TO:
Honorable Mayor Powell and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Marisa Lundstedt, Community Development Director
Laurie Jester, Planning Manager
Angelica Ochoa, Associate Planner
SUBJECT:Title
Status Report on Historic Preservation Ordinance and Mills Act (Community Development Director Lundstedt).
RECEIVE
Line
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive this status update on the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Mills Act.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
On October 7, 2014, the Council approved a $50,000 contract for a historic preservation consultant to assist staff with establishing the historic preservation process. Expanding the City's historic preservation program will require additional staff time and resources, as well as additional, on-going services of a historic preservation consultant. Depending on the number of properties that are considered for designation, staff estimates that administration of the program may require one half-time Planner plus support staff, which is estimated to cost up to $60,000 annually. The estimated implementation costs may potentially be lower if the numbers of properties considered are minimal. Any additional fiscal implications will be identified at the time a draft ordinance is presented.
BACKGROUND:
On June 17, 2014, staff provided the City Council with a report on the Mills Act. At that time, the City Council directed staff to research the feasibility of implementing a Mills Act Program to provide tax incentives to property owners to preserve, maintain, and rehabilitate historic properties in the City. On October 7, 2014, staff returned with a presentation on the Mills Act Pilot Program, a draft Resolution to adopt a Mills Act Pilot Program, information on Historic Preservation and the Landmark Designation process, and information on retaining the services of a historical preservation consultant to assist staff.
After discussion, the City Council approved the Mills Act Pilot Program and directed staff to: discuss the fiscal implications of the Mills Act with affected stakeholders; enter into a contract with a Historic Preservation Consultant to assist staff in drafting a Historic Preservation Ordinance; and return to Council in 60 days. The City Council also requested that staff coordinate with the Manhattan Beach Cultural Heritage Conservancy (MBCHC) and the Los Angeles Conservancy.
DISCUSSION:
Over the past two months, staff has worked with local community stakeholders, as well as reviewed several examples of model ordinances as a basis for the City's historic preservation program. A draft framework of the ordinance has been attached as a starting point to the ordinance process. Additional time is necessary to further refine the ordinance language, coordinate with stakeholders and incorporate additional input from the Historic Preservation Consultant.
Based on Council's direction noted above, provided below is a status update on staff's progress over the course of the last 60 days:
Fiscal implications of the Mills Act with affected stakeholders
Staff met with a variety of stakeholders that were identified as potentially being impacted by the Mills Act Pilot Program and the potential reduction in property taxes. Staff met and consulted with the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, the Beach Cities Health District and the Los Angeles County Assessor's office. Overall, all agencies agreed that the reduction of revenue will be minimal or non-existent from the Mills Act Program. They agreed that the City agency relationship was important to maintain; the financial impacts were minimal and therefore they were in support of the Mills Act Program.
Historic Preservation Consultant
Per the City Council's direction, staff requested proposals from four different historical consultants. Staff received one proposal from SWCA Environmental Consultants located in Pasadena, CA. The firm has extensive experience in historic preservation and was highly recommended. Staff is working with this consultant, finalizing the contract, and has issued an authorization to proceed. The consultant has received the rough draft Historic Preservation framework prepared by staff, with stakeholder input, and they will be instrumental in providing their input and expertise on the draft ordinance, prior to review by the City Council, and then the Planning Commission.
Historic Preservation Regulations
Staff met with the Los Angeles Conservancy and the Manhattan Beach Cultural Heritage Conservancy to discuss the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Los Angeles Conservancy provided a model ordinance, which other cities have drawn from to develop their local ordinances. The staff has reviewed the model ordinance and other ordinances, and has developed a rough draft Historic Preservation framework and will work closely with the consultant and the City Attorney to draft an ordinance. The draft ordinance will incorporate portions of the model ordinance, as well as other City's ordinances, tailoring it to fit the structure of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code, as well as the needs of the community. Some of the issues that staff may consider for further discussion could include for example, identifying who may initiate the landmark designation process, regulating demolition of potential historic landmarks, and determining the appropriate Commission to act as the Historic Preservation Commission.
Milestones and Future Steps
Staff anticipates returning with a draft Ordinance and an update on the issues stated above to the City Council in February 2015. If the City Council provides direction on the issues and on moving forward with the preparation of the Historic Preservation Ordinance, staff will start the code amendment process through the Planning Commission public hearing process. Staff will work with SWCA, the Historical Preservation Consultant in the next month and include their comments in the February City Council staff report. Staff expects to finalize Zoning Code Amendments through the Planning Commission in Spring or Summer 2015 and bring the final Historical Preservation Ordinance for adoption in Summer or Fall of 2015 to the City Council.
Attachment:
1. Rough draft Historic Preservation Framework