Pasadena Moves to Save Old Buildings

The city’s cultural heritage ordinance was passed 12 years ago to stop the destruction of historic buildings by requiring city approval for the demolition of any building more than 50 years old.

It was a step toward preserving the city’s history, but demolishing a house without permission carried a fine of just $66 for a typical structure.

For years the city had no problem getting people to obey the law. But in the last six months, at least a dozen old buildings have been illegally demolished.

To put an end to the violations, the Board of Directors has approved a series of harsh penalties to give the cultural heritage ordinance a bite to match its bark.

The proposal, which still must be drafted into an ordinance, would impose a fine of $50,000 for demolition of any of the city’s most historically important buildings.

Those structures include homes designed by architects Charles and Henry Greene, buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Place and a host of other landmarks.

$1,000 a Day Fine

In addition to the fine, offenders would be required to rebuild any illegally demolished structures at their own expense. If they did not comply, the city would have the right to restore the building and charge the work to the property owner.

The proposal also would create a fine of $1,000 a day for altering any of the city’s most historic buildings without permission. The alterations could be as small as repainting window trim or as serious as removing antique stained-glass windows and doors.

Even the illegal demolition of buildings that have no particular historical significance, but are at least 50 years old, would carry a substantial punishment.

The Cultural Heritage Commission recommended a fine of $10,000 for the illegal demolition of a building more than 50 years old and $20,000 for a “structure of merit,” the city’s lowest classification for a historic building.

But the Board of Directors rejected the commission’s recommendation, saying it wanted even harsher penalties.

The Cultural Heritage Commission is scheduled to return to the board next month with new recommendations that may also include increasing the $50,000 fine for demolition of the most significant historical landmarks.

Would Close Loophole

Jetty Fong, chairman of the commission, said the fines would close a loophole that commissioners have complained about for years.

One of the commission’s worst defeats took place earlier this year when the owner of the famed Blacker House, known by many as the ultimate California bungalow, removed most of the original stained-glass windows and doors.

There was nothing the commission could do to stop the removal of the stained glass, which was designed to be an integral part of the house and was valued at several hundred thousand dollars. The house has since been sold to new owners.

Commissioners are also concerned about the recent spate of illegal demolitions, although none of the structures were considered particularly important.

The buildings included an old brick warehouse in Old Pasadena, five cottages in the central district and several turn-of-the-century homes near Pasadena City College.

Some of the property owners said they did not know about the law. But Fong said others may have found it more convenient to demolish first and pay the small fine later.

Fong said the commission probably would have agreed to most of the demolitions if the property owners had come to them first.

But without adequate fines, said Fong, a real landmark could become the next victim.

“A fine of $60 is no deterrent at all as far as I’m concerned,” Fong said. “But with these new fines, a property owner will definitely think twice.”