HRC FULL PACKET 2013-04-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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HR~2013-01-RML April 25, 2013 Page 2 On October 2, 2003, the Maharajah House was individually listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties and categorized as Landmark {Exhibit 2). The structure was originally built in 1938 in the Moderne architectural style. It was constructed by the Holkar family. Mr. Yeshwar Rao Holkar was at the time the Maharajah of Indore, India. Historic documentation indicates the property is worthy of listing on the California Register of Historical Resources and the National Register of Historic Places because it exemplifies the Moderne style of architecture and is associated with the Holkars. On August 7, 2003, the Maharajah House was brought before the Historic Resources Commission for designation to the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties and categorization as Landmark (Exhibit 2). Drs. Chan and Quynh Kieu were the owners at that time, and were not in favor of the designation. The item was continued to the Commission`s September 4, 2003 meeting to allow the owners time to gain knowledge about the potential benefits andlor restrictions related to historic designation. On September 4, 2003, the owners requested additional time to discuss the designation. The item was continued to October 2, 2003. On October 2, 2003, the property owners still objected to the historic designation, and they requested a three month continuance so they could proceed on roof repairs. However, the Historic Resources Commission voted unanimously to designate the property and categorize as Landmark. The applicants appealed the action to the City Council and the application was brought to the December 1, 2003 Council meeting. It was continued to the January 5, 2004 meeting, and continued again to February 2, 2004. At the February meeting the City Council upheld the Historic Resources Commission action to designate the property to the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties and subsequent categorization by denying the appeal. In November of 2006, the property owners were cited for unpermitted work which included remodeling the cornice, canopy, and balcony areas with heavy stucco covered Styrofoam trim. The unpermitted work was contrary to the Art Moderne style of architecture, and did not meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Since the owners did not comply with the citation, the City filed misdemeanor charges in Superior Court. The owners then filed a Historic Exterior Modification Application {HEMA) to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness for the alterations. The Historic Resources Commission met on this item an October 4, 2007, and the HEMA was approved with conditions that the size of the balcony trim be reduced by half, and the cornice line be deemphasized through the use of a lighter color thereby complying with the citation and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The court case was resolved. On November 10, 2012, a complaint was filed with the City for further unpermitted work at the Maharajah House including 10 window change-outs. The windows in question were steel casement windows, the most common type of window used in the Art Moderne style of architecture. They have been changed to aluminum sliding windows. The applicants request the property be removed from the SARHP.