HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2011-04-25 #AAGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 25, 2011
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU: Jill R. Ingram, Acting City Manager
FROM: Mark Persico, AICP, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT: HISTORIC DESIGNATION FOR THE BAY THEATRE -
UPDATE (Deaton)
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
This report provides an update to the City Council regarding the designation of
the Bay Theatre as a historic structure.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:
On August 9, 2010, staff presented an item (see attachment A) to the City
Council discussing three options for designating historic properties: federal
protection through the National Historic Register, State protection through the
California Register, and local protection under a City designed program. Based
upon the preliminary research of staff, we do not believe the Bay Theatre would
qualify under the federal or State programs.
It is staffs recommendation that the best avenue to pursue historic designation
would be the development of a local historic preservation program. A local
ordinance and program would allow the greatest flexibility in determining how
structures are designated and how those structures are to be protected. Historic
preservation can be controversial if the community is not fully involved. I
anticipate a nine month process of community meetings and working with the
Planning Commission, City Council and City Attorney's Office in order to develop
an ordinance.
The two major long -range planning projects for the remainder of this fiscal year
and next fiscal year are completion of the Housing Element and the Local
Coastal Program. Given the two major initiatives that the Council has directed,
staff estimates that work on this project could begin in early 2013. The Council
does have the discretion to direct staff to reorder the projects priority.
Agenda Item A
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FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive and file the staff report and /or provide further direction
to staff.
SUBMITTED BY: NOTED AND APPROVED:
Q ou—'Q
Mark H. Persico, ICP AIA Ingram,
Director of Development Services Acting City Manager
Attachment
A. August 9, 2010 - City Council Staff Report
ATTACHMENT " A "
City Council Meeting:
AUGUST 9, 2010 - STAFF REPORT
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: August 9, 2010
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU: David Carmany, City Manager
FROM: Mark H. Persico, AlCP, Director of Development Services
r, --,
SUBJECT: HISTORIC PRESERVATION OPTIONS FOR THE BAY
THEATRE (Shanks)
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Review of options to preserve the Bay Theatre at 340 Main Street.
BACKGROUND AND FACTS:
Although original building perr4s on file at City Hall, the Bay Theatre is
believed to have been constructed in 1-94771194. it was part of the Fox
Theater chain. The original architect of the building_is unknown.
One note of interest on thd. is that Steven Spielberg used to watch
moves at the Bay.Theate'r when he was a,,..stu at Cal State Long Beach in the
mid- 1960's. a 'pag'p. from the website www.baytheatre.com.
The Theafte is part of the Main Street Specific Plan area and helping retain the
theater as i working theatb'e'*' uld fit well with the Vision for the Plan, which
states.
Main,Strdet area is particularty important because it is a
cohesive for a city that is geographically fragmented. The
vision for Main Street is small town America. Important features
include a family town with friendly people who care for each other,
a pedestrian-oriented area where people walk and fee/ safe on the
street at night, and an area with both architectural and economic
diversity with a mix of offices and businesses. Main Street is
surrounded by an area of mixed housing types and institutions,
creating a complete small town community. Although it is
recognized that the area will have businesses that serve both
residents and visitors, the goal is to not have visitor-serving uses
overwhelm the area at the expense of the small town character. It is
Agenda Item C
Page 2
also recognized that when the weather and beach conditions are
attractive, the demand for parking may exceed the supply."
Staff has identified three levels of historic preservation that could be pursued: 1)
adoption of City guidelines and ordinance, 2) designation as a state historic
resource, and 3) designation as a National Historic Landmark.
City Actions
Presently, the City of Seal Beach does not have any codified provisions for local
preservation of historic resources, landmarks, or structures. However, the City
could choose to enact such a voluntary ordinance that would `allow for the
preservation of such resources, landmarks, or structures and `could also define
specific guidelines that would address any future- rehaliil tation;• modification, or
demolition. As a voluntary Ordinance, property owners would not be forced in a
historic designation status. The Bay Theatre'c"oul'd;.potentially be 'a ;qualifying
structure. Additionally, if the City were to-designate individual structures or
landmarks as being locally significant,: property owners could potentially enter
into a Mills Act contract between the`property owner nd the City, to obtain a
significant reduction in property taxes.
