8I
Date: August 5, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Historic Preservation Commission
Michelle Ramirez, Community Development Director
By: Kevin Joe, Planning Associate | [email protected] Subject: Historic Preservation Commission and Community Development – Adopt a RESOLUTION Establishing a Mills Act Application Process and Review Procedure and Determine this Item is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission and Community Development Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a RESOLUTION establishing a Mills Act application process and review procedure; and
2. Determine that this item is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15331 – Historic Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation.
FUNDING
None Required.
DISCUSSION
In 2017, the City Council adopted an Ordinance to establish a Historic Preservation Ordinance and approved a Historic Preservation Plan to allow homeowners of qualified properties to request that their home be designated a Historic Landmark or the creation of Historic Districts. Under State law and Historic Preservation Ordinance, the City is authorized to enter into a Mills Act contract with the owner of a Historic Landmark or contributing structure located within a Historic District for the purpose of preserving, rehabilitating, restoring, and maintaining the home in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The benefit of Mills Act to the homeowner is a reduction in property taxes in exchange for a commitment to perform specific repairs, restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance of the property for the term of the contract.
Pursuant to Section 91.50.270 of the Torrance Municipal Code, the City Council shall adopt a resolution establishing the application process and review procedures for Mills Act contracts. 1 City Council
August 5, 2025
The Community Development Department researched the Mills Act program of 14 local cities to understand the application process and procedures. For the majority of the cities surveyed, staff reviews the Mills Act contract request and then forwards the request to the commission responsible for reviewing Mills Act contract and historic landmark designation applications for their recommendation to the city council, and the council has the final authority to approve a Mills Act contract. Mills Act contracts were approved at a staff level in four of the cities surveyed.
Based on staff’s research of other jurisdictions and input from the Historic Preservation Commission, below are the draft Mills Act contract application process and review procedures for the City of Torrance:
Phase 1 Community Development Department Review
1. Property Owner submits Mills Act Program Supplemental Application and supporting materials (Property Maintenance & Rehabilitation Plan, Mills Act Tax Assessment Worksheet, Photographs of the property, Site Plan, Property Tax Bill, Grant Deed & Legal Description, Title Insurance, Structural Report, application filing fee).
2. Application package is reviewed for completeness and, if necessary, corrections provided.
3. Staff schedules a property inspection with the Property Owner.
4. Staff prepares a report, recommendations and draft Mills Act contract. The contract will incorporate a Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan to ensure the property will be preserved in a historic state consistent with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
5. Contract is reviewed by City Attorney’s Office.
6. Draft contract is shared with Owner.
Phase 2 Historic Preservation Commission & Council Review
7. The application request along with the draft contract is scheduled for the Historic Preservation Commission consideration at a regular meeting under Administrative Matters. The Property Owner shall be present at the meeting for any questions.
8. The Commission provides input and recommendation on the contract to the City Council.
9. The application request, draft contract, and the Historic Preservation Commission and staff recommendations are scheduled for City Council consideration at a regular meeting under Consent Calendar.
10. The Council approves or denies the request and, if the request is approved, approves the contract as recommended or as amended.
Phase 3 Contract Execution & Recordation
11. The Property Owner(s) sign contract before a public notary.
12. The Contract is routed for Mayor, City Clerk, and City Attorney’s signatures.
13. The Property Owner records contract with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder and a copy of the recorded contract is returned to Community Development Department.
14. Staff will forward the recorded contract to the Los Angeles County Assessor. Contracts that are recorded by December 31 are typically reassessed by June 30 of the following year so that the reduced tax appears on the tax bill of October of that year. 2 City Council
August 5, 2025
Phase 4 Mills Act Monitoring
15. Staff performs periodic inspections, at least once every 5 years per State law, to ensure Owner’s compliance with terms of the contract and Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan.
As part of the Mills Act application, the homeowner submits a structural report, a preliminary Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan and a Mills Act Tax Assessment Worksheet, which provides an estimate of property tax savings. Staff will review the structural report and preliminary Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan and develop a final Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan to be incorporated as part of the Mills Act contract. A Mills Act contract template was developed based on staff’s research of other jurisdictions program and is attached for Council’s review (Attachment 2).
