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Historic Preservation

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NEW: Westside Historic Context and Survey Report (pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Historic Surveys

 

What is a historic resources survey?

A historic resources survey is a process of systematically identifying, researching and documenting properties that reflect important themes in the city's development such as architecture, city planning, social history, ethnic heritage, politics, industry, transportation, commerce, entertainment and others. 

Why is the City doing a historic survey of the Westside area?

The City is currently working on a Community Plan for the Westside/North Avenue area.  As established in the adopted 2005 General Plan, it is City policy to ensure proper treatment of archeological and historic resources, and to work towards completing historic resource surveys throughout Ventura.  The historic survey is a tool to be considered in the policy and code development portion of the upcoming Community Plan in addition to being an evaluation tool to use during development review. 

What qualifies as a historic resource?

Historic resources may include buildings, structures, objects, cultural landscapes, natural features and groupings of resources or areas known as historic districts. Examples of resources that may be included in surveys are residential subdivisions, libraries, trees, religious buildings, courtyard apartments, barns, and gardens.  The City of Ventura completed the Downtown survey in 2007 and is currently processing a historic survey for the Westside/North Avenue Community Plan area (see above pdf).

Why am I getting a notice in the mail about a hearing for the Westside historic survey?

The City wants to inform you that your property is being considered either as a potential landmark, located within a potential historic district, or in a conservation area.  Your participation is requested as the consultant team has prepared several recommendations that may affect future development of those properties.

What are a historic Landmark, Conservation Area and Historic District?

A historic Landmark means any real property such as building, structure, or archaeological excavation, or object that is unique or significant because of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or aesthetic feeling, and is associated with:

  1. Events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community;
  2. Lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
  3. Reflecting or exemplifying a particular period of the national, state or local history;
  4. Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction;
  5. The work of one or more master builders, designers, artists or architects whose talents influenced their historical period, or work that otherwise possesses high artistic value;
  6. Representing a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
  7. Yielding, or likely to yield, information important to national, state or local history or prehistory.

A Conservation Area is a tool that is used to protect the general architectural character of neighborhoods where the overall integrity does not meet the criteria for a Historic District.  This may be accomplished through special planning considerations by developing or revising development standards (height of buildings, setbacks from property lines, etc.) to discourage the wholesale demolition of a structure.  Conservation areas are not currently defined in the City’s municipal code but are a concept recommended in the Westside Historic Survey. 

A Historic District means a geographically definable area possessing a significant concentration, linkage or continuity of site, buildings, structures and/or objects united by past events, or aesthetically by plan or physical development, regardless of whether such a district may include some buildings, structures, sites, objects, or open spaces that do not contribute to the significance of the district.

Do surveyed resources automatically become designated as landmarks?

No. However, surveys do identify and evaluate resources that may be eligible for designation. No actual designation results directly from the survey activity. The City of Ventura requires property owner approval to submit for designation.  Nominations to the California or National Registers are separate processes that include property owner notification and public hearings.

How will this designation affect my property?

The survey will provide Community Development staff a tool in which to review development proposals.  The survey eliminates properties that are not considered of historic value and lists the properties that are of historic importance and may require additional analysis.  For example, should a demolition or major remodel request be made for a potential landmark, further environmental analysis would be required to determine the impact the project could have on historic resources.  On the flip side, if the property is a potential landmark, it may qualify for property tax reduction through the City’s Mills Act program.  

How will survey information be recorded?
Information about properties and districts will be recorded electronically in the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) database and print format. Survey data will also be sent to the State Office of Historic Preservation.

What type of information will be in the Survey?
The database includes various types of information on individual properties and historic districts relating to construction history, architecture, significance and relevant evaluation criteria.

Who conducts historic surveys?
For the Westside Historic Survey, the City hired a consultant team that meets the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards that typically perform historic surveys and resource evaluations.  Consulting firms work under contract through the City under the supervision of the Community Development Department’s Planning Division. Depending on the consultant and survey needs, volunteers with research experience and interest in history and photography may be considered.  

How old must a resource need to be in order to be considered “historic”?
Nationwide, a structure should be at least 50 years old to qualify as historic.  In Ventura, the survey includes structures that are 40 years and over to ensure that potential historic structures are not overlooked. 

Are archaeological resources going to be surveyed?
No.

How is a historic resources survey conducted?
A survey typically begins with background research on an area or district to provide a basis to evaluate significance. Qualified survey teams then conduct field inspections in order to identify the resource’s architectural, physical, and visual qualities and characteristics; assess the impacts of changes or alterations; and document overall condition through photography. These field inspections assess the exterior of resources and are conducted from the public right of way. Survey teams do not need to obtain access to private property, nor do they ask questions of property owners or residents.

How are historic resources evaluated?
Individual resources and districts are evaluated for significance in accordance with criteria established for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources as well as for local designation as City Landmarks, Points of Interest, or Historic Districts). Survey results identify resources eligible for designation as well as those that do not meet criteria for designation.

Landmarks, Points of Interest, and Historic Districts

 

The City has 89 designated Landmarks, 13 Points of Interest, and 3 Historic Districts.

What is a Historic Resource?

A Historic Resource is defined in Public Resources Code sections 5020.1(j) as "any object, building, structure, site, area, place, record, or manuscript which is historically or archaeologically significant, or is significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals of California."

Historic Resources under the California Environmental Quality Act include properties that are:

  • Listed or determined eligible for listing in the California Register;
  • Listed on a local register or identified in an historical resources survey;
  • Meet the criteria for listing on the California Register or for listing in a local register; and
  • Other resources not listed or determined to be eligible for listing in state or local register, or not included in an historical survey, but determined by the lead agency to be significant.

Historic Resources Protection

 

General Plan Action Item 9.19 states:
"For any project in a historic district or that would affect any potential historic resource or structure more than 40 years old, require an assessment of eligibility for State and federal register and landmark status and appropriate mitigation to protect the resource."

The purpose of this document is to provide clear direction and a standardized format for all historical resource assessments prepared for the City of Ventura and review procedure for demolition applications of potential historic structures.

The Mills Act

The Mills Act is a self-directed, economic incentive program designed to provide private property owners the opportunity to actively participate in the restoration of their properties while receiving property tax relief.

If your property is listed on any official federal, state, county, or city register, including the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, California Historical Landmarks, State Points of Historical Interest, local landmarks, and local survey listings, you may qualify for property tax relief by pledging to rehabilitate and maintain the historical and architectural character of a property for at least a ten-year period.

Mills Act participants may realize a property tax savings of approximately 50% each year for newly improved or purchased older properties.

Historic Resource Surveys