The Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Report Card is not meant to assess the general state of historic preservation in Los Angeles County. It presents a snap shot in time of local governments' efforts toward developing and improving historic preservation programs. While the report card acknowledges the programs and resources provided by the Historic Preservation Office, it is important to identify the status of these programs and how the programs may be threatened by budget cuts, staff reductions and other priorities within the City.

1. The report acknowledges that the current historic preservation ordinance is undergoing revisions that will strengthen protecting historic resource. Please see the Advocacy Report in this issue of the newsletter for the position of Long Beach Heritage on the proposed changes.
2. The report identifies Long Beach as a Certified Local Government (CLG). The certification is vital, allows the city to landmark resources and empowers the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) with necessary responsibilities. Recently, maintaining the CLG has been threatened by the reduction of staff, programs and CHC oversight of projects.
3. The report acknowledges that the Historic Preservation Ordinance allows designation of landmarks and that the city has 130 of these. The ongoing maintenance of the historic landmarks remains a challenge. In addition, the role of the CHC, the Planning Commission and the Redevelopment Agency as partners in preservation must be addressed. We will be asking the CHC to form a working committee to address these concerns with the other boards and solicit public input.
4. The report states that the city offers the Mills Act, a program that can offer significant property tax savings to owners of designated landmarks. The owners are to apply the tax savings toward preservation projects for their property. Unfortunately, the city suspended the Mills Act over two years ago. Members of the LBH Advocacy Committee are currently working with city staff to get the program up and running again.
5. The report acknowledges that the city has 17 Historic Districts, a major contribution to the impressive grade Long Beach received. However, there are many challenges facing the sustainability of our historic districts. In 2007, the fees for gaining compliance via Certificates of Appropriateness increased significantly. While on the surface the fees appeared to be in need of an overdue adjustment, the increases during a time of the economic crisis may push property owners to avoid the permits. We are in discussion with the city to evaluate the need for the dramatic increases and continue to work with our historic districts to seek reductions of the fees.
6. The report card also acknowledges the city wide survey in preparation for developing the first Historic Preservation Element to the General Plan. LBH has been instrumental in this task and working with City staff to ensure that there is adequate community outreach and thoughtful conversation about historic preservation.
7. Maintaining the position of the Historic Preservation Officer is a critical factor in achieving the high grade. While we obviously support the HPO, we believe that the officer should be properly involved in all matters relating to planning, design reviews and redevelopment projects. Additionally, community access to the HPO must be made a priority.
8. The establishment and role of the Cultural Heritage Commission is another vital element that is considered in the report card. In the last year, many monthly CHC meetings were canceled due to the lack of projects for review and applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs). This is not acceptable. The CHC should be meeting monthly to asses those COAs issued at staff levels, continue as a public forum for members of the historic districts or the preservation community to report concerns, and proactively address preservation policy or programming concerns

While we appreciate the letter grade "A" in the Los Angeles Conservancy preservation report, Long Beach Heritage remains concerned about many of the programs that were identified as contributing to the stellar grade. The Advocacy Committee will continue to work in good faith with the CHC and staff to ensure that the programs noted above are routinely monitored for effectiveness. Additionally, LBH will continue to evaluate preservation program quality control, customer service, community outreach, and interdepartmental cooperation among the city entities as a partner in historic preservation.

-John Thomas President of Long Beach Heritage