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HRCA No. 2023-18, HRC 2023-5, HPPA No. 2023-11 – Rogers-Mansfield House (1607 <br />North Freeman Street) <br />November 2, 2023 <br />Page 4 <br />3 <br />7 <br />6 <br />8 <br />agreements for eligible properties (Exhibit 2). To be eligible for the Mills Act, the property <br />must be listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. The Historic Resources <br />Commission Application and Historic Register Categorization actions proposed for this <br />site authorize the listing of the property on the local register. The agreement provides <br />monetary incentives to the property owner in the form of a property tax reduction in <br />exchange for the owner’s voluntary commitment to maintain the property in a good state <br />of repair as necessary to maintain its character and appearance. Once recorded, the <br />agreement generates a different valuation method in determining the property’s assessed <br />value, resulting in tax savings for the owner. Aside from the tax savings, the benefits <br />include: <br />•Long term preservation of the property and visual improvement to the neighborhood <br />•A mechanism to provide for property rehabilitation <br />•Incentives for potential buyers to purchase historic structures <br />•Discouraging of inappropriate alterations to the property <br />The property has no identified unauthorized modifications. Upon consideration of the <br />application, it is recommended that the City enter into a Historic Property Preservation <br />Agreement. <br />Overall, future improvements proposed by the homeowners during the initial five years of <br />the Mills Act Agreement include replacing the non-original front door with a compatible <br />door. Remaining items to be completed over the course of the first ten years of the Mills <br />Act Agreement include replacing the front entrance light, and rear, security screen door <br />with period-appropriate materials. Additionally, the existing bathroom will be updated with <br />new plumbing, lighting fixtures, tile, and shower glass. The homeowners may add a new <br />bathroom to the building’s rear, and the roof will be assessed in the coming years to <br />determine if a reroof is needed. Lastly, maintenance/repair of existing, original wood <br />windows and wood shingle siding will be a general on-going maintenance task as part of <br />this Mills Act Agreement. Staff will ensure that all proposed work will be done sensitively <br />and will maintain the property’s character defining features as part of the Mills Act <br />Agreement for this property. If the homeowners decide to pursue a bathroom addition, <br />staff will work closely with the owners to ensure that the new design shall meet the <br />Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, and that the new work will receive <br />proper entitlement through a Historic Exterior Modification Application (HEMA) and <br />building permits as necessary. <br />As part of the Mills Act approval process, staff will work with the applicant to ensure that <br />a bronze plaque is installed honoring and recognizing the structure. The plaque will <br />include the historic name, address, year built, and local historic register designation. <br />Lastly, the site will be subject to general maintenance and upkeep requirements including, <br />but not limited to, replacement or restoration of damaged character-defining features, <br />landscaping upkeep, painting, etc. Upon consideration of the application, it is <br />Historic Resources Commission 1 – 4 11/2/2023