COUNCIL BACKS HISTORICAL PRESERVATION ORDINANCE HOMES, OTHER SITES TO BE SURVEYED.Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - Determined to preserve the legacy of the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. , the City Council on Wednesday endorsed plans for an ordinance that would maintain historical sites throughout the city. The council members also expressed support for making the ordinance mandatory, in order to keep Santa Clarita's pioneering, Old West roots alive among the new homes and shopping centers shopping center, a concentration of retail, service, and entertainment enterprises designed to serve the surrounding region. The modern shopping center differs from its antecedents—bazaars and marketplaces—in that the shops are usually amalgamated into . ``The historical elements of this community are of tremendous value,'' said Councilman Bob Kellar at the Tuesday study session. ``This ordinance needs to have teeth.'' The council directed staff members to conduct a detailed survey of all the culturally and historically important homes and sites within city limits. The council members are expected to approve a budget and a scope of work for the project at an upcoming meeting. ``Just because something is old doesn't mean it is historic,'' said Mayor Frank Ferry. ``It has to be defined in the community.'' The council members also agreed that any ordinance should balance the city's desire to maintain important locations with the rights of the properties' owners. ``We have to be careful not to step on individual constitutional rights,'' said Councilman Cameron Smyth Cameron Smyth is a Republican who has represented Califoria's 38th Assembly district since December of 2006. He succeeded Keith Richman who was term limited. Prior to being elected to the state legislature, Assemblyman Smyth served on the Santa Clarita City Council, where he , who added that he would prefer a voluntary ordinance. ``We'll have to work hard to get the support of all of the property owners, through education and incentive programs.'' Preservation of historical sites throughout the valley could encourage tourism while protecting and beautifying Old Town Newhall, where many of the sites are located, said Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy. ``I just don't want to see animosity build up,'' Darcy said. Councilwoman Laurene Weste urged the city staff to use Pasadena's thriving Old Town as a role model. ``It'll be an economic spur,'' Weste said. ``We have some of the richest history anywhere in the state. We need to guarantee that these resources are passed down to future generations.'' Many cities throughout Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, , including West Hollywood West Hollywood A community of southern California northeast of Beverly Hills. It is mainly residential. Population: 36,600. and South Pasadena South Pasadena (păs'ədē`nə), city (1990 pop. 23,936), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles; inc. 1888. Medical supplies, clothing, and transportation and electronic equipment are manufactured. , have mandatory historic preservation Historic preservation is the act of maintaining and repairing existing historic materials and the retention of a property's form as it has evolved over time. When considering the United States Department of Interior's interpretation: "Preservation calls for the existing form, ordinances. The board of directors of Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society urged the City Council to adopt a mandatory ordinance because of the greater control it offers. The society also urges the city to establish a Historic Preservation Commission to implement the ordinance and review applications. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Among historical sites are the Oak of the Golden Dream, above, where gold was first discovered, and this house at 22621 13th St, built in 1873. David R. Crane/Staff Photographer |
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