Compromise Reached in Effort to Save Historic Homes in Redondo

After a five-year battle over saving historic homes in Redondo Beach, the City Council has decided on a compromise approach that would raise barriers to quick demolition but ultimately allow determined owners to tear down and replace such buildings.

Under an ordinance introduced Tuesday night, an eight-member Preservation Commission will be created to oversee the fate of the city’s dwindling stock of buildings deemed to have unusual historic and architectural significance.

After the measure takes effect on Sept. 1, owners of such buildings will be temporarily forestalled from demolishing, relocating or substantially altering their exteriors without the commission’s approval.

However, the protection covers only single-family homes that have been designated as landmarks, or that are in a historic district. It expires after a maximum of 225 days.

Additional Limits

In drafting the compromise measure, the council has included these other limits:

*Only the owner of a building can nominate it as a landmark.

*A home must be at least 50 years old to qualify for consideration as a historic landmark, unless it has exceptional architectural features. In that case, nominated houses need be only 30 years old.

*To create an historic district, 85% of the property owners within its boundaries must approve the designation.

*And at least 75% of the homes in the proposed district must meet the age or architectural requirements for historic designation.

If an owner doesn’t want to preserve or restore a landmark building--despite tax breaks, waived city fees and other incentives--all he has to do is wait a maximum 225 days to get a demolition permit. During that period, the Preservation Commission would be expected to look into other ways of saving the structure, such as moving it to another site.

At the council meeting Tuesday, speakers renewed arguments that have been heard since 1984, when historic-minded residents began urging the council to adopt a preservation ordinance. The debate generally has pitted property-rights advocates against those who favor preserving some of the city’s historical character.

Several speakers protested that the delay in getting a demolition permit can be costly for property owners who want to tear down old houses and build new homes. They also said some buildings are not worth saving just because they are old.

Tony Ballejos, who bought an old home on Garnet Street, said interest payments on a construction loan and other expenses are mounting while he awaits approval to start building his new home. He said he considered remodeling the present structure but was told by contractors to “tear down this lopsided, dilapidated old house and start fresh.”

Jack Crawford, who has restored a number of old homes in Redondo Beach, said he is “all for quality construction that’s compatible with the neighborhood, but I’m against the government making judgments on aesthetics and design.”

Other speakers lauded the preservation ordinance as a workable compromise.

“It can be a vehicle for resolving conflicts” over what to do with old buildings, said Jonathon Eubanks, president of the Redondo Beach Historical Society. Frank Condon said the ordinance “will give us a voice in what is coming into our neighborhood.”

‘Unique Historical Character’

Much of the interest in preserving old homes is focused on the 500 block of Garnet Street, which may be the first--and one of the few areas in the city--that qualifies as a historic district under the new preservation ordinance.

Last month, the council found that the entire Garnet block has a “unique historical character” and imposed a 45-day moratorium on demolitions and new construction there. It was unable Tuesday to extend the moratorium, which expires July 28, because a four-fifths vote is required, and only three council members were present. A special meeting to consider the extension was set for 7:30 p.m. July 27.

The preservation measure provides that a majority of homeowners in a district may revoke its designation as an historic area. Owners may plead economic hardship in seeking exemptions from provisions in the ordinance.

The measure is scheduled for final adoption at the Aug. 1 council meeting. It becomes effective 30 days later.