Historic Preservation Commission recommends Mills Act contract for 942–944 Fell St.
October 05, 2022 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 5 recommended approval of a Mills Act historical property contract for 942–944 Fell Street and will forward its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
Planning staff presented the application and said the property is a contributing building in the Alamo Square Historic District, built in 1908, and meets eligibility thresholds. Gigi Gunther (planning staff) summarized the proposed rehabilitation and maintenance plan: an estimated $308,100 in rehabilitation work over 10 years and approximately $8,655 in estimated annual maintenance costs. The assessor’s office figures provided in staff materials estimate property tax savings to the owner at about $11,687 per year under a Mills Act contract.
Property owner Julie Chin described her long-term stewardship goals, explained that both units are currently rented and said tenants would not be displaced, and said the Mills Act would help fund critical repairs. Commissioners asked technical questions about permitting, the monitoring and enforcement process, inspection cadence and sequencing of work; staff said the Mills Act contract requires building permits and annual affidavits documenting required work, with staff assigned to monitor compliance through an annual cycle.
Commissioners raised practical suggestions — including earlier roof or window work if damage is ongoing and more frequent inspections for some elements — and staff confirmed applicants may advance work ahead of schedule and must provide receipts, permit numbers and photos in yearly affidavits.
A motion to recommend the Mills Act application to the Board of Supervisors passed unanimously on roll-call (6–0). The Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board for final action.
Why it matters: The Mills Act provides property tax reductions in exchange for enforceable rehabilitation and maintenance commitments; approving this contract would obligate the owner to execute the rehabilitation plan and allow the city to monitor compliance while reducing the owner’s tax burden.
Next steps: Staff will forward the recommended Mills Act contract for 942–944 Fell Street to the Board of Supervisors for final consideration.
Planning staff presented the application and said the property is a contributing building in the Alamo Square Historic District, built in 1908, and meets eligibility thresholds. Gigi Gunther (planning staff) summarized the proposed rehabilitation and maintenance plan: an estimated $308,100 in rehabilitation work over 10 years and approximately $8,655 in estimated annual maintenance costs. The assessor’s office figures provided in staff materials estimate property tax savings to the owner at about $11,687 per year under a Mills Act contract.
Property owner Julie Chin described her long-term stewardship goals, explained that both units are currently rented and said tenants would not be displaced, and said the Mills Act would help fund critical repairs. Commissioners asked technical questions about permitting, the monitoring and enforcement process, inspection cadence and sequencing of work; staff said the Mills Act contract requires building permits and annual affidavits documenting required work, with staff assigned to monitor compliance through an annual cycle.
Commissioners raised practical suggestions — including earlier roof or window work if damage is ongoing and more frequent inspections for some elements — and staff confirmed applicants may advance work ahead of schedule and must provide receipts, permit numbers and photos in yearly affidavits.
A motion to recommend the Mills Act application to the Board of Supervisors passed unanimously on roll-call (6–0). The Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board for final action.
Why it matters: The Mills Act provides property tax reductions in exchange for enforceable rehabilitation and maintenance commitments; approving this contract would obligate the owner to execute the rehabilitation plan and allow the city to monitor compliance while reducing the owner’s tax burden.
Next steps: Staff will forward the recommended Mills Act contract for 942–944 Fell Street to the Board of Supervisors for final consideration.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
