Item 23 - Historic Property Preservation Agreements

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HRCA No. 2023-29, HRC No. 2024-03, HPPA No. 2024-05 — R.S. McGuire House (2369 North Flower Street) July 15, 2024 Page 4 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 • 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 during the initial ten years of the Mills Act Agreement include the following: repair trim as needed. Staff also proposes the following improvements: remove non -compatible gutters; replace rear yard side door with period -appropriate door; inspect and repair all original wood and steel - frame windows, window panes, and window trim as needed; and replace main entrance doorknob and exterior light with period -appropriate doorknob and light. 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. Upon consideration of the application, it is recommended that the City enter into a Historic Property Preservation Agreement to enable the Mills Act. 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.