F. Certificate of Appropriateness

1. No work including exterior alteration and demolition, may be conducted on a designated Historic Landmark, on existing or new buildings, public streets, public streetscape, public sidewalk, public structures, public buildings, spaces and public works projects within a designated Historic District without first obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City.

2. Application. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be filed by an applicant with the Planning Division. Applicants for all work shall be accompanied by plans and specifications, including drawings that show the relationship of the work to surrounding historic features and properties.

3. Applications for Certificate of Appropriateness are divided into two (2) categories: (a) minor projects which will be reviewed by the Planning and Development Services Manager for administrative denial or approval; and (b) major projects which will be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.

a. Minor projects shall include replacement of element of a structure with similar elements or the addition of elements which are part of a site but not an integral part of an Historic Landmark structure and shall also include minor repair or replacement work on public buildings, public structures, public sidewalks and public streetscapes. A single element of a structure could include replacing windows, replacing exterior doors, replacing a decayed fascia board, replacing a garage door, etc. Adding an element to the site could include a perimeter fence, tiling a patio, placing a new walkway, etc. This category shall also include demolition and/or replacement of accessory structures. Applications for minor alterations shall include the following submittal:

(1) An application form signed by the owner(s)’ designated agent. Three (3) copies or descriptions or renderings of the replacement material(s) or of elements being added. These shall be of sufficient detail to reasonably determine compliance with the ordinance requirements. For example in many cases specification sheets or catalog pictures are sufficient for submittal purposes.

(2) In the event that distinctive features are being replaces such as distinctive doors, windows, a picket fence or trim, then two (2) photographs or detailed renderings of the existing features shall be required for submittal.

b. Major projects shall include changes which significantly alter the following: height, proportions, the relationship of the building mass and space, roof shape, scale or distinctive facades of the structure. Examples of major projects shall include, but not be limited to room additions, adding dormers, expanding a garage, adding a porch, removing distinctive shutters or part or all of a structure. This category also includes demolition and/or replacement of primary use buildings or structures, and construction/installation of new buildings, structures, new public sidewalks, new public streetscape improvements, new street lamps, new public buildings and structures, and development of new public spaces within an Historic District. Additional examples shall be established at a later time by th4 Commission. Applications for major projects shall include the following submittal:

(1) One copy of application form signed by the property owner or his authorized representative;

(2) Ten (10) sets of scaled plans including site development plan, floor plan, and building elevations, all individually folded to eight and one-half inches by fourteen inches (8½" x 14") size;

(3) One eight and one-half inches by eleven inches (8½" x 11") clear film transparency set of plans; and

(4) A materials sample board, manufacturer’s catalogue cut sheets, and/or rendering(s) adequately depicting the nature of the proposed change(s).

4. Procedure

a. For minor projects, the Planning and Development Services Manager shall review the Application for Certificate of Appropriateness and determine within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a completed application whether to approve or deny the request, and shall make the appropriate findings.

b. For major projects, the Commission shall review the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness no less than ten (10) days after notice of such hearing has ben mailed by first class mail to each applicant and take acton on the request no later than seventy-five (75) days from receipt of a completed application by the Planning Division. Inaction by the Commission within the seventy-five (75) day period will deem the application approved. The Commission shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny issuance of the Certificate of Appropriateness for major projects, and shall make the appropriate findings.

5. Design Review. In considering an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations or new construction, the Planning and Development Services Manager and the Commission shall be guided by the following general standards in addition to the most current edition of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation:

a. Height. The height of any proposed construction shall be compatible with the height an dbulk of surrounding structures and in conformance with the maximum allowable height for the applicable zoning district.

b. Proportions of Windows and Doors. The proportions and relationships between doors and windows shall be compatible with the architectural style and character of the surrounding structures, and be of an appropriate material.

c. Relationship of Building Masses and Spaces. The resulting relationships between proposed structures and created spaces, or between remodeled structures and created spaces, shall be consistent with the shapes and setbacks of existing adjacent structures.

