Item 28 - Approval of Historic Property Preservation Agreements

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HRCA-2022-5, HRC-2022-3, HPPA-2022-7 – The W.W. Woods-Ellerbroek House May 5, 2022 Page 3 2 6 2 4 which match the height of the main entrance doors, are immediately south of the entry. The primary façade windows consist of single-hung wood framed windows with divided lites, flanked by wood shutters and raised above decorative wood paneling. Remaining fenestration includes four long, narrow fixed lites at the second story living space above the garage of the primary (south) façade, and a combination of nearly floor-to-ceiling, fully-glazed, fixed, sliding, and double doors along the west elevation facing the back yard. The property is landscaped with a lawn and low vegetation with decorative rock planters at the east and south facades. A brick walkway leading towards the front entry contains a single tree set in a rock planter flush with the brick paving. Character-defining features of the house include its one-story, horizontal massing; low-pitched, overhanging, hipped roof with exposed rafters; blend of rustic materials including wood and brick; and extensive use of windows to blur the separation between indoors and out. The W.W. Woods-Ellerbroek House qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Criterion 1 for embodiment of the distinguishing characteristics of the Ranch House style. The house displays characteristics of the Ranch Style through its one-story massing, asymmetrical façade, garage attached to a main façade, low pitched roof without dormers, and wide roof overhang. The W.W. Woods-Ellerbroek House has been categorized as “Landmark” for its unique architectural significance as a good example of the Ranch Style and as the work of a prominent and respected South Coast architect, Philmer J. Ellerbroek. Mills Act Agreement Ordinance No. NS-2382 authorized the Historic Resources Commission to execute Historic Property Preservation Agreements (HPPA), commonly known as Mills Act agreements for eligible properties (Exhibit 2). To be eligible for the Mills Act, the property must be listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. The Historic Resources Commission Application and Historic Register Categorization actions proposed for this site authorize the listing of the property on the local register. The agreement provides monetary incentives to the property owner in the form of a property tax reduction in exchange for the owner’s voluntary commitment to maintain the property in a good state of repair as necessary to maintain its character and appearance. Once recorded, the agreement generates a different valuation method in determining the property’s assessed value, resulting in tax savings for the owner. Aside from the tax savings, the benefits include: Long term preservation of the property and visual improvement to the neighborhood Allows for a mechanism to provide for property rehabilitation Provides additional incentive for potential buyers to purchase historic structures Discourages inappropriate alterations to the property Historic Resources Commission 5 –3 5/5/2022