Two sisters who are hoping to modify a Mills Act contract for their West Second Street property will present their request Thursday to the Benicia Historic Preservation Review Commission.

The City Council approved the contract for the house at 1025 West Second St. by Carla and Paula Chiotti in 2007. Mills Act contracts allow owners of historic properties to pay lower taxes in exchange for keeping the properties in historically appropriate condition through a list of tasks the city requires them to complete.

Suzanne Thorsen, Benicia senior planner, wrote in a report to the commission that based on prior cost calculations, the sisters have saved $14,892 in taxes since 2008; Benicia’s share of the lost revenue has been about $3,842.

In exchange, the sisters accepted a 10-year work program. “Since entering into the agreement in 2007, the property owners have generally proceeded with the rehabilitation work on schedule,” Thorsen wrote, adding that some adjustments to the schedule have been made.

After the Chiottis submitted their 2013 annual report, they asked about dropping requirements to replace a cyclone fence and address the condition of the front door. They followed up with a formal request Nov. 5, 2014.

The HPRC originally slated a hearing on the request May 28, but continued the matter when no quorum was present that day; the sisters couldn’t attend the commission’s June 25 meeting.

While the home’s white picket fence on the front and side yards “relates to the historic character of the home and the general appearance of the block,” Thorsen wrote that the cyclone fence in the rear yard is “unobtrusive when viewed from the right-of-way, and does not impact the overall integrity” of the 1870s-era “classical revival” house.

The sisters’ Mills Act work list also would require them to replace the home’s wood front door, which is in good condition, Thorsen wrote. The item was added based on a single comment made in 2007 that the door was inappropriate for the home.

But Thorsen wrote that the paneled style of this door is consistent with the house’s style. “Replacement of the front door with a new conjectural design would likely violate the Secretary of Interior Standards for Preservation,” she wrote.

She is recommending the HPRC agree with the Chiottis’ request. The panel’s recommendation then would be sent to the Council for approval.

In other business, the commission will be asked to approve the design of a new single-family home and detached garage proposed for 859 West Second St.

Property owner Scott Torres wants to build a new, 3,9320-square-foot, two-story home with detached two-car garage on the 7,500-square-foot vacant lot, Thorsen wrote.

She is recommending approval of the design, which the application described as “eclectic ‘hi bred’ Craftsman,” with gable roof ends, recessed entry and divided light window pairs with window box casings.

City staff asked Torres to have a steeper pitch on the roof and add a front porch, and he made other suggestions that Thorsen wrote “have added dimension to the overall massing of the building and substantially reduced the appearance of height on the front façcade.”

Thorsen, who is recommending approval of the request, wrote that the house would comply with the form, setback and height standards of the Neighborhood-General-Open Zone, and would be compatible with nearby houses.

The HPRC also will hear an update on the placement June 24 of the Von Pfister General Store, at the western end of Von Pfister Alley, on the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historic Places.

The Historic Preservation Review Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Commission Room of City Hall, 250 East L St.

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