Panel would identify, protect resources in city core
Hollister officials are considering formation of a historic
resources commission that would begin an inventory of historic
structures and sites in an effort to promote their
preservation.
The Hollister City Council last week approved the first reading
of an ordinance that repeals and replaces existing codes to form
the five-person commission, which would be appointed by the
council. The issue will come back before the council for approval
on Nov. 1.
Panel would identify, protect resources in city core
Hollister officials are considering formation of a historic resources commission that would begin an inventory of historic structures and sites in an effort to promote their preservation.
The Hollister City Council last week approved the first reading of an ordinance that repeals and replaces existing codes to form the five-person commission, which would be appointed by the council. The issue will come back before the council for approval on Nov. 1.
“The advisory body could assist with identifying what properties could be included on a list of historic properties and help with communication and providing more information about how to protect historic resources,” said Mary Paxton, Hollister’s planning manager. “It could really be a workhorse for the council.”
The Historic Resources Commission would identify buildings or locations “that may have architectural, historical, archaeological or cultural significance to the community and consider action to list the most significant structures or sites on a register of historic places,” according to a staff report presented to the council.
All work permits for designated historic resources would require a certificate of appropriateness issued by the commission, except for minor alterations, which would be reviewed and approved by staff, the report states.
“The approach is more that it would be a property owner initiating the designation of a property as a historic resource,” Paxton said. “There’s no proposal to change that.”
The proposed revisions to not require that certain properties be designated as historic, but they do allow property owners to seek that designation.
The commission would be comprised of one member of the Hollister Downtown Association, one member of the historical society, one person with knowledge of historic preservation and/or architecture and two residents or property owners from one of the city’s two current historic districts – the Monterey Street Historic District and the Downtown Historic District, both of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The draft ordinance includes criteria for the designation of historic districts for local, state or national registers.
Under the ordinance, the commission would review and comment on projects involving designated historic resources to ensure compliance with Hollister’s historic resources ordinance as well as state historic building codes. This would take place prior to review by the planning commission or city council.
All permits for work on designated historic resources would require a “certificate of appropriateness” issued by the commission or its staff. Plans for minor exterior alterations, which do not substantially modify the appearance of a historic structure – such a window or door replacements – could be reviewed by staff rather than having to come before the commission.
Not all work would require review. Application of exterior paint, for example, would be exempt.
“We tried to structure it so that much of the review is at the building permit level – an administrative review – to make it as easy as possible,” Paxton said. “We tried to make it as streamlined as possible.”
Revisions to designated historic homes or structures “should retain the defining characteristics of that house,” Paxton said, while new construction within historic districts should include some of the defining architectural features of that area.
