Laserfiche WebLink
I <br /> 6.1 B <br /> Page 1 <br /> REPORT � <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the City Manager <br /> November 22 2010 <br /> � <br /> SUBJECT <br /> Consideration of Two Historic Preservation Agreements (Mills Act Contracts) <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> Approve by motion individual Mills Act Contracts for the following properties: ' <br /> 1) 1028 Warren Street (APN 052-258-120) <br /> 2) 734 Brewster Avenue (APN 052-278-100) <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> Mills Act Contracts, also known as Historic Preservation Agreements, are known as one <br /> of the most effective historic preservation incentives available to communities in <br /> California. The objective of such contracts is to channel a percentage of the yearly <br /> property tax paid by contracted property owners towards the historic rehabilitation and <br /> maintenance of their historic property (owner-occupied or rental). Since every property <br /> is different, the minimum ten year work program associated with each Mills Act Contract <br /> varies according to the condition of the subject property. Once approved by the City, <br /> these contracts are recorded on the title of the property and the tax credit is processed <br /> through the County Assessor's office. Mills Act Contracts run for the life of the property <br /> and are transferable as the property changes hands. The rehabilitation work must <br /> comply with the Secretary of Interiors Standards for rehabilitation. Because these <br /> contracts are valid for a minimum of ten years, at the end of each year, one year is <br /> automatically added to the original contract (unless a cancellation is requested) and a <br /> yearly inspection provides an opportunity for the City to add items to the additional <br /> year's program, as needed. <br /> According to Redwood City's Historic Preservation Ordinance, only two types of <br /> properties are eligible for such contracts: designated landmarks and properties which <br /> have been identified as contributing resources to historic districts. Out of a total of <br /> approximately 90 eligible properties, 15 individual contracts have been approved since <br /> 1990, when the program was put in place. Six additional landmarked prope�ties in the <br /> City would not benefit from this program because they are either government-owned or <br /> have non-profit status. <br /> The finro subject parcels are part of the Mezesville/Centennial Historic District <br /> (Attachment 1) which was designated by the City Council on May 8, 2005. On <br /> November 2, 2010, following a unanimous recommendation of the Historic Resources <br /> Advisory Committee (HRAC) made at a special on-site meeting on October 11, 2010, <br /> the Planning Commission made a unanimous recommendation that City Council <br /> approve the subject individual Mills Acts. The enclosed Planning Commission staff <br /> report of November 2, 2010 (Attachment 2) contains additional details relating to the <br />