The Ideal Preservation Approach
The size, type, and placement of doors and doorways are important defining features of historic structures. To preserve the historic appearance and value of a structure, the original doors and doorways should be preserved whenever possible. The ideal approach would involve the following:
· Providing adequate protection and regular maintenance to doors and doorways to prevent their deterioration
· Repairing rather than replacing damaged doors and doorways using similar materials
· Replacing doors and doorways that cannot be repaired with elements of a similar type, for example replacing a door with another one having similar panels or molding
· Maintaining historic doorway openings
The more nearly a project conforms to the ideal, the more likely it will be approved.
Door/Doorway Projects NOT Requiring a COA
If a property owner proposes any of the following projects, a COA is not required:
· A door is to be replaced within an existing doorway opening not visible from the street
· A door/doorway is to be painted or refinished
Door/Doorway Modification or Replacement as a Minor Alteration Requiring a COA from City Staff
If a property owner proposes any of the following projects, the city Planning and Development Services Manager will evaluate the COA application for consistency with the ideal preservation approach:
· A door that is visible from the street within an existing opening is to be replaced. Staff to determine that the door is historically correct
· Unhistorical elements or materials are to be replaced with historical elements or materials, for example a modified doorway opening is to be restored to its historical size and shape
· An unhistorical doorway is to be removed
Door/Doorway Modification or Replacement as a Major Alteration Requiring a COA from the Commission
If a property owner proposes any of the following projects, the Historic Preservation Commission must evaluate the COA application for consistency with the ideal preservation approach:
· Replacement doors that are not historically correct or do not fit historic doorway openings are to be installed
· Historic doorway trim is to be removed or covered with metal or other material
· Any project that is referred to the Commission by the Planning and Development Services Manager because of the particular design issues involved
For more information on historic preservation in Pomona, contact the City Planning Division at 505 South Garey Avenue, or call 909 620-2191.