I oppose Mills Act revenue reduction: Both the Old Town and Eichler neighborhoods, because of the Mills Act long term enhancements have benefited the City's revenue yearly due to their increased home value (desirable). Residences in these neighborhoods sell for about $200,000 more per unit than surrounding out of area properties. This increased value especially on recently sold units generate about $2000 per year in property taxes above the norm (outside area). The long term tax benefit neutralizes the direct loss of revenue lost to the City by Mills Act recipients. A moratorium or cancellation of the Mills Act, may yield short term gains for the City, but continuing it has also yields higher property values generating tax revenue for the City.
I recommend that the CIty consider this and further evaluate this benefit before approving a moratorium on the Mills Act.
Steven Prothero
Eichler Owner, Architect, Orange Design Review past chair
Oath and Honor. Rare these days. It is also hard to face the truth. Much easier to pretend. We must get to the bottom of how we got here. Accountability requires courage to do the right thing even if you are alone. In my three decades + working in government, it's not the initial mistake that harms an organization, it's the actions taken to hide or cover up the matter that becomes the larger failure. Trash gate, the County bankruptcy and the stadium dealings in Anaheim are three specific examples where a cover-up caused distrust.
I checked out Ms. Cheney's memoir and warning from Taft library last Friday (attached photos). I suggest you add it to your reading list. I wasn't shocked to read "the only thing that matters is winning" is the title of the first chapter. So glad we have great library resources in Orange. I do not support closing and selling the Taft Library or any other city-owned property. It fixes nothing long-term. Once the peoples land is gone it's gone forever.
I’ve carefully planned my whole retirement around a budget which includes the promised Mills Act tax rate. A tax increase would cause me harm.
This includes investing hundreds of thousands of dollars - out of pocket - into my Mills Act home and ADU which I’m currently planning to build. Please keep in mind, that improving the historical districts keeps the neighborhoods more desirable in the long run.
We Mills Act participants are investing heavily into the city of Orange, and it would be a shame to now be penalized for doing so, and see the vast improvements on structures go away.
As someone who lives in Old Towne and has invested in restoring my historic home which I am able to do because of the savings I receive from the Mills Act program I do not support changes to the program. It is a very important program to help preserve our wonderful historic district. Please do not take this away. I know many buyers who I have helped purchase a property in Old Towne and the only way they were able to afford the home was because of this program. Lets continue making Old Towne a wonderful place to live and continue to give buyers a chance to live here.
We moved from Long Beach to Orange JUST to get our Eichler in 2020. That was our draw to the community along with the uniqueness of the Orange Circle and the beautiful craftsman homes.
The Mills Act contract was helped seal the deal for us as we knew our home would need substantial work over the next 10-20 years to maintain the integrity of the design and home. Which helps offset the high costs of maintaining historic properties. The Mills Act allows us and encourage owners to invest in their homes maintaining their unique character and integrity for the future. Without support Orange’s historic properties are at risk of not being cared for as newer buyers pay so much for these homes and the Mills Act allows space to assist with all these costs to maintain them. These Old Town Orange and Eichler homes is what sets Orange apart from other cities. Please don’t change this program.
These old homes need to be protected. Things like the Mills Act do just that! The upkeep of them can be very hard and costly. Any break we can get is much appreciated. As a young homeowner, I would not have been able to afford a home in Orange if it were not for these types of programs. We are all suffering from these high prices. strongly oppose!!
I support the position and questions posed by Adrian Turner. I am against the idea of permanently terminating the Mills Act Program, but understand that a temporary moratorium, or limitation of new participants in the program may be necessary. To re-emphasize before taking any action we would like to see the city answer the following questions:
* Is the intent to place a limit on the total number of MA applications to 20 per year?
* Or is the intent to completely freeze the program to any new applications? If the latter, would this be a temporary or permanent freeze?
* More generally, what is the fiscal impact of the program? Do we have current data on positive and negative impact to the city?
The Mills Act has had a substantial positive effect on our neighborhood and the community in general. To terminate it or alter it unnecessarily will have a negative impact in the long term. Please consider the longer term impact of changing this program without data to support the outcomes.
The character of the Eichler neighbourhoods and the Orange Circle make Orange unique and worth living in. The increase in revenue is not worth the risk in loosing this uniqueness. As a young family we and our friends walk to and use the library on Taft on a weekly basis . The accessibility for these public resources is so important. Please find ways to increase revenues in different areas that don't impact the life of families already struggling.
