[Calclg-l] Fiscal Impacts of mills Act

Mon Jan 7 08:58:11 PST 2008

Wendy,

Here is a summary of our incentive program.

The City of San Clemente has provided the following historic
preservation incentives since 1995.

*	Fee reductions and waivers for a relocated historic structure to
facilitate its preservation including, processing fees, park fee, water
acreage assessment fee, sewer connection fee and storm drain fee.
*	City utilizes State Historic Building Code (SHBC) for historic
properties.  
*	Parking waivers for historic buildings to allow adaptive reuse
of a structure.
*	Relief on development standards, such as setbacks, for all
non-conforming historic structures (note most all our historic
structures are non-conforming with existing code)  
*	Mills Act Contracts

*         Not a direct historic incentive, but many do take advantage of
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.  CDBG funds are subject
to income restrictions and location.  City allocates federal funds
through low-interest or deferred loans and 50-50 grants to repair or
improve homes and rental properties:  Federal income restrictions apply
and priority is given to properties in CDBG target area based on income
and severity of need.

The following new incentives where adopted in October 2007 and will
begin to be implemented this next fiscal year: 

1.  Fee Waiver for Cultural Heritage Permits

A one hundred (100) percent fee waiver for all Cultural Heritage Permit
and Minor Cultural Heritage Permit for properties subject to City
Ordinance if the project adheres to the Secretary of the Interior
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.  This provides the
property owner an incentive to submit a project that is sensitive to the
historic resource.

2.  Establish a historic plaque program for all listed Landmarks

The Planning Division in combination with the Cultural Heritage Board
and Historical Society will  design plaques.  The cost of the plaque
program is paid by the City.  The program is intended to  be combined
with the education program discussed.  The residential Landmark
buildings included on any City historical walking or driving tours
require prior approval from the owner.

3.  Staff Liaison

Provide a full time designated staff liaison that has training in
historic preservation to assist all applicants for Cultural Heritage
Permits to facilitate and help historic and neighboring property owner
go through the approval process as effortlessly as possible.    

The Staff liaison is the first point of contact for all Cultural
Heritage Permit (CHP) applicants, help answer questions and assist
applicants through the CHP Permit process.  

4.  Educational Program

Annually the City is to budget for educational opportunities and
potential partnership with the Historical Society and Casa Romantica
Cultural Center to educate the public about historic resources with the
possible use of Certified Local Government (CLG) and Preserve America
grants to help partially fund the programs.   Our first training program
is on how to review historical projects for conformance with the
Secretary of the Interior Standards in context to the City of San
Clements's unique historical resources.   

This also includes a proactive public outreach brochure program to help
bridge the information gap regarding historic resources.   The City will
be developing a  set of "how to" brochures that explain Culture Heritage
Permits for additions to neighboring properties, additions to historic
properties, applying the Secretary of Interior Standards, Mills Act,
listing or delisting Landmark and Historic Resources and other useful
information.  The goal will be to educate the public about our City's
historic preservation requirements.  These brochures will be made
available on the City website and mailed out to historic property owners
and owners in their vicinity of historic resources that are potentially
subject to a Cultural Heritage Permit. 

5.   Grant Program

City-sponsored grant for restoration improvements.  Grants of  up to
$2,000 will be available for Landmarks, $600 grants are available for
other historic resources.  Owners would be eligible to receive financial
assistance a maximum of once every three years.   Annual funding range
for this grant program is $20,000 to 40,000.

 .   

Jim Pechous

Principal Planner, Planning Division

City of San Clemente

910 Calle Negocio  Suite 100

San Clemente, CA 92673

Phone:   (949)361-6195

Fax:     (949)366-4750

Email:  pechousj at san-clemente.org <mailto:pechousj at san-clemente.org> 

Website:  http://www.san-clemente.org/sc/Standard.aspx?PageID=255
<http://www.san-clemente.org/sc/Standard.aspx?PageID=255> 

From: calclg-l-bounces at ohp.parks.ca.gov
[mailto:calclg-l-bounces at ohp.parks.ca.gov] On Behalf Of Wendy Ward
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 2:55 PM
To: calclg-l at ohp.parks.ca.gov
Subject: Re: [Calclg-l] Fiscal Impacts of mills Act

Jim and all list members 

As a Cultural Heritage Commissioner for City of Napa, I am curious to
the many historic preservation incentives you have..we're lacking in
that area so I'd greatly like to hear from you. We have utilized the
Mills Act on a commercial basis but there seems to be little for
historic homeowners to turn to. I am interested in both commercial and
residential incentives. 

Thank you and Happy New Year 

Wendy Ward 

City of Napa, Cultural Heritage Commission 

On Dec 19, 2007, at 3:03 PM, Pechous, Jim wrote: 

	Meg, 

	If you do the math the actual loss in City tax dollars is very
low especially if you factor in the return which is the projection of
City historic resources.   Prior to the Mills Act we had a much higher
percentage of people attempting to delist their property or to
demolition their historic structure.  This is by far our best historic
preservation incentive our City has, and we have many.  The only pitfall
I can think of is that it will take staff time to process and manage
your mills act contracts.  One way to reduce tax burden, if that is a
concern, and to reduce a sudden impact to your staff work load is to
limit the number of contracts allowed per year.  We limit our contract
to five the first three quarters of the year.   Our program has been in
existence for over 10 years and we have a little over 50 active
contracts.   

	Good luck! 

	Jim 

	Jim Pechous 

	Principal Planner, Planning Division 

	City of San Clemente 

	910 Calle Negocio  Suite 100 

	San Clemente, CA 92673 

	Phone:   (949)361-6195 

	Fax:     (949)366-4750 

	Email:  pechousj at san-clemente.org 

	Website:
http://www.san-clemente.org/sc/Standard.aspx?PageID=255

	From: calclg-l-bounces at ohp.parks.ca.gov
[mailto:calclg-l-bounces at ohp.parks.ca.gov] On Behalf Of Clovis, Meg
x4913 

	Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:42 PM 

	To: calclg-l at ohp.parks.ca.gov 

	Subject: [Calclg-l] Fiscal Impacts of mills Act 

	The County of Monterey is considering implementing the Mills Act
but would like input from other jurisdictions re: adverse affects due to
reduced property tax revenues. In addition, any advice about pitfalls to
avoid would be appreciated. 

	Thanks for your assistance - 

	Meg Clovis 

	Cultural Affairs Manager 

	Monterey County Parks 

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