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HRCA No. 2012-01 HRC No. 2012-01 April 5, 2012 Page 2 In early 2007, the Historic Resources Commission requested that the Sexlinger property be analyzed for a determination of eligibility for historic designation to the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. In response, Sapphos Environmental (historic consultant for the City} evaluated the site, and prepared a Memorandum for the Record indicating that the site was eligible for the local historic register and potentially eligible for the California Register. This information was offered to the Historic Resources Commission; however, it was also noted that the property ownership was in transition, and that it was unlikely that the owner would be able to actively participate in the nomination process. The Commission deferred nomination until such time that a property owner could actively participate in the application. Subsequent to this action the new property owners entered into a purchase contract with Empire Homes. In September of 2007 a development proposal was submitted for the site by Empire Homes fora 24-unit single-family residential project. The project also included the proposed demolition of the Sexlinger farmhouse and removal of all remaining orange trees. The proposed project triggered the California Environmental Quality Act, and preparation of an Environmental Impact Report {EIR} commenced. The 2008 Draft EIR that was prepared for the Empire Homes project by URS environmental consultants included a cultural analysis of the site by historic sub-consultant, Discovery Works. This analysis concluded that the site was not eligible for historic status on either the local level or the state level. The Discovery Works report stated that the Sexlinger farmhouse was not architecturally significant, nor the work of a master architect or builder, and small orange groves such as the Sexlinger orchard did not play a significant role in the growth and development of Santa Ana. Although Discovery Works did have the opportunity to review the Sapphos Memorandum for the Record, the Discovery Works report stated that by 1910, large commercial groves, and their subsequent development, influenced the pattern of development throughout the city, but that small family-owned operations did not greatly affect growth patterns. Before the EIR process could be completed, Empire Homes withdrew from the project due to a downturn in the economy. The EIR was never publicly released. In 2010, the TAVA Development Company took up the project. The City subsequently resumed the EIR process with URS as consultants. TAVA Development also proposed 24 single family residences on the site, along with the demolition of the farmhouse and orchard. The draft EiR was released, and public concerns were raised regarding the potential historic and cultural significance of the site. The Cultural Section of the EIR was revised to evaluate the site in great detail. A Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) form was created for the property which provides a complete assessment of the site for historic, architectural, and cultural significance (Exhibit 2). This form is used by the State of California for historic documentation.