Cultural Resources Ordinance

General Plan Policy 7.5.1.1 requires the County to “establish a Cultural Resources Ordinance. This ordinance shall provide a broad regulatory framework for the mitigation of impacts on cultural resources (including historic, prehistoric and paleontological resources) by discretionary projects.” Related General Plan Policy 7.5.1.5 states that a “Cultural Resources Preservation Commission shall be formed to aid in the protection and preservation of the County’s important cultural resources.” This policy also states that the “County shall request to become a Certified Local Government (CLG) through the State Office of Historic Preservation.

In 1998, the Board established a Cultural Resources Preservation Commission which implemented part of General Plan Policy 7.5.1.5. In 1999, the Board approved Guidelines for Cultural Resources Studies. The County has not requested to become a CLG, and Policy 7.5.1.1 has not yet been implemented.

On August 16, 2016, the Board of Supervisors held a workshop to discuss implementation of this General Plan policy and related General Plan policies and implementation measures. Staff provided the Board with a memo and presentation that provided background information and framework for development of a Cultural Resources Ordinance. The Board directed staff to prepare a Cultural Resources Ordinance, update the 1999 Cultural Resources Guidelines, and explore options which may include amendments to General Plan Policy 7.5.1.5, formation of a Cultural Resources Preservation Commission which was disbanded by the Board in 2003. The Board also asked for more information about the CLG program.

On November 10, 2016, staff presented the Planning Commission with the same presentation given to the Board on August 16, 2016. Following the presentation, staff provided the Planning Commission with a summary of public outreach activities following the Board workshop, and detailed information on the CLG program, and duties of the Cultural Resource Preservation Commission included in Policy 7.5.1.5. Following the presentation, the Planning Commission discussed their thoughts on whether the County should become a CLG, and whether a Commission should be reestablished.

The staff memos and presentations for both the Board workshop on August 16, 2016 and the Planning Commission meeting on November 10, 2016 are posted on the County’s online agenda to Legistar File No. 16-0660. Please note: These agenda items may not reflect the most current information and are subject to change. For the latest information on agenda items related to this project, refer to the County online agenda calendar: https://eldorado.legistar.com

For reference, below is a link to the 1999 Cultural Resources Guidelines. 

Guidelines for Cultural Resource Studies (August 17, 1999)