CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JULY 8, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: A REQUEST BY THE OWNERS OF FOUR HISTORIC PROPERTIES FOR
APPROVAL OF MILLS ACT HISTORIC PROPERTY PRESERVATION
AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING 1633 VIA ROBERTO MIGUEL (HSPB #161),
ONE UNIT WITHIN THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN ESTATES HISTORIC
DISTRICT AT 287 TWIN PALMS DRIVE (HSPB # 73 / HD-2), 573 NORTH CAHUILLA ROAD (HSPB #131), AND 2395 PEBBLE BEACH DRIVE
(HSPB #163)
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 four 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. 1633 Via Roberto Miguel APN: 677-233-003.
b. 287 Twin Palms Drive, APN: 511-070-039.
c. 573 N. Cahuilla Road, APN: 505-311-001.
d. 2395 Pebble Beach Drive, APN: 681-242-008.
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. Living Trust of Desert Silence Family Trust at 1633 Via Roberto Miguel.
2. The Victoria C. Carter Trust dated February 11, 2022 and The Richard S.C.
Carter Trust dated February 11, 2022 at 287 E. Twin Palms Drive.
3. Jonathan Murray Trust dated January 14, 2003 at 573 N. Cahuilla Road.
4. Cavnar Family Trust dated June 15, 2020 at 2395 S. Pebble Beach Drive.
City Council Staff Report
July 8, 2026 -- Page 2
Mills Act Agreements
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The following chart lists the date and resolution number for each property designated by the City Council:
Address Historic Class Date of
Designation
City Council
Resolution
1633 Via Roberto Miguel Class 1 10/24/2024 25253
287 Twin Palms Drive Contributor to Historic District 02/03/2010 22657 573 N. Cahuilla Road Class 1 02/22/2021 24855
2395 Pebble Beach Drive Class 1 06/11/2025 25318
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 VIEW OF 1633 VIA ROBERTO MIGUEL. FRONT ELEVATION OF 1633 VIA ROBERTO MIGUEL.
City Council Staff Report
July 8, 2026 -- Page 3
Mills Act Agreements
AERIAL VIEW OF 287 TWIN PALMS DRIVE. EAST ELEVATION OF 287 TWIN PALMS DRIVE.
AERIAL VIEW OF 573 N. CAHUILLA ROAD. FRONT ELEVATION OF 573 N. CAHUILLA ROAD.
AERIAL VIEW OF 2395 PEBBLE BEACH DRIVE. FRONT ELEVATION OF 2395 PEBBLE BEACH DRIVE.
City Council Staff Report
July 8, 2026 -- Page 4
Mills Act Agreements
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Economic Development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Based on estimated values provided by Riverside County Tax Assessor, the amount of property tax rebate applied to Mills Act properties can range from 40 to 70%. Currently, there are 179 Mills Act properties in the City. 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
Deputy City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Teresa Gallavan for Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Vicinity Maps for Each Property
B. City Council Resolution Nos. 25253, 22657, 24855, 25318.
C. Owner Letters and Disclosures
D. DRAFT Historic Property Preservation Agreements