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MINUTES Page 3 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-NOVEMBER 3~ 2003 Joanne Lothrop, San Leandro Historical Society~ addressed the City Council regarding the efforts of the Historical Society to raise community awareness about local history. The Historical Society views the proposed ordinance as a response to residents' concerns regarding the demolition of previous historic assets. Ms. Lothrop voiced the Historical Society's general support for the proposed ordinance and strong support for the 300-foot notification requirement for both landmark and merit resources as well as 51 % approval of property owners rather than 670/0 for the designation of historic districts. Lou Filipovich, 15376 LaVerne Drive, addressed the City Council, asking whether the ordinance will be permissive or mandatory and stating that if it is mandatory it will be a failure. Mr. Filipovich expressed concern that there are no minutes of the September 22 City Council Work Session at which this issue was discussed. Justin Agrella, 1231-14Sth Avenue, addressed the City Council, suggesting the City purchase the historic resources it wishes to preserve and that the ordinance must be permissi ve. Mr. Agrella emphasized the need for the ordinance, noting important historic resources have already been lost. He disagreed with the 300-foot notification requirement and expressed concern regarding the private property rights of owners of structures designated as landmarks. Patricia Millar, 337 Arroy Avenue, addressed the City Council in support of the proposed ordinance and the need to preserve the City's remaining historic resources. Ms. Millar urged the Council to act now to adopt the ordinance with the 51 0/0 modification for historic district designation. There being no further comments from the public, and without objection, the Public Hearing was closed. Vice Mayor Glaze conlmented on the 300- foot notification requirement for merit resources. He recalled a previous Council's approval of the placement of the building behind Casa Peralta and suggested the Council review the list of landmarks and merit resources carefully. Vice Mayor Glaze expressed the need for a strong incentive progranl. He lan1ented the loss of many historic resources since the 1970s and hoped there will be more public outcry if historic resources are destroyed in the future. He commented on Mr. Agrella's statement, noting few designated landmarks are presently under City control. Vice Mayor Glaze stated if property owners cannot opt out of a historic district, the percentage for designation should stay at 670/0. However, if property owners have the ability to opt out then 51 % is sufficient. Councilmember Santos recalled at the September 22 Work Session, he suggested reducing the percentage of property owners needed to designate a historic district from 67% to 600/0. He stated he would also be amenable to reducing it to 510iD. Councilmember Santos stated he feels it is time the City Council adopt the ordinance, although it is not as restrictive as it could have been. He concurred with Mr. Agrella that if a resource is important enough to preserve, the community should make every effort to purchase and maintain it.