CCP606 Historic Depiction ProgramCITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
COUNCIL POLICY
Subject: Effective Policy
Page Date Number
HISTORIC DEPICTION PROGRAM
1 of 3 11/19/96 606
It is a policy of the City Council, in accordance with the General Plan, to protect and
preserve the City's unique cultural, historical, political, architectural and economic heritage.
New development projects are required to provide artistic interpretations of the City's
heritage in the form of historic depiction programs, which portray quality design and
materials, relevant representations and are accessible to the general public. These
historical depiction programs shall contain the following elements:
1. Applicability - The HDP program shall apply to all commercial, industrial,
office, institutional, recreational, or other non-residential projects.
2. Media - Applicable development projects shall incorporate representations of
the City's heritage – especially relating to its social, cultural, architectural,
political and economic history. Media used to portray this heritage may
include sculpture, mosaic, murals, exhibits, preservation of historic resources,
or similar forms. A narrative plaque shall be used only to explain the on-site
historic feature or other forms of depiction. The media to be used shall be of
a size and concept that encourages a greater degree of viewer interaction.
3. Examples - Existing examples of desirable types of historic depiction
programs are the mural at the Home Furnishings Center in Plaza Del Obispo,
the mosaic in the courtyard of Mercado Capistrano, and the archaeological
viewing well at Franciscan Plaza. Assistance relating to significant historical
figures or events which might be depicted may be requested from the
Cultural Heritage Commission or the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society.
Reference sources such as Two Hundred Years in San Juan Capistrano are
available at the San Juan Capistrano Library.
4. Cost and Appropriateness - There is no requirement regarding the cost of the
representation. Proposed works shall be reviewed, not on the basis of cost,
but on historical accuracy, appropriateness to San Juan Capistrano's cultural
heritage, and overall quality.
5. Location - The representation shall be placed in a prominent location within
the project and should be oriented primarily to pedestrian (as opposed to
motorist) viewing. Site design and location of the work should allow for
unobstructed viewing from as many angles as possible. Landscaping and
lighting design should complement the work. Consideration should be given
to handicap accessibility.
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
COUNCIL POLICY
Subject: Effective Policy
Page Date Number
HISTORIC DEPICTION PROGRAM
2 of 3 11/19/96 606
a. Option to HDP - As an alternative to constructing an historic depiction
program, a project may pay a one time fee equal to 1¼% of building
construction valuation (defined as the total construction value of the
building as determined by the Building Official according to the
International Council of Building Official standards). Said fee shall be
used to promote, enhance, and/or support the City’s history and
heritage in areas that remain visible and open to the public. Said
fees shall be collected by the City and maintained in a special fund for
these City sponsored projects.
Use of In-lieu fees: Shall involve either the permanent installation or
rehabilitation of historic depictions, historic structures, signs serving
historic structures, and any additions of features or amenities that
permanently entertain or educate the public about the City of San
Juan Capistrano’s unique history.
Staff Reports: Staff will be required to address the issue of the HDP
requirement and discuss the project proponent’s preference and
provide a recommendation on which option should be pursued (to be
addressed in agenda items before final decision making body for the
project). The decision-making body for the project shall have final
approval regarding HDP requirements and the final option to be used.
Process for In-Lieu Fee Funded Projects: Projects to be funded shall
be proposed by staff, or members of the public, for consideration and
approval by the City Council, subsequent to receiving a
recommendation by the Cultural Heritage Commission. There shall be
a “cap” of $25,000 maximum fee for projects valued at $2 million
dollars or more.
6. Review Procedures for Proposed HDPs - The following review sequence
shall be used to conduct historic depiction program review:
a. Under the Architectural Control application submitted to the
Department of Planning Services, the Planning Commission shall
review the site plan showing the depiction's general location and
description. The Commission shall receive a recommendation of
approval of the depiction by the Cultural Heritage Commission.
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
COUNCIL POLICY
Subject: Effective Policy
Page Date Number
HISTORIC DEPICTION PROGRAM
3 of 3 11/19/96 606
b. The Cultural Heritage Commission, shall review and approve the
historic depiction program which shall include the following
information:
(1) Site, landscape and lighting plans,
(2) Depiction materials and color board,
(3) For three dimensional depictions, a model is preferable. Also
acceptable will be renderings that show the back, both sides
and front of the proposal,
(4) Artist's statement of intent,
(5) Depictions that contain a narrative shall include the proposed
verbiage,
(6) Any other drawings or additional information necessary to
determine compliance with this section as required by the
Planning Director. In making a motion to approve, the
Cultural Heritage Commission shall make the following
findings:
- The historic depiction program integrates San Juan
Capistrano's history into the planning and
development of the City, and
- The historic depiction program incorporates quality,
relevant and accessible representations of the City's
cultural, architectural, economic, historical and
political heritage into the community's everyday life.
Decisions of the Cultural Heritage Commission may be appealed to
the City Council in accordance with Section 9-2.316 of the
Municipal Code.
c. The City Council shall be provided a staff report at their next regular
meeting which provides a summary of the historic depiction
program approved by the Cultural Heritage Commission.
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