HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-12-25 HPC Agenda PacketARCADIA HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 6:15 P.M.
Location: City Council Chambers, 240 W. Huntington Drive
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability who require a disability related modification or
accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, may request such modification or
accommodation from the City Clerk at (626) 574-5455. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make
reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting.
根据《美国残障人法案》，需要调整或提供便利设施才能参加会议的残障人士（包括辅助器材或服务）可与市书记官办公室联系（电
话：(626) 574-5455）。请在会前 48 小时通知市书记官办公室，以便作出合理安排，确保顺利参加会议。
Pursuant to the City of Arcadia’s Language Access Services Policy, limited-English proficient speakers who require translation
services in order to participate in a meeting may request the use of a volunteer or professional translator by contacting the City
Clerk’s Office at (626) 574-5455 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
根据阿凯迪亚市的语言便利服务政策，英语能力有限并需要翻译服务才能参加会议的人可与市书记官办公室联系（电话：(626) 574-
5455），请求提供志愿或专业翻译服务，请至少在会前 72 小时提出请求。
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL:
Marilynne Wilander, Chair
Domenico Tallerico, Vice Chair
David Arvizu, Commissioner
Angela Hui, Commissioner
Vincent Tsoi, Commissioner
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person)
Each speaker is limited to five (5) minutes per person, unless waived by the Historic
Preservation Commission. Under the Brown Act, the Commission or Board Members are
prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
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NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution No. 2173 – A review of Mills Act Application No. MILLS 25-01 for a 10-year
Mills Act Contract between the City and the Property Owner of the Historic “Brod-Papp
House” at 1203 Oakwood Drive, and forwarding a recommendation to City Council
CEQA: Not a project
Recommendation: Adopt
Applicant: Chris Karlan
ADJOURNMENT
The Historic Preservation Commission will adjourn and bring this meeting to a close.
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Welcome to the Arcadia Historic Commission Meeting!
The Historic Commission encourages public participation and invites you to share your views
on City business.
MEETINGS: Regular Meetings of the Historic Commission are held on the second and fourth
Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. A full Historic
Commission agenda packet with all backup information is available at City Hall, the Arcadia
Public Library, and on the City’s website at www.ArcadiaCA.gov. Copies of individual Agenda
Reports are available via email upon request (Planning@ArcadiaCA.gov). Documents
distributed to a majority of the Historic Commission after the posting of this agenda will be
available for review at the Planning Services Office in City Hall, 240 W. Huntington Drive,
Arcadia, California.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Your participation is welcomed and invited at all Historic
Commission meetings. Time is reserved at each regular meeting for those in the audience
who wish to address the Historic Commission. The City requests that persons addressing the
Planning Commission refrain from making personal, slanderous, profane, or disruptive
remarks. When the Chair asks for those who wish to speak please come to the podium and
state your name and address for the record. Please provide a copy of any written materials
used in your address to the Historic Commission as well as a copy of any printed materials
you wish to be distributed to the Historic Commission.
MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA should be presented during the time designated as
“PUBLIC COMMENTS.” In general, each speaker will be given (5) minutes to address the
Planning Commission; however, the Chair, at his/her discretion, may shorten the speaking
time limit to allow all speakers time to address the Planning Commission. By State law, the
Historic Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the agenda. The matter
will automatically be referred to staff for appropriate action or response, or will be
placed on the agenda of a future meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS are items scheduled for which public input is either
required or desired. Separate and apart from an applicant or appellant (who may speak
longer at the discretion of the Planning Commission), speakers shall be limited to (5) minutes
per person. The Chair, at his/her discretion, may shorten the speaking time limit to allow all
speakers to address the Planning Commission. The applicant or appellant may also be
afforded an additional opportunity for rebuttal comments.
AGENDA ITEMS: The Agenda contains the regular order of business of the Historic
Commission. Items on the Agenda have generally been reviewed and investigated by the City
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Staff in advance of the meeting so that the Historic Commission can be fully informed about
a matter before making its decision.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by
the Historic Commission and may be acted upon by one motion. There will be no separate
discussion on these items unless a member of the Historic Commission, Staff, or the public
so requests. In this event, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and
considered and acted on separately.
