HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-11; Historic Preservation Commission; ; Historic Plaque Program Meeting Date: March 11, 2024
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Mike Strong, Assistant Director of Community Development
Staff Contact: Mike Strong, Assistant Director of Community Development
Mike.strong@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2721
Subject: Historic Plaque Program
Recommended Action
Adoption of a resolution recommending City Council approval of a uniform Interpretive Plaque
Program for historic locations (Exhibit 1).
Executive Summary
This agenda item concludes the Historic Preservation Commission’s work effort on the plaque
program. The attached resolution proposes a way to landmark historic sites in the city through
the use of an “interpretive” type of plaque program. This item was first presented on May 8,
2023, and is included in the 2023-2024 Historic Preservation Commission Work Plan (“Develop a
Plaque Program for historic locations and other opportunities”).
Discussion
At its May 8, 2023 and Jan. 8, 2024, meetings, Historic Preservation Commission members
received presentations regarding potential plaque programs to promote historic awareness and
public appreciation for historic properties. For more information, refer to the May 8, 2023 and
Jan. 8, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission staff reports.
During the Jan. 8, 2024 meeting, commissioners provided feedback on the plaque program
proposal and expressed interest in learning more about plaque installation costs, maintenance
related issues, and use of a QR code technology. Commissioners also wanted to express
support and emphasize that it was to be intended as a voluntary program. At its meeting on
Jan. 8, 2024, commissioners also asked for a list of properties that may be considered historic
and for an inventory of sites that already have a plaque. Exhibit 2 has been provided to show
the list of properties that are listed in the Carlsbad Historic Resource Register and plaque
installations status.
At the conclusion of the Jan 8. 2024 agenda item, the Historic Preservation Commission
directed staff to prepare a resolution to develop an “interpretive” type of plaque program. The
proposed resolution reflects previous comments made by commissioners. As proposed in the
attached resolution, individual properties would be eligible to receive a bronze plaque to
identify and celebrate the fact that the property is designated under the local, State, or
National register or is a property of interest. As such, the proposed plaque program would
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Staff Report
apply to properties already listed in the Carlsbad Historic Resource Register (retroactively); and
to properties that are added to the Carlsbad Historic Register in the future or otherwise
nominated (prospectively).
• Retroactive application. The city has 13 remaining sites in its Carlsbad Historic Resource
Register. Based on a staff inventory (Exhibit 2), 9 of the 13 historic properties already
have some sort of plaque on its premises. The remaining 4 historic properties would be
candidates for plaques under the proposed program. To recommend a rollout strategy
and seek City Council approval, it is recommended that the Historic Preservation
Commission identify a program in the 2024-2025 Historic Preservation Commission
Work Plan to develop ways to work with property owners to solicit interest and identify
a funding source.
• Prospective application. The City of Carlsbad Municipal Code Title 22 (Historic
Preservation) identifies the process and criteria for listing historic resources in the
Carlsbad Historic Resource Register. Through this established process, the Historic
Preservation Commission may provide concurrent plaque installation recommendations
to the City Council. Separately, private citizens may also nominate sites by submitting
requests to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Fiscal Analysis
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with receiving this informational report. In terms of
plaque program implementation, staff researched vendor costs and it is estimated that each
custom plaque would cost approximately $1,000, based on lowest cost proposal. The total cost
includes $892 for a 17x12 bronze plaque with 408 characters, which is about eight to nine lines
of text and an additional $40 for shipping. Additional art development charges are $1 for every
additional character.
As of this writing, no budget has been allocated to support this program. The proposed plaque
program is silent on a funding source, so any near-term nominations would have to be funded
by the property owner. If the Historic Preservation Commission recommends that the city
should sponsor and fund the program, the Historic Preservation Commission would also need
to obtain authorization from the City Council to allocate funds to the program and to utilize
funds for the plaque program.
Environmental Evaluation (CEQA)
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, this action does not constitute a “project”
within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it has no
potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and therefore does not require
environmental review.