A moratorium on the Mills Act for $13,000? This will backfire. Historical properties, gathering places like Orange Circle, public resources like Taft Library, and the communities that they build are what make Orange unique and a desirable place to live. Without them, what will be the draw? I chose to live in Orange over Irvine for a reason. Please do not remove what has given our city character and pride for so many years, which is essentially what you will be doing if you halt the Mills Act program or sell off public resources like our libraries. What incentive will my children and I have to go for a walk anymore if the surrounding homes are falling apart and the only free place left to spend any time is the park (if it's not too hot or raining)?
The Mills Act Moratorium puts the treasured architecture that differentiates the City of Orange at risk. I left Los Angeles to live in Old Towne Orange and currently own an Eichler home.
Our home was designed by Quincy Jones who was one of California’s great architects. It is a beautiful piece of architecture. The innovative construction and high design aspirations of Eichler Homes also creates never-ending maintenance. The flat roofs leak, the wood-siding are attacked by termites, underslab plumbing corrodes and leaks, and the exposed wood beams rot. Repairs require specialized materials and contractors. Maintaining these homes as they were originally designed is expensive! These homes are fragile, and deferring maintenance can lead to irreparable damage.
Mills Act contracts help offset the some of the unusually high costs of maintaining historic properties. These contracts allow and encourage owners to invest in their homes maintaining their unique character for future generations. Without support Orange’s historic properties are at risk of degradation and eventual redevelopment into projects driven by financial returns over design.
I am hoping that the City Council will think long and hard about selling the Taft Library Branch and making cuts to Library services. The Taft Library is highly utilized by the community as are Library services and programs. It would be a huge detriment to the City of Orange to decimate all of the wonderful enrichment opportunities that our Libraries provide. Libraries are the heart and soul of communities and should not be sacrificed but supported.
Cathy Smith
I was astounded to read of all the proposed cuts to the activities that make Orange Orange!! And then to read of the proposed selling of a huge point of service to our residents The Taft Library Branch!! Our libraries provide entertainment, resources and education to all our citizens regardless of means! Think very carefully of the ramifications of taking away so many activities for families that can leave our kids with no meaningful outlets for enrichment!!
More information is needed regarding the proposed Mills Act moratorium - what exactly is being proposed? Is the intent simply limiting new applicants to 20 per year? What, if any, will the effect be on current Mills Act contracts? What economic impact studies have been performed to understand the short and long term impact of changes to the Mills Act?
The Mills Act is an important historical preservation program that serves our community by encouraging preservation and investment. The restoration and beautification of our community, enabled by the Mills Act is one of the highlights of the City of Orange and as a hallmark program should be studied closely before changes are made.
Do not mess with the Mills Act. The city has prospered and morphed into what it is today due to the Mills Act. Since becoming a historical city it has changed from "blighted" to desirable and brought in MORE revenue to the city.
Put an additional tax on restaurant bills. These bills are paid by people who visit our city and use our services while not paying any property taxes.
Sue Vaurs, 251 N. Cambridge St., Orange, CA 92866
Deleted User
6 months ago
Submitting a revision to an error in my previous comment: "I'm 100% in favor of a *temporary* LIMIT on the number of new contracts (e.g., 20 per year), while fully assessing the fiscal impact of the program -- and implementing changes that makes it more cost-effective and efficient to administer, while in parallel tightening the preservation and restoration emphasis. But I'm opposed to what could be interpreted as a complete and permanent freeze on the program, for any and all prospective new contracts."
We ultimately need a clearer understanding of the fiscal impact of the Mills Act program to inform any structural changes.
Can you please provide more information to residents on the scope/extent of the proposed Mills Act "moratorium"?
* Is the intent to place a limit on the total number of MA applications to 20 per year?
* Or is the intent to completely freeze the program to any new applications? If the latter, would this be a temporary or permanent freeze?
* More generally, what is the fiscal impact of the program? Do we have current data on positive and negative impact to the city?
The Mills Act has been an important program and incentive to preserve and maintain historic properties throughout Orange. There are numerous benefits that the program brings to the city, not just individual property owners.
There are aspects of the program that could and should be honed, while focusing the goals of the program at the same time. I'm 100% in favor of a *temporary* moratorium on new contracts, to fully assess the fiscal impact of the program -- and implement changes that makes it more cost-effective and efficient to administer, while in parallel tightening the preservation and restoration emphasis. But I'm opposed to what could be interpreted as a complete and permanent freeze on the program, for any and all prospective new contracts.
