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From Paper to Practice: Building Effective Historic Preservation Ordinances

Thursday, February 19th | 9am-12pm Pacific

Having a robust preservation ordinance, supported by an equally strong Cultural Resources Element, can provide an effective road map for the identification and management of historic resources. Given the recent trend in state-level deregulation, with new housing laws circumventing local zoning, an adopted preservation ordinance can help cities retain local oversight.

In practice, though, too many cities have out-of-date ordinances, out-of-step with current best practice. And in those cases, a lack of political will or resources can keep city staff and decision-makers stuck with ineffective, inconsistent policies that slow things down.

This program will explore two related questions: first, what are some of the latest best practices in preservation policy, not only in terms of ordinances but also cultural resources elements? And second, how can we -- as community members, city staff, consultants, and advocates -- mobilize the community to help develop and guide the ordinance or element through to approval?

We’ll go from the big picture, considering the how’s, what’s, and why’s behind effective preservation ordinances, to exploring case studies from 4 California counties: Sacramento, Sonoma, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles.

The goal of this program is to provide community members, advocates, consultants, City staff and decision-makers with a few new ideas and tools for understanding (asking for, developing, and maintaining) effective, innovative preservation policy.

ELIGIBLE FOR 3 AIA LU | 3 APA CEU.

You must attend the entire live program to request credit. Attendance verified through Zoom log in.

Learning Objectives

• Attendees will be able to evaluate how preservation ordinances work to protect historic resources within the context of evolving state and local planning regulations.

• Attendees will be able to identify the essential components of a clear, defensible, and workable preservation ordinance, including designation criteria, review processes, design standards, incentives, and enforcement.

• Attendees will be able to analyze case studies from California jurisdictions to understand how ordinance provisions, administrative procedures, and community engagement strategies support effective implementation.

• Attendees will be able to apply community engagement and advocacy strategies to support the adoption, updating, and long-term success of preservation ordinances.

Speakers

Jennifer Gates, Community Development Director, City of Sonoma

Debi Howell-Ardila, Principal Associate, Chattel, Inc. | Historic Preservation Consultants

Sean deCourcy, Historic Preservation Director, City of Sacramento

Stephanie Cimino, Cultural Resources Principal and Project Manager, SWCA Environmental Consultants

Speaker bios coming soon!

 

Posted in: Local Government, Planning & Preservation Practice, Webinars, Workshops