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Ocampo, Nuvia <br />From: aetheridge@aol.com <br />Sent: Monday, August 19, 2024 1:46 PM <br />To: eComments, PBA <br />Subject: 2221 N. Heliotrope, Santa Ana: Chan & Quynuh Kieu <br />Follow Up Flag: Follow up <br />Flag Status: Flagged <br />lAftention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br />This is regarding the Kieu's application to install yet another freestanding structure in the backyard of their property <br />located at 2221 Heliotrope. <br />This is really beyond the pale. Enough is enough! <br />I object to this most strenuously. <br />I have lived in Floral Park for 24 years. I moved here because of the neighborhood's history and architecture. During the <br />past 24 years, I have worked to maintain the historic integrity of my home at significant personal cost. Most of my <br />neighbors do the same. Would that these same motivations and regulations applied to the Kieus. Regrettably, they do <br />not. <br />The Kieus seem hell bent on turning their property into a Vietnamese Cultural Center. There are now at least five or six <br />outside structures that have been reconstructed in the back yard. Some have giant dragons snaking across their roofs. <br />These are visible from the sidewalk. None of these structures have anything even remotely to do with the historic Art <br />Deco property they purchased. I believe the Kieus have imported at least some of these antique structures from Asia — <br />I'm sure at considerable cost. If only they spent that money maintaining the original architectural integrity of the <br />property. Why purchase property in an historic district if you're not interested in maintaining the integrity of said <br />property? <br />This home - "The Maharaja's Palace" - is nationally recognized for its historic significance. The Maharajah of Indore was <br />the world's richest man when he built the home for his daughter. The cost was $50,000 — an unbelievable sum in the <br />midst of a Depression. <br />Most recently, I believe the Kieus have been living in West Floral Park. The home on Heliotrope has been used for public <br />events. Cars and school buses park along Heliotrope and Santa Clara when these events take place. These events are not <br />for personal use. The Kieus are not entertaining personal friends/family. They are hosting schools, churches, and other <br />groups. I am all for supporting cultural centers, but they do not belong in private neighborhoods with inadequate <br />parking. <br />Additionally, the Kieus have a history of blatantly ignoring city regulations. They put a new roof on the swim house in <br />the backyard. They also removed/replaced original iron windows under the guise of tenting the house for termites. They <br />used the tent covering the house to hide the changing of the windows. Their approach is to ask forgiveness for violating <br />city ordinances. Typically, they do not seek permission when making alterations or structural additions to the property. <br />The Kieus are aware that the neighborhood is not supportive of their efforts, yet they continue to push for the creation <br />of a cultural center. It is rumored that they plan for the property to be designated as such after their passing. <br />i <br />