Exhibits
1. Resolution
2. Inventory of Historical Places
Exhibit 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2024 - 001
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF
A UNIFORM INTERPRATIVE PLAQUE PROGRAM FOR HISTORIC LOCATIONS.
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission recognizes the need to establish a uniform
and consistent approach for nominating and selecting candidate sites to receive a plaque to
commemorate or honor historic resources in the city; and
WHEREAS, developing a plaque program for historic locations is included in the 2023-2024
Historic Preservation Commission Work Plan; and
WHEREAS, the program shall be known as the “Historic Preservation Commission Interpretive
Plaque Program;” and
WHEREAS, the action to recommend adoption of the plaque program to the City Council was
evaluated for environmental processing in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act,
(CEQA, Public Resources Code section 21000 et. seq.), and its implementing regulations (the CEQA
Guidelines, Article 14 of the California Code of Regulations section 15000 et. seq.). The action does not
constitute a “project” within the meaning of CEQA in accordance with Public Resources Code section
21065 or CEQA Guidelines section 15378. The project, therefore, is not subject to CEQA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of
Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.The Historic Preservation Commission recommends City Council approval of the
guidelines and criteria set forth in the Historic Preservation Commission Interpretive
Plaque Program (Attachment 1).
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the Historic Commission of the City
of Carlsbad on the 11th day of March 2024, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES : Majer, Diaz, Jacobs
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: May, Schreibman
CH~
MIKE STRONG,
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Attachment A
Historic Preservation Commission
Interpretive Plaque Program
Guidelines and Criteria
Program Goals & Objectives
• Recognize and landmark local historic resources, sites and location of events or persons that are
significant in the area of architecture, archaeology, Carlsbad history and traditional culture.
• Promote preservation and rehabilitation of historical properties, sites and structures.
Program Form
Customized Plaque:
• Specially‐made cast metal plaque ‐ Bronze metal, dark green finish w/rear & front rosettes for
mounting; however a smaller size is acceptable.
• Size and layout: Plaque must be rectangular in shape, 17” x 12” minimum size.
• Design: Plaque must contain City Seal, Local Register site number (if applicable), name of
resource. Includes at the bottom of each plaque:
“COURTESY OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION”
• Text: Up to nine lines of customized wording describing the historic resource. Content includes a
brief description of the significance of the resource and a metal photo when available (text in
sentence case structure). Text must be appropriate reading level. Use short sentences and keep
text blocks short.
• Font: Use type styles and sizes and are easy to read.
Program Criteria
A. Eligibility:
o Option 1. Meet all of the following criteria:
- Be of a significant age relative to the founding of the city.
- Have importance/significance in the “collective memory” of the community by
qualifying as the “first” of its kind in the city (i.e. first post office, first school, etc.).
- Represent the cultural history of the region or the city.
o Option 2. Be listed in the Local, State, or National Register
o Property owner consent required.
B. Process of identifying plaque locations:
o Historic Preservation Commission may identify up to 2 sites each year to be presented to
the City Council for approval.
o Private citizens may also nominate sites by submitting recommendation in writing to the
Historic Preservation Commission. The property owner must consent to the nomination.
Consideration of nominated sites will be batched and grouped together and be
considered by the Commission at the end of each calendar year.
o The Historic Preservation Commission will retain responsibility on which sites to
recommend to Council.
C. Potential conditions, agreements and responsibilities:
o The property owner must sign a letter of agreement with the city in which the owner
agrees to maintain the structure’s historic integrity.
- The agreement may also state that the program is voluntary and no requirements
of the owner now or in the future other than to return the plaque to the City of
Carlsbad in the event they remove it from the current location.
- The Historic Preservation Commission may revoke the privilege of displaying the
plaque should the building or structure fail to comply with the conditions.
