Historic-Home Law Is Rejected : Pomona: City Council’s fear of infringing on property rights squashes a bid to control changes made to classic homes.

Despite preservationists’ complaints that classic homes are being bulldozed or plastered over with stucco, the City Council on Monday rejected a proposed ordinance that would have created a commission to control remodeling and demolition of historically valuable buildings.

“The ordinance is way too restrictive,” complained Councilman Mark A. T. Nymeyer. “Those who live in historic dwellings would have to give up control of their property.”

Other council members said the proposal, developed by city staff members in consultation with a committee of preservationists, was too costly, would discourage development and would subject property owners to complicated and burdensome regulations.

Beth Page, president of the Historical Society of Pomona Valley, said she was “very disappointed” by the council’s decision. “Frankly, I’m upset. I don’t know where we’re going to go from here.”

Page said the city has been losing one historic building after another since the 1950s. “There were some beautiful old houses on Holt Avenue,” she said. “One day they were there; the next day they were bulldozed down.”

The Seaver house, a classic Colonial Revival home constructed in 1900, was saved only by moving it to Claremont, she said. The lot it occupied in Pomona is now the site of El Pollo Loco No. 5397.

David Jacks, who is restoring a 1914 house, called the council’s refusal to enact a historic preservation ordinance “disgraceful.”

“I’m glad the Seaver House is in Claremont, where it’s safe from chicken wire and stucco,” Jacks said.

Jacks said property owners are ruining houses throughout the city by covering them with stucco and making other alterations. That is one reason he and other preservationists have been seeking enactment of protective regulations.

The proposed ordinance, patterned after an ordinance that was adopted by West Hollywood and recommended by officials from the state Office of Historic Preservation, would have created a seven-member Historic Preservation Commission.

The commission and the City Council would have designated properties and districts to be regulated and would have established standards to be met by owners before they could alter buildings.

Despite enthusiastic endorsement by preservationists, the proposal drew opposition from some residents at the council hearing Monday night. John Guthrie said the city should be very cautious in designating property for preservation because of the infringement on property rights. Norma Randall said Pomona does not need another commission and should spend its money to make streets safer.

But Larry Lynn, a member of Pomona Heritage, said a preservation ordinance would not only save worthwhile buildings but give the city new life. Despite some demolitions, Pomona still has an amazing array of older homes, he said. City support for the preservation movement, he said, “would attract a whole lot of young people who want to fix up these homes, and it would revitalize Pomona.”

Councilman Tomas Ursua said it would cost $200,000 a year or more to carry out the historic preservation program, including the proposed hiring of an associate planner. He accused Mayor Donna Smith, who backed the proposal, of trying to circumvent the budget process by pushing for the ordinance now.

Smith said: “You can always say we don’t have enough money, but I don’t know if you could put a price on the heritage of the city.”

As a smaller-scale alternative to the ordinance, the council voted 3 to 2 to solicit proposals for a survey to determine boundaries for a proposed historic district. Nymeyer, who proposed the survey, said if residents within a designated district are willing to accept special regulations restricting their use of their property, he would be willing to vote for the regulations.

Joy Peoples, co-chairman of the citizens committee that worked on the ordinance, said she does not see the point of undertaking a survey unless the city has a historic preservation ordinance in place.

But, she said, Pomona Heritage and other groups will continue to press the City Council for a program to safeguard historic structures. “We aren’t ready to give up,” she said.