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<br />Ibarra, Evelyn <br />From:lauren hartshorne <lhartshorne21@gmail.com> <br />Sent:Saturday, November <br />To:eComment <br />Subject:Rebuttal Against the Proposed Pagoda Construction and Community Cultural Center <br />Conversion at the Maharaja House <br /> Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br /> <br />To Whom It May Concern, <br /> <br />I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed construction of a large pagoda and the conversion of <br />the Maharaja House, located at 2221 N. Heliotrope Drive in the Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana, into a <br />community cultural center. These proposals raise significant concerns regarding zoning compliance, preservation <br />of historical integrity, and the overall impact on our residential community. <br />1. <br />Violation of Residential Zoning Regulations <br />The Floral Park neighborhood is zoned for residential use, and the proposed conversion of the Maharaja House into <br />a community cultural center directly contravenes these zoning laws. Such a change would set a concerning <br />precedent, potentially leading to further commercial encroachments in our residential area, thereby <br />undermining the community’s character and cohesion. <br />2. <br />Exploitation of Historic Designation Benefits <br />The Maharaja House, also known as the Maharajah’s House, is a historically designated property. Owners of such <br />properties receive benefits, including reduced property taxes, intended to support the maintenance and <br />preservation of the home’s historical integrity. Utilizing these benefits while pursuing alterations that <br />compromise the property’s historical character and violate zoning laws is both inequitable and contrary to the <br />spirit of historic preservation. <br />3. <br />Impact on Neighborhood Aesthetics and Historical Integrity <br />The construction of a large pagoda on the grounds of the Maharaja House raises concerns about its compatibility <br />with the existing architectural and historical context of the neighborhood. The Maharaja House, built in 1938 in <br />the Streamline Moderne style, holds significant historical value . Introducing a structure that deviates from this <br />architectural style could disrupt the visual harmony and historical integrity of the area. <br />4. <br />Traffic, Parking, and Noise Concerns <br />Converting the Maharaja House into a community cultural center would likely increase traffic, parking demands, <br />and noise levels in the neighborhood. These changes could adversely affect the quality of life for residents and <br />strain local infrastructure not designed to accommodate such uses. <br />5. <br />Precedent for Future Zoning Violations <br />1 <br /> <br />