Report 2012-109 Recommendation 1 Responses

Report 2012-109: City of San Diego: Although It Generally Followed Requirements for Reviewing Permits, It Could Do More to Protect Historical Resources and to Notify the Public Properly About Its Actions (Release Date: April 2013)

Recommendation #1 To: San Diego Mayor's Office, City of

To ensure that it properly identifies potential historical resources for the structures on project sites and conducts reviews in accordance with the municipal code, Development Services should require applicants to submit documentation, such as the county's property records when available, with their applications or it should obtain the information directly from the county so that it can determine whether the project requires a historical resource review.

6-Month Agency Response

The City now requires the Residential or Commercial Building Record from the County for all permits requesting demolition or removal of a building or structure. Staff working the Zoning Counter will be responsible for review of the Record to confirm the building or structure is less that 45 years old and historical review is not required. Informatin Bulletin 710 has been revised to explain this requirement and to further refer the owner/applicant to the required historic review for all buildings and structures that are 45 or more years old. This procedure is effective November 2013.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

Implementation of this recommendation would require a significant revision to the project submittal requirements. The potential effects of this recommendation are being evaluated. A possible alternative that would require all building permit applications to be reviewed by a zoning reviewer trained in identifying properties over 45 years of age is being examined. This alternative would be less onerous to applicants and may be recommended if it could ensure proper identification of those properties over 45 years of age requiring potential historic review.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Partially Implemented

All Recommendations in 2012-109

Agency responses received after June 2013 are posted verbatim.