CORRESPONDENCE - 75A SEXLINGER FARMHOUSE

Home Browse Search

ARCHITECT MILFORD WAYNE DONALDSON FAIA March 1, 2014 Mayor Miguel Pulido and City Council City of Santa Ana P.O. Box 1988, M -31 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Re: Sexlinger Orchard and Farmhouse Preservation Honorable Mayor Pulido and Council Members: The Sexlinger Orchard and Farmhouse is a rare, intact example of an historic citrus farm in an area that is struggling to protect the last vestiges of its rich, nationally important agricultural history. In my capacity as the California State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) I encouraged the Council to preserve the Sexlinger Orchard and Farmhouse because of its eligibility to both the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Resources. I commend the Council for recognizing the importance of the Sexlinger Orchard and Farmhouse complex as a "Key" historic resource under the Santa Ana Municipal Code in 2012. First, let me explain my interest in the Sexlinger property as an historic resource. I served as the California SHPO from 2004 until 2012, during which time I was responsible for the full range of state -wide historic resources. I also served as the executive secretary of the State Historical Resources Commission, which is responsible for identifying, registering and preserving California's cultural heritage. I have served as the Chair of the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation (ACHP) since 2010, with responsibilities for implementing the National Historic Preservation Act with federal, state, local and tribal governments. I am a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). I have more than 35 years of experience in historic preservation, renovation and adaptive reuse, with extensive experience in interpretation and application of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. I have also taught and lectured widely on historic preservation and preservation architecture for many years. As explained in my previous letter, the Sexlinger property is important because it retains all elements of its historic agricultural use, including the farmstead, outbuildings and the original orchard in its entirety. I understand the City is currently evaluating a proposal to retain the Farmhouse in place, but to allow demolition of more than 95 percent of the 4100 FOLSOM BLVD Unit 5D, SACRAMENTO, CA 95819 mwdonaldsont3 @yahoo.com 916 532 8004