REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 1, 2016
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, AICP, DIRECTOR
Development and Resource Management Department
THROUGH: DANIEL ZACK, AICP, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: KARANA HATTERSLEY-DRAYTON, M.A., Historic Preservation Project Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
1. BILL - (For introduction) - Adding Article 17 to Chapter 12 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Adopting a Mills Act Program
2. Authorize the Director of the Development and Resource Management Department to prepare an application and information packet for a Mills Act Program
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The Development and Resource Management Department (DARM) recommends that the Council adopt the attached Ordinance and direct department staff to prepare a draft application and information packet for a Mills Act Program
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City of Fresno staff is pursuing adoption of the Mills Act, a preservation incentive which is recommended in all of the adopted Downtown Plans, the General Plan as well as the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (12-1606(b)(14) and the MOA with the California State Office of Historic Preservation for the Fulton Mall Project. The City Attorney's Office has prepared a draft Ordinance which if approved by the City Council will establish a Mills Act Program for Fresno. Development and Resource Management staff will then prepare a draft application packet using examples from other jurisdictions with successful Mills Act Programs.
The draft Ordinance for a Mills Act Program was reviewed and approved by the City's Historic Preservation Commission at a noticed public hearing on 14 November 2016. Additionally, a courtesy informational memo was prepared and sent to the County Assessor's Office.
BACKGROUND
The Mills Act is the single most important economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings ...
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