d. Roof Shape. The designs of the roof shall be compatible with the architectural character and style of the surrounding structures. Gables, turrets, and other roof forms shall be incorporated when appropriate to accomplish design compatibility with adjacent structures.

e. Scale. The scale of the structure shall be compatible with the architectural character and style of the existing buildings. The new building shall blend in with surrounding buildings through the sensitive use of proper scale and materials.

f. Directional Expression/Facades. Facades in an Historic District shall blend in with other structures with regard to directional expression. Structures in an Historic District shall be compatible with the dominant horizontal and vertical expression of surrounding structures.

g. Architectural Details. Architectural details, including materials and textures shall be treated so as to make any new construction compatible with the architectural style and character of the Historic District.

h. Architectural Rhythm and Articulation. All proposed structures or façade remodeling shall show sufficient and rhythmic repetition of architectural details so as to be compatible with the façade articulation or existing adjacent buildings.

i. New Additions and adjacent relative new construction shall b undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.

j. All exterior mechanical equipment shall be screened from view with appropriately designed screens, parapet walls, landscaping or any other form of screening with the Commission or the Planning and Development Services Manager may deep acceptable. The design, style, color and texture of the required screening method shall be compatible with the existing or proposed building/façade design.

6. Findings.
The Planning and Development Services Manager shall issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for minor projects, or for any form of emergency work necessary to remedy any condition determined to be imminently dangerous and unsafe by the Fire Department or the Building Division. The Commission shall issue same for major projects, based upon a determination that the following findings can be made with regards to the proposed work:

a. The proposed change will not adversely affect any significant historical, cultural, architectural, or aesthetic features of the concerned property or the Historic District in which it is located.

b. The proposed change is compatible in architectural style with existing adjacent contributing structures in an Historic District.

c. The proposed change is consistent with the architectural style of the building as specified in Subsection 5 herein, Design Review.

d. The scale, massing, proportions, materials, textures, fenestration, decorative features, and details proposed are consistent with the period and/or compatible with adjacent structures.

e. In case of demolition, the applicant must show that demolition of the subject structure(s) will not adversely affect any significant historical, cultural, architectural, or aesthetic features of the concerned property or the Historic District in which it is located.

7. Non-Contributing Structures.
The Commission is not charged with the obligation to induce non-contributing structures in an Historic District to conform to the special character or aesthetic value of the Historic District. The Commission is charged with assuring that significant exterior alterations or additions to non-contributing structures would no markedly detract from the special character, historic interest or aesthetic value of the Historic District. If a building permit application is filed for a non-contributing structure within an Historic District, staff shall review the permit for its potential to significantly alter the special character or aesthetic value of the district. If the exterior alterations or addtioins are deemed to have significant impact, then a hearing for a Certificate of Appropriateness would be required. No fee will be charged for this type of Certificate of Appropriateness application. Types of improvements would include:

a. The remodeling of, and/or construction of additions to existing structures;

b. The remodeling and/or construction of garages; guest houses and other similar accessory structures.

c. New construction.

8. Special Considerations Regarding Demolition of Pre-1945 Non-Designated Structures.

a. All applications for demolition of structures built prior to 1945 submitted to the building Division shall be considered by the Pomona Historic Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness even if the structure is not designated Historic Landmark.

b. Notice of the date, place, time, and purpose of the hearing shall be given by first class mail to the applicants and property owners of the nominated property and all property owners diretly adjacent to, or directly across the street from the site at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Commission public hearing using the name and address of such owners as shown on the latest equalized Los Angeles County assessment rolls and legal notice shall be provided at least ten (10) days prior to the public hearing in a newspaper of local circulation.

c. In making such a determination the Commission shall first consider if the property would likely meet the criteria used in Historic Landmark designation thus deeming it of historical significance.

d. If the property is deemed to be of historic significance, then a structure would be denied a Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition unless it meets the criteria for Economic Hardship.

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