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36. Regular Meeting October 8, 2001 Page 5 be cumbersome to only receive a small tax relief. Mr. Mayhew asked what type improvements would qualify, and Mr. Taylor stated in Section 42.154(b) on Page 6 states the eligibility criteria for a project. First, a project would have to be comprised of activities that comply with historic project standards, the same standards that apply to all renovation activities in the historic areas that are visible from the outside, or visible from a public street. Second, whether a certificate of appropriateness for the project has been issued for the project if one is required. And third, whether ad valorem taxes due on the property are fully paid. These are the three criteria that would qualify any improvements that include interior improvements or outside improvements. Mr. Rylander stated some of the issues reported to the Historic Preservation Commission include public safety, mechanical or electrical upgrading and ADA accessibility and are the types of improvements that would make it attractive for downtown businesses to add lofts to the upstairs of businesses and other such issues that would be compatible with the business districts. This would encourage historic authenticity and ultimately could impact tourism on the historic aspects of our community. Mr. Mayhew stated this appears to apply to a limited area and not include all of our City. Mr. Patterson stated it would apply to structures outside specific districts that have historic designation (through the City of San Marcos, The National Historic Trust, or other recognized entity) provided the City authorizes that. Mr. Taylor stated if a structure is in a designated historical district, it would automatically qualify, and in Section 42.151 (Definitions) on Page 4 also defines an historical structure with several potential qualifying criteria. Mr. Taylor stated an historical resource survey was conducted identifying structures of historical significance in the Dunbar area and on Hopkins Street that are not in the designated historic districts that would be eligible. For clarification Mr. Patterson stated the downtown area includes the Central Business Area. Mr. Mihalkanin asked Mr. Taylor if the items listed A-E on the top of Page 4 individually have to be met, and Mr. Taylor stated yes. Mr. Mihalkanin then asked Mr. Taylor if it is possible to get more tax relief than the project costs, and Mr. Taylor stated it would be very unlikely. Mr. Mihalkanin asked if Mr. Taylor could check on this, and Mr. Taylor stated the Finance Department could do computations. Ms. Hughson asked if there was a map of the historic overlay area, and Mr. Taylor stated no, that it is by individual property request. Ms. Hughson asked who determines the value, and Mr. Taylor stated the Appraisal District could look at a completed project to a home or building generally and could break out an inflationary increase in the value from an increase due to a project. Mr. Taylor stated the Planning Staff will need to work with the Appraisal District to make sure that when the value goes up the following year they have some indication in the file from the Appraisal District of what part is attributed to inflation and what part to the improvements. Ms. Hughson stated this will make more work for the appraisers. Mr. Patterson stated they talked with the Appraisal District and they said that was something they could do and would do. Ms Hughson expressed concern for the three years from the date issued to complete a project. She stated sometimes when people start a