Compromise Set on Historic Homes
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 owners to tear down and replace such buildings.
City officials have decided to create an eight-member Preservation Commission, effective Sept. 1. Under the measure, owners of buildings deemed to have unusual historic and architectural significance 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 are in a historic district. It expires after a maximum of 225 days.
The Council included in its measure other limitations, including a provision saying that only the owner of a building can nominate it as a landmark.
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