The City has drafted a citywide Historic Context Statement

What is a Historic Context Statement?

The historic context statement is a document that identifies the important themes relevant to the history and development of the built environment of the City. The context statement establishes periods of historical significance for each of the important themes, while identifying significant property types. It highlights character defining and associative features, and establishes evaluation criteria and integrity thresholds. The intent is to provide a framework for identifying and evaluating individual resources and historic districts for the National, California, and local registration programs. At the same time, the document helps City staff and the public understand what makes a building historic- or not.

In 2012, the City Council authorized City staff to apply for grant funds to help prepare a historic context statement through the State Sponsored Certified Local Government  program. The City was selected to receive a grant in the amount of $22,500 to prepare a historic context statement.  The City accepted proposals from qualified consultants to assist with this effort and ultimately hired Historic Resources Group (HRG). HRG worked with City staff and the public to produce the document.

The City Council approved the final draft of the Context Statement on November 12, 2013.

The final document can be viewed here:

HISTORIC CONTEXT STATEMENT JANUARY 2014

Link to OHP Library for Historic Context Statements

For more information please contact Brian Leveille at the Community Development Department.

bleveille@slocity.org (805) 781-7166