Council approves two Mills Act contracts; asks staff to consult owners on possible historic‑district consent language

The Redondo Beach City Council voted Nov. 4 to approve two Mills Act contracts for landmark properties while pausing on a proposed change to require property owners to consent automatically to inclusion in a future historic district.

Ron Marocco, a longtime local preservation advocate, urged the council to add a clause that would make landmark owners under a Mills Act contract automatically consent to inclusion in a historic district for the term of the contract. “The Mills Act is a state law that allows the city council to enter in a 10‑year contract with the owner of historic property to further the goal of historic preservation,” Marocco told the council, and he submitted draft language for the council’s consideration.

City Attorney Joy Ford explained current municipal code requires written property‑owner consent to include a property in a historic district, saying the code’s section on historic districts provides owners the opportunity to opt in. Ford said the change Marocco proposed “is completely up to the council” but cautioned that altering the agreement would require owner consent and administrative revision; staff and the city attorney recommended consulting property owners first.

Staff also noted the item is time sensitive: recordation to achieve tax benefits must occur before year end if property owners are to receive the Mills Act tax treatment this calendar year. Given that timing and homeowner outreach needs, council members voted to approve H13 as presented and to direct staff to return later with a revised admin report if council wants to pursue the change for future agreements.

The motion to approve H13 passed with all council members present voting aye. Staff will follow up with property‑owner outreach and, if directed later, return with amended agreements and an administrative report for council consideration.