3.24.110 Landmarks, historic districts and structures of merit--Designation--Criteria for consideration

3.24.110 Landmarks, historic districts and structures of merit--Designation--Criteria for consideration.

A. Landmarks and historic districts. General criteria which the commission shall use when considering structures, sites and areas for landmark or historic district designation are as follows:

1. Architectural merit:

(a) Property that is the first, last, only or most significant architectural property of its type in the region;

(b) Properties that are prototypes of or outstanding examples of periods, styles, architectural movements or construction, or examples of the more notable works of the best surviving work in a region of an architect, designer or master builder; or

2. Cultural value: Structures, sites and areas associated with the movement or evolution of religious, cultural, governmental, social and economic developments of the City;

3. Educational value: Structures worth preserving for their usefulness as an educational force;

4. Historic value: Preservation and enhancement of structures, sites and areas that embody and express the history of Berkeley/Alameda County/California/United States.

History may be social, cultural, economic, political, religious or military;

5. Any property which is listed on the National Register described in Section 470A of Title 16 of the United States Code.

B. Structures of merit. Criteria which the commission shall use when considering a structure for structure of merit designation are as follows:

1. General criteria shall be architectural merit and/or cultural, educational, or historic interest or value. If upon assessment of a structure, the commission finds that the structure does not currently meet the criteria as set out for a landmark, but it is worthy of preservation as part of a neighborhood, a block or a street frontage, or as part of a group of buildings which includes landmarks, that structure may be designated a structure of merit.

2. Specific criteria include, but are not limited to one or more of the following:

(a) The age of the structure is contemporary with (1) a designated landmark within its neighborhood, block, street frontage, or group of buildings, or (2) an historic period or event of significance to the City, or to the structure’s neighborhood, block, street frontage, or group of buildings.

(b) The structure is compatible in size, scale, style, materials or design with a designated landmark structure within its neighborhood, block, street frontage, or group of buildings.

(d) The structure has historical significance to the City and/or to the structure’s neighborhood, block, street frontage, or group of buildings. (Ord. 5686-NS § 1 (part), 1985: Ord. 4694-NS § 3.1, 1974)