CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MARCH 25, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: A REQUEST BY THE OWNERS OF TWO HISTORIC PROPERTIES FOR
APPROVAL OF MILLS ACT HISTORIC PROPERTY PRESERVATION
AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING ONE UNIT WITHIN THE COUNTRY CLUB
ESTATES HISTORIC DISTRICT (HSPB # 145 / HD-9) AT 1995 SOUTH CAMINO REAL AND 2455 SOUTHRIDGE DRIVE (HSPB #162)
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY:
This is a request for the City of Palm Springs to enter into standard Mills Act Agreements with the current property owners of two separate historic sites. The intent of these contracts is to require maintenance and preservation of the designated sites in exchange for possible property tax relief as determined by the Riverside County tax assessor.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve a Mills Act Historic Property Preservation Agreement between the City of Palm Springs and the owners of the following list of properties:
a. 1995 Camino Real (Country Club Estates), APN: 511-150-015. b. 2455 Southridge Drive, APN: 510-260-024.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreements.
3. Direct the City Clerk to record the Agreements with the County of Riverside.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURES:
The applicants for each Mills Act Agreement are as follows:
1. Grant Richard Wilson and Kenneth James Griffiths for the condominium within the Country Club Estates Historic District at 1995 S. Camino Real.
2. Brinkman Grimm Trust dated December 9, 2021 at 2455 Southridge Drive.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The following chart lists the date and resolution number for each property designated by the City Council:
City Council Staff Report
March 25, 2026 -- Page 2
Mills Act Agreements
Address Historic Class Date of
Designation
City Council
Resolution
1995 S. Camino Real Contributor in Historic
District
04/25/2024 25197
2455 Southridge Drive Class 1 03/27/2025 25287
Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 50280-50290, upon the application of an owner of any qualified historic property, the legislative body of a city may contract with the owner or agent to restrict the use of the property to carry out the purposes and goals of historic preservation of the property. Such a contract is commonly referred to as a “Mills Act Agreement” and it provides for possible alternative property tax rate calculations in exchange for the ongoing preservation and maintenance of the property, specifically its historically significant elements and characteristics.
California Government Code Section 50280.1 denotes that properties are eligible for a Mills Act contract if listed in a state, city, or county official register of historic sites. All properties were locally designated and listed on the local inventory of historic places and qualify to apply for a Mills Act Contract. Draft Historic Property Preservation Agreements for each property are included as Attachment D to this report and specify details regarding restoration and/or maintenance of the three historic properties.
Aerial maps and photographs of each property included below:
AERIAL VIEW OF 1995 S. CAMINO REAL FRONT ELEVATION OF 1995 S. CAMINO REAL
City Council Staff Report
March 25, 2026 -- Page 3
Mills Act Agreements
AERIAL VIEW OF 2455 SOUTHRIDGE ROAD FRONT ENTRANCE OF 2455 SOUTHRIDGE ROAD ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Economic Development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Riverside County Tax Assessor has not shared detailed information on the amount of property tax rebate applied to Mills Act properties; however, County staff have said the rebate can range from 40 to 70 % and that amount is based upon several factors including length of ownership, annual income of property, annual operating expenses, capitalization rate, etc. Currently, there are 177 Mills Act properties in the City, and the median residential tax bill is $4,250 per year. Based on these figures, the potential loss in revenue to the City could range from approximately $300,000 to over $530,000 annually. It should be noted that the Mills Act contract is one of few tools available to incentivize reinvestment into restoration and ongoing maintenance of historic resources, and that properly maintained Mills Act properties likely have a net positive effect on surrounding property values that may offset the loss in direct revenue over time.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Christopher Hadwin
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Vicinity Maps for Each Property
B. City Council Resolution Nos. 25197, 25287.
C. Owner Letters and Disclosures
D. DRAFT Historic Property Preservation Agreements