SALINAS HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-002
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL TO ESTABLISH A
PERMANENT MILLS ACT TAX SAVINGS PROGRAM FOR QUALIFYING
HISTORIC PROPERTIES
WHEREAS, the Mills Act is an economic incentive program that grants tax savings to building or property owners for the maintenance, restoration, preservation or rehabilitation of qualified historic buildings or properties; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the City of Salinas adopted a Mills Act Program with a 5-year pilot program, which lapsed in 2022; and
WHEREAS, during the pilot program, three contracts (2 residential and 1 commercial) were approved by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Resource Board reviewed the Mills Act Program at the October 4, 2023 and the December 4, 2023 meetings, and indicated support for establishing a permanent Mills Act Program; and
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2024, the Salinas Historic Resources Board held a public meeting to consider recommending that City Council establish a permanent Mills Act Tax Savings Program for qualifying historic properties; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Resources Board weighed the evidence, including the Staff Report which is on file at the Community Development Department together with the record of environmental review; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Salinas Historic Resources Board adopts the proposed resolution recommending City Council approve establishing a Mills Act Tax Savings Program for historic properties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Historic Resource Board adopts the following findings as the basis for its determination, and that the foregoing recitations are true and correct, and are included herein by reference as findings:
Environmental Determination:
The environmental impacts of the project have been analyzed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The proposed program and ordinance amendments are categorically exempt (Classes 5 and 31) from further environmental analysis per CEQA Guidelines Sections 15035 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations) and 15331 (Historic Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation).
For the Ordinance Resolution:
1. California Government Code section 50280, et seq. (the Mills Act) authorizes cities to Historic Resources Board Resolution 2024-002
enter into contracts (with the owners of qualified historical property) to provide for the use, maintenance and restoration of such historical property so to retain its characteristics as property of historical significance.
2. The City of Salinas General Plan and Zoning Ordinance contain policies and regulations to promote the preservation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic properties within the City limits.
3. Pursuant to City of Salinas Code Chapter 3, Article II, Section 3-02.05 has established procedures to identify and designate historic resources within the City.
4. The City recognizes that the reduction in property taxes provided by the Mills Act will act as a monetary incentive to acquire, designate, maintain, and rehabilitate historic property.
5. Mills Act preservation agreements will have beneficial effects on residential neighborhoods, businesses, community pride, and regional image.
6. The City of Salinas Municipal Code Chapter 3, Article II, Section 3-02.14 states that the application process, review procedures and required contract provision for preservation agreements shall be established by separate resolution of the City Council PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of April 2024, by the following vote:
AYES: Chairperson Hirahara, Board members Mazgai, Callender, Shim, Munoz and Wadsworth NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a Resolution of the Historic Resources Board of the City of Salinas, that said Resolution was passed and adopted by the affirmative and majority vote of said at a meeting held on April 8, 2024, and that said Resolution has not been modified, amended, or rescinded, and is now in full force and effect.
SALINAS HISTORIC RESOURCODORRD
Date: April 8, 2024
Jessica Shull, Secretary