|
SOHO President's Message
By David W. Goldberg
May/June 2021
 Photo by Sandé Lollis |
If 2020 was a year of dramatic change and a wrenching pivot to expectations of a "new normal," then 2021 will likely go down as a year of transition—especially for those of us in the preservation movement.
Recently, I was saddened to learn that Jim Mills, a former California state legislator from San Diego, preservationist, and author passed away in March at the age of 93. (See SOHO's tribute to Jim in this issue.) Born in 1927, he was a classic example of a child growing up during the Great Depression. His family, like many others, was devastated by the economic downturn of the early 1930s. Fortunately, his father was able to find work through President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, which kept the family sheltered, fed, and clothed during this difficult period.
The experience profoundly impacted Jim and turned him into a lifelong progressive who believed in the power of government to make peoples' lives better. He was responsible for an impressive amount of legislation as an elected official, including the landmark Mills Act in 1972, "a local property tax incentive to encourage restoration, rehabilitation, and preservation of privately owned historic resources." It requires a 10-year contract between owner and city, with the owner pledging to reinvest his or her property tax savings in restoring or preserving the building.
The Mills Act has been transformative for many of California's older neighborhoods, and has been credited with saving thousands of historic structures from destruction. Areas once in decline rebounded. Economic activity increased. Tax benefits helped first-time buyers achieve home ownership and the opportunity to build financial security. The Mills Act, a true win-win, is good government at its best.
Unfortunately, the benefits of good legislation such as the Mills Act are under threat. Proposed legislation at the State level—California Senate Bill 9—has the potential of undoing much of the progress made in the last 50 years. The thrust of the bill, improving housing affordability, is admirable, but the approach is ill-conceived. Single-family zoning would be eliminated with as many as four units allowed on a lot. Local control over growth and development would be curtailed. Aging infrastructure not designed for intensive development would be stressed to the breaking point.
There is something fundamentally unfair with this approach. When someone purchases a historic home (or any home for that matter) a long-term commitment is typically made (think multi-year mortgage). Imbedded in the purchase price are legitimate protections built into the underlying zoning (think community architectural character). Unilaterally changing zoning alters the original bargain, and instead of creating a win-win scenario, something more akin to a win-lose scenario results. Those who bought into a neighborhood for what it is and have unanticipated change forced upon them lose, while those who profit monetarily from intensive development win. There simply has to be a better way.
At the federal level, we welcome Deb Haaland to her new role as secretary of the interior. The first Indigenous woman confirmed as secretary of a federal agency, she has a record of advocating for historic preservation. During a congressional committee hearing she stated that she will make sure "… historical places are protected." We wish her great success.
At the local level, Heath Fox, executive director of the La Jolla Historical Society, announced he will retire in the fall after nine years. He has been a strong preservation partner, a friend, and will be a hard act to follow. We wish him all the best in retirement.
And finally, the next time you're walking around our beautiful and historic city, and see a historic plaque on a building, remember Jim Mills. He helped put it there.
|
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
|
