Historic Register and Commended Property Programs .doc
B09Td OE DiLCCtOiS
Linda) ennings
~~ Sharon August Jones
a.. Brent A. Ferdig
SCGf Lewis
April Pollock
Tustin Preservation Conservancy Carol fink-Pos
Ronda UsseLy
. , ,~' 350 South B Street Heidi Srown
Old Town Tustin, California 92780 Markus Brown
July 24, ?007
Elizabeth Binsack
Director of Community Development
City of Tustin
300 Centennial
Tustin, CA 92780
Dear Elizabeth,
The Tustin Preservation Conservancy Board of Directors would like to assume responsibility
for the Tustin Historic Register plaque program. In keeping with the effort to reduce staff
time for City of Tustin employees, we believe this program can be operated by the
Conservancy and still maintain the goals and effectiveness of the register as prescribed by the
Historic Resource Committee.
The Conservancy will receive requests for plaques from local residents and businesses, use
the survey to research the title of the property, and order the plaques in the same format and
from the same manufacturer as used by the City for past plaques. We are prepared to take on
this responsibility immediately.
The Board of Directors is also willing to continue the quarterly Commended Property
program, recognizing homes and business properties that deserve recognition for outstanding
appearance. We need direction as to whether the City is willing to continue purchasing
plaques for those commended properties that don't have them at the time they are
recognized.
Please let me know when we might make a presentation to the Commission concerning this
matter.
Sincerely,
Linda Jennings
President
Cc: Brett Floyd, Chair
Planning Commission