REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Historic Preservation Agreement (Mills Act Contract) (PLN24-00465) for 1435 Lexington Street
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic Housing and Transportation Development
REQUEST
The current property owners, Robert Andre Hesse and Yuen Yung Tiffany Ng, request a Historical Preservation Agreement (Mills Act Contract) (File No. PLN24-00465) for their property located at 1435 Lexington Street, Santa Clara. The purpose of the Mills Act Contract is to allow the property owner of a historic home to make improvements while getting property tax relief as an incentive. A final action is required by City Council prior to execution of a signed contract.
BACKGROUND
Enacted in 1972, the California Mills Act legislation grants participating local governments the authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties who actively participate in the restoration and maintenance of their historic properties while receiving property tax relief. Santa Clara participates in the Mills Act Program. A requirement of the Mills Act Contract is that the building must be a qualified structure, listed on either a local, State, or National register. The property is currently listed on the City's Historic Resource Inventory (HRI) for age and the architectural integrity of the residential structure.
The proposed Mills Act Contract (Attachment 2) and supporting documents were presented to the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) at a public hearing on February 6, 2025, with the previous property owners in attendance. The HLC recommended (four ayes, two absent and one recused) that the City Council approve the Mills Act Contract and adopt the Ten-Year Restoration and Maintenance Plan for 1435 Lexington Street. The staff report and minutes for the February 6, 2025, HLC meeting are attached for reference (Attachment 3 and 4).
For Mills Act Contract requests, the HLC makes a recommendation to the City Cou...
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