DECORUM: While members of the public are free to level criticism of City policies and the
action(s) or proposed action(s) of the Historic Commission or its members, members of the
public may not engage in behavior that is disruptive to the orderly conduct of the
proceedings, including, but not limited to, conduct that prevents other members of the
audience from being heard when it is their opportunity to speak, or which prevents members
of the audience from hearing or seeing the proceedings. Members of the public may not
threaten any person with physical harm or act in a manner that may reasonably be
interpreted as an imminent threat of physical harm. All persons attending the meeting are
expected to adhere to the City’s policy barring harassment based upon a person’s race,
religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap, medical condition, marital
status, gender, sexual orientation, or age. The Chief of Police, or such member or members
of the Police Department, may serve as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Historic Commission
meeting. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall carry out all orders and instructions given by the
presiding official for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum at the meeting. Any
person who violates the order and decorum of the meeting may be placed under arrest and
such person may be prosecuted under the provisions of Penal Code Section 403 or
applicable Arcadia Municipal Code section.
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欢迎来到阿卡迪亚规划委员会会议！
规划委员会鼓励公众参与并诚邀您分享对市政业务的看法。
会议：规划委员会的例会于每月的第二个及第四个星期二下午七时在市议会会议厅举行。可在市政厅、阿卡
迪亚公共图书馆 (Arcadia Public Library) 和市政网站 (www.ArcadiaCA.gov) 上查阅包含所有备份信息的完整
的规划委员会议程包。个人议程报告的副本可通过电子邮件的方式 (Planning@ArcadiaCA.gov) 索取。本议程
发布后，分发至大多数规划委员会的文件可在规划服务办公室 (地址：City Hall, 240 W. Huntington Drive,
Arcadia, California) 查阅。
公民参与：欢迎并邀请您参加规划委员会的所有会议。每次例会都为希望向规划委员会发表意见的听众预留
时间。本市政要求向规划委员会发表意见的个人不得发表人身攻击、诽谤、亵渎或破坏性言论。当主持人邀
请想要发言之人上台发言时，请说出自己的姓名和地址，以便记录。请向规划委员会提供您所在地址所使用
的任何书面材料的副本，以及您希望分发给规划委员会的任何印刷材料的副本。
未列入日程的事项应在“公众征求意见”所指定的时间提出。一般而言，每位发言者都将获得 (5) 分钟的时
间来向规划委员会表达自己的意见；但是主持人可以酌情缩短发言时间，以便可以让所有发言者都可以向规
划委员会表达自己的想法。根据州法律，规划委员会不得讨论或就议程外事项进行投票。此事项将自动提交
至工作人员采取适当地行动或回应，或将列入今后会议的议程。
公众听证会或上诉是需要或希望公众发表意见的计划项目。除了申请人或上诉人（规划委员会可酌情延长其
发言时间）外，每位发言者的发言时间不得超过 (5) 分钟。市长可以酌情缩短发言时间，确保所有发言者都
可以向市议会表达意见。申请人或上诉人也可获得额外的反驳意见机会。
议程事项：该议程包括规划委员会的正常议事日程。市政工作人员一般会在会议前审查和调查议程内事项，
以便规划委员会在作出决定前充分了解有关事项。
获准日历：“获准日历”上所列事项被规划委员会视为例行公事，可通过一项动议采取行动。除非规划委员
会成员、工作人员或公众要求，否则不会单独讨论这些事项。若出现这一情况，则该事项将从“获准日历”
中删除，并对其进行单独审议和行动。
礼节：虽然公众可以自由地批评城市政策以及规划委员会或其成员的行动或拟议的行动，但公众不得采取破
坏诉讼有序进行的行为，包括但不限于阻止其他听众在有机会发言时发表意见的行为， 或阻止听众听到或看
到诉讼进程。公众不得以人身伤害威胁任何人，或以可合理地解释为迫在眉睫的人身伤害威胁的方式行事。
所有参加会议的人都应遵守本市的政策，禁止基于个人的种族、宗教信仰、肤色、国籍、血统、身体残疾、
医疗状况、婚姻状况、性别、性取向或年龄而进行骚扰。警务处处长或警务处的此类成员可担任规划委员会
会议的警卫官。警卫官应执行主持会议的官员为维持会议秩序和礼仪而发出的所有命令和指示。任何违反会
议秩序和礼仪的人均可被逮捕，并可根据《刑法典》第403条或适用的《阿卡迪亚市政法典》相关部分的规定
对其提起诉讼。
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STAFF REPORT
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: August 12, 2025
TO: Honorable Chairperson and Historic Preservation Commission
FROM: Lisa L. Flores, Deputy Development Services Director
By: Edwin Arreola, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 2173 – A REVIEW OF MILLS ACT APPLICATION NO.
