Mountain View looks to add buildings to historic register - San Jose Spotlight

"In 2004, the city adopted a historic preservation ordinance with the intent of preserving historically and culturally significant buildings, as well as maintaining the look and feel of certain neighborhoods. The ordinance stipulates particular procedures that owners must follow when they want to make modifications or improvements to historically designated buildings. It also provides access to incentives, like property tax reductions, to encourage owners to maintain their properties."

"It shouldn't be a drag to end up having your building named historic or being put on a historic list,"

"If there's so many people that want to opt off that we have to prohibit it, that means the incentives are out of alignment."

Mountain View is moving to update its historic preservation ordinance to protect more historically significant properties and place dozens of previously unlisted properties on the city's register of historic resources. The Environmental Planning Commission supported staff proposals to streamline eligibility criteria and the review process for nominating, listing, and delisting properties, and backed ending the ability for owners to opt off the register. Commissioners also urged the city to provide stronger incentives to encourage voluntary listing. Many owners resisted designation because it was seen as an impediment to redevelopment and resale value, despite available tax incentives.

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