Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Los Angeles County Board to Consider First Historic District in Altadena

The public hearing will explore landmark designation for 77 parcels in Historic Highlands neighborhood

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to consider designating Altadena’s Historic Highlands neighborhood as the county’s first official historic district.

The hearing will take place in Room 381B of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration and marks the culmination of a six-year community preservation campaign.

If approved, the designation would cover 77 parcels in unincorporated Altadena and introduce long-term protections for early 20th-century architectural resources, including Craftsman bungalows and Spanish and Tudor Revival homes.

The move follows unanimous recommendations by the County’s Historic Landmarks and Records Commission and the Regional Planning Commission.

Designation would require a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes and make properties eligible for Mills Act tax relief.

The proposal represents the first district designation since the County’s Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted in 2015.

It follows years of grassroots advocacy led by the Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association, which sought parity with the Pasadena portion of the neighborhood already designated as a landmark district in 2008.

According to planning documents, the Altadena section maintains 78 percent contributing properties, exceeding criteria for historical integrity.

Public support includes endorsements from Los Angeles County Planning, Altadena Heritage and the Los Angeles Conservancy, though specific opposition arguments remain undocumented.

The hearing’s timing adds urgency, coming six months after the devastating Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena’s residential stock.

While Historic Highlands escaped fire damage, community advocates say the event underscores the need for preservation safeguards.

Remote participation is available via telephonic comment starting at 9 a.m. by calling (877) 692-8955 with participant code 4433663.

Written testimony may be submitted through the County’s online public comment portal.

KLCS will broadcast the proceedings Wednesday at 11 p.m.

KLCS, Wednesday, July 23 at 11 p.m. (Pacific Time) Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles. For more call (213) 974-5555 or visit https://publiccomment.bos.lacounty.gov. Tickets: Free.