CORRESPONDENCE - 75A SEXLINGER FARMHOUSE

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mss` The Old Orchard Conservancy o `{t` 0 Proposal to Establish .�.� The Sexlinger Center for Urban Agriculture February 2014 Old Orchard The Historic Sexlinger Orange Orchard and Farmhouse Property: Surrounded by an orchard of 250 Valencia orange trees, the farmhouse on Santa Clara was built in 1914 and was the home of the Sexlinger Family for nearly a full century. George (1870- 1929), and Anna Sophia (1871 -1952) Sexlinger came to Santa Ana from Michigan in 1913 with their two daughters Esther (1904 -1995) and Martha (1908 - 2006), keeping the five - acre site within the family and continuously fully planted as a Valencia orange orchard. Today the Sexlinger property remains as one of Santa Ana's largest "undeveloped" parcels. While we suspect that the Sexlinger family would have bristled at the "undeveloped" label - -- indeed, we suspect they would have more appropriately identified their home and orchard as a small family farm, as it has been in continuous agricultural use for a single sustained agricultural product - -- The Old Orchard Conservancy (Conservancy) recognizes this property is a rare existing example of a Santa Ana multi - generational family farm (and very nearly what is designated as the increasingly rare "Century Farm" in agricultural communities across the nation.) The City of Santa Ana designated the Sexlinger Orange Orchard and Farmhouse as a historic property in June 2012. With this important designation, we believe the best use for this Historic Site would be its preservation and utilization for civic agricultural use. Current Conditions: The Sexlinger home and garage are in need of some restoration. The buildings are structurally sound, but are in need of upgrades to the electrical and plumbing, as well as foundation and cosmetic improvements. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Buildings will be our guide for all restoration projects related to the home and garage. The orchard, at first glance, appears decadent and dying. Upon closer inspection, however, most of the trees are in reasonably good condition and of commercial quality. The Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes will be our guide for all restoration projects related to the orchard. Goal: The Conservancy proposes the establishment of the Sexlinger Center for Urban Agriculture at the historic Sexlinger Orange Orchard and Farmhouse property at 1584 East Santa Clara Avenue in Santa Ana. The Conservancy will preserve and restore the home, garage and orchard to reflect life on a small -scale family farm, while providing educational opportunities for the community and local students. We will create a thriving and sustainable landscape and habitat that respects Santa Ana's and southern California's agricultural heritage. In addition, the preservation and restoration of the historic orchard and home meets components of the City's General Plan by expanding designated open space and increasing recreational opportunities for the residents of Santa Ana. The rehabilitation of the orchard also supports the goals of improving local access to healthy food, improved nutrition and takes steps towards ending childhood obesity in Santa Anna. The project supports the "Building Healthy Communities" initiative sponsored by the California Endowment. The Proposal: The Sexlinger Center for Urban Agriculture (Urban Ag Center) The UrbanAg Center will be developed in three phases. Each phase is described below. The extent of activities in, and duration of, each phase will be determined by available funding.