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SOHO President's Message
By David W. Goldberg
September/October 2019
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When I joined SOHO in the late 1970s, preservation seemed much more straightforward and clear-cut. Saving Victorian era buildings threatened with demolition was the goal. This was the case in 1969 when SOHO's founder, Robert Miles Parker, posted a "Save This House" sign with his telephone number in front of the 1887 Victorian Sherman-Gilbert residence, which then stood at 139 Fir Street in San Diego. His phone started ringing, a meeting was organized, and SOHO was born.
Since then, SOHO and the preservation movement have grown in ways nobody could have envisioned. From a small volunteer group working out of members' homes, SOHO has evolved into a professionally managed and staffed organization that operates multiple historic museums and sites. SOHO also invests in historic properties to save and restore, such as the Santa Ysabel Store and the Hoover Barn.
From its original mission of saving late 19th-century Victorian structures, SOHO has widened its focus to include all important architecture movements through the late 20th century, as well as cultural and archeological resources. Very much a proactive group, SOHO works to educate community members, developers, and elected officials; act as a preservation resource; and build consensus among different stakeholders.
We now understand that the preservation movement can only be successful when economically viable. Since its founding, when preservation was considered something of a fringe activity, SOHO and other preservation groups have worked hard to become part of the mainstream without diluting or sacrificing core principles and standards. With a 50-year track record of preservation achievements, revenues exceeding expenses for each of the last 20 years, and annual audits of the financial statements for the last several years, SOHO is well positioned for the future. What would Miles—who had no interest in money or the machinations of running a business—and the budding preservationists at the first organizing meeting have thought!
Hard won protections for historic resources are now in place. At the City of San Diego, we have the Historical Resources Board (HRB). At the County of San Diego there is the Historic Site Board (HSB). Historic and cultural resources are addressed in the City's General Plan and are included in the planning process. Properties over 45 years old are potentially subject to historic review. They can be locally designated historic and receive Mills Act tax benefits—a considerable preservation incentive for historic building owners. Our city and county are enriched by more than 20 designated historic districts, with more in the works. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) helps protect historic resources at the state level. The list goes on.
Much progress has been made. In this, SOHO's 50th anniversary year, we are grateful for members' and staff's hard work, dedication, and ingenuity that helped get us to this point.
Progress has not always been easy, however, and there have been numerous reversals along the way—some seemingly out of left field. Earlier this year, lawmakers proposed California State Bills SB 4 and SB 50 to help address the state's housing affordability crisis. Had these bills been enacted—and note that SB 50 is still being considered—they could have seriously threatened older and historically designated neighborhoods, and local landmark districts. CEQA protections would have been weakened; single family residential (SFR) zoning would largely have been eliminated, allowing for increased density; and new multifamily housing projects could have been built with virtually no local control or oversight. Yikes!
SOHO, the California Preservation Foundation, and other leading preservation groups throughout the state weighed in on these bills, emphasizing the adverse impact they could have on historic buildings and districts. The Coalition to Preserve LA summarized the threats to homeowners and historic resources in a chart and article, stating that SB 50 "likely would be prohibited by the Endangered Species Act if California homeowners were considered a species worthy of protection." Yikes again! Read it HERE.
Improving housing affordability is an important and admirable goal, but the reasons for California's housing and affordability crisis are varied, complex, and, unfortunately, defy an easy solution. I don't know the answer, but I do know that reducing protections for historic neighborhoods and structures will not solve the problem or materially increase the supply of affordable housing. The battle over SB 50 and similar proposed legislation is far from over. Stay tuned.
It was with sadness that I recently learned of the passing of Bruce Herms at age 91 on April 25. Bruce was very active in SOHO when I first joined, almost single handedly organizing tours and other outreach and educational activities. He had a keen understanding of history coupled with a passion for architecture, which he conveyed with enthusiasm and grace. One tour in particular greatly impacted me, the tour of Point Loma he organized in the early 1980s. How he managed to cover so much material in a short period of time still amazes me. The tour was a revelation. It was one of the reasons I moved to Point Loma. Later, Bruce became active with Walkabout International in San Diego. He truly was one of a kind. He made a difference. He will be missed.
SOHO's popular Terrace Talks resume on September 28 when the topic will be Trailblazing Women Architects of California. Panelists include three SOHO veterans, historian Sarai Johnson of Johnson & Johnson Architecture; Ione R. Stiegler, FAIA, design principal at IS Architecture; and Diane Welch, the official biographer of architect Lilian J. Rice. Rounding out the panel is Jennifer Macdonald, an architect specializing in historic preservation. Next up, on October 19, panelists will discuss Why Old Places Matter. Terrace Talks have limited seating and frequently sell out. Find more info and buy tickets HERE for September 28, and HERE for October 19.
See you around our beautiful and historic San Diego!
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