Monrovia Council and Commission to Discuss Historic Preservation

As the noted architectural historian Robert W. Winter noted in writing about Monrovia’s beloved monstrosity, The Aztec Hotel, “Words fail.” Fortunately, when words fail, actions can sometimes succeed and the Hotel (whose architectural style is actually neo pre-Columbia or Mayan, not Aztec) has been granted Historic status by the city and even has a Mills Act contract. On Monday, June 20, the City Council and Historic Preservation Commission will meet jointly to review the city’s preservation policies and options. -Photo by Terry Miller

By Susan Motander

The city council and Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will hold a joint meeting on June 20 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall.

For the last two years, the city has been discussing the issue of “mansionization” in the community.

While most of the work to date has focused on refining development standards, the city is also looking at updating our overall historic preservation efforts.

The city has been justifiably proud of its preservation efforts, having received an A- rating from the Los Angeles Conservancy for its work (in contrast both Duarte and Arcadia garnered F ratings).

The city is working to improve that grade and is looking at its overall preservation program.  To that end, city staff has developed a series of options for consideration by the HPC and the city council.

These options will be reviewed at the joint meeting next week.

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