The Mills Act contract will specify the maintenance and rehabilitation to be performed by the property owner during the term of the contract. The contract can be terminated by the City and the owner could incur significant fines should the owner fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract.
On May 15 th, the Historic Preservation Commission considered the draft Mills Act contract application process and review procedures. The Commission had questions for staff regarding how the Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan is developed, when property inspections would occur, application and inspection fees, and potential disagreements that may arise in the development of the Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan. Staff clarified that the Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan would be developed on a case-by-case basis based on the findings of the structural report of the home and any existing conditions that would need to be restored or rehabilitated to preserve the historic integrity of the property. Structural repairs that impact safety would be prioritized first. Staff will work closely with the homeowner in developing the work plan that is mutually agreeable. However, should staff and homeowner not come to an agreement on the work plan, the Commission would have the discretion to recommend approval of the Mills Act contract and work plan as recommended by staff, amend the work plan, or denial of the request. Staff inspections would occur periodically to ensure compliance with the Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan and that work requiring Building permits meets City standards.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15331 – Historic Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Mills Act Contract Template
3. May 15, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission STA Minutes 3 CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 25-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A MILLS ACT
APPLICATION PROCESS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES.
_________________________________________
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2017, the City Council of the City of Torrance adopted Ordinance No. 3822 to add Article 50 of Chapter 1 of Division 9 of the Torrance Municipal Code creating a Historic Preservation Ordinance and approved a Historic Preservation Plan; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 50280 – 50290 (commonly known as the “Mills Act”), the City is authorized to enter into Mills Act contracts with the owner of Historic Landmark or Contributing Resources located in a Historic District for the purposes of preservation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of designated Historic Resources, which allow the owner to receive a reduction in property taxes in exchange for a commitment to specific repairs, restoration, or rehabilitation improvements and satisfactory maintenance of the property in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and other applicable criteria; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 91.50.270 of the Torrance Municipal Code, the City Council shall, by resolution, specify the application process and review procedures for Mills Act contract requests; and
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2025, the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Torrance considered Mills Act contract application process and review procedures and recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution specifying the Mills Act application process and review procedures; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance does hereby find and determine that a establishing a Mills Act process and review procedure in order for the maintenance, repair, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, conservation, or reconstruction of the historical resources in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings is Categorical Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15331 Historic Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation.
WHEREAS, the Mills Act contract application process and review procedures for the City of Torrance shall be as follows:
Phase 1 Community Development Department Review
Property Owner submits Mills Act Program Supplemental Application and supporting materials (Property Maintenance & Rehabilitation Plan, Mills Act Tax Assessment Worksheet, Photographs of the property, Site Plan, Property Tax Bill, Grant Deed & Legal Description, Title Insurance, Structural Report, application filing fee).
1. Application package is reviewed by staff for completeness and, if necessary, corrections provided.
2. Staff schedules a property inspection with the Property Owner. 4 ATTACHMENT 1
3. Staff prepares a report, recommendations and draft Mills Act contract. The contract will incorporate a Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan to ensure the property will be preserved in a historic state consistent with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
4. Contract is reviewed by City Attorney’s Office.
5. Draft contract is shared with the Property Owner.
Phase 2 Historic Preservation Commission & Council Review
6. The application request along with the draft contract is scheduled for the Historic Preservation Commission consideration at a regular meeting under Administrative Matters. The Property Owner shall be present at the meeting for any questions.
7. The Commission provides input and recommendation on the application request and contract to the City Council.
8. The application request, draft contract, and the Historic Preservation Commission and staff recommendations are scheduled for City Council consideration at a regular meeting under Consent Calendar.
9. The Council approves or denies the request under the consent calendar and, if the request is approved, approves the contract as recommended or as amended.
