REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Mills Act Contract for 653 Jefferson Street
Report
BACKGROUND
The State of California enacted legislation that allows owners of historically designated properties to enter into a "Mills Act" contract with the legislative bodies of local agency jurisdictions, pursuant to Government Code Section 50280 and following. Mills Act contract properties then qualify for property tax incentives contained in the California Revenue and Taxation Code. The purpose of a Mills Act Contract is to offer owner(s) of historically significant properties an economic incentive to maintain and preserve the historic physical integrity of their properties, which thereby also increases the aesthetic and economic health of the surrounding neighborhood and the City. The City Council established a process for evaluating Mills Act contract requests on September 4, 1993 (Resolution No. 5843), that established a limit of five contracts per year. In 2004, the City Council increased the number of allowable contracts to ten per year.
The subject request includes listing of the property on the City's Historic Resource Inventory (HRI), the approval of a Mills Act Contract, the adoption of a 10-Year Restoration and Maintenance Plan associated with the Historical Preservation Agreement, and the issuance of a historical bronze plaque.
The project request was considered by the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) at its meeting on March 1, 2018 and recommended by the HLC for approval.
DISCUSSION
The property at 653 Jefferson is not currently listed on the City's Historic Resource Inventory. A State Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) form evaluating the significance of the structure has been prepared and concludes that the property retains sufficient integrity and is eligible for listing on the City of Santa Clara Historic Resource Inventory.
Attached are the applicants', Arlene Pineda Juntado and Edward Scott Sympson, Statement of Justification and the...
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