Taking a step toward amending the Coronado Historical Preservation Program, the City Council certified an environmental report and directed staff to draft ordinances for formal adoption at its Dec. 3 meeting.
The Historical Preservation Program focuses on preserving architecturally significant properties while giving homeowners clarity on remodeling rules.
The program includes a citywide survey, which evaluates properties built before 1970 for architectural significance, categorizing them into tiers based on their condition and historical integrity.
Tricia Olsen, senior planner of the city’s Community Development Department, said the historical survey identified over 2,000 properties built before 1970 in Coronado.
While the properties are eligible for review under the Historical Preservation Program, not all are officially designated as historic; properties must meet specific criteria, including architectural significance and historical integrity, to earn this status.
The current threshold for historic review is 75 years, meaning properties built in 1949 or earlier must undergo a historic significance review.
The environmental report evaluates how proposed updates to Coronado’s Historic Preservation Ordinance could impact historical and environmental resources. It does not affect properties already designated as historic but targets changes to how new ones are identified.
Under the proposal, some homes built before 1949 would no longer require historic reviews for renovations or demolitions.
The plan amendments would retain a 75-year threshold for historic review of most dwellings. However, under the proposed changes, Tier 3 properties — those significantly altered and unlikely to meet historic designation criteria — are exempted from review.
The proposed changes culminate years of work on the city’s preservation efforts, aimed at balancing historic protection with property owners’ rights.
Councilmember Carrie Downey reflected on the long journey, recalling that she first worked on the issue in 2000 when concerns arose after two significant homes were torn down.
“At the time, all we wanted was a delay to make sure the community had time to act if a historic home was at risk,” she said.
Olsen said that, unlike most cities where homeowners bear the cost of historic evaluations, Coronado pays up to $7,000 for these reviews.
Tanaka noted this reflects the city’s commitment to preserving its history.
“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t pick up the cost unless we want to show it’s important to us,” he said. “Our city’s history is important, so we pay for it.”
“If we were not to exclude all of the Tier 3 homes, that means the city could anticipate a cost of $11.5 million over a long period of time, as these homes would otherwise trigger a historical review,” Bailey said.
City Attorney Johanna Canlas confirmed it would be legally permissible for Coronado to require homeowners to pay for such studies in the future as part of a demolition permit application. She emphasized that Coronado’s approach to covering these costs is unique, showing the city’s dedication to historic preservation.
Moving forward, city staff will draft ordinance amendments for review, with final council approval anticipated in early 2025.
Plastics ban
Also during the Dec. 3 meeting, the council asked city staff to draft new ordinances regulating single-use plastic products in Coronado.
If adopted as discussed, the new regulations would:
- Ban single-use carryout bags at retail and food establishments.
- Ban single-use utensils, straws and stirrers and have recyclable or compostable options available upon request only.
- Prohibit polystyrene foam for food service providers, food services and facilities and affiliated events.
- Require food establishments to accept customers bringing their own reusable cups
Bailey asked the staff to also develop an implementation strategy and hardship waiver they deem appropriate.
Canlas explained that most jurisdictions adopting similar regulations include an education component, a grace period enforcement and provisions to address undue hardship. For example, small businesses that have purchased large inventories of non-compliant materials might be eligible for a waiver from the city manager or their designee to avoid significant financial strain.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the new regulations Jan. 21, with the ordinances potentially taking effect in early March.
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, new state legislation will require grocery stores to replace pre-checkout plastic bags, such as those for produce, meat and bulk items, with recyclable paper or compostable bags.
The following year, state legislation will prohibit the distribution of plastic carry-out bags at checkout in grocery stores, retail stores with pharmacies, convenience stores and liquor stores. Recycled paper bags may be offered for a $0.10 fee, and by Jan. 1, 2028, they must contain at least 50% post-consumer recycled materials.
E-bike safety program
An e-bike safety program for local students is taking shape after receiving support from Coronado Unified School District, Tanaka said.
The initiative, modeled after Poway Unified School District’s program, will require students to complete safety education and obtain a license from the school district before bringing e-bikes on campus.
Friend said that Coronado Police Department’s outgoing chief, Rick Martinez, confirmed strong coordination with CUSD and indicated the program could launch by late January.
In other matters:
- Coronado High School junior Sabrina Puig was selected to be the Parks and Recreation Commission student representative until Sept. 30, 2025.
- Evan Piritz, a retired U.S. Navy captain, as well as a contractor and licensed real estate broker, was appointed to serve on the Historic Resource Commission.
