8. As a councilperson, what would you do to help prevent demolition of historically and architecturally significant buildings?

Ricardo Flores: Yes

Georgette Gomez: In my first hundred days in office, in collaboration with the community, I'd like to start obtaining an updated inventory of all the historic sites within District 9. That process, and the input of the community can help inform local community plan updates and lead to the creation of worthwhile historic districts. A substantiated connection to healthier and safer neighborhoods is a strong historic preservation element. Quality of life studies show that historic preservation is positive for health, community cohesiveness, property values, and an aesthetically pleasing environment contributes greatly to mental health.

Sarah Saez: I would organize our communities to stop the demolition of historically and architecturally significant buildings. The number one thing we have that is more powerful than developers is people. I would make sure that our communities know and understand the historical significance of our treasured buildings that link us to the past. If we fill Council Chambers with people who care and stand up to protect these buildings, then we win. I have seen it time and time again. The key is to make sure that we diversity and expand the historic preservation community in order to fight back against demolitions. But being reactive is not enough. We also want to ensure that we pass policy that will not allow our historic buildings to be threatened by being demolished or neglected in the first place. I will work directly with SOHO and other community groups to ensure this happens.

A substantiated connection to healthier and safer neighborhoods is a strong historic preservation element. Quality of life studies show that historic preservation is positive for health, community cohesiveness, property values, and an aesthetically pleasing environment contributes greatly to mental health.

9. The city has a large inventory of historic and cultural resources under its care. How should the city prioritize funds to maintain and restore these resources?

Ricardo Flores: The City needs to list each historical project and work with stakeholders like SOHO to rate each project numerically. Next, we need to attach a dollar sign to each listed project and during the budget season we need to set aside monies for project/s.

Georgette Gomez: On the Council, I'd ask for input from our neighborhoods regarding which sites they want to invest their tax dollars in and set that as the City's priority. I believe strongly that if we bring change to City Hall by ending wasteful inside deals for connected downtown interests and stop the giveaway of millions in public dollars to the Chargers, we can significantly strengthen the resources we're directing to neighborhood infrastructure, including the preservation of our historic and cultural landmarks.

Sarah Saez: The city should prioritize funds to ensure that they're cared for. It's that simple. There should be no reason why funds are not allocated to their preservation especially if it means that these historic and cultural resources are destroyed. The need to preserve our existing affordable housing and create mixed income developments has become a critical issue over recent years.

The need to preserve our existing affordable housing and create mixed income developments has become a critical issue over recent years.

10. How do you think our current historic preservation laws have affected affordable housing and are there changes that can be made to better support affordable housing?

Ricardo Flores: Within high density corridors we need to incorporate where necessary, current historical buildings into new affordable units.

Georgette Gomez: The community of Sherman Heights is a perfect example of how Historic Preservation has led to some displacement. That's not an argument against preservation, but an important reminder that we need to work together to both preserve our shared past as well as increase affordable housing stock for those in desperate need today. On example to work off of is the City's Condo Conversion Ordinance, which ensures residents get first right of refusal and/or relocation assistance when building uses are changed.

Sarah Saez: I was just reading a study about the missed connection between historic preservation and affordable housing which is that historic neighborhoods actually play a big role in affordable housing. Although the numbers are dated, the study found that around 32% of people living under the poverty line live in historic homes built before 1950. Roughly the same percentage of homeowners with low household incomes live in historic homes. The same is true of Black and Hispanic homeowners and elderly homeowners. So the solution is not to tear down these homes, which have proved to be affordable solutions for families as opposed to newly built homes. I still believe that we need to build density and more affordable housing but that doesn't have to be in conflict with preserving historic homes. I personally live in a home that was built around 1945 but we're constantly in fear that any day it's going to be bulldozed. The solution is we can both build and preserve to address affordable housing.

Questions 11-14
Zoning codes and other forms of land use regulation are powerful tools that shape the look and livability of a city. The city's current Zoning Ordinance is often in conflict with and unresponsive to historic preservation priorities. Clear and comprehensive zoning regulations that support the Historic Preservation Ordinance would help take the guess work out of these regulations for architects and developers, while simultaneously supporting growth and protecting historic resources.

11. What would you do to resolve this conflict?

Ricardo Flores: I would begin the process to clarify the zoning regulations. I would create an Historical Preservation Committee that would meet for a defined time period to come up with clarify language to update our zoning regulations.

Georgette Gomez: As the leader of the fight to update the Barrio Logan Community Plan -- keeping toxic chemicals and harmful pollution away from residents, I know full well how critical zoning and land use is to our neighborhoods. I will work with interested stakeholders to develop zoning codes that state clear priorities when referencing Historic Preservation, ensuring that both regulations and ordinances are connected and not in conflict. I would support the prevention of lot consolidation on historical parcels. At the same time, I'm supportive of updating our codes to allow for granny flats in smaller lots and for dedicating more parcels, where appropriate, for affordable housing.

Sarah Saez: It sounds like the solution has already been identified. Clear and comprehensive zoning regulations that support the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

12. If elected, how will your office prioritize a strategy that reinforces and supports historic designations?

Ricardo Flores: I would work with SOHO and other similar valued preservation groups to come up with a list of historical buildings in D9, like the first African American Fire Station on Ocean View Blvd, and begin designating them or finding funding to repair them for public viewing.

Georgette Gomez: As a neighborhood leader active in my community planning group, I know full well that community voices aren't being heard loudly enough at City Hall. I will be a Councilmember who actively seeks out community viewpoints and works to address neighborhood priorities. I'll assign a staff person as a point of contact for the historic preservation and architectural communities and seek to personally meet with you regularly. That's the kind of approach that will bring about change in how we do things at City Hall and bring in the funding our neighborhoods deserve.

Sarah Saez: My strategy will be built from the ground up by seeking experts like all of you involved in the Save Our Heritage Organisation. I would create an advisory group for my Council office so we can work on supporting historic designation and ensure that the Cities Historical Resources Board is functioning adequately.

13. Do you think current public notification systems related to historic preservation projects and opportunities for public input are adequate? (Yes, No)

Ricardo Flores: No

Georgette Gomez: No. The City needs to do a better job of informing and including local residents of projects that will affect their neighborhoods.

Sarah Saez: No

14. Do you believe that our current historic preservation ordinance adequately protects the city's historic assets? If yes, please explain how, and if not, what would you do to reform or strengthen it?

Ricardo Flores: No. I think we can always strengthen the ordinance and create a list of projects that we wish to preserve throughout the City.

Georgette Gomez: I don't think our City values Historic Preservation to the same extent that San Diego residents do. I've seen how the City has bought older buildings, only to allow them to fall into disrepair. This needs to change. This isn't simply about preserving pretty buildings, but protecting the neighborhood character that local residents cherish. To start, I'll work to identify an inventory of local historic sites in need of protection. More broadly, I'll work closely with residents and stakeholders to ensure zoning laws and planning ordinances are clearly aligned to preserve historic sites, and work with the community to identify top priorities for preservation.

Sarah Saez: I'm not sure if I'm reading the right ordinance but in Chapter 12 of the Municipal Code, Article 3, Division 2: Designation of Historical Resources Procedures, I see a problem with §123.0205 which says that the board can amend or rescind designation of a historical resource. It sounds like it's vague in regard to new information surrounding the original designation. It also sounds like 10 days is not enough time to appeal a board decision. I would again, default to SOHO for further guidance.

15. Community engagement plays a critical role in the decision-making process surrounding historic preservation matters throughout the city. How important are each of the following preservation issues to you? (Extremely Important, Important, Moderately Important, Not Important)