Title
Review and Comment: Draft Lavendar Heights Historic District Plan (M23-005)
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00699
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Location
Location: Lavendar Heights Historic District, District 4
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Review, comment, and provide direction.
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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: Henry Feuss, Preservation Planner, (916) 808-5880, hfeuss@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Draft Lavendar Heights District Plan
3-Lavendar Heights Historic District Survey and Evaluation
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue/Detail: As part of the LGBTQ+ Historic Experience Project, the City prepared a historic context statement, conducted extensive archival research and oral history outreach, and completed a comprehensive historic resources survey focused on Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ history. This work identified Lavendar Heights as a potentially eligible historic district due to its long-standing role as the cultural, social, political, and service-oriented center of LGBTQ+ life in Sacramento from approximately 1967 to 2000.
The proposed Lavendar Heights historic district encompasses the core blocks surrounding the intersection of 20th and K Streets, an area that supported LGBTQ+-owned and LGBTQ+-serving businesses, community centers, health services, advocacy organizations, religious institutions, and social gathering spaces. While the district does not derive its significance from architectural uniformity, its contributing resources collectively convey the cultural landscape within which Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community organized, supported one another, and advanced civil rights and visibility.
Pursuant to Sacramento City Code section 17.604.300, the designation of a new historic district on the Sacramento register of historic and cultural resources requires adoption of a Historic District Plan (HDP). The HDP establishes the framework for preservation, project review, and long-term stewardship of the district’s contributing resources, while allowing for compatible change and continued use.
The draft Lavendar Heights historic district plan (Attachment 2) builds on the findings of the LGBTQ+ Historic Experience Project and reflects extensive community engagement conducted throughout 2024. The plan emphasizes cultural significance, identifies character-defining features, and provides district-wide and resource-specific standards intended to preserve the historic and cultural identity of Lavendar Heights while supporting an active, inclusive, and evolving neighborhood.
Staff is requesting the Preservation Commission review and comment on the public draft of the Lavendar Heights historic district plan prior to it returning to the Preservation Commission for consideration as part of the district designation process.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: The Lavendar Heights historic district plan aligns with Sacramento City Code Section 17.604.300, which requires the development of a HDP for all designated historic districts.
Additionally, the 2040 General Plan’s Historic and Cultural Resources Element emphasizes the City's commitment to identifying, protecting, and integrating historic resources into Sacramento’s planning framework. Relevant policies include:
• HCR-1.1: Promote the preservation, restoration, and recognition of historic and cultural resources.
• HCR-1.4: Establish and maintain historic districts to protect significant areas.
• HCR-1.5: Conduct historic surveys and context statements for underrepresented communities.
• HCR-1.6: Ensure early consultation with stakeholders in planning efforts.
• HCR-1.13 & HCR-1.16: Recognize the contributions of underrepresented communities in shaping Sacramento’s history.
• HCR-2.3: Maintain and update the Sacramento Register of Historic & Cultural Resources, ensuring inclusion of significant sites such as Lavendar Heights.
By advancing the Lavendar Heights historic district plan and pursuing landmark nominations, the City will continue fulfilling its responsibilities as a certified local government (CLG), furthering both local and national preservation priorities.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: Evaluating and potentially nominating Lavender Heights as a historic district 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 contributing resources within the district in the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources will ensure that future development on these parcels will undergo preservation review prior to the granting of any entitlements.
Evaluating the district and adopting a historic district plan consistent with city code requirements, 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.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not Applicable.
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Commission/CommitteeAction
Commission/Committee Action: None.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Staff is requesting the Preservation Commission review and comment on the public draft of the Lavendar Heights Historic District Plan (HDP).
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
LocalBusinessEnterprise(LBE)
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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