Phase 3 Contract Execution & Recordation
10. The Property Owner(s) sign contract before a public notary.
11. The Contract is routed for Mayor, City Clerk, and City Attorney’s signatures.
12. The Property Owner records contract with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder and a copy of the recorded contract returned to Community Development Department.
13. Staff will forward the recorded contract to the Los Angeles County Assessor.
Contracts that are recorded by December 31 are typically reassessed by June 30 of the following year so that the reduced tax appears on the tax bill of October of that year.
Phase 4 Mills Act Monitoring
14. Staff performs periodic inspections, at least once every 5 years per State law, to ensure Owner’s compliance with terms of contract and Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Mills Act contract application process and review procedures, is hereby APPROVED.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of August 2025.
_____________________________________
Mayor George K. Chen
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
Patrick Q. Sullivan, City Attorney
_________________________________ ____________________________ Tatia Y. Strader, Assistant City Attorney Rebecca Poirier, MMC, City Clerk 5 Recording Requested by:
Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk
When Recorded, Mail to:
City of Torrance
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503-2970
ATTN: City Clerk’s Office
HISTORIC PROPERTY AGREEMENT
This Historic Property Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of <date>, by and between the CITY OF TORRANCE, a municipal corporation (“City”) and <name of property owner> (“Owner”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 50280, et seq. (the Mills Act), authorizes cities to enter into contracts with the owners of qualified historic buildings to provide for the use, maintenance and restoration of such historic property so as to retain its characteristics of historic significance; and
WHEREAS, Owner possesses fee title in and to that certain real property, together with associated structures and improvements thereon, located at <address, Assessor Parcel Number>, Torrance, California (“Historic Property”). A legal description of the Historic Property is attached hereto, marked as Exhibit A and is incorporated herein by this reference; and WHEREAS, on December 12, 2017, City of Torrance City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3822 creating a Historic Preservation Program that enables the City to enter into a Mills Act contract with the owner of a Historic Landmark designated property; and WHEREAS, City and Owner, for their mutual benefit, now desire to enter in this Agreement both to protect and preserve the historically significant characteristics of the Historic Property and to qualify the Historic Property for an assessment of valuation pursuant to the Provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 1 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
AGREEMENT:
1. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM
This Agreement shall be effective and commence on <date>, and shall remain in effect for a term of ten (10) years thereafter. Each year upon the anniversary of the effective date, such initial term will automatically be extended as provided in Paragraph 2 below.
2. AUTOMATIC RENEWAL
Each year on the anniversary of the effective date of this Agreement (“renewal date”), a year shall automatically be added to the initial term of this Agreement unless notice of nonrenewal is as provided herein.
6 ATTACHMENT 2
3. NOTICE OF NONRENEWAL
If either Owner or City desires in any year not to renew the Agreement, Owner or City that party shall serve written notice of nonrenewal of the Agreement on the other party in advance of the annual renewal date, or served by City to Owner at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual renewal date. If such notice is not timely served, one (1) year shall be automatically added to the term of the Agreement as provided herein. Upon receipt by Owner of a notice of nonrenewal from City, Owner may make a written protest of the notice. City may, at any time prior to the annual renewal date of the Agreement, withdraw its notice to Owner of nonrenewal. If either City or Owner serves notice to the other of nonrenewal in any year, the agreement shall remain in effect for the balance of the term then remaining, either from its original execution or from the last renewal of the agreement, whichever may apply.
4. PRESERV ATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTY
During the term of this Agreement the Historic Property shall be subject to the following conditions, requirements and restrictions:
A) Owner shall rehabilitate, preserve and maintain the historically significant characteristics of the Historic Property. Attached hereto, marked as Exhibit B:
Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan and incorporated herein by this reference is a list of those minimum standards and conditions for rehabilitation, maintenance, use and preservation of the Historic Property, which shall apply to such property throughout the term of this Agreement.
B) Owner shall, additionally and where necessary, restore and rehabilitate the property according to the rules and regulations of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, attached hereto, marked as Exhibit C.
