HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 24-019, Mills Act Update 2024RESOLUTION NO. 24-019
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SARATOGA CONCERNING THE MILLS ACT
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of preserving historic
resources in the community and the need to enhance and maintain the unique character of the historic
resources; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga City Council has chosen to participate and support
the Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program according to California Constitutional Art. XIII-8 and
California Government Code, Article 12, Sections 50280-50290 and California Revenue and Tax Code
439-439.4; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that participating in the Mills Act Property Tax
Abatement Program is consistent with the City of Saratoga Heritage Preservation Code Chapter 13, and
the General Plan Conservation Element Goal OSC-13 "Through coordination with and implementation
of other related General Plan Policies, encourage preservation of the City's heritage by providing for
the protection of irreplaceable historic and cultural resources representing significant elements of City
and regional history" in that participating in the Mills Act will aid in the preservation of historic
resources in the city.
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2003, the City Council approved the participation in the Mills
Act Property Tax Abatement Program with Resolution No. 03-016 and limited the approval of
applications under the Mills Act to no more than three per year; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2023, the City Council reviewed the current Mills Act
Property Tax Abatement Program and directed staff to return with a resolution establishing additional
standards for the program; and
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2024 the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the
proposed standards and provided recommendations to the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Saratoga
that the City of Saratoga's Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program be administered as follows:
1. The City shall contact each owner with a Mills Act Historic Property Preservation Agreement
that has been in effect for at least 10 years and request the owner submit a new 10-year
Restoration & Maintenace Plan to be reviewed and approved by the Community Development
Director. If a plan is not provided within 90 days of the request or if the plan is not subsequently
approved, then the City shall issue a notice of non -renewal.
2. Mills Act Historic Property Preservation Agreements shall include the following requirements:
a) Each year on the anniversary of the Effective Date, Owner shall provide City evidence
of maintenance of the Historic Property completed within the previous year.
b) Owner shall allow City to conduct annual inspections of the Historic Property. City
shall provide prior notice to Owner before conducting inspection.
Resolution 24-019
Page 2
c) No later than nine years from the Effective Date of the Agreement the Owner shall
file with the City a new proposed 10-Year Restoration & Maintenance Plan. The
proposed plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Community Development
Director. If the Owner fails to submit a new Restoration & Maintenance Plan or if
the Plan is not approved, the City shall issue a notice of non -renewal in accordance
with the terms of the agreement.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga City
Council held on the 171h day of April 2024 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS FITZSIMMONS, PAGE, WALIA, VICE MAYOR AFTAB,
MAYOR ZHAO
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Yan Zhao, Mayor
ATTEST:
Britt Avrit, MMC, City Clerk
1766770.1