They also know that if an ordinance is overturned by referendum, by law no similar ordinance can be enacted for at least one year. Many owners of historic properties have done the right thing by their homes. To them, we as a community have cause to be grateful. But not everyone who buys an historic property is interested in preserving it. Many buyers are looking for a building site.
Voluntary compliance suggested by opponents no longer protects historic homes.
Every home torn down in Palo Alto is demolished by a consenting owner. The process of updating our inventory and writing a new ordinance began because so many historic homes were being demolished without any review. That is what will happen if Measure G fails. Throughout Palo Alto's first century we have prided ourselves on our community services and preservation of resources. Palo Alto property prices reflect the value of those past investments.