Sacramento Preservation Commission Reviews CLG Annual Report and Lavender Heights Historic District Plan on March 18, 2026
Sacramento Preservation Commission Meeting – March 18, 2026 (5:30-5:57 PM)
The Preservation Commission of Sacramento met on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 5:57 PM at City Hall. Chair Patricia Ambacher led the meeting with commissioners Ella Cross, Ian Merker, Salvatore Ricca present; Max McSlavkin was absent. The commission reviewed two discussion items: the 2024-2025 Certified Local Government (CLG) Program Annual Report draft and the draft Lavender Heights Historic District Plan. No public testimony was offered on any agenda item.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of February 18, 2026 Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2026-00039): Approved by a unanimous voice vote (4-0) with a motion by Commissioner Merker and second by Commissioner Cross.
Discussion Items
- 2024-2025 Certified Local Government Program Annual Report Draft (File ID: 2026-00686): Sean deCourcy, Preservation Director, presented the draft report covering the period October 2024 through September 2025. Key accomplishments included the designation of 17 new local landmarks and one historic district (Helvetia Historic District). The report demonstrates ongoing compliance with CLG standards (qualified commission, preservation ordinance enforcement, surveys, public participation). The commission provided feedback, including requests to correct email addresses (Commissioner Merker requested his work email be replaced with his personal email; Commissioner Cross noted her email address was missing the final 'm' in the domain) and to add training credits for attending the CPF conference and a CEQA training session in November 2025. The final report must be submitted to the Office of Historic Preservation by April 1, 2026.
- Draft Lavender Heights Historic District Plan (File ID: 2026-00699): Preservation interns Hazel Bess and Hannah Toby presented the district plan, which identifies 12 contributing properties clustered around 20th and K Streets that are significant for Sacramento's LGBTQ+ history. The period of significance spans from the 1970s to about 2000. The plan describes these resources as bars, bookstores, churches, medical offices, and community centers that supported social connection, advocacy, and care during the AIDS crisis. Community engagement included multiple public meetings and listening sessions; staff sent letters to property owners and received two phone calls expressing support with no objections. Staff noted the action was for review and comment only (the nomination had already been approved by the city council). Commissioners offered comments: Commissioner Cross noted that 1900 K Street also housed the WEAVE organization (women's services), suggesting adding this women’s history dimension. Vice Chair Merker questioned the design standards for consistency, noting variations in phrasing (e.g., "do not obscure or demolish" vs. "do not obscure or alter") and asked about research on properties. Staff acknowledged the inconsistencies and agreed to adopt uniform language.
Director’s Report
- Sean deCourcy reported that on March 24, 2026, the city council is scheduled to review (on consent calendar) the accessory dwelling unit objective design standards for historic properties, which the commission had previously recommended for approval.
- The landmark nomination for the former Orbit Gas Station at 2240 Northgate Boulevard is on hold pending discussions between the council office and property owner to address remaining concerns.
Key Outcomes
- Approved February 18, 2026 minutes (4-0).
- Reviewed and provided comments on the CLG Annual Report; staff will incorporate corrections and submit by April 1.
- Reviewed the Lavender Heights Historic District Plan and provided direction on language consistency; no vote taken (action was review and comment only).
- No other motions or formal votes occurred. The meeting adjourned at 5:57 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 meeting of the Preservation Commission. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioners, please unmute your microphones. Here commissioner Rika. Here. Commissioner Cross. Here. Commissioner McSlavkin. Absent. Chair Ombacher. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. I would like to remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item to please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins. After the item is called, we will no longer accept speaker slips, and you will have two minutes to speak once we are once you are called upon. Now we're going to proceed with today's agenda. And if you can, if you are able, please rise for the opening acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanae people of the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains, Miwok, Patwin, Patwin Wintune peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples' history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. And please stay standing for the budget allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Um the approval of the consent calendar. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Thank you, Chair. I have no speaker slips on this item. Okay, thank you. Are there any of the commissioners who wish to speak on it? Um so we need a move. We need to have oh sorry, is there a motion and and a second for the consent calendar? I'll give a motion to approve the consent calendar. I'll second that. Any second by Commissioner Cross. Commissioners, please unmute your microphones. We're going to do a voice vote. All opposed all in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed. Any abstentions? Thank you. The motion passes. Do we have a staff presentation? Uh thank you, Chair. Just a uh oral presentation this evening. Uh Sean DeCourcy, Preservation Director. Uh the item before you tonight is a draft 2024-2025 CLG annual report. As a reminder, Sacramento has been a certified local government since 1996.
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