Item 13 - Historic Property Preservation Agreement

Home Browse Search

HRCA No. 2025-12, HRC No. 2025-08, HPPA No. 2025-07— The Joy House (1402 S. Birch Street) January 29, 2026 Page 4 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 • A mechanism to provide for property rehabilitation • Incentives for potential buyers to purchase historic structures • Discouraging 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 subject to a completion of future improvements as described in an attached Work Plan. Overall, future improvements (Work Plan) proposed by the homeowner and Planning Division staff during the initial ten years of the Mills Act Agreement include the following: 1) assess plank siding for cracking and other damage and replace or repair in -kind with Planning Division staff approval; 2) assess condition of windows and replace in -kind, as necessary and with Planning Division staff approval; 3) trim vegetation on street -facing sides of the property to maintain a clear view of the property from the sidewalk; 4) reroof in -kind, with Planning Division staff approval; assess condition of exposed rafters and repair, as necessary with Planning Division staff approval; 5) assess paint and stucco throughout the residence and repair or replace, as necessary and with Planning Division staff approval; and 6) assess condition of hardscaping, including walkways, steps, porch, and other areas, and repair or replace with Planning Division staff approval. 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. Upon consideration of the application, it is recommended that the City enter into a Historic Property Preservation Agreement to enable the Mills Act.