C) Owner shall allow reasonable periodic examination, by prior appointment, of the interior and exterior of the Historic Property by representative of the County Assessor, State Office of Historic Preservation, State Board of Equalization and City, as may be necessary to determine Owner’s compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
D) Owner shall submit an annual progress report to City documenting all maintenance, rehabilitation, and preservation activities performed during the preceding year, including supporting photographs and, where applicable, contractor invoices.
5. PROVISION OF INFORMATION OF COMPLIANCE
Owner hereby agrees to furnish City with any and all information requested by the City which may be reasonable and necessary to determine compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
6. CANCELLATION
Prior to cancellation, City shall provide Owner with written notice of the alleged breach or deficiency and a reasonable opportunity (not less than sixty (60) days) to cure such breach or deficiency. If the Owner fails to cure within specified period, City may proceed with cancellation. City, following a duly noticed public hearing as set forth in California Government Code Section 50280, et seq., may cancel this Agreement if City determines:
7 A) Owner has breached any of the conditions or covenants of the Agreement; B) Owner has allowed the Historic Property to deteriorate to the point that it no longer meets the standards for a qualified historical property; or C) Owner has failed to restore or rehabilitate the Historic Property in the manner specified in paragraph 4 of this Agreement.
City’s right to cancel this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph shall in no way limit or restrict its rights or legal remedies arising from City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance or Municipal Code.
7. CANCELLATION FEE
In the event of cancellation, Owner shall be subject to payment of those cancellation fees set forth in California Government Code Sections 50280, et seq, described herein. Upon cancellation, Owner shall pay cancellation fee equal to twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of the current fair market value of the property as determined by the County Assessor as though the Historic Property were free of contractual restriction pursuant to this Agreement. The Owner shall pay the cancellation fee to the county auditor in the time and manner prescribed by the County Auditor. As an alternative to cancellation of the contract for breach of any conditions, City or landowners that are party to the contract, may bring any action in court necessary to enforce the contract, including, but not limited to, an action to enforce the contract by specific performance or injunction.
8. ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT
In lieu of and/or in addition to any provisions to cancel this Agreement as referenced herein, City may specifically enforce, or enjoin the breach of, the terms of this Agreement.
9. WAIVER
City does not waive any claim or default by Owner if City does not enforce or cancel this Agreement. All other remedies at law or in equity which are not otherwise provided for in this Agreement or in City’s regulations governing historic properties are available to City to pursue in the event there is a breach of this Agreement. No waiver by City of any breach or default under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other subsequent breach thereof or default hereunder.
10. BINDING EFFECT OF AGREEMENT
Owner hereby subjects the Historic Property to the covenants, reservations and restrictions set forth in this Agreement. City and Owner hereby declare their specific intent that the covenants, reservations, and restrictions as set forth herein shall be deemed covenants running with the land and shall pass to and be binding upon Owner’s successors and assigns in title or interest to the Historic Property.
Each and every contract, deed or other instrument hereinafter executed, governing or conveying the Historic Property, or any portion thereof, shall conclusively be held to have been executed, delivered and accepted subject to the covenants, reservations and restrictions are set forth in such contract, deed or other instrument.
City and Owner hereby declare their understanding and intent that the burden of the covenants, reservations and restrictions set forth herein touch and concern the land in that it restricts development of the Historic Property. City and Owner hereby further declare their understanding and intent that the benefit of such covenants, reservations and 8 restrictions touch and concern the land by enhancing and maintaining the cultural and historic characteristics and significance of the Historic Property for the benefit of the public and Owner.
11. NOTICE
Any notice required to be given by the terms of this Agreement shall be provided at the address of the respective parties as specified below, by personal delivery or United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
CITY: City of Torrance
City Clerk
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
OWNER: <name>
<address>
<city, state, zip code>
12. EFFECT OF AGREEMENT
None of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership between the parties hereto and any of their heirs, successors or assigns, nor shall such terms, provisions or conditions cause them to be considered joint ventures or members of any joint enterprise.
