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File #: 26-0113    Version: 1
Type: PC Commission Business Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 2/20/2026 In control: Joint Meeting of the Planning Commission and Design Review Committee
On agenda: 3/16/2026 Final action:
Title: Historic Preservation Ordinance study session
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. Attachment 1 Orange Municipal Code Chapter 17.17, Historic Districts, 3. Attachment 2 Orange Municipal Code, Section 17.10.070, Design Review, 4. Attachment 3 Orange Municipal Code, Section 17.10.090, Demolition Review
TO: Chair and Members of the Planning Commission and Design Review Committee

THRU: Hayden Beckman, Planning Manager

FROM: Anna Pehoushek, Assistant Community Development Director


1. SUBJECT
title
Historic Preservation Ordinance study session
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2. SUMMARY
The City is preparing a Historic Preservation Ordinance to establish expanded content in the Orange Municipal Code that enables more effective management and protection of cultural resources in the community.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
1. Receive and file.
2. Provide initial feedback to staff regarding the proposed scope and objectives of a potential ordinance.
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4. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The content of the Orange Municipal Code (OMC) related to historic properties and districts is contained in Chapter 17.17, Historic Districts of Title 17 (Zoning) (see Attachment 2). Preservation-related Code provisions originated in 1988 with subsequent modifications in 1995, 1998, 2018, and 2024 to address refinements to applicability, procedures, and establishment of the Eichler Historic Districts.
Chapter 17.17 is focused on four topics:
* Purpose and intent of historic districts;
* Procedures and criteria for establishing historic districts;
* Applicability of historic preservation design standards and Secretary of Interior Standards to new development and rehabilitation; and
* Use of State Historic Building Code.
Chapter 17.04, Definitions, defines a limited number of historic preservation terms.
Chapter 17.10, Specific Administrative Procedures, establishes the design review and demolition review process for projects involving historic districts and structures in Section 17.10.070 (Attachment 3) and Section 17.10.090 (Attachment 4).
Chapter 15.57, California Historic Building Code, adopts the California Historic Building Code by reference.
As the City's historic preservation program has evolved over time to encompass the management of resources across four historic districts (acknowledgi...

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