Calabasas digs the idea of an historical preservation ordinance
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

HOME SWEET HOMESTEAD- The Masson house in Calabasas has remnants of an original homesteader's cabin. A new city ordinance would help preserve historically significant dwellings in the community.

Despite some concerns, the Calabasas City Council was mostly supportive in its discussion of developing an ordinance that will assist with the designation of historic sites in the city.

Experts say that although there may not be as many structures that fall into the historic landmark category as in larger cities, archeologists are bound to be interested in the local area.

"Aside from structures, the other thing that's going to be covered is archeological resources," said Geoff Starns, an expert in developing historic preservation ordinances. "There is a great potential for finds with the history of the Chumash and the De Anza Trail."

Councilmember Dennis Washburn said the ordinance has been a long time coming.

"I'm supportive of doing this," said Washburn at last week's council meeting. "We haven't really focused on this in the last 16 years. And I think a lot of things have been compromised by what we've allowed to go on" around or near some properties.

Starns detailed the process of naming landmarks or historic districts, starting with adoption of an ordinance. A survey of the city will reveal potential historic sites and a committee will be formed, which council members advised should be under the planning commission.

Debbie Bruschaber, president of the Calabasas Historic Society and a project manager at Mountains Restoration Trust, said she was looking forward to the ordinance.

"We fully support a historic preservation ordinance," Bruschaber said. "I look forward to doing whatever we can to assist in this process. Please contact us. We'll do what we can to help."

Mayor James Bozajian said that while helping out with the ordinance, he thought about the historic potential of the walking trail in the Bird streets, the Old Town Calabasas district, and areas in the Highlands.

"I also thought that we have a number of historic properties or landmarks that we perhaps don't know about," Bozajian said. "Through the process of bringing it forward, talking about it in public, educating the public, people will come forward to tell us things about the region that we don't even know about and that we want to know about."

Some concern came during the discussion of whether the city would consider owner objections if their home or property was being designated a historic site. Starns said the city would need to decide whether to require owner consent to become a historic site, or whether owner objections would be considered.

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Sue Maurer and Councilmember Barry Groveman said they were uncomfortable with not allowing owner objections. Groveman said he thought the process should be voluntary and incentives should be offered. Bozajian said he agreed.

"I'm rather concerned with owner objections, too," Bozajian said. "An owner shouldn't be prohibited from doing something with their house just because of this."

Starns said owners can make alterations and additions, but that keeping characteristic features was important. He also dispelled some myths regarding historic places, namely that if a property is more than 50 years old, it must be historic.

"Age isn't a factor," Starns said. "It's about significance and integrity."

Maureen Tamuri, community development director, assured the council that the process would reveal some unknown treasures.

"When you do this type of survey, we are really going to learn a lot about our city," Tamuri said. "For that as a historical base alone, I think it's going to be very valuable."

The planning commission will review a revised draft of the ordinance before it comes back to the council.