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LOS ANGELES CONSERVANCY Pre ser vation Report Card | 2008

Calabasas: D- to C+

The City of Calabasas has demonstrated its commitment to historic
preservation by establishing several programs and protections for its
significant buildings and sites. In 2008 alone, the city has adopted a good
historic preservation ordinance, has implemented the Mills Act program,
and is conducting its first citywide survey of historic resources. In addition
to landmarks and historic districts, the city’s ordinance specifies historic
landscapes as eligible for designation. A notable feature of Calabasas’
ordinance is the local review and protection of all state and national land-
marks within the city, which are automatically included in the local regis-
ter. Calabasas has created a historic preservation staff position and has
a historic preservation commission that can deny proposals for demoli-
tion or inappropriate alteration.The city is currently producing a series of

Calabasas is currently conducting its first citywide design guidelines for historic property owners, covering a range of topics
survey of historic resources, which includes the including the proper treatment of historic building materials and appro-
Andy Anderson House (1938). The city recently
adopted a historic preservation ordinance. priate ways to design an addition.
Photo courtesy City of Calabasas
Planning Department.
Calabasas earned a C+ (versus a D- in 2003) for its efforts to implement
a full range of programs to protect the community’s historic structures and
landscapes. While the city has not yet designated any local resources, it
already serves as a notable model for surrounding communities.

San Fernando: D- to C

The City of San Fernando recently adopted a historic
preservation ordinance that enables the designation of
individual landmarks and historic districts. The ordi-
nance will protect designated resources from demoli-
tion and inappropriate alteration, as well as enable the
city to implement the Mills Act program. The ordinance
marks the latest in a series of continuous efforts on the
city’s behalf to promote and protect its cultural heritage.
A citywide windshield survey in 2002 identified more
than 200 potentially historic sites within the city.The city
adopted a comprehensive Historic Preservation Ele-
ment that garnered a 2005 Preservation Award from the
Los Angeles Conservancy. San Fernando continues to
expand its efforts, with future goals including becoming
The City of San Fernando recently adopted a historic a Certified Local Government.
preservation ordinance that enables the designation of
individual landmarks and historic districts. As part
of the process, the city held community workshops to San Fernando earned a C (versus a D- in 2003) for its marked progress
engage residents, collect input, and build support. in establishing protections and incentives for the preservation and pro-
Photo courtesy City of San Fernando
Planning Department. motion of the community’s architectural heritage.

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