13. INDEMNITY OF CITY
Owner will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City, the City Council, each member of thereof, present and future, members of boards and commissions, its officers, agents, employees and volunteers from and against any and all liability, expenses, including, but not limited to, those arising from breach of contract, bodily injury, death, personal injury, property damage, loss of use, or property loss however the same may be caused and regardless of the responsibility for negligence. The obligation to indemnify, defend and hold harmless includes, but is not limited to, any liability or expense, including defense cost and legal fees, arising from the negligent acts or omissions, or willful misconduct of Owner, its officers, employees, agents, subcontractors or vendors. It is further agreed, Owner’s obligations to indemnify, defend and hold harmless will apply even in the event of concurrent negligence on the part of City, the City Council, each member thereof, present and future, or its officers, agents and employees, except for liability resulting solely from the negligence or willful misconduct of City, its officers, employees or agents.
Payment by City is not a condition precedent to enforcement of this indemnity. In the event of any dispute between Owner and City, as to whether liability arises from the sole negligence of the City or its officers, employees, agents, subcontractors or vendors, Owner will be obligated to pay for City’s defense until such time as a final judgment has been entered adjudicating the City as solely negligent. Owner will not be entitled in the event of such determination to any reimbursement of defense costs including, but not limited to attorney’s fees, expert fees and costs of litigation.
Owner agrees to protect, defend, indemnify, and shall hold City and its elected officials, officers, agents, and employees harmless from liability for claims, loss, proceedings, damages, causes of action, liability, costs of expense, including reasonable attorney’s fees 9 in connection with damage for personal injuries, including death, and claims of property damage which may arise from the direct or indirect use of operations of such Owner or those of owner’s contractor, subcontractor, agent, employee or other person acting on owners behalf which relate to the use, operation and maintenance of the Historic Property.
Owner hereby agrees to and shall defend the City and its elected officials, officers, agents and employees with respect to any and all actions for damages caused by, or alleged to have been caused by, reason of Owner’s activities in connection with the Historic Property.
This hold harmless provision applies to all damages and claims for damages suffered, or alleged to have been suffered, by reason of the operations referred to in this Agreement regardless of whether or not City prepared, supplied or approved the plans, specifications or other documents for the Historic Property.
14. BINDING UPON SUCCESSORS
All of the agreements, rights, covenants, reservations, and restrictions contained in this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to benefit of the parties herein, their heirs, successors, legal representatives, assigns and all persons acquiring any part or portion of the Historic Property, whether by operation of law or in any manner whatsoever. Owner shall provide written notice to the City at least thirty (30) days prior to any transfer of ownership of the Historic Property.
15. LEGAL COSTS
In the event legal proceedings are brought by any party or parties to enforce or restrain a violation of any of the covenants, reservations or restrictions contained herein, or to determine the rights and duties of any party hereunder, the prevail party in such proceeding my recover all reasonable attorney’s fees to be fixed by the court, in addition to court costs and other relief ordered by the court.
16. SEVERABILITY
If any part of this Agreement is found to be in conflict with applicable laws, the part will be inoperative, null and void insofar as it is in conflict with any applicable laws, but the remainder of the License will remain in full force and effect.
17. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Jurisdiction of any litigation arising from the Agreement will be in Los Angeles County, California.
18. NOTIFICATION TO OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERV ATION
City shall provide written notice of the Agreement to the State Office of Historic Preservation within six (6) months of the effective date of the Agreement.
19. RECORDATION
Owner or agents of Owner shall record this agreement with the Los Angeles County Recorder within sixty (60) days after the parties execute this Agreement. Owner shall provide copies of the recorded agreement to the City Clerk and Community Development Department.
20. AMENDMENTS
This Agreement may be amended, in whole or in part, only by written recorded instrument executed by the parties hereto.
