Banning's Historic Preservation Commission Considers Changes To Ordinance

BANNING, CA — Potential changes to Banning's Historic Preservation Commission ordinance could be adopted soon as city officials consider amendments just over one year after the commission was formed.

The city said staff from its Community Development department have been working for months on potential amendments to Banning's current historic preservation regulations outlined in the city's municipal code. It noted the city's current zoning code and general plan do not intersect or provide guidance for recognizing and preserving Banning's historic sites and structures. The department's staff has proposed a code amendment for the Historic Preservation Commission to review.

City staff prepared an ordinance amendment to chapter 17.58 of Banning's municipal code, which included several amendments utilized by Palm Springs' historic preservation program. The Palm Springs program established a four-class historic resource designation system.

The city said the system Palm Springs uses "is a great example to follow and is the basis for many of the changes staff is proposing."

According to the City of Banning, some of the proposed amendments could include:

• New and amended definitions for the historic preservation officer and substantial or major alterations.
• An amendment to Section 17.58.40 to include more duties for the historic preservation officer, historic preservation criteria, and a four-class designation system for resources and districts.
• An amendment to Section 17.58.60 with updated rules and regulations for certificates of appropriateness issued for demolition, substantial alteration, or removal of historic resources for each class designation, proper documentation, and standards for review.
• An update to the city's general plan which lists the recorded historic era buildings and other features in Banning.

Banning's Historic Preservation Commission is one of the city's newest commissions. The City Council interviewed and appointed five candidates to serve on the commission in March 2025. The council appointed Gabrielle Campbell, Bill Lamb, Ezikio Lopez, Vincent Ortega, and Marco Santana. Lopez and Ortega's terms end in January 2027, and Campbell, Lamb and Santana will serve until January 2029.

Banning's Planning Manager Mark Staples said a final draft of the proposed ordinance amendment changes will be presented at the commission's next meeting on Aug. 20. Afterward, a resolution will be provided for the Historic Preservation Commission to act on and make a recommendation to the City Council on the final draft ordinance.