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Commission reviews Mills Act application, appoints Monterey Road subcommittee and accepts progress reports
Summary
The Cultural Heritage Commission reviewed a Mills Act application for 1500 Rollins Street, appointed a two‑member subcommittee to inspect 1103 Monterey Road (Leo Longley residence) and received Group 3 progress reports on existing Mills Act contracts, recommending continued renewals to City Council.
At its May 21 meeting the South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission discussed multiple Mills Act matters: a new application for 1500 Rollins Street, a letter of intent for a Mills Act contract at 1103 Monterey Road (landmark No. 21) and a Group 3 progress report on existing Mills Act contracts.
Assistant Planner Tatiana Marin presented the Mills Act application for 1500 Rollins Street (MILL26‑001), summarizing a proposed rehabilitation that includes structural retrofitting, chimney repairs, electrical upgrades and in‑kind wood repairs. Marin said the applicant’s estimated scope of work totals about $171,000; staff’s financial analysis estimates a 10‑year tax savings of $168,654 and an annual cost to the city of about $4,365. Marin told commissioners the application meets the criteria for Mills Act consideration and that the CHC will make a formal recommendation to City Council after June 30 per SPMC §2.68.
For 1103 Monterey Road (the Leo Longley residence, South Pasadena Historical Landmark No. 21), Senior Planner Steven Peterson presented a letter of intent and asked the commission to form a two‑member subcommittee to conduct a site visit with staff and the applicant’s historian to inspect the property and discuss potential work items including seismic anchoring and window rehabilitation. Homeowner Serene Shaw said she is committed to preserving the property’s appearance and addressing foundation and structural issues.
Chair Severson moved to appoint Commissioners Carbone and Ding to the subcommittee; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call. The commission noted that new Mills Act contract review must be completed by June 30 and that the subcommittee should schedule a site visit promptly.
Associate Planner Michael Donovan then presented a Group 3 progress report for Mills Act contracts with outstanding items (including 919 Columbia, 325 Monterey, 1414 Oaks and 851 Linden). Donovan described updated work plans, revised completion timelines and a property‑specific note that owners have requested removal of a chimney reconstruction item at 851 Linden for fire‑safety reasons. Staff recommended receiving and filing the reports, accepting updated restoration plans and recommending to City Council that contracts be renewed rather than issuing notices of nonrenewal. The motion to receive, file and recommend renewal to City Council passed by unanimous roll call.
Next steps: CHC subcommittee to schedule site visits for 1103 Monterey Road; staff will forward Mills Act application materials and Group 3 recommendations to City Council this summer for final action.
