75B - PH - APPEAL 1584 EAST SANTA CLARA AVE

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May 2, 2012 tit IL-. RE: Historic Resources Commission Application No. 2012-01 Historic Register Categorization No. 2012-01 ` For the Property located at 1584 East Santa Clara Avenue, SantaC na, CA Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard Honorable Mayor Pulido and Members of the Santa Ana City Council I have lived in Orange County all of my life. I have seen orchard after orchard, farm after farm razed in the interest of progress and growth. It is time to take a serious look at what `progress' and `growth' mean to this city in 2012. 1 believe that you have a rare and unparalleled opportunity before you. Not only is the Sexlinger Orange Orchard deserving of listing on our Register of Historical Properties it would be the only property of its kind on our listing - a five-acre orchard and family farm house - a century-farm. It is the last remaining representation of a rich history that exemplifies the business that fueled our economic engine for decades - agriculture. It is not unimportant to recognize that the City of Santa Ana has been interested in the Sexlinger property and its value to our community for decades. In 1967 the City attempted to condemn the property with the plan of extending Portola Park, noting "... that the city of Santa Ana, in comparison to cities of similar size, is considerably short of park and recreation area ...". And, this orchard farm was, in 2006, being considered for preservation when the SAHRC chair Cook-Giles suggested that "staff do an evaluation for consideration on the Historic Register for the property at 1584 E Santa Clara, last farm house on five acres." We do not have to recognize only those opulent and splendid homes from our past. In this diverse city, both in economic and ethnic terms, its appropriate to acknowledge and remember the small farmer who not only was a part of the agricultural economy, but was the very fabric of the community. The small farmer and his family lived, shopped and, worshiped here. Their children attended our schools. They supported the various businesses that made our city thrive. In addition, you do not have to make your decision about eligibility and inclusion on our Register based on the findings of a research firm - Sapphos Environmental, Discovery Works, URS, Inc. Simply stated, this property meets the criteria, in our City's Municipal Code, Chapter 30, necessary to be included on our register. Sec. 30-2. - Criteria for selection. (a) Any person or group may request a building, or part thereof, structure, object or site, to be designated to be included on the city register of historical properties (called "register" in this section). The applicant must submit documentation that demonstrates how the nominated building, structure, object or site satisfies the criteria for designation. A building, structure, object, or site may be designated for inclusion on the register if the building, structure, object 75B-42