Redlands Delays Historic Designation Of Old Stagecoach Route

In the year-long battle over the scenic and historic preservation designation of Crystal Springs, the Redlands City Council decided, once again, to delay its decision.

Despite the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission to grant scenic and historic preservation status to the area which includes Panorama Point, the council voted 5-0 to table the motion for 60 days to give the current property owner time to evaluate whether to pay for further studies regarding the feasibility of development.

However, a few major facts stand out that call into question the delaying tactic. First, any designation of the area as a scenic and historic landmark does nothing to preclude development.

While it is true that more extensive studies would be required to develop such a site, doesn’t it make sense that any community which cares about its future would want the most exhaustive background work done first?

Second, we are talking about three properties at most, since zoning in the Crystal Springs area is A-1, which means five-acre lots.

Pat Myers, representing the property owner, said that what they really are looking at is three homes on an acre each.

Third, Redlands Municipal Code allows the City Council to designate properties as being of historical and scenic status without the consent of the owner. Long under discussion and contention, council members were aware of the positions of both sides — the property owner on one side and many organizations and citizens of Redlands on the other.

After Pamela Smyth laid out the reasons for the preservation of Crystal Springs and Myers recounted the position of the property owner, a parade of Redlands residents expressed their support for a council vote to approve historical and scenic preservation status.

Most moving and eloquent among these were officers and members of the Redlands Junior Historical Society who clearly stated that youth in this city wanted a voice in what was to be preserved for future generations and definitively averred “Yes to history; yes to Crystal Springs; yes to what the people of Redlands want.”