Title
[Pass for Publication] Ordinance Listing 2240 Northgate Boulevard (Orbit Station) as a Landmark on the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources (M25-025)
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00512
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Location
Location: 2240 Northgate Boulevard, APN:274-0152-001-0000, District 3
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Recommendation
Recommendation:1) Review an Ordinance listing 2240 Northgate Boulevard as a landmark on the Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources; and 2) pass for publication the Ordinance title per Sacramento City Charter section 32(c) for City Council consideration on March 3, 2026.
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Contact
Contact: Sean de Courcy, Preservation Director, (916) 808-2796, sdecourcy@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: None
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance listing 2240 Northgate Boulevard on the Sacramento Register
3-Historic Resource Evaluation for 2240 Northgate Boulevard
4-Public Comments
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: In 2016-2017, the City of Sacramento received a Certified Local Government grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior to prepare a historic context statement and conduct a city-wide reconnaissance-level survey of mid-century historic resources in Sacramento. The former Orbit Station at 2240 Northgate Boulevard was among the structures identified by this survey. In 2025, staff learned there was significant community interest in listing the former Orbit Station in the Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources (Sacramento register) due in part to the lack of historical landmarks on Northgate Boulevard. Staff used many historical documents provided by Sacramento Modern, Inc., along with its own background research and analysis, to prepare a historical evaluation that served as the basis for a Statement of Nomination. At a public hearing on January 15, 2026, the preservation director concluded that the property appears eligible for listing on the Sacramento register pursuant to the criteria provided in Sacramento City Code, §17.604.210.A.1.iii, and directed staff to prepare for the preservation commission to review and consider, a draft ordinance (Attachment 2) that justifies listing the property on the Sacramento register.
A notice of the public hearing describing the proposed landmark listing was sent to the property owner of 2240 Northgate Boulevard as required by City Code section 17.604.230.
Preservation Sacramento, South Natomas United, Natomas Community Association, South Natomas Improvement Association, Rancho Del Paso Neighborhood Association, Benito Juarez Neighborhood Association, Natomas Chamber of Commerce, and the Gardenland/Northgate Neighborhood Association received notice of the hearing. Staff have received letters in support of the nomination from Sacramento Modern, Preservation Sacramento, and several community members. Additionally, representatives of the Gardenland/Northgate Neighborhood Association spoke in favor of the nomination at the Director Hearing and Preservation Commission Hearing. Staff have received two letters of opposition from the property owners.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: The city council has found “that significant aspects of the city’s rich and diverse historic resources deserve recognition and preservation to foster an understanding of our heritage, and to promote the public health and safety and the economic and general welfare of the people of the city. The preservation and continued use of historic resources are effective tools to sustain and revitalize neighborhoods and business districts within the city, enhance the city’s economic, cultural and aesthetic standing, its identity, its livability, marketability and urban character.” (City Code, § 17.604.100.A.) To this end, the city code directs the preservation director, to “make preliminary determinations relative to properties’ eligibility for listing on the Sacramento register” and to “initiate proceedings to nominate resources for listing on the Sacramento register.” (City Code, §§ 17.604.100.C.2 and 17.604.220).
The nomination of the building at 2240 Northgate Boulevard for listing as a historic landmark on the Sacramento register is consistent with Sacramento 2040 General Plan goal HCR-2.3, which provides for the identification and preservation of historical and cultural resources. General Plan policy HCR-2.3 states, “The City shall maintain and update the Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources on a regular basis, including proactively identifying and listing additional unidentified landmarks and historic districts…”
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: The listing of the nominated resource as a historic landmark on the Sacramento register is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15308. Section 15308 exempts from review acts that are undertaken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. Listing the nominated resource as a historic landmark would ensure that future development on the site would undergo preservation review, as part of the city’s site plan and design review process prior to the granting of any entitlements, thereby protecting the historic resource, which would be considered part of the environment.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: On January 15, 2026, the preservation director, in conformance with City Code section 17.604.220, held a public hearing, reviewed the historic analysis prepared by staff (Attachment 3) and concurred with a draft statement of nomination and requested staff prepare a draft ordinance (Attachment 2) for review and consideration by the preservation commission. On January 21, 2026, the preservation commission held a hearing and passed a motion recommending the City Council adopt an ordinance listing the Nominated Resource as a landmark on the Sacramento register.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Listing of the building at 2240 Northgate Boulevard as a historic landmark on the Sacramento register is consistent with the Historic Preservation Chapter of the City Code (chapter 17.604) and the goals of the 2040 General Plan. Furthermore, listing the nominated resource on the Sacramento register will help ensure its preservation and encourage rehabilitation consistent with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
The building is a distinctive example of mid-century Googie style architecture. Its significant features and characteristics include its concrete construction, simple concrete base piers, and the dramatic silhouette of the hyperbolic paraboloid roofline with its cantilevered triangular canopies and central triangular dome. (City Code, § 17.604.210.A.1.a.iii). There is significant community support and interest in honoring this important landmark building on Northgate Boulevard’s commercial corridor.
The building at 2240 Northgate Boulevard has integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and association. (City Code, § 17.604.210.A.1.b.)
The building retains a high degree of historic integrity of all six aspects. The neighborhood and building remain mostly unchanged. The building has had little to no major alterations since initial construction, outside of the construction of detached shed structures beneath the canopy. New signage and lighting have been installed, and the gas pumps have been removed, however the canopy structure still retains a high degree of integrity due to its dramatic form.
The building at 2240 Northgate Boulevard has significant historic or architectural worth, and its designation as a landmark is reasonable, appropriate and necessary to promote, protect and further the goals and purposes of this chapter. (City Code, § 17.604.210.A.1.c.)
The building at 2240 Northgate Boulevard has significant historic and architectural worth. Its character-defining features have been well-maintained, and it retains a high level of integrity with regard to its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association. 2240 Northgate Boulevard is a significant and unique representation of the Googie style in Sacramento.
Figure 1: 2240 Northgate Boulevard
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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