75B - 924 N. LOWELL ST. - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Appeal No. 2004-02 August 2, 2004 Page 2 Analysis of the Issues The Joe Lowell House (Exhibit 2) was one of 16 structures identified as potential candidates for the Santa Ana Register based on a field survey of the Washington Square Neighborhood. The 16 property owners were notified by mail on May 21, 2003 of the proposed placement and invited to attend a special presentation on the implications and benefits of the Santa Ana Register listing. On November 6, 2003, the Historic Resources Commission continued action on this property for 90 days to allow Mr. Astran additional time to evaluate the benefits and responsibilities of being placed on the Register. Prior to the February 5, 2003 Commission hearing, staff spoke to Mr. Astran requesting that he send or fax a letter to the Commission stating his position on the Register placement if he could not attend the hearing. Mr. Astran did not communicate with the Commission before the hearing. The Commission subsequently approved the Joe Lowell House placement on the Santa Ana Register. Following the hearing, staff met with Mr. Astran on February 13, 2004 to discuss his preliminary house improvement ideas, which included window replacement, re-stuccoing building exterior, kitchen addition, interior improvements and removal of the Pine tree on the north side of the house (Tenth Street). At this meeting staff discussed the Secretary of Interior Standards and their application to the Joe Lowell House. Staff encouraged Mr. Astran to: 1) Where feasible, repair instead of replace the wood windows, 2) Replace deteriorated windows with like materials that repeat the style, size, mullion pattern and method of operation as well as retain the trim, molding and sill design, and 3) Repair the stucco to retain the integrity of the original textured application style. After this meeting, Mr. Astran filed the appeal application to meet the application timeline but suggested staff delay proceeding with the appeal to determine if his issues could be resolved. On March 8, 2004, staff visited the property to review the exterior damage described by Mr. Astran that necessitated the proposed modifications. Following staff's site visit of the property, staff contacted Mr. Astran and he requested that the City proceed with the appeal. On April 19, 2004, the City Council remanded the appeal back to the Historic Resources Commission for reconsideration of the placement and categorization of the Joe Lowell House on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. Mr. Astran addressed his concerns to the Commission at the June 3, 2004 hearing. In addition correspondence prepared by Mr. Astran, dated April 26, 2004, was included as an exhibit in the Commission staff report (Exhibit 3). The Commission approved the placement of the Joe Lowell House and categorized the structure as Key because of its unique architectural style and association with a prominent local resident. 758-2