A decision made by the Manhattan Beach City Council on Feb. 17 will require that owners of historic properties who are seeking to demolish them will have to wait for 30 days before doing so. During the waiting period, it will be determined if the property in question meets the criteria for being considered a landmark, and the rule will apply to properties irrespective of whether they have been nominated for or designated with landmark status.
The new regulation is a part of the city’s efforts to create a historical preservation law, which was conceptually approved late last year. In an effort to prevent abuse of the new rules, only the owner of a property, the Manhattan Beach Cultural Heritage Conservancy or the city are allowed to nominate a location for landmark status. According to the Community Development Director, failure to limit nominations could allow people to hold up sales or property additions for spurious reasons. In most cases, the owner must consent for a property to be considered a landmark; however, the city council has the right to supersede the owner’s decision if it is deemed necessary.
Following some debate, the council decided to have a separate board to administer the program, instead of having the council manage it. The board will be comprised of five members, and it will include an architect and a historical expert. A draft of the ordinance is expected in March, and it will need to go through the planning commission and public hearings as well the California Coastal Commission.