Agenda Item Wording:
title
Consideration and authorization to purchase and install Historic District street blade signs at a cost not to exceed $13,000, and appropriate $13,000 from the General Fund (001).
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Deadline for Action: None
Submitting Department: Public Works
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Wyndi Ferguson, Public Works Manager, wyndi.ferguson@visalia.city, 713-4186
Cristobal Carrillo, Associate Planner, cristobal.carrillo@visalia.city, 713-4443
Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager, nick.mascia@visalia.city, 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the purchase and installation of Historic District street blade signs (see attachment for sample); and authorize the appropriation of $13,000 from the General Fund (001).
Summary:
During a Council review of the Historical Preservation Committee, there was discussion of activities that would make the public more aware of the Historic areas. The HPAC is recommending placing “Historic District” street signs within the designated areas as a mechanism to notify the public of the Historic Preservation District (see attached). Historic signage is in accordance with the City’s General Plan - Historical Preservation Element Policy H-P-12, which encourages the establishment of criteria for historic street name blades in Historic Districts and Gateways to historic areas.
The Historic District area has been surveyed and approximately 100 existing street name sign or utility poles have been identified that can be utilized for Historic District signage. Based on this number, staff has also received vendor quotes for the signs, as well as the mounting hardware, for a total cost not to exceed $10,000. Staff time to install the signage would be approximately $3,000, for a total project cost not to exceed $13,000.
The Committee does currently endeavor to educate people in the area that they are in a historical district by creating and mailing an informational guide on historic preservation to property owners and occupants of historically designated sites that informs the recipient that a home they own is historically designated. However, the Committee and Staff believe these signs will be a much more visible sign for current owners and renters, but will also be a very visible indication that a building they are considering purchasing is in a historic district and encourage them to explore the Historic Preservation District Ordinance.
Background:
As one of the oldest cities in the Central Valley, Visalia hosts an impressive collection of historic sites and structures. Numerous buildings with distinctive architectural styles are present in Visalia, concentrated in the city’s historic core. The Historic Preservation District Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17.56) was adopted by the City of Visalia in 1979, and updated in 2001, in effect to protect and preserve the City’s distinct collection of structures. The Ordinance also established the Historical Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC), and created two historical designations, the Historic District and Local Register of Historic Structures. The Historic District consists of three areas containing large groupings of historically significant structures, often with similar architectural styles and elements. The three areas that make up the Historic District are located north of Downtown Visalia, north of Redwood High School, and within the geographical boundary of South Bridge Street, South Conyer Street, West Tulare Street, and State Highway 198.
Fiscal Impact:
Staff recommends funds needed for this project be appropriated from the General Fund (001).
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Estimated Project Costs: |
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Signs and mounting hardware |
$10,000 |
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Estimated Staff Costs |
$3,000 |
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Total Estimated Project Costs: |
$13,000 |
Any unused funds at the completion of the project will return to the fund from which it came.
Prior Council Action:
1. At the February 16, 2021, meeting of the City Council, during presentation of the 2020 HPAC Annual Report, members of the Council directed the HPAC to provide recommendations for the revision of the Historic Preservation District Ordinance.
2. At the March 1, 2021, City Council Committee/Commission Work Session, the HPAC was encouraged to undertake projects related to their mission. A request was made by members of the City Council for the HPAC to consider reviewing the Historic Preservation District Ordinance for potential changes.
3. At the October 4, 2021 City Council and HPAC Work Session, the City Council provided comment and guidance to the HPAC regarding the Committee’s proposed revisions to the Historic District Preservation Ordinance. During discussion of how to increase property owner awareness of historic property designations, it was recommended by the HPAC that signage identifying historic areas be placed atop street signage. Upon conclusion of the work session, the City Council provided comments on the proposed Ordinance changes, and expressed support for the signage recommendation.
Other:
At the November 10th, 2021, meeting of the Historical Preservation Advisory Committee staff presented this item to the Committee for concurrence and agreement. The Committee recommended submittal to Council and is in agreeance with staff recommendation.
Alternatives:
Do not approve this concept and direct staff to a different means to inform the public of the Historic District.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize staff to appropriate and utilize $13,000 from the General Fund to purchase and install Historic District signage as described in this report.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
N/A
CEQA Review:
N/A
Attachments:
Historic District Sign Blade
Proposed sign location map
Installed examples