This chapter is established to assist in the identification and preservation of historic and cultural resources within the City. These regulations are necessary to preserve those elements of Los Alamitos' heritage which may now or in the future be endangered as to their very existence or in maintaining their historic or cultural integrity.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
The Planning Commission shall have the authority to review and make determinations and/or recommendations on various matters relating to a local landmark, as provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
There shall be created a Los Alamitos Register of Local Landmarks that shall contain the name, location, pertinent historic data, and date of entry on the register of structures or natural or manmade features receiving a local landmark designation. The Los Alamitos Register of Local Landmarks shall be maintained in the City Clerk's office.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Authority. Upon the written consent of the property owner, the Planning Commission may upon its own initiative or upon request of a person or government agency, approve a local landmark designation for a historic or cultural resource in the City.
B. 
Public Hearing. The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing for any request for a local landmark designation in compliance with Chapter 17.56 (Public Hearings and Notices).
C. 
Findings and Decision. The Planning Commission, after due consideration and public hearing, shall by resolution approve or disapprove the request for local landmark designation, stating the reasons for the action.
D. 
Appeal of Decision. The decision of the Planning Commission shall be final unless appealed to the Council pursuant to Chapter 17.60 (Appeals).
E. 
Notice with City Clerk. Upon approval of a local landmark, notice shall be placed with the City Clerk for inclusion in the Register of Local Landmarks and in the building permit address file for consideration before issuance of future requested building permits.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
In considering a request for a local landmark designation, the Planning Commission, or Council on appeal, shall use the following criteria in determining eligibility:
A. 
Character, interest, or value as part of the heritage of the City;
B. 
Location as a site of historical event;
C. 
Identification with a person or persons or groups who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the City;
D. 
Exemplification of a particular architectural style or way of life important to the City;
E. 
Identification as the work of a person or persons whose work has influenced the heritage of the City, the State of California, or the United States;
F. 
Embodiment of elements of outstanding attention to architectural design, detail, materials, craftsmanship, or the best remaining architectural type in an area;
G. 
Relationship to other landmarks, where the preservation of one has a bearing on the preservation of another;
H. 
A unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood; and/or
I. 
Integrity as a natural environment that strongly contributes to the well-being of the people of the City.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Rehabilitation Criteria. Any alteration of a local landmark shall comply with the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Properties," the State Historic Building Code, and other design criteria and standards established by resolution of the Council. The primary concern is with the exterior of the local landmark unless there are interior features that greatly contribute to the significance of the property.
B. 
Maintain Historic Nature. Every attempt shall be made to restore or modify the local landmark in a way to maintain the historic nature of the property, but not so as to burden the owner of the local landmark with the requirements that are not practically or economically available in current markets, as determined by the Director.
C. 
Alterations. Alterations of a local landmark shall be subject to review and approval in compliance with the following procedures.
1. 
Director Review. The following projects shall be reviewed by the Director:
a. 
Minor alterations, including the addition, change, or removal of exterior architectural features and existing hardscape;
b. 
Minor exterior improvements (e.g., air conditioning units, skylights, solar panels, greenhouse windows, roof mounted equipment, arbors, and fences);
c. 
Expansion of a local landmark by less than 10 percent of the existing floor area, provided the expansion is not readily visible from the public street;
d. 
The construction or demolition of an accessory structure that has a floor area less than 500 square feet.
2. 
Planning Commission Review. The following projects shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission:
a. 
A proposed alteration that the Director determines to be inconsistent with the design criteria of the Secretary of Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Properties" and/or the State Historic Building Code;
b. 
A proposed alteration that involves the construction of a new, detached structure that has a floor area of 500 square feet or more;
c. 
Expansion of a local landmark by more than 10 percent but less than 50 percent of the existing floor area, provided such expansion does not exceed 500 square feet;
d. 
An alteration of a local landmark whereby the alteration is readily visible from the public street.
3. 
Site Development Permit—Major Review Required. The following projects shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission and shall require Site Plan Review—Major in compliance with Chapter 17.44 (Site Development Permit—Major and Minor). The Planning Commission may approve such projects with conditions that the local landmark be memorialized by providing a written history of the site, photo documentation, placement of a historic marker signifying the importance of the site, or other means as deemed appropriate by the Commission.
a. 
On appeal, a proposed alteration that the Director determines to be inconsistent with the design criteria of the Secretary of Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Properties" and/or the State Historic Building Code;
b. 
An alteration that results in a local landmark being enlarged by more than 50 percent of the existing floor area or more than 500 square feet.
c. 
The demolition of a local landmark wherein all or part of it will be removed from a site either by relocation or destruction.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)