Item 19 - Approval of a Historic Property Preservation Agreement

Home Browse Search

HRCA No. 2023-2, HRC 2023-1, HPPA No. 2023-1 – Turk House March 2, 2023 Page 4 3 2 4 0 Ordinance No. NS-2382 authorized the Historic Resources Commission to execute Historic Property Preservation Agreements (HPPA), commonly known as Mills Act agreements for eligible properties (Exhibit 2). To be eligible for the Mills Act, the property must be listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. The Historic Resources Commission Application and Historic Register Categorization actions proposed for this site authorize the listing of the property on the local register. The agreement provides monetary incentives to the property owner in the form of a property tax reduction in exchange for the owner’s voluntary commitment to maintain the property in a good state of repair as necessary to maintain its character and appearance. Once recorded, the agreement generates a different valuation method in determining the property’s assessed value, resulting in tax savings for the owner. Aside from the tax savings, the benefits include: •Long term preservation of the property and visual improvement to the neighborhood •Allows for a mechanism to provide for property rehabilitation •Provides additional incentive for potential buyers to purchase historic structures •Discourages inappropriate alterations to the property The property has no identified unauthorized modifications. Upon consideration of the application, it is recommended that the City enter into a Historic Property Preservation Agreement. Overall, future improvements proposed by the homeowner during the initial ten years of the Mills Act Agreement include landscape maintenance so the front gable is fully visible from the public right-of-way, exterior painting, exterior stucco repair, new plumbing/electrical , pool replastering, window pane rehabilitation/replacement, improved landscaping in the front and rear yards, and general on-going maintenance. Staff will ensure that the proposed work will be done sensitively and will maintain the property’s character defining features as part of the Mills Act Agreement for this property. As part of the mills act approval process, staff will work with the applicant to ensure that a bronze plaque is installed honoring and recognizing the structure. The plaque will include the historic name, address, year built, and local historic register designation. Lastly, the site will be subject to general maintenance and upkeep requirements including, but not limited to, replacement or restoration of damaged character-defining features, landscaping upkeep, painting, etc. These improvements will be subject to review and approval by staff. Upon consideration of the application, it is recommended that the City enter into a Historic Property Preservation Agreement. Public Notification The subject site is located within the Floral Park Neighborhood Association. The president of this Neighborhood Association was notified by mail 10 days prior to this public hearing. 2-4Historic Resources Commission March 2, 2023