(This blog was supposed to be sent out towards the end of June but the LPC did not post the minutes for the June 4^th meeting until recently).

On May 17^th, 2026, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) looked at a proposal to make part of the Elmwood area an historic district.  The application was put together by Anthony Bruce, our Executive Director (but it was not done as an official part of BAHA).  The LPC heard from 36 people on this topic, many of whom were for the application.   The minutes of the meeting can be found here.  In the end, the LPC motioned to “To reject the application and nominate individual properties at the next meeting.”  The vote was:

Vote: 3-3-0-1 (Yes-No-Abstain-Absent)

Yes: Greene, Montilla, Turner

No: Finacom, Orbuch, Schwartz

Leave of Absence: Crandall

A motion was then made to carry the topic over to the June 4^th meeting.

At the June 4^th meeting, despite the overwhelming support given by a number of speakers, the LPC voted to reject the application.

The minutes can be found here.  Here is the motion, the Commissioner votes, and their districts:

Motion: Approve the staff recommendation to designate a district comprised of 28 buildings, and add 2838-2840 College Avenue, 2832 College Avenue as contributors; change 2644 Ashby Avenue/2960 College Avenue, and 2974 College Avenue from noncontributing to contributing; extend the period of significance to 1983; change the name to College Avenue Historic Commercial District; and add the third paragraph from page 3 of the suggestions provided by Commissioner Finacom to the Findings.

The vote:

M/S/F: Crandall/Orbuch

Vote: 4-5-0-0

Yes: Crandall (District 3), Finacom (District 4), Montilla (District 1), Orbuch (District 5)

No: Fike (appointed by Mayor), Gordon (District 2), Greene (District 7), Schwartz (District 6), Turner (District 8 – Alternate for Chairperson Montgomery)

Abstain: none

If you don’t know who your City Council member is, you can click here to find out.

Here is a map of the districts.  It is interesting that, other than District 2, the Commissioners on the eastern side of Berkeley and the appointee by the mayor voted against the creation of the historic district.

Of course BAHA is disappointed in the vote, but the preservation work must continue.  As mentioned at the Annual Meeting, BAHA is not against building housing, but it is for preserving our architectural history.  All meetings of the LPC are public and the BAHA will link the agenda and minutes at our website.