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HRC Memo Update <br />July 7, 2020 <br />Page 5 <br />Staff Recommendation <br />It is recommended that the Planning Commission be maintained in its current structure. Due to <br />the distinct differences in the type of projects each commission reviews, the current format is the <br />most efficient in the review of projects. <br />Historic Application Fees (HRC Issue 4) <br />The HRC requests that the City Council reduce historic application fees for placing properties on <br />the local historic register to $500 and to $2,500 for Mills Act agreements. Currently, the fee for both <br />the self -nomination and Mills Act applications was $3,507.48 each during FY 19-20. <br />Discussion Regarding the Reduction in Self -Nomination and Mills Act Fees <br />Through the self -nomination process, a property owner is volunteering to invest into and to restrict <br />changes to the real property they own, thereby preserving and transforming a private asset into a <br />historical property. The reduction in fees for placing properties on the local historic register will <br />have direct public benefits as historical properties are a public resource and have public benefits <br />celebrating the City's history, culture, and heritage. In addition, they increase property values and <br />the quality of the physical environment in the surrounding neighborhoods and Citywide. It is <br />anticipated that the reduction in fees would result in an increase in the number of historic <br />applications, thereby enhancing the City's historic resources program. <br />Financial benefits to a property owner receiving a Mills Act Agreement is ongoing and significant, <br />which includes up to a 50% reduction in their annual property tax assessment. In reviewing the <br />Mills Act process, the review and hearing process was further refined to streamline the internal <br />review time and to consolidate public hearing costs. While the cost did not go as low as was <br />recommended by the HRC, the measures did achieve a reduction from the current fee. <br />Staff Recommendation <br />At the June 18, 2020 meeting, the City Council adopted the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule for Fiscal <br />Year 2020-2021 which reduced the self -nomination application fee to $500 and the Mills Act <br />application fee to $2,500. Staff also recommends that the self -nomination fee remain constant and <br />the Mills Act Agreement fee would remain as part of the miscellaneous fee schedule and adjusted <br />annually based on the City's estimated reasonable cost to process each specified application. Each <br />fiscal year the City Council would be required to adopt the adjusted annual fee for the Mills Act <br />Agreement as part of the budget adoption process. <br />Preservation of Historic Trees (HRC Issue 6) <br />The HRC requests that the City Council direct staff to prepare a Tree Preservation Ordinance that <br />includes the protection of certain tree species on private and public properties and sets criteria for <br />defining the protection of specified trees. <br />Discussion Regarding Establishing a Tree Preservation Ordinance <br />The HRC has inquired about the preservation of trees, especially those found on properties that <br />are on the City's list of historical resources. Currently, the City does not have any mechanism that <br />would prevent the alteration or removal of mature trees. Therefore, the HRC has raised the <br />potential of a Tree Preservation Ordinance addressing the protection and preservation <br />requirements of trees located on public and private properties. <br />L• <br />