- The cost of maintaining and installing the plaque is borne by the property owner.
o City staff to collaborate with property owner on content, provided it meets established
criteria.
o Installation method and location on a building or grounds are to be site specific and, if on
private property, coordinated and approved by property owner. The plaque may only be
displayed on the building or structure for which it is issued.
o When determining installation location, consider the relationship between the sign and
the subject it is interpreting, the potential for vandalism, and how accessible the sign is to
persons with disabilities.
o If it is lost or stolen, the property owner must notify the Historic Preservation Commission
of its loss. A new plaque may be issued upon approval of a new application.
o Other potential conditions, agreements and responsibilities may be considered as part of
the historic designation process (if applicable).
Mark-up 13 Oct 2020
*1
2
3
4
5
*6
7
8
9
10
11
*12
13
14
*15
16
17
18
19
* National, State and/or San Diego Historic Places
pertie emb
1
3
4
13
5
11
12
8
2
10
6
7
9
Demolished
Mark-up 15 Apr 2021 - HPC list from 3140 Highland letter =
13 total remain to date
Exhibit 2
"Historic" Pro[ ~sin Carls!:>ad
Properties designated historic by City Council, marked with a plaque and/or appear in Historic Carlsbad: A Self-Guided Tour
(
Nov'-., ,oer 21, 2019
Property Name Address CC Action Plaque Tour 1980 List 1984 List-1986 List 2004 List 2010 List
Alt Karlsbad/Frazier's Well 2802 Carlsbad Blvd. X X X X X X X
Army Navy Academy/Red Apple Inn 2605 Carlsbad Blvd. X X X X X X X
Barrio "Heart of the Barrio" Walnut Ave. & Roosevelt St. I 1 )( X
Barrio Museum 3304 Roosevelt St. I I X X X
Beller House/Deckleman House 1448 Forest Ave. X X X X X
Calavera Lake & Dam Lake Calavera X X
Calavera School Site Calavera Hills Community Park ~, X X
Carlsbad Springs Mineral Springs Hotel 2855 Carlsbad Blvd. X X X X X
Carlsbad School District Office/Pine Street School Pine Ave. & Harding St. ~E X
Carlsbad Theater 2822 State St. X X X X
Carlsbad Union Church 800 Pine Ave. * X X X
Carrillo Ranch 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln. X X X X
Cohn House 3003 Carlsbad Blvd. X X X X X X
Culver-Myers-Capp House 3140 Highland Dr. X X X X X X X
El Camino Real Bell State St. & Grand Ave. X
Gage House 3080 Lincoln St. X X X X X X X X
Gaus House 3442 Roosevelt St. X X X X X X V " Highland Bungalows 3264 Highland Dr. * X
Highway 101 Highway 101 X
Hosp Grove 2240 Jefferson St. X
Kelly Barn El Camino Real * X X
Killian Building 2900 block of State St. X X X X X X
Kreutzkamp House 624 Laguna Dr. I I X X X X X
Ledgerwood House 3862 Carlsbad Blvd. I I X X
Los Diego Hotel 2907 State St. X X X X
Magee House 258 Beech St. X X X X X X X
Mission Santiago 3329 Roosevelt St. X X X
Ramirez Bungalow 3309 Roosevelt St. X X X
Ramsay House 1330 Chuparosa Way X X X X X X
Rancho Agua Hedionda Adobe/Marron Adobe 2770 Sunny Creek Rd. X X X X X
Santa Fe Depot 400 Carlsbad Village Dr. X X X X X X X
Shaw House 3081 Highland Dr. X X X X X
Shipley Ward House 2747 Carlsbad Blvd. * X X X
Shirley House (Rancho de la Motte-Kirmse-Shirley) 1542 Oak St. X X X X X
South Coast Land Company 2958 State St. X X X X X X
Stagecoach Stop El Camino Real '-x
St. Michael's Episcopal Church 2775 Carlsb_ad Blvd. X X X X X X X
St. Patrick's Church/Heritage Hall 2650 Garfield St. X X X X X
Twin Inns/Schutte House 2978 Carlsbad Blvd. X X X X X X
Twin Inns Gazebo Magee Park X
Twin Inns Granary Magee Park X