1. Why a Historic District? Do you want to turn the neighborhood into a museum? 

No. We are only trying to preserve its style, scale, pleasantness and intimacy – those very traits that attracted us to live here.

Since its development in the 1920s, this has been a peaceful and stable neighborhood of mostly single-family houses and duplexes on individual lots, with streetscapes that have remained the same for 75 years. We would like to protect some of this tradition. 

2.  Does this mean that if I want to remodel – or even reconstruct – my house, I’ll be faced with a lot of new bureaucratic red tape? 

No. Major changes now require us to bring our plans to the City for approval. If the District is established, the City will have to use the rules and criteria we, as a neighborhood, have developed as appropriate for our unique needs and desires. Existing appeal procedures will not change.

6. But doesn’t the City already have authority to regulate inappropriate development.

Yes, to some extent, but as many of us have found out recently, that process requires the neighbors to mobilize for each and every proposal that threatens the neighborhood in order to make our concerns heard. With a District, the City will be required to uniformly apply our guidelines. It will streamline the process and provide us better protection. 

7. If my lot is deep enough for a second unit, will this District prevent me from building one?

No. That is dictated by the Zoning.

8. But my house is not of the Craftsman Bungalow style. Will this mean that any changes, or even reconstruction must be in that style? 

No. Again, this is not intended to create a Bungalow museum. Other period architectural styles will be respected.

9.  Will this District adversely affect my property value? 

Quite the contrary! Experience with similar districts is that values increase. A recent study by the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association found that: 'the prices of houses in historically designated neighborhoods exceeded those in similar non-historic areas, in part because home buyers were willing to pay a premium for the assurance that the neighborhood surrounding their houses will remain unchanged over time'.  And, from  'American Bungalow' magazine: 'homes in Pasadena’s Bungalow Heaven are 'square foot for square foot, among the most valuable housing properties in America'.  

10. But what if I want to sell, maybe want to move, or provide for my survivors; won't this prevent me from the possibility of selling my property for top dollar based on its development potential?  

You will still be free to sell to whomever you wish.  

3. What about minor changes? Will I have to go before a Commission for every little thing I want to do with my house?  

Minor items, if they call for a permit at all, will be handled through an expedited process that will require only a written application. But if no permit was required before, none will be required.

4. So do I have to get approval for, say, changing the color of my house, or indoor projects?

No. District Guidelines will regulate none of these things. 

5. What about the new rules saying what I can and cannot do to my house? 

We will have guidelines that will seek only to assure that future development is consistent with the neighborhood’s architectural style and scale. These guidelines will be developed through the participation of the Bungalow Haven Neighborhood Association and the entire neighborhood.

11. Is there neighborhood support for the idea of a District? 

90% of those responding to a survey delivered to every house in the neighborhood favored protection from incompatible development, and valued the existing architecture and historical character. 

12. What are the boundaries of the proposed District? 

The boundaries, which will ultimately be decided by the City based upon the results of the Lower Riviera historical survey, will include the area having the highest concentration of historic architectural significance.

13. What else might be in this for me?

The City has pledged to look at financial incentives that are used elsewhere. For example, the Mills Act, which can provide substantial property tax reductions to homeowners who agree to preserve historic properties. Other possibilities to be considered: Discounted fees; Relaxed parking requirements; Free consultation and advice to owners upgrading their properties. Although these were not promises, the Neighborhood Association will lobby strongly for them, and our chances of success will be improved by having a large and involved membership.

14. How can I participate in the formation of the District and the development of the guidelines? 

A number of ways:

§      Come to our meetings the 3^rd Thursday of each month at 7:30 to 9:00 P.M. at 632 East Sola Street.

§      Join our e-mail list, or ask to be on our mailing list.

§      Send comments to us by e-mail at bungalow@ix.netcom.com.

§      Mail or deliver your comments and/or questions to 1324 Panchita Street.

Our database manager, Mike Jogoleff, will make large print copies of this or any of our material on request; please call him at 966-4808.