Brea’s Historic-District Plan Goes Back to Drawing Board

A proposed zoning change designed to encourage historic preservation in Brea has been sent back to the city attorney’s office for reworking.

The City Council and the public are concerned that buildings would be designated historic against the wishes of property owners. Under the proposal considered by the council last week, a historic district would be approved if at least 65% of the owners favored the designation.

After discussing the matter, council members instructed the city attorney’s office to remove all references to historic districts in the zoning ordinance amendment.

“It would be nice to find a way to make it voluntary,” Mayor Glenn G. Parker said of preservation efforts. “But there are a lot of issues to be dealt with.”

One of those opposing historic districts is Redwood Avenue resident John Mynes. He told the council that making repairs or alterations to his home would be more costly if the building was designated as having historical value. Mynes also expressed concern about being required to obtain city approval to work on his home’s exterior.

Speaking in favor of the original ordinance was Brea Historical Society President Jane O’Brien. “This is not something that is being pushed down everybody’s throat,” she said.

Under the proposed ordinance, owners of historic buildings could receive incentives for preserving their buildings. Incentives could include grants and loans for rehabilitation, property tax relief, and technical assistance from the city’s Development Services Department and from preservation experts.

Members of the Brea Historical Society and the council-appointed Brea Historical Committee have compiled a preliminary list of local buildings and landmarks considered to have historic significance.

Among the buildings on the list are the old City Hall and police station, several churches and schools, the city swimming pool and some homes in the Redwood Avenue area near Brea Mall.