Details decided for Manhattan Beach historic preservation
Former mayor and Manhattan Beach historian Jan Dennis speaking about the Mills Act at a council meeting in 2014. Photo A more muscular law governing historic preservation in Manhattan Beach came a step closer to implementation Tuesday night with several decisions made by the City Council. The council had previously resolved to hire an expert to help craft such a law after passing the Mills Act, which gives homeowners tax incentives to maintain the historical integrity of their houses. Some of the details were fleshed out Tuesday night to reveal an ordinance with much more power than the voluntary one implemented in 2006. Council will be able to landmark a property and therefore prevent it from being demolished without its owner’s permission, in certain cases. Landmark status can be sought by the owner, the city or a preservation group. Homeowners who fall within a designated historic district will have to follow certain rules which will be decided by the council. Community Development Director Marisa Lundstedt said that in recent discussions over downtown’s development, “We’ve heard numerous times that people want to preserve the small beach town character.” “The purpose of this…
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