10 21. COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS
Owner and City agree that this Agreement shall be subject to and comply with any future amendments to relevant local, state and federal preservation laws and guidelines, including but not limited to the Mills Act and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
City of Torrance,
a municipal corporation
______________________ By: _________________________
Mayor George Chen <owner’s name>,Owner
ATTEST:
_____________________
Rebecca Poirer, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICK Q. SULLIV AN, City Attorney
By: _______________________________
Tatia Y . Strader, Assistant City Attorney
Exhibit A Property Legal Description
Exhibit B Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan
Exhibit C Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
Exhibit D Conditions of Approval
11 Exhibit A
Property Legal Description
12 Exhibit B
Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Plan
13 Exhibit C
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings Standards for Rehabilitation
1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.
2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.
4. Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a historic property shall be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials.
Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
8. Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved.
If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
https://www.nps.gov/crps/tps/rehab-guidelines/rehabilitation-guidelines-1997.pdf 14 Exhibit D
Conditions of Approval
15 Brittney Jenkins Historic Preservation Commission
Recording Secretary 1 May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
TORRANCE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The Torrance Historic Preservation Commission convened in a regular session at 6:31 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the West Annex Meeting Room 3031 Torrance Boulevard Torrance, CA 90503
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners G. Higginbotham, M. Higginbotham, Schwartz, Weideman, and Chair Trivelli.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Planning Manager Oscar Martinez, Senior Planning Associate Carolyn Chun, Planning Associate Kevin Joe, Planning Associate Adrian Perez, and Community Development Director Michelle Ramirez.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner M. Higginbotham led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. REPORT OF THE STAFF ON THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
Senior Planning Associate Chun reported that the agenda was posted on the Public Notice Board at 3031 Torrance Boulevard and on the City’s Website on Friday, May 9, 2025.
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WITHDRAWN, D EFERRED, AND / OR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
None.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MARCH 20, 2025
MOTION: Commissioner Weideman moved to approve the March 20, 2025 , minutes.
Commissioner M. Higginbotham seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected 5-0 approval.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
7A. MILLS ACT CONTRACT APPLICATION PROCESS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES Recommendation of the Community Development Director that the Historic Preservation Commission:
16 ATTACHMENT 3
Brittney Jenkins Historic Preservation Commission
Recording Secretary 2 May 15, 2025
1. Review and provide input on the Mills Act contract application process and review procedures; and
2. Forward to City Council to adopt a Resolution specifying the Mills Act application process and review procedures.
Planning Associate Joe presented Item 7A, a review of the Mills Act contract application.
Planning Associate Joe noted that the review process consisted of (4) phases: the application phase, Commission and City Council review, executing the Mills Act Contract, and ongoing monitoring of contract for compliance purposes.
Planning Associate Joe requested the Commission’s feedback on the Mills Act Contract application process to forward to the City Council for consideration.
Community Development Director Ramirez addressed the Commission’s concerns on fees, stating that if it’s the will of the Commission, the Master Fee Schedule can be investigated by the contractor to see if fees can be reduced. Community Development Director Ramirez noted that the Master Fee Scheduled is reviewed either annually or bi-annually.
MOTION: Commissioner Weideman moved that the Commission forward the Mills Act contract application process and review procedures to City Council. Commissioner Schwartz seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected 5-0 approval.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
9. COMMISSION AND STAFF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioners spoke.
Planning Associate Perez announced that the Mayor’s Office recognized the Historic Preservation Commission for their historic conservation efforts and promotion of historical and cultural treasures; a certificate of recognition was presented to each Commissioner.
Senior Planning Associate Chun presented the Commission with historic preservation merch bags that will be provided to new Historic Preservation Commissioners and all Landmark Property Owners.
Planning Associate Perez stated that staff has been coordinating with the City Communications team with a social media strategy for Historic Preservation Month.
Planning Manager Martinez stated that staff kicked off efforts for expansion of historic preservation through commercial properties; staff is tentatively scheduled to interview vendors.
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: At 7:39 p.m., Commissioner Weideman moved to adjourn the meeting to Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the West Annex Meeting Room. Commissioner M.
Higginbotham seconded the motion; a roll call vote reflected 5-0 approval 17