What is a historic context statement?
In order to understand the historic significance of a given area, it is necessary to examine the area within the appropriate historic context(s). A historic context statement is a written document that provides the framework for evaluating a property for historic significance and integrity. The purpose of a historic context statement is to place built resources, cultural landscapes, and sites of important events in the appropriate historic, social, and architectural context so that the relationship between an area’s physical environment and its broader history can be established. It is not intended to be a comprehensive history. Instead, its purpose is to highlight trends and patterns critical to the understanding of an area’s built environment. It is meant to serve as a guide to enable citizens, planners, and decision-makers to evaluate the relative significance and integrity of potential historic resources and to provide a framework for the development of a comprehensive preservation program.
What is a historic resources survey?
A historic resources survey is a process of systematically identifying, researching, and documenting properties that reflect important themes in the city's growth and development, such as architecture, city planning, social history, ethnic heritage, politics, industry, transportation, and commerce. Historic resources include buildings, structures, objects, cultural landscapes, natural features, and groupings of resources or areas known as historic districts. Examples of types of resources, or "property types," that may be included in the citywide survey are residential subdivisions, banks, bridges, religious buildings, courtyard apartments, and parks.
Historic resources surveys can be used to:
Identify properties that contribute to the community’s character, that of its neighborhoods, or that illustrate its historical and architectural development, and, as a result, deserve consideration in planning;
Identify properties or areas whose study may provide information about the community’s past, and contribute to scholarship, which should be preserved or subjected to scientific investigation;
Establish priorities for conservation, restoration and rehabilitation efforts within the community;
Provide the basis for using legal and financial tools to protect and enhance historic resources;
Provide planners with a database from which to monitor and channel new development;
Increase awareness in the public and private sectors of the manmade environment and the need for preservation efforts; and
Enable local governments and federal agencies to meet their planning and review responsibilities under existing Federal legislation and procedures.
Why do we need a citywide survey?
The City’s existing survey information provides a strong foundation for planning, which will be enhanced during this project with updated evaluations using the latest preservation standards. Without a survey update, places that matter to Ventura residents may be lost to demolition or extensive alterations. Information gained from the survey will give property owners and developers greater certainty about the historic significance of a site so that they can plan accordingly. It will also inform thoughtful decision-making by City officials, property owners, residents, and preservation professionals. Survey results will shape community plans, facilitate environmental review processes, and assist in disaster planning and tourism efforts. The survey will not result in the designation of properties as City historic landmarks, which requires more in-depth research and an application process. Survey findings will be presented and discussed during public hearings before the City’s Historic Preservation Committee.
How is a historic resources survey conducted?
A survey typically begins with background research on a property, area or district to provide a basis to evaluate significance. Survey teams then conduct field inspections in order to identify the resource’s architectural, physical, and visual qualities and characteristics; assess the impacts of changes or alterations; and document overall condition through photography. These field inspections assess the exterior of resources and are conducted from the public right-of-way. Survey teams do not need to obtain access to private property, nor do they ask questions of property owners or residents.
Who is conducting the survey?
The survey and resource evaluations will be completed by Historic Resources Group, a consultant team that meets professional qualification standards as historians and architectural historians. The team is under contract to the City of Ventura and under the supervision of the Community Development department.
What will be surveyed?
The survey will cover the entire city and identify resources dating from approximately 1782 to 1980. This period will encompass the earliest extant resources in Ventura and will ensure that, when the project is completed, resources 40 years of age or older have been surveyed.
How are resources evaluated?
Individual resources and districts are evaluated for significance in accordance with criteria established for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources as well as for local designation as City Landmarks or Historic Districts.
How will survey information be recorded?
Information about properties and districts will be recorded in a customized database, which will both integrate seamlessly into Ventura’s existing GIS framework and include all fields traditionally found in California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 523 series forms.
What type of information will be in the survey database?
The database will include various types of information on individual properties and historic districts relating to construction and ownership history, architecture, significance, and relevant evaluation criteria. The database will also include photographs, maps, and other locational information.
How will the survey results be used?
Survey results will be used in a variety of ways. They provide an important planning tool for various City agencies and departments to help inform community plan updates, zoning decisions, environmental reviews, plan approval and permits, disaster response, and cultural tourism programs.
What does it mean if my Property is identified as part of the survey?
If your building is identified and recorded as part of the survey it means that professional surveyors found it eligible for designation by the City of Ventura and/or for listing in the California and National Registers. Identification in the survey is not the same as designation.
Do surveyed Properties automatically become designated?
No. Although surveys identify and evaluate properties that may be eligible for designation, no actual designation results directly from survey activity. Designation by the City of Ventura and nominations to the California or National Registers are separate processes which include property owner notification and public hearings.
What if I don’t want my property to be surveyed?
All legal parcels in Ventura will be part of the survey. The survey is a way of gathering information on properties within Ventura that may meet eligibility requirements for designation by the City and/or for listing in the California and National Registers. Surveyors will only record information from the public right-of-way and no access to private property or contact with property owners is needed.
Will inclusion on a historic survey affect my property value?
There is no indication that property values go down based on inclusion in a historic survey; in fact, studies indicate that the value of homes in historic districts tend to appreciate at a slightly higher rate than similar building stock outside a district.
Can properties that are less than 50 years old be considered “historic”?
The National Register and California Register criteria differ somewhat in how they address properties of the “recent past.” A property that is less than 50 years old may not be considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places unless it is of “exceptional importance.” Such a place may be considered eligible for the California Register if it can be demonstrated that sufficient time has passed to understand and gain a scholarly perspective on its historic significance. In the City of Ventura, properties over 40 years old may be considered historically significant.
What are the benefits of historic designation?
For information regarding the Mills Act and other benefits contact the Community Development Department at (805) 654-7869.
How can I alert the project team to important people, places, or stories in Ventura’s history?
Please fill out the Share Your Ventura form or contact us if you would like to share information that you feel may warrant inclusion in the historic context statement.
How should I decide what to identify?
In considering which people, places, or stories to identify, think about the following questions:
What are the neighborhoods, commercial areas, and landscapes that have distinctive architectural or cultural characteristics, or reflect important aspects of social history or planning and development? What qualities of these places make them important or unique?
What sites or buildings have traditionally served as gathering places or focal points in your community?
Which buildings and districts may have been associated with important architects, builders, designers, developers, or engineers whose work helped define the character of Ventura?
What people or places shaped social movements or the cultural evolution of your community?
Who are the important people in Ventura’s history? Where did they live and work?
I have historic memorabilia. How can I help?
Please contact us if you would like to share photographs or other materials that you feel may contribute important information to the historic context statement and survey project.
Banner photo: Lima bean field workers, date unknown
Source: Black Gold Cooperative Library System