California’s housing crisis has spurred sweeping legislative changes that often collide with local historic preservation goals. This session examines the evolving relationship between housing policy and preservation, beginning with a look at key state legislation—such as SB 35, SB 330, and AB 2011—and its impact on local planning and historic resources.

Presenters will share how communities adapt preservation practices to support increased density while maintaining neighborhood character. Case studies from Sacramento, Berkeley, San Francisco, and Portland will highlight zoning reforms, objective design standards, and ministerial review processes that enable sensitive infill development.  A case study from housing developer Heritage Housing Partners (Pasadena) will examine affordable housing within historic contexts—leveraging tax credits, adaptive reuse, and community input.

The session concludes with an interactive small group discussion where participants will identify local barriers to housing in historic districts and propose actionable strategies to overcome them. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how preservation and housing policy can work in tandem to create livable, inclusive communities.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the policy landscape shaping housing development in historic neighborhoods, including state laws like SB 35, SB 330, and AB 2011, as well as local zoning reforms that streamline approvals.
2. Analyze case studies of successful streamlined review programs—including missing middle housing and other zoning reform efforts—from Sacramento, Portland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and projects led by Heritage Housing Partners.
3. Identify key barriers to efficient housing development in historic districts and explore strategies to address regulatory, financial, and procedural challenges.
4. Develop strategies to integrate new housing while maintaining neighborhood character through design guidelines, incentives, and community engagement.
5. Advocate effectively for preservation-sensitive housing solutions by engaging policymakers and crafting actionable policy recommendations.

Speakers

• Kate Conner, LEED AP, Deputy Director of Housing, Current Planning Division, San Francisco Planning
• Fatema Crane, Preservation Planner
• Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, City of Sacramento
• Adrian Scott Fine, President and CEO, Los Angeles Conservancy
• Assemblyman Matt Haney, Chair, Assembly Housing Committee (invited)
• Cindy Heitzman, Executive Director, California Preservation Foundation
• Lisa Krause, Senior Specialist, Housing Policy Development Division, California Housing and Community Development
• Charles Loveman, CEO, Heritage Housing Partners, Pasadena
• Greta Soos, Senior Planner, City of Sacramento
• Brandon Spencer Hartle, Senior City Planner & Historic Resources Manager, City of Portland
• Rich Sucre, Deputy Director of Current Planning, City and County of San Francisco