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• Clarity of Process — This was suggested as an action item in the Downtown Specific Plan but never implemented. The plan also directed the development of a list of "frequently asked questions" with the intent being to provide applicants with the education and information needed to more smoothly navigate the process. The task force feels that addressing some of the previous points will inherently increase clarity and staff has already begun drafting flow charts to help further identify the process. • Incentives —As part of its implementation, the Downtown Specific Plan calls for the provision of certain incentives. These include participation in a federal tax credit program which requires the creation of a National Register Historic District. Staff and the task force don't feel the community has the resources or interest to pursue such a designation and so wanted to look at more realistic incentives. The task force discussed establishment of a Mills Act Program, which would provide property owners with a property tax reduction in exchange for agreement to perform a certain level of preservation activities, although the actual incentive is relatively minor. Perhaps more relevant is the idea of a comprehensive historical survey, which was called for in the specific plan but never implemented. One major component of any proposal involving the demolition of a historic structure is the preparation of the necessary professional analysis to determine if a specific structure meets the criteria for protected status. The cost to the project applicant is roughly $5,000 and a 35 to 40 delay in order to complete the analysis. Staff estimates that completing a survey of all older homes in the downtown to predetermine this status would cost approximately $100,000 but would provide significant benefits to applicants in terms of time and money. Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio asked and Mr. Dolan confirmed that there are fines that can be pursued if a property owner were to demolish a protected structure without permission but that no fine can replace what was destroyed. Councilmember Brown asked and Mr. Dolan confirmed that garage space is not included in calculating floor area ratio. Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio asked how many homes the comprehensive survey would encompass. Mr. Dolan estimated 200. Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio wondered whether it would be possible to recoup some of the cost (less than the $5,000 it would otherwise cost the applicant) of the analysis through some sort of historic property fee. Mr. Dolan continued the staff report presentation, stating that the task force has an interest, with the Council's approval, in pursuing virtually all of the programs mentioned. The task force does, however, realize that not all programs are necessarily universal and therefore has prepared four package options for the Council's consideration. The task force generally supports option 4, with exception of one member who issued a minority report favoring something between option 1 and option 2. Councilmember Brown asked how something like a church, which is neither commercial nor residential, would be addressed. Mr. Dolan said it is undecided but that task force generally feels it appropriate to use the property's zoning as a guide. Councilmember Narum asked what the creation of a local historic district means in the context of the task force. Mr. Dolan explained that a district becomes a definable geographic area that is generally elevated in profile by virtue of having a boundary. It creates a substantive difference in terms of regulation in that it City Council Minutes Page 6 of 16 June 4, 2013