West Covina : Demolition Moratorium

The City Council adopted an emergency ordinance placing a 45-day moratorium on demolition of homes in West Covina that could have historic value.

Under the ordinance, proposals to alter, remove or demolish a structure built before Dec. 31, 1940, must go before an administrative review board composed of staff members from the city’s planning and building departments.

The city Planning Department on Tuesday recommended the ban to preserve buildings with social, political or architectural significance, while city staff establishes a permanent ordinance.

The request was prompted after a property owner recently requested city permission to demolish a Mediterranean-style home on East Cameron Avenue in order to subdivide a 2.85-acre parcel.