TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to develop an adaptive reuse incentive program and ordinance that recognizes the economic, environmental and cultural value of preserving older and/or historic landmark buildings in consultation with the Cultural Heritage Commission, the Planning Commission and the historic preservation community.
Request that the program include, but not be limited to, the following elements drawing on adaptive reuse ordinances in Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Pasadena:
· A fair, clear and predictable approval process that stresses collaboration between the various approval entities including building, Fire, planning and Public Works.
· Regulatory changes to provide incentives for adaptive reuse, including the potential for density, corridors/neighborhoods of focus, by-right and parking waivers.
· Flexibility in building and fire codes that mandate health and safety protections while ensuring that requirements do not render projects infeasible
· Application of the historic building code as appropriate.
· Develop a handbook and online resource describing the program to potential developers.
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Adaptive reuse is the recognition that when buildings are brought back to life through reuse or repurposing, they revitalize and stabilize neighborhoods by preserving the historic context of our communities and its architecture. Furthermore, adaptive reuse policies and standards often result in new housing and mixed-use opportunities, thereby multiplying their economic impact and creating jobs.
Currently, the City of Long Beach supports efforts aimed at preserving and repurposing existing historic buildings through documents such as the Downtown Planning District 30 (PD-30), Downtown Plan, zoning, municipal code and the Historic Preservation Element. Although these resources acknowledge the need to offer some incentives for reuse, namely reduced parking requirements and density limitations, Long Beach must...
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