State Designation
The California Register program encourages public recognition and protection of
resources of architectural;( historical, archeological and cultural significance,
identifies historical resources for state ands lobal planning purposes, determines
eligibility for state.- histonc grant and affords certain
protections { under the Califomia_Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The criteria
for designation stipulate that to be eligible, a resource:
�-<.\
�- : Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution
�. to the broad patterns of local or regional history r the cultural
`- heritage of California (Criterion 1). ry
• Is associatedivith the lives of persons important to local, California,
or history (Criterion 2).
• Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or
method of construction or represents the work of a master or
possesses high artistic values (Criterion 3).
• Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to
the prehistory or history of the local area, California, or the nation
(Criterion 4).
By a state register designation, a resource is afforded limited protection under
CEQA; the Building Official must grant code alternatives under the State
Page 3
Historical Building Code; and the County assessor, via the local jurisdiction, may
enter into a Mills Act contract for property tax reduction.
Based on the information currently available to staff, it is unclear whether the Bay
Theatre would meet the criteria for inclusion on the California Register.
Federal Designation
Much like the eligibility criteria for the California Register, the criteria for
evaluation for the National Register includes those districts, sites, buildings,
structures, and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting,
materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and: 1 '
• That are associated with events that have made a: signifcant
contribution to the broad patterns of'history; ors
• That are associated with the lives.of significarit`persons in the past;
or
• That embody the distinctive.'charactenstics of a type, period, or
method of construction, ,or that represent the work of a master, or
that possess high artistic values, or,that' represent a significant and
distinguishable entity whose: components may lack individual
distinction; or _ `� '
• That has yielded;. or'may be likely' toyield, information important in
history or prehistory.
Properties that are included on the National Register are eligible for a 20% IRS
tax credit. There is also \.a program which provides a 10% IRS tax credit, but this
is reserved fo properties that �were built prior to 1936.
Based on-the information currently available to staff, it is unlikely that the Bay
Theatre would meet the criteria for inclusion on the National Register, but more
information the buildings 6d be required before making a final
determination.
Mills Act:
•_ r .- - 4
The Mills Act is state legislation that was enacted in 1972 to provide property tax
relief to owners of historic properties for the purpose of assisting in the expense
of restoration and maintenance of the property. To qualify, a historic property
must be listed on a national, state, county, or city register. Under the program,
property owners receive a significant reduction in local property taxes in
exchange for their promise to actively participate in restoring, rehabilitating,
repairing, and preserving their properties. The actual tax savings is calculated by
the County Assessor's office using a state- mandated reassessment formula.
Page 4
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Varies, depending on which, if any, designation could potentially be placed on
the building. Staff will return to the City Council at a later date with a budget
amendment based upon the selected option.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council reviews the options above and provides appropriate
direction to the City Manager. s�
L st
SUBMITTED BY: NOTED AND'APPROVED:
Mark H. Persico, AICP A
;David Carm ny; Manager
Director of Development Services ,l ,,Y ''
.:<
Prepared by: Jerry Olivera, Senior Planner.'!'
t Vii` ti • :.. � � ,s+•..
Attachment:
A. Bay Theater Website.-lnformation i
`' .w,''
ATTACHMENT A
BAY THEATER WEBSITE
INFORMATION
Bay Theatre Website
WHAVS P LAYING
CLASSIC F ILMS
SILENT FILMS
ORGAN H ISTORY
PRICES
GET DIRECTIONS
E MA US
LINKS
Pagel of 2
The Bay Theatre:
Showcasing New Hits .and Old
classics ;
,y
1 %: • a
�, .. . -fi
SEAL BEACH - Since 1947, the Bay Theatre has
stood near the corner of Pacific Coast Highway
and Main Street in Seal Beach. Over the years it
has been home to Mainstream Films, Suiting
Films, and Concert Performances. Today we offer
Independent and Foreign Films, plus special
weekly screenings of Classic Films.
Spend a day in Seal Beach enjoying the fine shops
and restaurants, then come on down and visit us at
the historic Bay Theatre!
It's like a trip back in time!
http:// www.baytheatre.com/table _page.htm 7/30/2010
Bay Theatre Website
Page 2 of 2
For recorded information, please call (562) 431-
9988.
Our address is:
Bay Theatre
340 Main Street
Seal Beach, CA 90740
1 ,
http:// www.baytheatre.com/table_page.htm 7/30/2010