Pacific Grove has not seen the intense pressures for demolition of old houses that Carmel is now experiencing. In 1997, this neighbor city adopted an ordinance that put more than 25 percent of over 4,000 single-family residences on a historic preservation list. More may be included later, and some may be dropped if a case can be made to remove them.

“We have a Historic Resources Committee (HRC) that oversees the process,” said Dennis Boehlje, community development director for the City of Pacific Grove. “Sometimes even a shack might be perceived as a historic structure if it’s found to be part of the community fabric.”

An owner who wants to demolish a listed structure, remodel more than 25 percent, or build an addition, is required to apply for a historic demolition permit. In the last year, Boehlje said, there was one full demolition and “probably two or three partials, including City Hall. We’re in the process of modifying over 25 percent of City Hall.”

After the HRC reviews an application, the Planning Commission can allow variances. The purpose of these variances is to allow additions and remodeling while preserving historic structures. Some variances may be allowed on listed structures that would not pass on new buildings, so owners could benefit from being listed. Design of additions and remodeling must be approved by the Architecture Review Board.

“Some people argue that the ordinance is not strict enough because it may allow a 600-square-foot building to have a 1,200-square-foot addition and be engulfed by it,” said Boehlje. In light of that, is the ordinance succeeding? “I think it has gone a long way toward preserving the community’s historic character,” Boehlje said. “The perception of our ordinance being strict may have discouraged applications for demolition.”

Ultimately, however, preservation is a matter of politics. “The City Council recently reversed a decision by the Historic Resources Committee to refuse a demolition of a little house,” said Boehlje. “People who were buying it wanted to replace it with a modern structure facing the ocean. We haven’t seen the design yet.”