TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a Mills Act Historic Property Contract with Bill Pratt and Bob Phibbs, owners of 3040 First Street, a qualified historic property in the Bluff Park Historic District. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Mills Act Historic Property Contract for 3040 First Street was recommended by the Cultural Heritage Commission on March 16,2005, and by the Planning Commission on April 7, 2005 (Attachment). The Mills Act was enacted as State legislation in 1972 and amended in 1984. The Mills Act Historic Property Contract is a contractual agreement between the City and a property owner allowing a reassessment and reduction in property taxes in return for historic preservation and restoration of a qualified property. To qualify, a property must
be officially designated as historic, either as an individual landmark or as a contributing building in a historic district. In reviewing candidates for Mills Act contracts, the Cultural
Heritage Commission seeks owners with a strong commitment to preserve and restore their property, and where the restoration will have a demonstrable public benefit. The
resulting tax savings from a Mills Act contract assist an owner with the financial burdens of preserving and restoring a historic building. The subject property is an intact Mediterranean style house constructed between 1929 contributing property in the Bluff Park Historic District; designated by ordinance C-5869 adopted July 29, 1982 and amended December 18, 1990, Ordinance C-6835. The house was deteriorated when purchased by the current owners, who have undertaken an enormous job in rehabilitation and restoration, retaining the historically important architectural features. The Long Beach Heritage Association presented the owners with a Historic Preservation Award this year for the work they have already undertaken to restore this property. The owners are
aware of their obligations under the contract and readily accept them. The terms an...
Click here for full text