TO: ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
LOCAL REGISTER LISTINGS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO REGISTER LISTINGS
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SUMMARY
In conjunction with the Architectural and Preservation Commission's decision to postpone consideration of 79 proposed Local Register listings, the Commission established the Local Register Listings Committee to evaluate the existing Register listing process and identify opportunities to enhance community engagement. Over the course of five public meetings, the Committee participated in preservation outreach training, discussed potential improvements to the listing process, reviewed draft public engagement materials, and provided direction to staff regarding revisions to a draft Community Engagement Plan and Frequently Asked Questions document. Upon completion of its work, the Committee directed staff to prepare a report to the full Architectural and Preservation Commission forwarding the finalized outreach materials and summarizing the Committee's recommendations. The Committee also recommended its dissolution, having completed the work for which it was established. If approved by the Commission, the Community Engagement Plan and Frequently Asked Questions document will be utilized by staff and the Commission to help guide future research, outreach, and public engagement efforts related to updates to the Claremont Register of Structures of Historical and Architectural Merit (Local Register) and the Architectural and Preservation Commission Local Register Listings Committee will be dissolved.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Architectural and Preservation Commission:
A. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVTAION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT APPROVING OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION’S LOCAL REGISTER LISTINGS COMMITTEE AND THE UTILIZATION OF THE ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS BY STAFF FOR FUTURE REGISTER LISTING DESIGNATIONS
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Continue the item for additional information or changes to the community engagement documents.
B. Request additional work and direct the Committee to continue meeting to complete that work, specifically identifying what needs to be addressed by the Committee.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The cost to prepare this report and administer the Register Listings Committee is estimated at $11,500 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
Background
On April 15, 2026, staff presented a recommendation to the Architectural and Preservation Commission (APC) to list 79 Mid-Century Modern residences on the Claremont Historic Register. Following Commission discussion and public comment, the Commission voted to postpone consideration of the proposed listings indefinitely. In response to public comments regarding the listing process and the Commission's desire to review future nominations in smaller groups, the Commission established the Architectural and Preservation Commission Local Register Listings Committee.
Following the Committee's formation, staff scheduled a series of meetings to provide members with an opportunity to evaluate the existing Local Register listing process, receive preservation outreach training, and consider recommendations for enhancing community engagement prior to future Register listing hearings before the full Commission.
The Committee's first two meetings consisted of members participating in the California Preservation Foundation's online training, Local Government Bootcamp: Rethinking Community Engagement in Preservation. The training was conducted in two three-hour sessions from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on May 28 and June 4, 2026. Following each training session, the Committee held a brief discussion regarding preservation outreach and potential improvements to the City's public engagement efforts. As meetings of the Committee were subject to the Brown Act, the public was invited to attend and provide comments before Committee discussion. No public comments were received at either meeting.
At its third meeting, the Committee discussed the types of informational materials and process enhancements it wished to recommend to improve public understanding of the Local Register listing process. Staff presented concepts for informational handouts and frequently asked questions intended to clarify the Register listing process and better inform property owners and the public. The Committee discussed additional outreach measures that could supplement the requirements already established in the Claremont Municipal Code. No public comments were received at this meeting.
At its fourth meeting, the Committee reviewed draft public engagement materials prepared by staff and discussed potential revisions intended to increase public awareness and participation prior to future Local Register nominations. One public comment was received from resident and former Architectural Commissioner, Marta Perlas.
At its fifth and final meeting, the Committee reviewed the revised draft outreach materials, made suggestions for final modifications, and directed staff to prepare a report to the full Architectural and Preservation Commission summarizing the Committee's work, forwarding the finalized public engagement materials, and recommending that the Local Register Listings Committee be dissolved, as it had completed the work for which it was established.
CEQA REVIEW
The proposed action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, the “Common Sense” exemption, which provides that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The proposed action consists of accepting the recommendations of the Local Register Listings Committee, approving the Community Engagement Plan and Frequently Asked Questions document for use in future Local Register research, outreach, and public engagement efforts, and dissolving the Committee upon completion of its assigned work. The proposed action does not approve construction, alterations, demolition, or any other physical development activity, and will not result in any direct physical changes to the environment or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical changes. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed action will have no significant effect on the environment, and no further environmental review is required at this time.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda, staff report, and draft documents for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the Committee Secretary, Anne Bennett at abennett@claremontca.gov.
Submitted by: Reviewed by:
Brad Johnson Christopher Veirs
Community Development Director City Planner
Prepared by:
Jordan Goose
Associate Planner
Attachments:
A - Draft Resolution
B - Community Engagement Plan
C - FAQ Handout
D - Chapter 16.302 Cultural Resources Preservation
E - APC Subcommittee 05-28-26 Meeting
F - APC Subcommittee 06-04-26 Meeting
G - APC Subcommittee 06-18-26 Meeting
H - APC Subcommittee 07-02-26 Meeting
I - APC Subcommittee 07-29-26 Meeting