Historic Homes in San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo historic homes plan concerns residents
Dozens express worries that proposed ordinance is too punitive
By AnnMarie Cornejo | acornejo@thetribunenews.com
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Dozens of San Luis Obispo residents voiced concerns about what might happen to their property rights should a proposed ordinance defining standards for preserving historic properties within city limits be adopted by the City Council.

The council had not yet reached a decision at press time but was expected to give instruction to staff about changes they would like to see in the language of the ordinance, which would be brought back for adoption in coming months.

Several community members expressed apprehension about penalties that could be levied against homeowners for neglect of their properties, calling the ordinance too punitive.

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•Cultural Heritage Committee wants to protect San Luis Obispo's historical homes

Cultural Heritage Committee wants to protect San Luis Obispo's historical homes

The San Luis Obispo City Council will consider a new ordinance tonight that enables the city to fine owners of historic properties for flagrant neglect.
The historic preservation ordinance is the first of its kind for San Luis Obispo. It was drafted by the city’s Cultural Heritage Committee, an advisory body to the council.
San Luis Obispo has long had preservation guidelines, but not the ability to enforce them — which city planners say has led to the demolition of several historic structures over the years.


•Is proposed law for SLO’s historical homes harsh?

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For the record, and for those who sit on the San Luis Obispo Cultural Heritage Committee: I like historical homes. For the record, I like their style; I like the fact that they give substance and character to San Luis Obispo; I like the people who buy them, restore them and then adore them.
But (and you just knew a “but” was coming, didn’t you?), a proposed law that deals with historic preservation within the city seems harsh in its scope and potential application — or does it?
The above-mentioned committee and city planning staff have been hammering out the new ordinances over the past eight months. There are parts of the new law that seem, well, odd. The first is that a passel of individuals — chief building official, city attorney, Cultural Heritage Committee, the City Council “and their designees are hereby authorized to enforce the provisions” of the proposed ordinance.


•Property preservation plan causes concern

Property preservation plan causes concern

About two dozen San Luis Obispo homeowners and concerned citizens asked questions and voiced complaints during a workshop Thursday on a proposed ordinance that could govern how they change and keep up their properties.
The draft ordinance outlines rules and regulations for historic homes and buildings and development guidelines in historic districts — and it carries potential penalties of up to $5,000 a day or a one-time fine of up to $10,000 for violations.
The draft proposal is expected to go before the City Council on Sept. 21.


•Viewpoint: Support proposal, support history

Viewpoint: Support proposal, support history

I am a Cultural Heritage Committee volunteer member, a San Luis Obispo homeowner and a previous zoning enforcement officer with the city of Dublin and with Napa County. I attended the Aug. 26 Historic Preservation Ordinance and Guidelines workshop hosted by the Community Development Department to listen to community concerns.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was the fifth established mission of the 21 Alta-California Spanish missions, built in 1772, and one of the very first European settlements in California. San Luis Obispo city was the 12th city to be incorporated in California (481 incorporated California cities exist today).
The city-placed signs at the entrances to San Luis Obispo read: “Historic San Luis Obispo.” The signs are intended to encourage Highway 101 travelers to visit and experience our heritage and to spend money in our city. Our mission and many of the historic structures and neighborhoods reflect a well-preserved heritage.


•SLO County Roundup

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SLO County
The county Clerk-Recorder’s Office will open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to ensure that voters who may have trouble getting to the polls on Election Day Aug. 17 have an opportunity to vote.
The special election Tuesday has only one race on the ballot: the contest for the 15th District state Senate seat vacated by Abel Maldonado when he became lieutenant governor in May.

San Luis Obispo financial planner and former state Assembly candidate Matt Kokkonen, who occupies a 100-year-old house, called the ordinance a “travesty of private property rights.”

One resident threatened to sue the city should the ordinance be adopted.

Supporters of the ordinance said that preserving San Luis Obispo’s historic properties is important enough to institute the new law.

San Luis Obispo resident Robert Pavlik said that he thought the ordinance to be in line with other California communities and valuable because “we are only stewards of our historic built environment.”

Fellow resident Dean Miller agreed with Pavlik.

“I am aware that we live in a time where everyone has rights and no one has responsibilities — and I am not a supporter of that,” Miller said. “I think this city needs a strong conservation ordinance. ... It won’t scare me.”

The proposed historic preservation ordinance would be the first of its kind for San Luis Obispo.

The ordinance, drafted by the city’s Cultural Heritage Committee, defines procedures and standards for preserving historic buildings within city limits and sets penalties of up to $5,000 a day for ongoing violations and the possibility of a one-time fine up to $10,000.

The measure allows the city to qualify as a “certified local government,” giving it the ability to apply for grants to assist homeowners with preservation work.

San Luis Obispo has long had preservation guidelines, but not the ability to enforce them — which city planners say has led to the demolition of several historic structures over the years.

About 175 properties are included on San Luis Obispo’s master list of “historic resources” — those structures that are deemed the most important. There are 500 or so additional properties on the city’s list of “contributing historic resources,” a designation that can be applied to structures at least 50 years old that are publicly visible.

All of those properties, including buildings located in San Luis Obispo’s five historic districts, fall under the proposed ordinance.

Reach AnnMarie Cornejo at 781-7939. Stay updated by following @a_cornejo on Twitter.



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