Glendale's Historic District Initiative

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(Provided By Northwest Glendale HomeownersAssociation Historic District Committee)

1. What does the historic districting ordinance actually do?
   The ordinance does two things: it creates city-wide design guidelines applicable to any adopted historic district in Glendale. The ordinance also creates a standardized, transparent, city-supervised process by which historic districts can be proposed by and voted upon by residents. The ordinance does not itself create any historic districts. Flow Diagram of Historic Districting Process provided courtesy of City of Glendale Planning Dept..
2. Why did we need a new law?
   Residents in Cumberland Heights tried to enact a historic district under the existing law, but failed, in part because the old law did not provide a clear process. As a result, they withdrew their application. The new law fixes those problems. Glendale's historic neighborhoods are changing everyday. Unless neighbors are allowed to band together and protect their neighborhoods now, they will be lost forever.
3. Why do we need historic district guidelines if we already have design review?
   Other existing design guidelines are very general and sometimes hard to interpret. While the current design review system has helped, experience has shown that DRBs are still approving mini-mansions and remodels that are incompatible with the neighborhood. In a historic district, the guidelines are more precise and geared towards preserving historic styles.
4. Where do the historic district guidelines apply?
   They will apply only in historic districts.
5. Who wrote the guidelines?
   At the direction of the City Council, city planners hired a respected planning consultant and created a 19-member citizens advisory group of HOA representatives, real estate professionals, architects and members of the Design Review Boards and Historic Preservation Commission. This ordinance was the result of their efforts. These guidelines are already being applauded nationally as the new standard for historic design guidelines.
6. What, exactly, is a historic district?
   A historic district creates an “overlay zone” on top of the existing zoning, such as R-1. Within this zone, the guidelines will supplement zoning rules and take precedence over existing design guidelines.
7. What do the guidelines cover?
   The guidelines apply only to alterations to single and multi-family residences visible from the street and cover:
   • Siding and exterior finishes
   • Doors and windows
   • Roofs and porches
   • Garages and outbuildings
   • Streetscapes
8. What do the guidelines not cover?
   The guidelines do not apply to:
   • Commercial properties
   • Alterations not visible from the street
   • Interiors and color
   • Routine maintenance and repair
9. Why do the guidelines say “should” instead of “shall?”
   You will notice that the guidelines say they should be followed, not shall. The guidelines are not regulations that must be strictly and uniformly enforced in all situations (“shall”). Rather, they are written as suggestions (“should”), instead of unwavering rules.
10. What is a “historic resources survey?”
    Before a district can be considered, a historic resources survey is required to determine if there are enough historic homes in a proposed district. A survey classifies homes as being “contributing” (historic) or “non-contributing” (not historic), usually because of prior alterations. At least 60% of the homes in a proposed district must be contributing. A historic resources survey has already been completed for the Cumberland Heights area and can be viewed on the City website.
11. What if my home isn't “historic?”
    If the historic resources survey determines that your home is non-contributing, you will not be required to restore your home to its original design. If you decide to remodel, you are encouraged to make your home no less historic and to maintain the visual coherence of the district as a whole.
12. Will I ever be forced to remodel?
    No. You will never be forced to remodel your home if you are in a historic district.
13. Will remodeling cost more?
    Unless you were going to remodel your home on the cheap in the first place, remodeling your home in a historically sensitive way shouldn't cost much more. The design guidelines were written with cost in mind.
14. Can I add to my home?
    Yes. The historic design guidelines do not prohibit you from enlarging your home.
15. If I remodel, will I be forced to remodel more than I want to?
    No. The guidelines only apply to items reasonably related to your proposed project. For instance, if you remodel your windows, you will not be required to remodel your roof.
16. The guidelines seem huge. How do I use them?
    The guidelines cover many home styles and types of alterations. Despite their length, you will only need to refer to a few pages for any one project. Here's how they work:
    1. Determine the scope of your project- say you are remodeling your roof.
    2. Read only those sections applicable to roofs- the roof guidelines common to all styles (4 pages), and the roof guidelines specific to your style of home (1/2 page)- a total of 4-1/2 pages in all.
17. Will there be more bureaucracy or fees to remodel my home?
    No. Historic districting does not add any layer of bureaucracy. You already must go through design review for most alterations. The design review board will simply apply the historic design guidelines. The guidelines do not apply to routine maintenance and repairs that don't affect the character of a home. In fact, because the guidelines are more detailed than the existing design guidelines, getting though design review should be easier, fairer and more predictable! Fees will not increase.
18. What have other cities done?
    Glendale will not be the first city in Southern California to have historic districts. In fact, for cities with historic neighborhoods, Glendale is late. Cities that do have districts continue to create more, so residents must like them. For instance, the following cities have historic districts:

    City	No. of Districts
    Los Angeles	21
    Pasadena	18
    Long Beach	17
    Riverside	10
    Pomona	2
    Santa Monica	1

19. How do you form a district? Will I ever be forced to join?
    A historic district can only be formed when a majority of the neighbors want it. The City Council has the final say. See the last page for an outline of the process.
20. Will historic districting increase the value of my home?
    Supporters of historic districts certainly don't want to lower the value of their own homes. They think being located in a historic district will make their homes more desirable. Across the country, studies indicate that historic districting increases property values. This happens because homebuyers are assured that the unique character that makes their neighborhood attractive will be preserved in the future. Think Bungalow Heaven.
21. Will the guidelines protect trees?
    Yes. The guidelines encourage maintaining and protecting healthy, mature trees. The guidelines also contain other limited landscaping and streetscape elements.
22. My neighborhood isn't “historic,” so why does a historic district make sense?
    Whether or not you think your neighborhood is “historic” by world standards, the purpose of the ordinance is to empower neighbors to voluntarily band together to preserve the character of their home and neighborhood. Think of it as a neighborhood preservation ordinance. In any event, unless our neighborhoods are preserved now, they will never have the chance to become historic.
23. I've heard that there are tax benefits. Is that true?
    No. Although there are some tax advantages for landmark homes listed on the Glendale, state or national registers, there will be no tax advantages for simply being in a historic district. Taxes will not increase, either
24. Where can I get more information?
    For more information, you can contact the city at (818) 548-2140 or go to its website.