I oppose Mills Act revenue reduction: Both the Old Town and Eichler neighborhoods, because of the Mills Act long term enhancements have benefited the City's revenue yearly due to their increased home value (desirable). Residences in these neighborhoods sell for about $200,000 more per unit than surrounding out of area properties. This increased value especially on recently sold units generate about $2000 per year in property taxes above the norm (outside area). The long term tax benefit neutralizes the direct loss of revenue lost to the City by Mills Act recipients. A moratorium or cancellation of the Mills Act, may yield short term gains for the City, but continuing it has also yields higher property values generating tax revenue for the City.
I recommend that the CIty consider this and further evaluate this benefit before approving a moratorium on the Mills Act.
Steven Prothero
Eichler Owner, Architect, Orange Design Review past chair
Oath and Honor. Rare these days. It is also hard to face the truth. Much easier to pretend. We must get to the bottom of how we got here. Accountability requires courage to do the right thing even if you are alone. In my three decades + working in government, it's not the initial mistake that harms an organization, it's the actions taken to hide or cover up the matter that becomes the larger failure. Trash gate, the County bankruptcy and the stadium dealings in Anaheim are three specific examples where a cover-up caused distrust.
I checked out Ms. Cheney's memoir and warning from Taft library last Friday (attached photos). I suggest you add it to your reading list. I wasn't shocked to read "the only thing that matters is winning" is the title of the first chapter. So glad we have great library resources in Orange. I do not support closing and selling the Taft Library or any other city-owned property. It fixes nothing long-term. Once the peoples land is gone it's gone forever.
I’ve carefully planned my whole retirement around a budget which includes the promised Mills Act tax rate. A tax increase would cause me harm.
This includes investing hundreds of thousands of dollars - out of pocket - into my Mills Act home and ADU which I’m currently planning to build. Please keep in mind, that improving the historical districts keeps the neighborhoods more desirable in the long run.
We Mills Act participants are investing heavily into the city of Orange, and it would be a shame to now be penalized for doing so, and see the vast improvements on structures go away.
- Rolly DeVore
As someone who lives in Old Towne and has invested in restoring my historic home which I am able to do because of the savings I receive from the Mills Act program I do not support changes to the program. It is a very important program to help preserve our wonderful historic district. Please do not take this away. I know many buyers who I have helped purchase a property in Old Towne and the only way they were able to afford the home was because of this program. Lets continue making Old Towne a wonderful place to live and continue to give buyers a chance to live here.
Please protect the little pieces of history Orange County has and keep the mills act in tact.
We moved from Long Beach to Orange JUST to get our Eichler in 2020. That was our draw to the community along with the uniqueness of the Orange Circle and the beautiful craftsman homes.
The Mills Act contract was helped seal the deal for us as we knew our home would need substantial work over the next 10-20 years to maintain the integrity of the design and home. Which helps offset the high costs of maintaining historic properties. The Mills Act allows us and encourage owners to invest in their homes maintaining their unique character and integrity for the future. Without support Orange’s historic properties are at risk of not being cared for as newer buyers pay so much for these homes and the Mills Act allows space to assist with all these costs to maintain them. These Old Town Orange and Eichler homes is what sets Orange apart from other cities. Please don’t change this program.
Stop driving us away
These old homes need to be protected. Things like the Mills Act do just that! The upkeep of them can be very hard and costly. Any break we can get is much appreciated. As a young homeowner, I would not have been able to afford a home in Orange if it were not for these types of programs. We are all suffering from these high prices. strongly oppose!!
I support the position and questions posed by Adrian Turner. I am against the idea of permanently terminating the Mills Act Program, but understand that a temporary moratorium, or limitation of new participants in the program may be necessary. To re-emphasize before taking any action we would like to see the city answer the following questions:
* Is the intent to place a limit on the total number of MA applications to 20 per year?
* Or is the intent to completely freeze the program to any new applications? If the latter, would this be a temporary or permanent freeze?
* More generally, what is the fiscal impact of the program? Do we have current data on positive and negative impact to the city?
The Mills Act has had a substantial positive effect on our neighborhood and the community in general. To terminate it or alter it unnecessarily will have a negative impact in the long term. Please consider the longer term impact of changing this program without data to support the outcomes.
Dean S., 92865
The character of the Eichler neighbourhoods and the Orange Circle make Orange unique and worth living in. The increase in revenue is not worth the risk in loosing this uniqueness. As a young family we and our friends walk to and use the library on Taft on a weekly basis . The accessibility for these public resources is so important. Please find ways to increase revenues in different areas that don't impact the life of families already struggling.
