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6 CITY OF SAN MATEO
RESOLUTION NO. ____ (2026)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL UPDATING THE MILLS ACT PROGRAM FOR
ESTABLISHING AND ADMINISTERING HISTORIC PRESERVATION AGREEMENTS WHEREAS, the General Plan 2040 Community Design and Historic Resources Element and Downtown Specific Plan include policies to preserve and protect historic structures, and to promote historic preservation funding sources to incentivize the protection of historic resources; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the protection, perpetuation and use of historic structures is of economic, cultural and aesthetic benefit to the City; and WHEREAS, California Government Code Sections 50280 et. seq. (commonly known as the 'Mills Act') provides authority for cities to enter into contracts with the owners of qualified historical property to provide for such property's use, maintenance and restoration so as to retain its characteristics as a property of historical significance.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY FINDS AND RESOLVES that:
1. This action is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a Class 8 exemption (Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines), Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment.
2. The City Council authorizes, by at least a majority of its members, the use of the contracts for historic property preservation as specified in California Government Code Sections 502080, et. seq., for individual properties and contributor properties within historic districts designated by City Council resolution and listed in City’s Historic Resources Inventory.
3. A maximum of two (2) historic preservation contracts shall be approved per calendar year.
When more than two applications are submitted, priority shall be given to properties located within an Equity Priority neighborhood, properties with lower appraised valuations and/or property owners with documented financial hardship.
4. All such contracts shall undergo a standard review process by City staff and be subject to review and approval of the City Council.
5. The Director of Community Development is authorized to execute a historic preservation contract, once approved by the City Council, subject to review and approval of the City Attorney, in substantial conformity with the model contract.
6. All properties with historic preservation contracts shall submit an annual report detailing the work completed that year.
7. The Community Development Department, in conjunction with the City Attorney’s Office, shall produce standard materials such as guides, handouts, application materials and a model contract, and make such materials publicly available.
8. The City shall establish a reasonable fee to pay for the cost of processing and administering such contracts.