GAO Committee approves forwarding Mills Act non‑renewal for 714 Steiner Street

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee voted May 5 to forward to the full Board of Supervisors a resolution that would not renew a Mills Act historic property contract for the owner of 714 Steiner Street.

The clerk read the item as a resolution under Administrative Code Chapter 71 that would allow the planning director and the assessor‑recorder to execute and record a notice of non‑renewal to take effect on 2023‑01‑01, with the recording scheduled for 12/31/2032. Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who said the property is within 500 feet of his personal residence, sought to be excused from the matter and asked Vice Chair Connie Chan to chair that portion of the item; the committee recorded the motion and approved it.

Peskin described the measure as part of a broader effort to limit the duration of Mills Act contracts so that owners receive enough benefit to fund historic capital improvements and the public recoups part of the investment. He said the amended approach would allow contracts to run roughly 20 years and estimated tax savings tied to the subject property at more than $500,000 over the term, framing the change as a way to balance incentives for restoration with public fiscal stewardship.

The committee heard no public comment on the item and voted to send the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation.

Next steps: the file will go to the Board of Supervisors; the committee record notes the item is expected to appear on the Board agenda for May 17, 2022 unless otherwise stated.