Item 23 - Historic Property Preservation Agreements

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HPPA No. 2022-20 — The Elwood (214-218 West Fourth Street) September 5, 2024 Page 2 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 The Elwood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property of the Downtown Historic District and was later automatically added to the California Register of Historical Resources, pursuant to State regulations. In 2001, the Historic Resources Commission placed the Elwood on the Santa Ana Register of Historic Properties and within the "Contributive" category as an example of the rebuilding of Fourth Street in the wake of the Long Beach Earthquake of 1933. Character -defining exterior features of the Elwood that should be preserved include, but may not be limited to: exterior finishes dating from the building's original construction in 1886 through the post - earthquake alterations completed in 1933; bay divisions, including pilasters; original and 1933 fenestration; and parapet. In the time since the property was listed on the Register in 2001, the property has been subject to several alterations, though most of the changes were limited to the installation of mechanical and electrical improvements and reorganization of the interiors of the commercial units. Exterior changes have generally maintained the historic character of the building and included the periodic replacement and eventual removal of all wall - mounted commercial signs, replacement in -kind of the brick veneer cladding along the lower portion of the primary (north) fagade, and replacement and reconfiguration of storefront doors, replacement of window panes on the ground level of the primary fagade, and removal of brick ground surfacing leading to recessed doorways. More recently, the property has undergone fagade improvements, which include removal of up -lighting fixtures, repair to the display windows, stucco and storefront window repair; painting of the building fagade, storefront window, and storefront bulkhead; and general up keeping and maintenance of the entrance paving. These improvements can be referenced as part of the site photos provided in Exhibit 3. As part of the future improvements (Work Plan), staff is proposing the following: continued repair and repainting of the building, replacement of any non -compatible hardware and/or fixtures, general maintenance and upkeep of rooftop mechanical equipment, replacement of storefront glazing (as needed), and upkeep of the rear fagade, adjacent to the alley . Staff will ensure that the proposed work will be done sensitively and will maintain the property's character -defining features as part of the Mills Act Agreement for this property.