On Obtaining Certified Local Government Status

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, February 26, 2007

VII. ADMINISTRATION
Consideration of Historic Resources Board goals for Fiscal Year 2007/08.

BOARD MEMBER WENDT moved to make a recommendation to the City Administrator and City Council to provide assistance to Architectural Resources Group (ARG) in completing the updated Historic Context Statement and obtain Certified Local Government Status, seconded, and carried by the following roll call vote:

AYES: LAGERHOLM, LAIOLO, WENDT, DYAR
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE

CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Certified Local Government Program

What is the Certified Local Government Program?

The 1980 amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, provided for the establishment of a CLG program to encourage the direct participation of local governments in the identification, evaluation, registration, and preservation of historic properties within their jurisdictions and promote the integration of local preservation interests and concerns into local planning and decision-making processes. The CLG program is a partnership among local governments, the State of California-OHP, and the National Park Service (NPS) which is responsible for administering the National Historic Preservation Program.
(Source: http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=24494)

For more Questions & Answers, copy, paste and click http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=24494


WHY BECOME A CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT (CLG)?

Answers include Credibility, Technical Assistance, Streamlining, Involvement, Funding, Autonomy and Economic Benefits.
(For details and explanations, click on post title above or copy, past and click
http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=23581.

Note: Under “Autonomy,” “When your local governments decides to become a CLG, it agrees to carry out the intent of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.”

COMMENT:
If the City Administrator and City Council Members were serious about historic preservation by implementing all the provisions in the City’s Local Coastal Program regarding historic preservation, then immediately post certification in late 2004, they would have begun the process of becoming a Certified Local Government. They did not. Now, nearly three years later, the Historic Resources Board is recommending to the City Council that they “obtain Certified Local Government Status.” One can surmise based the City Council’s record that the City Administrator and the City Council will be reluctant to adopt the Historic Resources Board’s recommendation because they would then be obligated to “carry out the intent of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.”

References:
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Municipal Code

Chapter 17.32
HISTORIC PRESERVATION

17.32.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the historic preservation ordinance is to establish standards, procedures and regulations to promote identification, and preservation, and enhancement of historic resources including buildings, structures, objects, sites, districts and archaeological resources that represent the unique architectural, cultural, historic and prehistoric identity of Carmel-by-the-Sea, by:

F. Becoming a certified local government.

17.32.230 Definitions.

G. “Certified local government” (also “CLG”) shall mean the program authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. Section 470 et seq., as amended) and the subsequent participatory agreement between the City and the California Office of Historic Preservation.


General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Land Use & Community Character Element

G1-5 Protect and enhance historic resources. Ensure that City ordinances, development review processes and administrative policies support, facilitate and coordinate with preservation activities. Provide incentives for property owners to preserve and rehabilitate historic resources. (LUP)

O1-16 Pursue and support the use of appropriate Federal, State, local, and private grants, loans, tax credits, and tax relief. Develop or assist financial, technical, and legal assistance programs to encourage or assist with rehabilitation and maintenance. Participate in the State and Federal preservation process and programs. Make application to the State for becoming a Certified Local Government (CLG), which enables the City to receive technical training. (LUP)