Ordinance Establishing the Historic Resources Commission
Summary
SCH Number
2026050889
Public Agency
City of San Mateo
Document Title
Ordinance Establishing the Historic Resources Commission
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/21/2026
Document Description
As part of a comprehensive historic policy update effort, the City has adopted an ordinance to amend Title 2 of the Municipal Code to add Chapter 2.23 to establish the new Historic Resources Commission (HRC) to be the reviewing body for the updated Historic Preservation Ordinance. The HRC will consist of five members and two non-voting youth advisory members with four-year terms, will serve at the pleasure of the City Council, and will follow the City’s adopted norms and procedures for Boards and Commissions. The Ordinance also establishes a priority for appointing applicants who are professionals in the discipline of history, architectural history, planning or a related field, licensed architects or engineers specially qualified by reason of training or experience in building rehabilitation, or those who demonstrate special interest and experience in the City’s history. The responsibilities of the HRC include making recommendations to the City Council on the designation of local landmarks and historic districts and Mills Act contracts, taking action on Certificates of Appropriateness for Major Alterations for properties on the Historic Resources Inventory and historic related appeals, and performing other functions as assigned by the City Council.
Contact Information
Name
Zachary Dahl
Agency Name
City of San Mateo
Job Title
Director, Community Development
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Mateo
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
Citywide, Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area
Other Information
citywide, City of San Mateo
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption)
Reasons for Exemption
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) applies only to activities that may cause a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The Ordinance to establish the Historic Resources Commission will update and clarify the City’s policies and processes surrounding historic preservation, but do not materially change or expand their applicability. Therefore, the proposed project meets the criteria of CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and, pursuant to this exemption, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from CEQA.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5)
Reasons for Exemption
The Ordinance to establish the Historic Resources Commission is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment and as such, do not meet the definition of a project under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).
County Clerk
San Mateo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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