At the City Council meeting on June 3, 2025, Mayor Fred Jung and the remainder of the council unanimously voted in favor of approving two Mills Act contracts between the owners of two local historic properties via a Historic Property Preservation Agreement and the City of Fullerton.

The first of these two homes, located at 336 West Brookdale Place (pictured above, left), was constructed in 1916 in the “Craftsman” architectural style that was popular from 1905 to 1920. It is highlighted by its heavy use of brick and stone, its expansive covered front porch, and its earthly color scheme, all key features of the architectural style. Owners Kyle and Shana Beym applied for a Mills Act contract back in early April; a prior examination revealed that the property “continues to maintain its architectural integrity…and remains a qualified historic property” and is thus fit for a contract, as stated in the presentation made by planning manager Chris Schaefer and associate manager Benjamin Koff. In the next decade, the property owners plan to repair and repaint the exterior of the home in addition to replacing a major portion of the roof.

The second of the two homes, located at 520 West Valley View Drive (pictured above, right), dates back to 1929 and features the “Spanish Colonial Revival” architectural style prevalent from 1915 to 1941. This specific structure exemplifies the work of historic Fullertonian home developer Harry G. Maxwell, who mastered this style of architecture in the 1920s. Key attributes of the property include its intricate stucco surfaces, its extensive use of tiling, and its unique utilization of iron as a decorative material. Owners Ron and Amy Michelotti submitted their application for a Mills Act contract in late March, and a separate presentation by Schaefer and Koff concluded that the property also holds enough of its historical integrity to qualify for one. The property owners intend to repaint and repair many parts of the house over the next 10 years; furthermore, they will reapply stucco plaster throughout the exterior of the home and install proper earthquake strapping, known as seismic retrofit.

With the city’s approval of these Mills Act contracts, the owners of the above properties agree to maintain and preserve the condition of their homes in exchange for a significant decrease in their property taxes, roughly 40% for each. This tax reduction became a topic of controversy at Tuesday’s city council meeting, with some members of the public expressing their dissent for the city’s willingness to lose out on valuable tax dollars despite the financial woes that plague Fullerton at the moment. 15.64% of property taxes are allocated to the city; with the approval of the Mills Act contracts, the city is primed to lose just over $1,700 a year on these properties, which Schaefer and Koff argued would be an inconsequential loss compared to the reinvestment the homeowners will be adding in value to these properties which is considered a reinvestment in Fullerton’s appeal.

In the end, the unanimous vote reaffirmed the city’s commitment to preserving Fullerton’s rich history, ensuring that these two iconic homes will remain integral parts of the community for years to come.