Staff recommends the Historic Preservation Commission take the following actions:
1. Determine that Zone text Amendment No. 26-0005 does not require further environmental review in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Adopt a Resolution entitled:
HPC RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BANNING, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF
ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 26-0005 TO AMEND CHAPTER 17.58 OF THE BANNING MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING HISTORIC PRESERVATION DESIGNATIONS AND CRITERIA
Community Development Department
At the July 20, 2026 Historic Preservation Commission meeting, staff presented proposed amendments to Chapter 17.58 of the Banning Municipal Code regarding Historic Preservation standards. The proposed amendments included establishing an Historic Preservation Officer (HPO), a four-class historic resource designation system and criteria, required meetings and outreach, and other standards. The Commission discussed this matter and gave direction to staff to move forward with a zone text amendment to Chapter 17.58 as presented. This agenda item tonight is a reflection of that direction from the Commission. If the Commission recommends approval, Zone Text Amendment No. 26-0005 will be scheduled for the October 27, 2026 City Council meeting.
Zone Text Amendment No. 26-0005 has been prepared to reflect the changes the Commission agreed to at their July 20, 2026 meeting. The proposed changes to Chapter 17.58 of the Banning Municipal Code are reflected in the draft City Council Ordinance attached to HPC Resolution No. 2026-01 as Exhibit 1.
The proposed amendments outlined in the draft Ordinance have been prepared in a manner similar to the successful historic preservation program of the city of Palm Springs. The Palm Springs program identifies a Historic Preservation Officer (HPO), includes a four-class historic resource designation system including simple yet detailed designation criteria, documentation and processing rules and regulations. Staff believes this example will work for the City of Banning as was discussed at the July 20, 2026 HPC meeting.
A summary of the proposed amendments outlined in the draft Ordinance include the following:
- New definitions for a Historic Preservation Officer (HPO)
- Amended definitions for substantial or major alterations.
- Section 17.58.40 is amended to include more duties for the HPO, historic preservation criteria, and a four-class designation system for resources and districts.
- The standards for identification and designation of historic resources in section 17.58.50 with guidance on application processing, with documentation, meetings, outreach, commission recommendations.
- Section 17.58.60 is being amended with updated rules and regulations for certificates of appropriateness issued for demolition, substantial alteration, or removal of historic resources for each class designation, proper documentation, and standards for review.
Commissioners also recommended two amendments to be added to this zone text amendment:
- Historic Preservation Commission actions should include findings.
- In applying historic designation criteria, per Section 17.58.40, the HPO, Commission, and Council will approve or disapprove the designation by making a determination on the historic resource analyzing its consistency with the criteria listed under 17.58.40(B). Required application materials and submittal requirements are listed in the subsequent Section 17.58.50
- In reviewing a Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition or substantial alteration of a historic resource, the HPO, Commission and Council should make findings and a determination per the seven items for consideration under Section 17.58.60(H). These will serve as the findings on HPC resolutions.
- The amendments should include an appeal process. Consistent with other application types listed in the zoning ordinance, an Appeal Procedures section has been added as Section 17.58.100 referencing to the procedures outlined in Chapter 17.68.
As outlined in Section 17.116.050 of the Banning Zoning Ordinance, approval of a Zone Text Amendment requires three (3) findings. The Planning Commission is being asked to consider the findings below and recommend that the City Council make the required findings in connection with adoption of the Council Ordinance for Zone Text Amendment PZTA26-0005.
1. The proposed Amendment is consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan.
Finding of Fact: The proposed Amendment is consistent with the General Plan because it maintains and enhances the City’s historic preservation standards to maintain the existing resources residential, commercial, or other historic nature identified in the Archeological and Cultural Resources Element of the General Plan. The Amendment does not change any General Plan land use designation, does not change any zoning district boundary, and does not approve any specific development project.
2. The proposed Amendment is internally consistent with the Zoning Ordinance.
Finding of Fact: The proposed Amendment is internally consistent with the Zoning Ordinance because it amends Chapter 17.58, which outlines the definitions, designation criteria, and other standards for Banning’s historic resources.
3. That the Planning Commission has independently reviewed and considered the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Finding of Fact: Zone Text Amendment No. 26-0005 is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). As stated in this CEQA section, the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. It is staff’s opinion that the proposed zone text amendment, which includes historic resource definitions and designation criteria and standards, will not have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, the City Council, upon recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission, can adopt this CEQA exemption. Further, adoption of the ordinance will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change, in the environment and is not a “project,” as defined in Section 15378 of the State Guidelines.
Staff believes the amendments to Historic Preservation are logical and will give the Historic Preservation Commission (and the City Council) the authority to apply appropriate criteria and standards to various historic resources. Further, it gives the Historic Preservation Commission the ability to better apply historic resource designations and criteria.
Zone Text Amendment No. 26-0005 is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). As stated in this CEQA section, the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. It is staff’s opinion that the proposed zone text amendment, which includes historic resource definitions and designation criteria and standards, will not have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, the City Council, upon recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission, can adopt this CEQA exemption. Further, adoption of the ordinance will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change, in the environment and is not a “project,” as defined in Section 15378 of the State Guidelines.
On August 21, 2026, a public hearing notice was published in the Record Gazette, a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Banning, notifying the general public that Zone Text Amendment 26-0005 would be considered by the Planning Commission at a public hearing to be held on September 17, 2026. As of the time of writing this staff report, no public comments have been received either in support of, or in opposition to the proposed Zone Text Amendment.