Carlsbad commission votes to seek two-year Mills Act application fee waiver, asks staff to simplify enrollment

The Carlsbad Historic Preservation Commission on Jan. 23 voted unanimously to approve a package of recommendations for expanding enrollment in the city’s Mills Act Program, including a proposed two‑year waiver of the application fee and direction to staff to simplify application materials and targeted outreach.

The commission approved forwarding a resolution to City Council that would (as drafted by staff) expand program outreach, host recorded pre‑application workshops, waive the Mills Act application processing fee for two years, simplify submittal and contract templates, allow certain pre‑contract consultant expenses to be eligible for reimbursement, and return to the commission with a program performance review after the waiver period. The motion was made by Commissioner Diaz and seconded by Commissioner Jacobs and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The Mills Act is a local incentive tool used in California to encourage the preservation and rehabilitation of historic properties by offering property‑tax benefits in exchange for owners’ long‑term maintenance commitments. City staff told the commission that enrollment in Carlsbad’s program has been limited, in part because of upfront costs for applicants, and the recommendations are intended to lower barriers to entry and “jump start” participation.

Staff presentation and…