MILLS 25-01 FOR A 10 YEAR MILLS ACT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY
AND THE PROPERTY OWNER OF THE HISTORIC “BROD-PAPP HOUSE” AT
1203 OAKWOOD DRIVE AND FORWARDING A RECOMMENDATION TO
CITY COUNCIL
CEQA: Not A Project
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
The Applicant and Property Owner, Chris Karlen on behalf of the Ismaili Karlen Family
Trust, is requesting that the Historic Preservation Commission recommend approval
to the City Council of Mills Act Application No. MILLS 25-01 to enter into a 10 year
Mills Act contract between the City and the Property Owner of the historic “Brod-
Papp House” for the repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance of that
property located at 1203 Oakwood Drive.
It is recommended that the Historic Preservation Commission find that the proposed
contract agreement is not a project under Section 15061(b)(3) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and adopt Resolution No. 2173 (Attachment No.
1), recommending that the City Council approve the Mills Act contract.
BACKGROUND
The subject property is an 18,988 square foot corner lot that is located at the
northwest corner of Oakwood Drive and E. Sycamore Avenue in the Highlands
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 2 of 10
Homeowners’ Association – refer to Figure 1 below and Attachment No. 2 for an
aerial photo and zoning information. The site has a 2,113 square foot single-story
Mid-Century Modern house with an attached two -car garage that was built in 1949.
The site has decorative landscaping and mature growth trees, including two oak
trees, a screened garden room, and a swimming pool around the northeast corner
of the house.
Figure 1 – Aerial of the Subject Site
On December 17, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7605, designating
the home at 1203 Oakwood Drive as a historical local landmark due to its significance
as an outstanding example of the Mid-Century Modern architectural style that was
designed by the famed architect, Richard Neutra – refer to Figure 2 below.
1203
N.
S
A
N
T
A
A
N
I
T
A
A
V
E
.
E. SYCAMORE AVE.
OA
K
W
O
O
D
D
R
.
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 3 of 10
Figure 2 – The Brod-Papp House, front entry from Oakwood Drive
One of the incentives granted to property owners of historic landmarks is the ability
to apply for the Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program (“Mills Act”). This program
was enacted in 1972 by the State of California to allow local governments the
authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties who
actively participate in the repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance of their
properties to receive property tax relief to offset the costs of maintaining a
historically designated property. This Mills Act Application is the first submitted to
the City, despite there being two properties currently eligible for the program,
including the Arcadia Women’s Club at 324 S. 1st Avenue.
Mills Act contracts must comply with Sections 50280 through 50290 of the California
Government Code. Requirements include a minimum 10 year term, adherence to the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and
State Historic Building Code which specify the types of rehabilitation allowed,
authorization for periodic inspections to ensure compliance, and that the contract be
binding upon all successors-in-interest of the owner. Additionally, all proposed
improvements to the structure under the Mills Act must be made to the exterior of
the structure.
Once the Mills Act application is deemed complete, it is then presented to the Historic
Preservation Commission for recommendation to the City Council. The City Council,
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 4 of 10
in its sole discretion, will authorize the execution of the Mills Act contract. This
approval is procedural and does not require a public hearing. After approved, the
City Attorney will prepare the contract, ensuring it includes all provisions required by
state law and the City’s Development Code.
Following the contract’s executive, the City notifies the Los Angeles County Assessor’s
Office. Each year, the Assessor calculates a new taxable value for the property based
on state guidelines. This can be as much as 40% to 60% of the pre-Mills Act contract
tax rate, resulting in significant property tax savings. However, because Mills Act
property are assessed annually, taxes may increase or decrease from year to year
depending on the market conditions, so the amount of tax relief over the 10 year
contract period may vary. Additionally, all Mills Act contract benefits are transferable
if the qualified historical property is sold.
As part of the Mills Act Application, the property owner must submit a rehabilitation
plan outlining the proposed work to maintain the historical integrity of the structure.
The property owner has submitted such a plan, listing the work to be completed
within the 10 year contract period. The plan includes the following:
Proposed Scope of Work Estimated Cost Year of Proposed
Work
1. The redwood siding
and window framing
around the home will be
refinished and/or replaced
– refer to Figure 3 below.
$25,000 1
2. The aluminum
windows will be re-puttied,
stripped, and repainted
with some windows also
having their glass replaced
– refer to Figure 3 below.
$15,000-25,000 1
3. The planter in front
of the home will be
rehabilitated.
$5,000-15,000 1
4. A glass panel facing
the living room will be
replaced with tempered
$4,000 1
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 5 of 10
glass due to cracking and
water damage.
5. The garage door and
the entry door facing
Sycamore Avenue will be
replaced with a redwood
doors to match the rest of
the home – refer to Figure 5
below.
$15,000 1 and 2
6. The exterior of the
home will be repainted,
with certain portions re-
stuccoed – refer to Figure 6
below.
$15,000 2
7. The roof will be
replaced – refer to Figure 7
below.
$30,000 3
Total Investment in
Rehabilitation
$109,000-129,000
Figure 3 – Redwood siding and window frame and windows in need of repair
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 6 of 10
Figure 4 – Planter in need of rehab
Figure 5 – Garage door to be replaced with redwood door
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 7 of 10
Figure 6 – Northeast elevation of the home, walls will be repainted and/or re-stuccoed
Figure 7 – Flat roof to be replaced
The estimated cost of the proposed improvements ranges from approximately
$4,000 for replacing the glass panel in the living room to as much as $30,000 for
reroofing the home. The total estimated cost for all improvements is approximately
$109,000 to $129,000. As of 2024, the assessed value of the home is $1,675,000,
resulting in an annual property tax of $18,983.
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 8 of 10
DISCUSSION
The Applicant and Property Owner is requesting that the Historic Preservation
Commission recommend approval of Mills Act Application No. MILLS 25-01 to the City
Council. The request is to enter into a 10 year contract, which is the minimum term,
with the City for property tax abatement, helping to offset the costs of repairing,
rehabilitating, restoring, and maintaining the historically designated “Brod-Papp
House” located at 1203 Oakwood Drive.
The Applicant meets all of the eligibility requirements outlined in Development Code
Section 9103.17.100(A), including ownership of a qualified historic property. The
property was designated a historic landmark in December 2024. A comprehensive
rehabilitation plan has been submitted, detailing proposed work that will preserve
and enhance the architectural integrity of the “Brod-Papp House” over the 10 year
term of the contract.
The proposed scope of work is intended to preserve the home’s Mid-Century Modern
architectural character. This includes the replacement of windows and wood
elements, as well as the installation of new garage and entry doors that are
consistent with the home's original materials. All proposed work will comply with the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the
State Historic Building Code.
Some elements of the project will be subject to design review and approval through
a Short Review Application by the Architectural Review Board of the Highlands
Homeowners’ Association. However, because all the work involves rehabilitation and
maintenance of existing features and does not alter the historic character of the
structure, a Certificate of Appropriateness is not required. This application is typically
necessary only for major or minor alterations that could adversely impact the
significance of a designated historic landmark.
The Mills Act contract shall automatically renew each year unless either the Applicant
or the City provides written notice of non-renewal prior to the expiration of the
current term. The contract may be cancelled or modified, following written notice to
the Applicant, if the Applicant fails to comply with any of the terms or conditions of
the agreement, or if the property is destroyed. Non-compliance may include the
failure to complete any improvements within a given year.
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 9 of 10
The City will conduct periodic inspections throughout the term of the contract to
ensure that progress is being made in accordance with the Applicant’s approved
work plan and that all improvements are consistent with the requirements of the
Mills Act. If any alterations to the approved work plan are proposed during the life of
the contract, the City must review and may approve those changes administratively.
The Mills Act program provides property tax abatement to support the preservation
of significant historic resources. While this results in a modest reduction in annual
property tax revenue, it reflects the City’s commitment to protecting its architectural
and cultural heritage. In this case, the cost of the proposed improvements—ranging
from $4,000 to $30,000 matches or exceeds the estimated annual tax savings,
reflecting a significant investment in the long-term preservation and upkeep of the
property.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
It has been determined that the project is not subject to the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. This
provision applies to activities where it can be clearly demonstrated that there is no
possibility of a significant environmental impact. Since the application involves the
execution of a Mills Act contract and does not involve any physical alterations to the
environment, the approval of this contract is not considered a project under CEQA
and therefore will not result in any significant environmental effects.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Historic Preservation Commission find that the proposed
contract agreement is not a project under Section 15061(b)(3) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and adopt Resolution No. 2173 (Attachment No.
1), recommending that the City Council approve the Mills Act contract.
If any Historic Preservation Commissioners, or other interested party has any
questions or comments regarding this matter prior to the August 12, 2025 hearing,
please contact Senior Planner, Edwin Arreola at (626) 821-4334, or by email at
earreola@ArcadiaCA.gov.
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Resolution No. 2173 – MILLS 25-01
August 12, 2025
Page 10 of 10
Approved:
Lisa L. Flores
Deputy Development Services Director
Attachment No. 1: Resolution No. 2173
Attachment No. 2: Mills Act Application No. MILLS 25-01 and Work Plan
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Attachment No. 1
Attachment No. 1
Resolution No. 2173
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RESOLUTION NO. 2173
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL APPROVE MILLS ACT APPLICATION NO. MILLS 25-01 FOR A 10
YEAR MILLS ACT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PROPERTY
OWNER OF THE HISTORIC “BROD-PAPP HOUSE” AT 1203 OAKWOOD
DRIVE
WHEREAS, on June 9, 2025, Mills Act Application No. MILLS 25-01 was filed by
the Property Owner, Chris Karlen on behalf of the Ismaili Karlen Family Trust
(“Applicant”), requesting to enter into a 10 year Mills Act Property Tax Abatement
Program contract with the City for the repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and
maintenance of the property at 1203 Oakwood Drive (“Brod-Papp House”); and
WHEREAS, on July 29, 2025, Planning Services completed an environmental
assessment for the Mills Act Application No. MILLS 25-01 and determined that it is
not subject to CEQA under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. This section
applies to activities where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the
activity may have a significant effect on the environment. Since the application
involves the execution of a Mills Act contract and does not entail any physical changes
to the environment, it can be concluded with certainty that its approval will not result
in a significant environmental impact; and
WHEREAS, on August 12, 2025, the application was presented before the
Historic Preservation Commission, at which time the Historic Preservation
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Commission reviewed the application for the purposes of transmitting a
recommendation to the City Council regarding the approval of a Mills Act contract for
the property.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The factual data submitted by the Community Development
Division in the staff report dated August 12, 2025, are true and correct.
SECTION 2. This Commission finds, based upon the entire record, pursuant to
section 9103.17.100(A) of the Development Code, that the property is an individually
designated historic landmark that is eligible to enter into a Mills Act contract with the
City of Arcadia for the repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance of the
property as outlined in the Applicant’s rehabilitation plan. The following provisions
shall be included in the Mills Act contract executed between the City of Arcadia and
the Applicant:
a. The term of the contract shall be for a minimum of 10 years.
b. The Applicant shall be required to comply during the term of the contract
with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
as well as the State Historic Building Code.
c. The City shall be authorized to conduct periodic inspections to
determine the Applicant’s compliance with the contract.
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d. The contract shall be binding upon all successors-in-interest of the
owner.
SECTION 3. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), the
Mills Act Application No. MILLS 25-01 is not subject to CEQA under Section
15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. This section applies to activities where it can be
seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect
on the environment. Since the application involves the execution of a Mills Act
contract and does not entail any physical changes to the environment, it can be
concluded with certainty that its approval will not result in a significant
environmental impact.
SECTION 4. For the foregoing reasons, the Historic Preservation Commission
finds that the Mills Act Contract is not subject to the California Environmental Quality
Act (“CEQA”) and recommends that the City Council approve Mills Act Application
No. MILLS 25-01, authorizing a 10 year contract between the City and the property
owner of the historic “Brod-Papp House” at 1203 Oakwood Drive.
SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
[SIGNATURES ON THE NEXT PAGE]
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Passed, approved and adopted this 12th day of August 2025.
_____________________________
Marilynne Wilander
Chair, Historic Preservation
Commission
ATTEST:
______________________
Lisa L. Flores
Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
Michael J. Maurer
City Attorney
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Attachment No. 2
Attachment No. 2
Mills Act Application No. MILLS 25-01
and Work Plan
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