[Calclg-l] Mills Act Information Request

[Roxanne Tanemori]

Jennifer,

The City of Santa Monica has been implementing Mills Act Contracts since
1998. All formally designated Landmarks, Structures of Merit, and
Contributing Historic District properties are eligible for a Contract.
So far, we have executed 42 Contracts. 

Properties with Mills Act Contracts can add on to the residence through
the regular Cert. of Appropriateness process. There are no special
restrictions in the terms of a Contract re: additions. To the best of my
knowledge, the valuation of an addition is assessed using the
traditional formula. 

We require maintenance work items to help ensure that the structural
integrity of the building and its exterior character-defining features
are maintained; however, the final work plan is based on an evaluation
of the property by an architect and based on staff inspection of the
site. Depending on the condition of the structure, a work plan could be
primarily geared toward maintenance or also include a variety of
restoration and/rehabilitation work items. 

So far, we have not contemplated the addition of more
requirements/clauses to contracts that are nearing the 10-year
timeframe.  

Every other year, the City requires property owners to submit a letter
with photos describing the work that has been done. Staff inspects the
property if necessary. 

The City makes an estimate of the revenue lost for a particular year
when a Contract is reviewed for approval by the Council.  However, we do
not track the overall revenue lost over time. In general, the Council
believes that the lost revenue is minor compared to the public benefit
derived from excellent maintenance and restoration of historic
properties in the community. 

** I would appreciate a copy of the survey results when completed.

Thank you,

Roxanne Tanemori

*********************************************
Roxanne Tanemori, AICP
Associate Planner
Santa Monica City Planning Division
1685 Main Street Room 212
Santa Monica, CA  90401

(310) 458-8341
(310) 458-3380 fax
roxanne.tanemori at smgov.net