San Clemente OKs Changes in Historic Listing : Architecture: Criteria will be updated to balance property rights with the preservation of the Spanish Colonial Revival style that marked the city’s beginnings.

Capping months of debate, the City Council on Wednesday approved a series of changes to its historic properties list, a move designed to balance property rights with preservation efforts in the “Spanish Village by the Sea.”

In a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Thomas Lorch dissenting, the council voted to apply for a state grant to hire a historian who would help a team of volunteers create more specific criteria determining what types of homes and businesses in town should be listed as historic.

“This will be a unique opportunity for knowledgeable volunteers who are interested in our heritage to get involved in the community,” said Mary Jo Doherty, a member of the city’s Community Design Commission. “This is the right way to do it.”

Until the new criteria are set, the council approved a tentative list of about 235 properties with historic structures, from the palatial Casa Romantica, the former mansion of city founder Ole Hanson, to a converted garage that houses Scalzo Bros. Auto Parts.

The historic properties list was initially compiled in the early 1970s by a resident enthralled by the Spanish Colonial Revival style that marked San Clemente during its beginnings in the late 1920s. But in recent months, it has become the center of controversy.

Although the city has used a modified list since 1980, as part of the design review process, some property owners say they were never notified they were on such a list. After a search, city officials recently found records indicating property owners were notified about the list in 1980, although it’s unclear what, if any, type of notification has been made to newer property owners.

Recently, several property owners have said they want off the list, which they believe infringes on their rights to develop their properties.

Others say preserving the “Spanish Village by the Sea” envisioned by Ole Hanson is crucial to attracting tourists and strengthening the local economic base.

Under the city ordinance, homes and businesses on the list, and those that abut the listed properties, are subject to extra design review for any rehabilitation or expansion projects. Historic properties can be demolished, but only after a 90-day waiting period in which the property owner tries to find someone to move the structure.

In its vote, the council did leave open an option for property owners to try to remove their properties from the list if they have development projects pending.

The council also approved forming a citizen’s advisory committee sometime in the future to help update the criteria.