(A) Purpose. No person shall carry out or cause to be carried out any alteration or relocation of a property listed on the Register unless the city has first completed an initial review for historic appropriateness of the proposed work in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter. The approval or denial of the proposed work shall be deemed a discretionary action under CEQA (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 15002(i)).
(B) Intent. It is the intent of the City of San Gabriel that cultural resources listed on the Register will not be inappropriately altered or relocated unless extraordinary circumstances exist. Initial reviews for appropriateness shall comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, including without limitation, CEQA, the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Performance of any work that falls within the provisions of this subchapter without an initial review is prohibited.
(C) Actions requiring an initial review by administrative clearance. Minor alterations to a cultural resource meeting the conditions described in § 153.615(A) and (B).
(D) Actions requiring an initial review by Commission. The following actions shall require an initial review for appropriateness from the Commission.
(1) Major alterations or relocation of a cultural resource listed on the Register, including all properties identified as contributing to a historic district listed on the Register;
(2) New construction within a historic district listed on the Register;
(3) Any other project referred to the Commission by the City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Commission, or city staff.
(E) Exceptions to requirement for initial review, ordinary maintenance and repair. An initial review shall not be required for ordinary maintenance and repair as defined in this subchapter, or for projects that do not, by law, require issuance of a permit and do not involve a change of design, materials, or exterior appearance. From time to time as circumstances warrant, the Commission may, by resolution, modify the list of actions deemed to qualify for an exemption from the initial review requirement. The following work or construction involving a cultural resource shall not require an initial review:
(1) Exterior or interior paint color;
(2) Ordinary maintenance and repair that does not require a building permit, as defined in § 153.603 of this subchapter;
(3) Landscaping, including sprinkler system work, that does not affect a character-defining feature;
(4) Paving work that does not affect a character-defining feature;
(5) All work that is entirely interior and does not affect the exterior of a cultural resource, except for interior features that are specifically mentioned as character-defining features in a landmark designation adopted by the city or character-defining interior features that were originally accessible by the public;
(6) Replacement of existing screens and awnings with the same or substantially consistent materials, form, and shape;
(7) Other projects as determined by the Director or his or her designee.
(Ord. 636-C.S., passed 8-15-17)