Historic Preservation Incentives Workshop

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Leslie Barber
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1 Historic Preservation Incentives Workshop CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH OCTOBER 19, 2015

2 Format of the Meeting First portion of the workshop: Presentation from City Staff about current incentives offered to historic properties. City Staff: Greg Pfost, Director of Community Development Nancy Csira, Zoning Administrator (Prior Heritage Committee Liaison) Martina Caron, Senior Planner/Heritage Committee Liaison Second portion of the workshop: Public Comments Third portion of the workshop: Comments and Discussion by the Heritage Committee

3 Workshop Objectives o Educational Meeting held on 9/15/15 o Memo from the City Attorney was distributed o On 9/21/15, the Heritage Committee recommended that a series of workshops be held to address the different topic areas in the proposed historic preservation ordinance. o Future meetings: o NOVEMBER 16, 2015: Historic Ratings and Historic Criteria Workshop o JANUARY 2016 (date TBD): Opt Out Provision Workshop o Other topics: Process to modify a historic structure Ordinance format o Tonight's meeting will focus on Historic Preservation Incentives.

4 Historic Preservation Element Goal: Preserve and enhance building, structures of historic significance in Laguna Beach. Assuring neighborhoods which have a preponderance of older homes and which greatly contribute to the village atmosphere be maintained as cohesive neighborhood units through consistency of size, scale and character. Policies: 1.3- Protect historic buildings through the implementation and expansion of incentive programs specifically designed to encourage rehabilitation and preservation. Incentive programs could include flexible development standards, fee waivers and property tax reductions.

5 Current Historic Incentives o LBMC section lists the historic preservation incentives offered for structures on the Historic Register. Parking Building Permit and Planning Application Fees Building Code Deviations Additions to Historic Commercial Structures Setback Flexibility Density Bonuses Official Recognition Financial Incentives Relief from Nonconforming Structure Requirement o Currently, no incentives are offered to structures on the Inventory

6 Parking Incentives Single Family Dwellings: One parking space required instead of 2 spaces if no more than 50% addition is proposed. Multi Family Dwellings: No additional parking required if ½ the required parking is provided and the additions do not exceed 50%. Commercial Structures: C- Rated structure: Up to a 50% parking reduction E/K-Rated: up to a 75% parking reduction The parking reductions are based on the degree to which the historic character of the building is preserved and/or enhanced. The historic character of the building shall include exterior and visible interior elements if, and only if, integral to the historic building design.

7 Building Permit and Planning Fees All building permit and planning application fees for structures placed on the historic register will be refunded for those projects if, prior to the finalization of the building permit, the heritage committee finds the changes are consistent with approved plans and preserve the historic character of the subject building. Fees are paid and then refunded after the construction has commenced per the approved plans.

Building Code Deviations The city may allow deviations from Title 14 of this code requirement (Building and Construction Code) when findings can be made by

8 Building Code Deviations The city may allow deviations from Title 14 of this code requirement (Building and Construction Code) when findings can be made by the director of community development/building Official that the historic building is in conformance with the state of California Historical Building Code.

Additions to Historic Commercial Structures Historic commercial structures may add up to fifteen percent of the existing floor area, not to exceed

zoning regulations, subject to review and approval by the design review board.

9 Additions to Historic Commercial Structures Historic commercial structures may add up to fifteen percent of the existing floor area, not to exceed five hundred square feet, without providing additional parking and without bringing any existing nonconformities into compliance with current zoning regulations, subject to review and approval by the design review board. The addition must be removed if the historical building is removed from the historic register. Retail: Typically it would require an additional 2 parking spaces Restaurant: Typically would require 5 additional parking spaces

10 Setback Flexibility Additions to historic structures shall be allowed to maintain setbacks up to the line of existing encroachments; provided, that all setbacks as required by the Uniform Building Code are maintained for new construction.

unit per one thousand square feet of lot area, provided the E or K rated structure

11 Density Bonuses Local Business Professional Zone and the Downtown Specific Plan Area E exceptional or K key rated structure may add residential units at a density of one unit per one thousand square feet of lot area, provided the E or K rated structure is preserved. Typically, one unit per two thousand square feet of lot area is required.

12 Official Recognition Properties on the historic register shall be eligible for special designation plaques.

13 Financial Incentives Mills Act: Owners of properties rated K or E on the historic register are eligible to apply for a Mill s Act contract. Owners of any historic property listed on the historic register are eligible to apply for any other local, state and national financial benefits, if any. California Government Code, Article 12, Sections Potential Mills Act Savings: The savings vary from property to property, and have ranged from 20% to 70% based on the County Tax Assessor's property valuations in accordance with the state law formula.

14 Relief from Nonconforming Structure Requirements (1) Exempt from non-conforming variances if the additions do not diminish or detract from the historic significance of the original structure, and if such addition is found to be compatible in scale and character with the surrounding neighborhood. (2) Properties located in multifamily zones (R-2 and R-3), where only one unit currently exists, may apply for additional units without bringing existing nonconformities into conformance, if it is determined that the additional unit will not diminish or detract from the historic significance of the original structure, and if such additional unit is found to be compatible in scale and character with the surrounding neighborhood.

15 Success Stories 380 Anita Street 2560 Iris Way 654 Catalina Street

16 380 Anita Street Project: 496 square-foot living area addition and a 71 square-foot garage addition to a single-family residence.

17 380 Anita Street Incentives: The applicant was allowed one covered parking space and to construct additions in line with the existing nonconforming rear setback. Zoning/Planning and building fees were refunded ($5,852.48). Mills Act Savings: Tax Bill: $8, Tax Bill: $3,377

18 2560 Iris Way Project: 500 square-foot garage, a 485 square-foot deck addition and 124 square-foot addition to an accessory structure. A variance was required to encroach into the front setback with the garage.

19 2560 Iris Way Incentives: Zoning/Planning and building fees were refunded ($10,963.89). Mills Act Savings: Tax Bill: $9, Tax Bill: $2,962

20 654 Catalina Street Project: 510 square-foot living area addition and a 393 squarefoot tandem garage addition to a single-family residence (2005). Hardscaping, gas fire pit, patio trellis (2011).

Zoning/Planning and building fees were refunded ($8,038.

21 654 Catalina Street Incentives: Additions in line with the existing nonconforming rear setback. Zoning/Planning and building fees were refunded ($8,038.06). Mills Act Savings: Tax Bill: $12, Tax Bill: $10,363

22 Workshop Discussion 1. What additional incentives should be given to historic properties? 2. Should incentives continue to only be given to properties on the Register? 3. What incentives should be granted if a property is not listed on the inventory or register? 4. What process should be required to review/approve the incentives?

Historic Preservation Ordinance Draft- 6/3/16 Page 1

Historic Preservation Ordinance Draft- 6/3/16 Page 1 Chapter 25.45 - HISTORIC PRESERVATION 25.45.002 Intent and purpose. 25.45.004 Definitions. 25.45.006 Properties listed on the historic register. 25.45.008 Procedures for the alteration of historic register