Planning and Building Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pb
Item # 12
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
September 16, 2025
TOPIC: Approval of Historic Property Preservation Agreements
AGENDA TITLE
Historic Property Preservation Agreements for the Properties Located at 305 E.
Washington Avenue and 1617 E. Fourth Street
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the attached Mills Act agreements with the below-referenced property owners for the identified structure(s) (Agreement No.
A-2025-XXX and A-2025-XXX). [Includes determination that the proposed projects are exempt from further review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act as Categorical Exemption(s)/Environmental Review No. 2025-29 and 2025-50 will be filed for the project.]
Table 1: Mills Act Agreements Approved by the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) Property Owner(s)
Historic Property
Preservation
Agreement No.
Address/House Vote by HRC
Daniel Phan Nguyen,
Trustee to The 305 E.
Washington Ave
Grantor Trust
2025-02 305 E. Washington
Avenue
5:0:0:2 (Commissioners
Rincon and Padilla
absent)
Vincent F. Sarmiento
and Eva Casas-
Sarmiento, Husband
and Wife as Joint
Tenants
2025-05 1617 E. Fourth Street
4:0:1:2 (Commissioners
Rincon and Padilla
absent and
Commissioner
Escamilla abstaining)
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
On July 9, 2025, the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Mills Act agreements listed in Table 1, above, with the identified property owners for historic structure(s) in the City, subject to non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. This action allows for the approval of a Historic Property Preservation Agreement (Mills Act Contract)
Approval of Historic Property Preservation Agreements
September 16, 2025
5 2
9 6
which provides a property tax reduction whereby property owners agree to reinvest the tax savings towards the maintenance of the historic property. Additionally, the agreement prevents inappropriate alterations to the protected historic structure(s).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the proposed projects are exempt from further review. The following Categorical Exemptions will be filed for this project:
•ER No. 2025-29 (305 E. Washington Avenue)
•ER No. 2025-50 (1617 E. Fourth Street)
FISCAL IMPACT
The Historic Property Preservation Agreement will reduce the Property Tax revenue account 01102002-50011 to the City by an estimated $2,407.81 annually noted below, for a period of not less than ten years.
HPPA No. Address Estimate Exhibit No.
2025-02 305 E. Washington Avenue $862.24 1-2
2025-04 1617 E. Fourth Street $1,545.57 3-4
Total for All Properties: $2,407.81
EXHIBITS
1. Mills Act Agreement – 305 E. Washington Avenue
2. HRC Staff Report – 305 E. Washington Avenue
3. Mills Act Agreement – 1617 E. Fourth Street
4. HRC Staff Report – 1617 E. Fourth Street
Submitted By: Ali Pezeshkpour, AICP, Executive Director, Planning and Building Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager