Cultural Heritage Commission OKs subcommittee to review Mills Act intent for 1000 Buena Vista Street

At its Feb. 20 meeting the South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission voted to form a two-commissioner subcommittee to inspect the property at 1000 Buena Vista Street and review a letter of intent to file a Mills Act application.

Staff told the commission that the property, located in the Buena Vista Historic District, was the subject of a letter of intent submitted Jan. 6, 2025. Staff reported the lot is approximately 30,827 square feet and contains a two-story, 7,158-square-foot single-family dwelling built in 1903 in the Craftsman style. The property is listed in the California Register of Historical Resources and has a historical status code of 2B; staff said those facts make it eligible for a Mills Act application under South Pasadena Municipal Code section 2.68(b)(1)(B).

Staff described the next steps: the commission will form a subcommittee, planning staff will arrange a site visit with the property owner and that subcommittee to identify materials needed for a rehabilitation and maintenance plan, and the subcommittee will review application materials and prepare a report and recommendation for the Cultural Heritage Commission to forward to the City Council.

Commissioners volunteered to serve on the subcommittee and the commission took a voice vote to confirm the subcommittee. No public comments were received at the meeting on this agenda item.

The commission did not act on a Mills Act contract itself; staff said further materials and a formal application will be required and that the subcommittee’s report will inform any later recommendation to the City Council.