Commission debates Mills Act reforms for historic property incentives in San Francisco

Public comment at the recent San Francisco City Commission meeting highlighted significant concerns regarding the Mills Act, a program designed to incentivize the preservation of historic properties. Woody Labounty from San Francisco Heritage raised critical points about the accessibility and effectiveness of the Mills Act, noting that only 48 out of 120,000 properties in the city are currently under contract. He argued that the existing incentives do not adequately support homeowners in historic districts, particularly those from less affluent backgrounds.

Labounty emphasized that the amendments proposed to the Mills Act, while aimed at improving the process, do not address the core issue of accessibility. He pointed out that the majority of historic resources are concentrated in wealthier neighborhoods, leaving lower-income residents without the means to apply for the program. "Expanding the eligibility seems to be a much better path to making this equitable," he stated, advocating for a reimagining of the Mills Act to better serve all communities.

Commissioner Foley expressed general agreement with Labounty's concerns but defended the staff's efforts, sharing his positive experience with the Mills Act application process. He acknowledged that while there have been issues with a small number of applicants, the overall system has functioned well.

Commissioner Wright raised additional questions about the termination of previous contracts, expressing concern over the clarity and fairness of phasing out existing agreements. He highlighted the importance of honoring the terms under which property owners initially entered into their contracts.

As discussions continue, the future of the Mills Act remains uncertain, with calls for a comprehensive review to ensure it meets the needs of all San Francisco residents. The commission is expected to deliberate further on these issues, with potential implications for historic preservation efforts across the city.