AgdaPkt 2002-10-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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.... ..... IoAq The spacific boundarias of a "draft" Nationa~ Registar-eligibla Main Street Historic District ware estab~ishad by a S.H.P.O. determination in a latter dated March 2g, lgg6. The H.R.A.G. subsequently votad unanimously to racommend to the P~anning Gommission that the proposad ama, as outlined by the State, be designated as the Main Street Historic District. If designated by the Gity, these boundaries wou~d comply with both State and Fadaral criteria for National; Register eligibility. The City must therefore follow these specific State-designated boundaries in order to successfully implement the proposed district. If approved by the City, National Register-eligible status would not only bestow special historical recognition to contributing structures located within the proposed Main Street Historic District but also make these properties eligible for significant Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits funds as well as companion State and Local benefits. As an historic property located within the original National Register district, it should be noted that the property owner of 'q'he Bank of San Mateo County Building" benefited from Federal income tax breaks after having satisfactorily completed significant rehabilitation work to both the interior and exterior of the building approximately 20 years ago. In 2002, after having prepared the requisite documentation for a historic distdct proposal, the H.R.A.C. invited all affected property owners and tenants in the proposed district to an informational public meeting whose purpose was to introduce the distdct proposal as well as to hear and respond to any questions related to this potential designation. S.H.P.O. staff also participated and explained the potential benefits of historic districts. This meeting was attended by approximately 50% of affected property owners. Staff received no letters of opposition. PROJECT ANALYSIS: Although some of the affected properties already benefit from National Register status, four individual new properties (containing an estimated eight separate businesses or organizations) could benefit from the proposed district designation. These benefits include the following: · State-mandated use of a significantly more flexible Building Code (the State Historic Building code) · Tax incentives for preservation and appropriate rehabilitation · Fagade easements · Technical and design support from the City (through the HRAC) · Eligibility for property tax relief (Mills Act contract agreements) · The community would gain the assurance of revitalization along a consistent historical theme · All would gain from the avoidance of inappropriate additions/remodels or alterations. POTENTIALISSUES