How Does a Structure Become a Landmark?

Anyone may nominate a resource for Landmark designation under the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance, and the City may request that an owner pursue Landmark status. A development application on an historic site, or a request to alter or demolish a historic structure, could also cause Landmark designation consideration. Applications for Landmark designation are available from the Planning Department. Landmark designation applications do not require the payment of any fees.

The following is a summary of the steps in the Landmark process:

• Upon request for Landmark designation, the Planning Department staff conducts a thorough field survey of the site to carefully document all structures and features, including photos, notes, and site plan.
• Records are researched to determine age of structures, property ownership history, and other known facts about the property, its former inhabitants and use. The results are compiled into a written report to the Historic Preservation Commission.
• The Historic Preservation Commission will conduct a hearing and make recommendations to the City Council.
• The City Council designates Landmarks or historic Points of Interest.

Landmark designations are reserved for those structures, sites or features that have a special aesthetic, cultural, architectural, or engineering interest or value of an historic nature. Review and designation of a historic Point of Interest is merely recognition for historical purposes, and does not enable the property owner to receive any of the incentives for preservation. When determining historic significance, the Historic Preservation Commission and staff ask the following questions:

• Is the proposed Landmark particularly representative of a historic period, way of life, or type of business? Casa de Rancho Cucamonga (Rains House) stands out as an example of the early settlement of this area.
• Is it older than most buildings of its kind or does it stand out as being an example of a type of structure that was once common but is now rare? The G.P. Ledig home began as a folk Victorian grove farm house at a time when the Alta Loma area was covered by citrus groves.
• Was the architect or engineer or the owner someone renowned? The Klusman house was constructed by John Klusman who established the Mission Winery (later known as the Virginia Dare Winery).
• Were the construction materials or engineering methods used in the proposed Landmark outstanding? The Cucamonga Methodist Church is a superb example of native rock construction.
• Does it represent an established community feature or does it materially benefit the area in which it lies? The Thomas Winery has been a prominent part of the City's landscape this century.

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What Does Landmark Designation Do?

First, it fosters civic pride and helps us develop a sense of place and a sense of history. It also qualifies the owners to apply for use of the Mills Act Contract to lower property taxes. Other preservation incentives may include use of the flexible State Historic Building Code, tax advantages, grants for restoration or rehabilitation, and assistance from various historic preservation organizations. Landmark designation requires the Historic Preservation Commission to review any significant material changes to the exterior of the structure or any demolition requests. Landmark designation does not prevent the owners from making changes, nor does it require review of painting or historically accurate repair in kind or interior changes. It does not mandate restoration nor does it require that the building be open to the public.