Cultural Heritage Commission

Meeting Information

Cultural Heritage Commission meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and will be available:

• In Person - City Council Chambers, 1424 Mission Street, South Pasadena
• Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82268359053
• Zoom Meeting ID: 822 6835 9053

Past meetings are recorded and available for view on the City's Youtube Channel.

The City of South Pasadena strongly encourages your participation. You may email comments or questions to PlanningComments@southpasadenaca.gov. Comments/questions must be received by 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting to ensure adequate time to compile and post. Please provide: 1) your name; and 2) agenda item for the comments/questions, or if it is a general public comment. All comments/questions received by the deadline will be distributed to the Commission for consideration and will also be posted on the City’s website prior to the meeting.

Purpose, Membership & Term

The Cultural Heritage Commission is a five-member body that is advisory to the City Council on all issues relating to the identification, retention, and preservation of landmarks and historic districts. Qualifications for serving on the commission consist of an interest in and knowledge of the City's cultural heritage and being a resident elector (registered voter) of the City. Candidates may be professionals in the fields of architecture, history, planning, archaeology, or related disciplines. Members are appointed to a three-year term, with a maximum length of service of two full consecutive terms, plus one partial term (if applicable).

Commission Members

• Conrado Lopez, Chair (Term ends 12/31/26)
• Kristin Morrish, Vice-Chair (Term ends 12/31/24)
• William Cross, Commissioner (Term ends 12/31/25)
• Jeremy Ding, Commissioner (Term ends 12/31/25)
• Scott Severson, Commissioner (Term ends 12/31/26)

Staff Liaison
Michael Donovan, Associate Planner

City Council Liaison
Mayor Pro Tem, Jack Donovan

Agendas & Minutes

(C) = Cancelled
(R) = Rescheduled
(SM) = Special Meeting

Additional Resources

Lead Based Paint Resource Information(PDF, 98KB)

Preservation Ordinance

Citywide Historic Context Statement
(PDF, 28MB)The Citywide Historic Context Statement is a document that identifies all of the important historical development patterns, events, and people associated with South Pasadena’s distinct neighborhoods and historic districts. It identifies property types, their associated character-defining features, and location patterns from Town Settlement (1873-1899) to the mid-century modern era (1945 to 1963).

Certificate of Appropriateness Application
A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required for all proposed exterior alterations, new construction, and demolition that affect properties listed on the Inventory of Historic Resources. Painting and routine maintenance are exempt from a COA. The COA process involves a presentation to the Cultural Heritage Commission at a public hearing. The Cultural Heritage Commission meets on the third Thursday of each month. A COA application needs to be deemed complete before the meeting.

Mills Act Application
(PDF, 142KB)A Mills Act contract is an agreement between the City of South Pasadena and a property owner. A Mills Act contract allows a tax reduction for a property owner who agrees to perform certain restoration and maintenance tasks over a ten-year period. Eligible properties include: those designated as a landmark, a property located within a historic district, or a property on the California Register.