A moratorium on the Mills Act for $13,000? This will backfire. Historical properties, gathering places like Orange Circle, public resources like Taft Library, and the communities that they build are what make Orange unique and a desirable place to live. Without them, what will be the draw? I chose to live in Orange over Irvine for a reason. Please do not remove what has given our city character and pride for so many years, which is essentially what you will be doing if you halt the Mills Act program or sell off public resources like our libraries. What incentive will my children and I have to go for a walk anymore if the surrounding homes are falling apart and the only free place left to spend any time is the park (if it's not too hot or raining)?
The Mills Act Moratorium puts the treasured architecture that differentiates the City of Orange at risk. I left Los Angeles to live in Old Towne Orange and currently own an Eichler home.
Our home was designed by Quincy Jones who was one of California’s great architects. It is a beautiful piece of architecture. The innovative construction and high design aspirations of Eichler Homes also creates never-ending maintenance. The flat roofs leak, the wood-siding are attacked by termites, underslab plumbing corrodes and leaks, and the exposed wood beams rot. Repairs require specialized materials and contractors. Maintaining these homes as they were originally designed is expensive! These homes are fragile, and deferring maintenance can lead to irreparable damage.
Mills Act contracts help offset the some of the unusually high costs of maintaining historic properties. These contracts allow and encourage owners to invest in their homes maintaining their unique character for future generations. Without support Orange’s historic properties are at risk of degradation and eventual redevelopment into projects driven by financial returns over design.
Yumna Siddiqi. 3743 E Casselle Ave, Orange
I am hoping that the City Council will think long and hard about selling the Taft Library Branch and making cuts to Library services. The Taft Library is highly utilized by the community as are Library services and programs. It would be a huge detriment to the City of Orange to decimate all of the wonderful enrichment opportunities that our Libraries provide. Libraries are the heart and soul of communities and should not be sacrificed but supported.
Cathy Smith
I was astounded to read of all the proposed cuts to the activities that make Orange Orange!! And then to read of the proposed selling of a huge point of service to our residents The Taft Library Branch!! Our libraries provide entertainment, resources and education to all our citizens regardless of means! Think very carefully of the ramifications of taking away so many activities for families that can leave our kids with no meaningful outlets for enrichment!!
More information is needed regarding the proposed Mills Act moratorium - what exactly is being proposed? Is the intent simply limiting new applicants to 20 per year? What, if any, will the effect be on current Mills Act contracts? What economic impact studies have been performed to understand the short and long term impact of changes to the Mills Act?
The Mills Act is an important historical preservation program that serves our community by encouraging preservation and investment. The restoration and beautification of our community, enabled by the Mills Act is one of the highlights of the City of Orange and as a hallmark program should be studied closely before changes are made.
Do not mess with the Mills Act. The city has prospered and morphed into what it is today due to the Mills Act. Since becoming a historical city it has changed from "blighted" to desirable and brought in MORE revenue to the city.
Put an additional tax on restaurant bills. These bills are paid by people who visit our city and use our services while not paying any property taxes.
Sue Vaurs, 251 N. Cambridge St., Orange, CA 92866
Submitting a revision to an error in my previous comment: "I'm 100% in favor of a *temporary* LIMIT on the number of new contracts (e.g., 20 per year), while fully assessing the fiscal impact of the program -- and implementing changes that makes it more cost-effective and efficient to administer, while in parallel tightening the preservation and restoration emphasis. But I'm opposed to what could be interpreted as a complete and permanent freeze on the program, for any and all prospective new contracts."
We ultimately need a clearer understanding of the fiscal impact of the Mills Act program to inform any structural changes.
Adrian Turner
Orange, CA 92869
Can you please provide more information to residents on the scope/extent of the proposed Mills Act "moratorium"?
* Is the intent to place a limit on the total number of MA applications to 20 per year?
* Or is the intent to completely freeze the program to any new applications? If the latter, would this be a temporary or permanent freeze?
* More generally, what is the fiscal impact of the program? Do we have current data on positive and negative impact to the city?
The Mills Act has been an important program and incentive to preserve and maintain historic properties throughout Orange. There are numerous benefits that the program brings to the city, not just individual property owners.
There are aspects of the program that could and should be honed, while focusing the goals of the program at the same time. I'm 100% in favor of a *temporary* moratorium on new contracts, to fully assess the fiscal impact of the program -- and implement changes that makes it more cost-effective and efficient to administer, while in parallel tightening the preservation and restoration emphasis. But I'm opposed to what could be interpreted as a complete and permanent freeze on the program, for any and all prospective new contracts.