Item 28 - Approval of Historic Property Preservation Agreements

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HRCA No. 2021-27, HRC 2022-1, HPPA No. 2022-2 – E.H. Richards House May 5, 2022 Page 2 1 8 0 8 applying the selection criteria established in Chapter 30 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (Places of Historical and Architectural Significance) to determine if this structure is eligible for historic designation to the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. The first criterion for selection requires that the structures be 50 or more years old. The structure identified meets the minimum selection criteria for inclusion on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties pursuant to criteria contained in Section 30-2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, as the structure is 74 years old and is a good example of period architecture. No known code violations exist on record for this property. The E.H. Richards House is architecturally significant as a representative example of the Minimal Traditional style. It was built in 1948 for $14,000 by local developer and builder Floyd Rogers. According to City directories, L.J. Ahrens was the first occupant of the property but only resided there for two years until 1949. The property was subsequently sold to R. R. Yeaman who resided on the property until 1953 and then sold to P.A. Putnam, who only resided on the property for a year. Edward H. Richards purchased the property in 1956. In 1919, E. H. Richards came to Santa Ana from Cortland, NY where he was the cashier and manager of the Cortland National bank for over 20 years. In 1923, E. H. Richards succeeded former City of Santa Ana Mayor, John G. Mitchell to become the President of the American National Bank. In 1924, Richards resigned and transferred to the Orange County Trust and Savings bank. E.H. Richards was personally interested in civic affairs of the City and was an active participant in consideration of matters pertaining to the welfare of the City. The E.H. Richards House is a one-story single-family residence constructed in the Minimal Traditional style. The residence consists of a side-gabled body with a projecting hipped-roof wing along the primary (east) elevation and along the rear (west) elevation. The roof is clad in contemporary asphalt shingle roofing and the exterior walls are clad with a stucco exterior. The primary elevation features a prominent exterior chimney, extending past the roofline, flanked by two multi-light windows that meet windows facing north and south at the corners of the hipped roof wing. In an otherwise simply designed building, notable detailing includes lacy, wrought iron entry porch supports and the wooden ledge below the southeast corner windows. Fenestration along the north, south, and west elevations consists of wood hung windows and multi-light windows that meet at the corners, reminiscent of the Art Moderne style. A one-story, side-gabled, detached garage also clad in stucco is located in the rear of the property. The property is landscaped with low vegetation, neatly trimmed hedges, trees, and features a stone walkway leading to the front entry. Character-defining features exhibited by this property include its massing and composition; side-gabled body with a projecting hipped-roof wing; stucco exterior; multi-light windows that meet at the corners, reminiscent of the Art Moderne style; lacy, wrought iron entry porch supports; brick chimney; and wooden ledge below the southeast corner windows. Historic Resources Commission 2 –2 5/5/2022