TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and adopt resolution amending the General Plan of the City of Long Beach by adding an Historic Preservation Element. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
While Long Beach has many of the components of a sound historic preservation program in place, it has not had a General Plan element to address this subject. Recognizing that having such a policy plan would allow the City, as a Certified Local Government (CLG), to take advantage of grant funding opportunities available only to CLG communities that have adopted an historic preservation element, the creation of such a plan was initiated two years ago. The firm of Historic Resources Group (HRG) was selected to assist in drafting the new element because of its expertise in cultural preservation matters and proven ability to assist communities in putting together workable preservation programs, tailored to local needs.
Community input on the General Plan update was initially obtained through the Planning Bureau's Long Beach 2030 General Plan workshops held in the spring of 2007. Building on this effort, the Planning Bureau reached out to the community in 2008, this time specifically targeting local preservation groups, historic neighborhood organizations, business leaders and residents with an interest in local preservation issues. Five facilitated workshops were held in various locations throughout the City to introduce the Historic Preservation Element project, and to ask for ideas to improve Long Beach's existing cultural and historic resources preservation program.
Subsequent to these meetings, a broad range of suggestions to improve local preservation efforts were presented by HRG to the City. Staff evaluated all of the ideas presented in an effort to find those solutions that best address the concerns most often cited by community members. These solutions constitute the historic preservation program as presented in the proposed Historic Preservation Element of the General Plan provided to the City Council on May 27, 2010. The document is also available on line at http://www.lbds.info/planning/historic_preservation/defauIt.asp.
The Draft Historic Preservation Element was released for public review on February 5, 2010; the Cultural Heritage Commission held a study session on the document on March 8, 2010; and the Redevelopment Agency Board held a review on March 15, 2010. On April 12, 2010, the Cultural Heritage Commission held a hearing on the document and unanimously recommended the document, with minor corrections, to the City Planning Commission. On April 15, 2010, the Planning Commission held a hearing on the Historic Preservation Element and unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt the document.
This letter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael J. Mais on April 23, 2010 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 28, 2010.
SUSTAINABILITY
Preserving historic buildings is a sustainable land use practice. The fifth goal of the Historic Preservation Element is to: "Integrate historic preservation policies into the City's community development, economic development and sustainable-city strategies," thereby, promoting a cohesive and holistic approach to land use planning for an economically prosperous, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable community.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter has been appropriately noticed for June 22, 2010.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no costs or job impacts associated with the adoption of this policy document.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
REGINALD I. HARRISON |
APPROVED: |
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH BY ADOPTING AN HISTORIC PRESERVATION ELEMENT