Bluff Heights Neighborhood Association

HISTORIC DESIGNATION UPDATE

UPDATE HISTORIC DESIGNATION of Bluff Heights

At last the survey of our neighborhood to determine if we can qualify for historic designation has been completed. It has been a long process, which began over two years ago. Each home was photographed, the architecture reviewed and determined whether to be contributing or not.
Our Bluff Heights neighborhood consists of 754 residential homes. To be considered contributing, the home must have been built before l950 and have retained much, if not all, of its original characteristics. For a neighborhood to qualify for designation, at least two thirds of the Homes must be contributing. According to the results of the survey, 588 homes in Bluff Heights are considered contributing, which puts us way over the two-thirds requirement. Volunteers and a historical architectural consultant under the guidance of the City of Long Beach Preservation Office completed the survey. Ruthann Lehrer, the city of Long Beach Preservation Officer, reported the survey findings at a city initiated community meeting on December 10th. Ms Lehrer detailed how the designation process works, explained historic district regulations, and answered many questions.
Over 100 Bluff Heights residents attended the Wednesday evening meeting, which was held at the Horace Mann School auditorium. Although a few of our neighbors had some reservations, it was clearly evident that the majority favor the designation. There are many benefits in having designation. Protection of the existing architectural character of the neighborhood and increased property values are major examples. Changes to homes require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Preservation Office. This could be considered a negative feature by some. Actually it helps to make sure changes are consistent or compatible with the original architectural style and therefore maintains the integrity of the neighborhood.
Before our designation is complete another mailer will be sent from the city asking for homeowners favorable or not favorable response, review by the Cultural Heritage Commission, Planning Department and finally approval from the City Council. We must show support for the Historic Designation, as a majority in favor is necessary. I am preparing a support letter to send to the Preservation Office and our city council person, Frank Colona or Dan Baker, depending on which street you live on, which will assist in our efforts. I will be e mailing it out to our neighborhood database.
If you are not on our database and need a copy please let me know and I will get it to you. We are very close but it is not a done deal as yet. Ruthann Lehrer, our Preservation Officer, has now retired. The city has appointed an interim officer but this change could delay the process. We are working to keeping this moving forward. Please contact me with any questions.
Catherine Morley
562 438-6812 ccmorley@aol.com