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Appeal No. 2003-07 December 1, 2003 Page 2 Analysis of the Issues A Floral Park historic resource survey, conducted by architectural historian Leslie Heumann, identified 25 significant historical properties as candidates for placement on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. The subject structure located at 2221 North Heliotrope Drive was one of these properties. This structure meets the minimum selection criteria for inclusion on the Santa Aha Register of Historical Properties as it is over 50 years old and exemplifies the Moderne style, which flourished during the 1930s through World War II but is now rare in Santa Ana (Exhibit 2). The house was designed by Balboa architect Donald Beach Kirby and constructed in 1938 by Allison Honer. It has also been placed on the Register for its historically significant association with the Maharajah of Indore India, who was the hereditary ruler of a central Indian state and reputedly one of the richest men in the world at the time. The Maharajah House has been categorized as Landmark category because of its historical/cultural significance to the City as a "castle' for a sitting ruler and for its unique architectural significance as an exceptional example of the Moderne style, one of the best in Orange County. As indicated in Exhibit 2, all original exterior features of the Maharajah House are considered character defining and should be preserved. Prior to the City initiating the placement of the this structure on the Register, courtesy letters were mailed to the affected property owners inviting them to attend a special presentation on March 8, 2003 explaining the implications and benefits of being placed on the Santa Aha Register of Historic Properties. Several months later at the Historic Resources Commission hearing on August 7, 2003, the property owners, Mr. and Mrs. Kieu expressed their opposition to placing their home on the local Historic Register. Prior to receiving the historic listing request from the City, the owners were considering a proposal to change the architectural style of the house in order to mitigate a chronic roof leak. Specifically the owners were considering changing the classical flat roof to a pitched roof with Mediterranean features. Listing the structure on the local register would prevent the owners from inappropriately changing the defining features of the architecture, such as the roof. The Commission continued action on this item to allow time to evaluate the condition of the roof and explore potential solutions. On September 4, 2003, Commissioner Lutz reported to the Commission that after meeting with the property owners and investigating the roof leakage problem, a feasible solution could be implemented without altering the existing roof design. The Commission voted to continue the project until their October 2, 2003 meeting to allow Mr. and Mrs. Kieu sufficient time 75.A. Page 62