Measure LL Summary

Ballot Argument

FAQs

Measure LL (full text)

Supporters

Berkeley Landmarks

State Historic Resources Inventory

Summary of Measure LL

Measure LL is the result of six years of an open public process to update Berkeley's 1974 Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (LPO). It brings Berkeley into compliance with state law. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved the changes to the LPO and they were adopted by the City Council. Here is a brief summary of the changes:

• requires some Landmark Preservations Commissioners (LPC) to have  qualifications;
• requires historic resources to have “integrity” (authentic characteristics);
• reduces the number of signatures required for the public to initiate (nominate) a landmark or structure of merit from 50 to 25;
• repeals the power of the LPC to suspend (delay) demolition of historic resources;
• grants  the LPC the authority to prohibit the demolition of historic resources (currently the Zoning and Apeals Board has this authority);
• requires longer advance public notice requirements for building permits related to historic resources;
• establishes specific timelines within which the LPC may initiate (nominate) and must decide if a property is a landmark or strucuture of merit when a building permit is pending;
• establishes specific timelines within which the LPC may initiate (nominate) and must decide if a property is a landmark or strucuture of merit when a building permit is not pending;
• establishes specific timelines within which the LPC must approve or deny a permit for alterations on, or demolition of, an historic resource;
• specifies  procedures by which a property owner may file a request for determination (RFD) of whether his/her property is a landmark or structure of merit, including public notice requirements;
• specifies timelines within which the LPC must act on an RFD; length of timelines are based on whether or not a building permit is pending;
• adds the LPC to the list of those who may initiate an historic district;
• prohibits LPC reconsideration of properties not designated for two years after the decision;
• allows any person to appeal a decision of the LPC to the City Council.

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