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LOS ANGELES CONSERVANCY Preservation Report Card | 2014

The final aspect we reviewed when analyzing
communities with historic preservation ordi-
nances was the effectiveness of their programs.
We reviewed the number of designated local
landmarks in each community and how often
designations were made, considering the rela-
tive size of the community. A few jurisdictions
have had landmark ordinances for several
years, but have yet to designate any resources.
Others have active programs and a growing list
of designated landmarks, often fueled by the
strong promotion of the benefits of owning a
historic property, such as property tax relief
under the Mills Act.

Dedicated Historic Preservation Staff and/or Commission

Communities that value their historic resources typically have dedicated staff
to pursue preservation efforts, as well as a Historic Preservation Commission
to designate landmarks and review proposed changes to historic properties.

Preservation staff or local commissions typically review permits for dem-
olition or alteration of historic resources, administer Mills Act programs,
and designate new landmarks. They are often responsible for commenting
during the CEQA process regarding historic properties. In many commu-
nities, they are also important advocates for historic preservation and a
Top: Thirty communities in L.A. County have the
great resource for property owners on preservation techniques and practices.
ability to designate historic districts, which protect
the unique character of historic neighborhoods.
Pictured: Glendale designated its first
In the new Preservation Report Card scoring system, communities with a
historic district, Royal Boulevard, in 2008.
Photo courtesy City of Glendale Planning Department. staff member dedicated to historic preservation received more points than
those that assigned preservation-related duties to the general staff pool.
Bottom: A housing tract in Mar Vista designed by architect
Gregory Ain is one of Los Angeles’ twenty-nine historic
districts (known as Historic Preservation Overlay Zones, Similarly, communities with a Historic Preservation Commission devoted
or HPOZs), and the city’s first postwar HPOZ. to identifying and designating their historic resources received more points
Photo by Larry Underhill.
than those that delegated these duties to an entity whose primary purpose is
not preservation.

Ability to Designate Historic Districts

A community’s ability to designate historic districts is an important tool in
protecting large numbers of historic resources and preserving historically
significant neighborhoods. In many cases, a local historic preservation or-
dinance includes language allowing for the designation of historic dis-
tricts. In other cases, a community establishes a separate ordinance for this
express purpose.

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