Culver City : Building Landmark Law

The City Council gave preliminary approval to an ordinance that protects city landmarks but also lets property owners demolish or renovate buildings if they can prove economic hardship.

The ordinance establishing a historic preservation program is based on recommendations of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, which has already identified 124 buildings of historical significance.

“We don’t have as long a history as other places, but if we don’t act to preserve the buildings in the city, they won’t get old enough to become historic,” Mayor Steven Gourley said at Monday’s meeting. The council voted for the ordinance, 3 to 0, and is expected to take a final vote at the end of the month.

The program would have three categories for buildings. The first, “recognized” buildings, is an honorary category imposing no restrictions on the owner. For buildings designated either “significant” or “landmark,” a six-month waiting period would be imposed before the property owner could demolish or significantly alter the building’s exterior. During the waiting period, the property owner would be required to seek ways to preserve the structure.

After the six months, the owner of a “significant” structure would be permitted to proceed with the planned alteration. Owners of “landmark” structures, would be permitted to alter or demolish buildings only if they showed they would suffer economic hardship by not doing so.

Owners of significant houses and apartment buildings may refuse the designation, but owners of landmark buildings would be required to participate.

City staff would rank the buildings on a point system with such criteria as the structure’s age and architecture. The City Council would have the final say when property owners claim economic hardship.

During a public hearing before the council vote, several residents and property owners supported the program, although some said they were troubled by its mandatory aspect.