Old Town Historic Preservation Overlay Ordinance

Pinole City Council May 4, 2021

Comments and notes:

The City Council Meets Tuesday at 5:00 PM

In our city the Community is often “turned off” by the length of meetings and the lack of insight into exactly what is happening at City Hall. Can’t blame you, but, if you aren’t paying attention you just might miss an important action or issue.

We at Pinole for Fair Government have been working for the past three years to help bridge the communication gap by alerting the community to pending actions.

The Link to tomorrow’s agenda is here:

https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/05.04.2021%20FInal%20Agenda%20Packet.pdf

FYI:

Among the Consent Calendar Items is the Sale of Blackie’s!

Yes, there is a buyer for that property, the Bank Building has also been sold. Great to see some progress is being made in terms of divesting Pinole of these vacant properties.

Speaking of Old Town

The Tuesday agenda includes a Public Hearing to waive the first reading and approve a change to the existing Historic Preservation Ordinance by adding CH.17.28, Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO). This was on the April agenda but was tabled.

The Sub-Committee (Municipal Code Update Subcommittee) tasked with developing the ordinance change is comprised of Former City Council Member Pete Murray and Current Mayor Norma Martinez-Rubin.

It begs the question:

Why, do we need this ordinance? Who does this benefit? And why is it a priority?

Doesn’t the existing ordinance do exactly what it is supposed to do? It requires adherence to design and zoning for properties considered to be a part of the “Old Town” and preserves the look and feel of potential new developments.

There are only three properties in Pinole that have been deemed “Historical”.

Yet, the attached map shows the depth and breadth of this proposed change and it covers huge swaths of properties that are in no way considered historical.

Is the approval of this ordinance a need in or community? If not, why has it been fast-tracked?

Are there other reasons for this ordinance that the public may not be aware of?

Why add yet another layer of bureaucracy to the process and additional costs for homeowners in Pinole? This ordinance was placed on the agenda in April without notifying those who would be impacted. Why?

This is a questionable action and one that was not fully supported by all members of the Planning Commission. It is certainly not what we need to prioritize when there are so many more important and relevant issues for our Council to address. The $140,000 allocation to the Small Business Community comes immediately to mind, yet it has not made its way onto the agenda.

I’m hoping the City Council will address these questions and see to it that this is not based on personal interests that are not in the best interest of the entire community.

Submit your comments to:

comment@ci.pinole.us