Protecting Our Historic Resources
Melhorn and Son Historic District, University Heights
Established in 1888, University Heights is one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods and is fortunate to have many homes and landmarks dating to its early development. Most of the remaining landmarks and some of the historic homes in University Heights are protected from demolition or inappropriate alteration by historic designation.
Historic Designation in the City of San Diego
In the City of San Diego, historic resources are sites, buildings, features, or events that are of citywide significance and have anthropological, cultural, social, architectural, or other value.
Properties may be historically designated at the national, state, or local level. They may also be individually designated through the efforts of the property owner or designated as part of a larger group of related historic resources known as a “historic district.”
Historic designation within San Diego is established by a vote of the City of San Diego Historical Resources Board, based upon review of a Historical Resource Research Report submitted by the owner that documents the property's historic significance.
What Makes a Resource Historically Significant?
The City of San Diego Historical Resources Board Guidelines for the Application of Historical Resources Board Designation Criteria identify the criteria under which a resource may be historically designated.
According to the Guidelines, any improvement, building, structure, sign, interior element and fixture, site, place, district, area, or object may be designated a historical resource by the City of San Diego Historical Resources Board (HRB) if it meets one or more of the following designation criteria:
Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City's, a community’s, or a neighborhood's historical, archaeological, cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, landscaping, or architectural development.
Is identified with persons or events significant in local, state, or national history.
Embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship.
Is representative of the notable work of a master builder, designer, architect, engineer, landscape architect, interior designer, artist, or craftsman.
Is listed or has been determined eligible by the National Park Service for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or is listed or has been determined eligible by the California State Office of Historic Preservation for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources.
Is a finite group of resources related to one another in a clearly distinguishable way or is a geographically definable area or neighborhood containing improvements which have a special character, historical interest or aesthetic value or which represent one or more architectural periods or styles in the history and development of the City.
Benefits of Historic Designation in the City of San Diego
For many homeowners, the biggest benefit of historic designation is eligibility for a 20% to 70% property tax reduction through the Mills Act. Properties must be historically designated by the City of San Diego to qualify for the Mills Act.
Historically Designated Resources in University Heights
In University Heights, several landmarks have been historically designated through the efforts of the University Heights Historical Society including the Teachers Training Annex 1, former site of Trolley Barn Park, former entrances to Mission Cliff Gardens and to the Bentley Ostrich Farm, Mission Cliff Gardens lily pond and cobblestone wall, and the old trolley stop drinking foundation.
In addition, 159 homes are designated as part of four historic districts: Melhorn and Son, Shirley Anne Place, Spalding Place, and Valle Vista Terrace. Another 22 homes have been historically designated through the efforts of the owners. These 181 historically designated homes represent less than 2% of the total number of housing units in University Heights, according to the 2020 Census.
Potential Historic Districts in University Heights
Potential Historic Districts in University Heights
In addition to the approved historic districts in University Heights, the West University Heights Potential Historic District (458 properties) was identified, but not approved, in the 2016 Uptown Historic Preservation Element. Using the historic boundaries of University Heights, four more potential historic districts were identified, but not approved, in the 2016 Uptown Historic Preservation Element:
Marston Hills Potential Historic District: 88 properties
Park Boulevard Apartment Potential Historic District: 35 properties
Park Edge North Potential Historic District: 122 properties
Robinson Place Potential Historic District: 14 properties
Information About Historic Designation
The City of San Diego offers several excellent resources for learning more about historic designation:
Designation of Historic Districts: Historic District Designation Fact Sheet
Designation of Individual Properties: Historic Resource Designation Nomination Process
The University Heights Historical Society offers a variety resources for researching the historical significance of your home:
A free online guide on How to Research Your Home
Guide to Researching and Historically Designating Your Property, featuring a one-hour recorded webinar and slide deck with detailed, step-by-step information presented by Senior Archaeologist/Historian Doug Mengers with PanGIS, Inc.
Historic Architectural Assessment conducted by one of our experienced architectural historians who will research the age, architectural style, historic features, and architectural integrity of your home.