REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Mills Act Contract for 1591 Homestead Road
Report
BACKGROUND
Allison Hilton and Lars Hilton, the home owners of the residence at 1591 Homestead, are requesting the approval of a Mills Act Contract, also known as a Historic Property Preservation Agreement, with the City and adoption of an associated 10-Year Restoration and Maintenance Plan. 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. A 10-Year Restoration and Maintenance Plan is required to document specific maintenance and preservation activities proposed to be undertaken by the property owners for the Contract property.
The City Council established a process for evaluating Mills Act Contract requests on September 4, 1993 (Resolution No. 5843), that set a limit of five contracts per year. In 2004, the City Council increased the number of allowable contracts to ten per year. If approved, the subject proposal would be the City's fourth Mills Act Contract in 2019.
The proposed Mills Act Contract was considered by the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) at its meeting on September 1, 2016. Peter Hilton appeared on behalf of the owners. Comments from members of the public supported the request for a Mills Act Contract. The HLC reviewed the Historical Survey and proposed 10-Year Restoration and Maintenance Plan provided in support of th...
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