HomeMy WebLinkAbout4 - SPR19-01; DBA 19-01_114 117 E 5TH STREET COMMENTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CORRESPONDENCE 9/23/2019
ITEM NO. 4 – SITE PLAN REVIEW NO, 2019-01 AND DENSITY BONUS AGREEMENT NO. 2019 FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT LOCATED AT 114
EAST FIFTH STREET AND 117 EAST FIFTH STREET
Comments received by established deadline of 1:00 p.m. (listed in order received)
First Name Last Name Organization Favor Oppose General
Steve LaMotte Building Industry Association of Southern California X
Tish Leon Downtown Neighborhood Association X
Evan Miles
X
Kim Tapfer Miller-Burg-duPont, Inc. X
Ted Tapfer Miller-Burg-duPont, Inc. X
Estetica Guadalajara X
Aries Beauty Salon X
Nuevo Guadalajara Beauty Salon X
Al’s Shop X
Mega Ind. Group X
Genesis Bridal X
Jessica’s Bridal X
Alejandra Bridal Shop X
Raul Yanez Mi Moda X
JR Beauty Gurus X
Zapateria Mexico X
Lab Cazuelas X
Chevitas Juice and Vego X
Servicentro X
Stussy Archive X
Kasandra’s Bridal X
Pizza Press X
La Michocana Express X
First Name Last Name Organization Favor Oppose General
Coffee Muse X
Cali Curves X
Nino’s Bridal X
CA Trade Alliance X
El Rincon Mexicano X
Mega Furniture X
Tish Leon Downtown Neighborhood Association
X
Brandon Fender The Good Beer Company X
Paul Julian The Artist Village Apartments X
Teresa Saldivar Teresa’s Jewelers X
Rick Older
X
Tina Davidson Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society
X
Mimi Mar The Pizza Press X
Susan Deering
X
Julie Humphreys
X
Nathan/Roberta Reed
X
Ryan Chase
X
Kathryn Hanson Orange County Preserve
X
Connie Major
X
Jeff Dickman
X
Allison Young
X
Rhonda McNutt
X
Jean Willis
X
John Gothold
X
Ginelle Hardy
X
Tom Lutz
X
Syliva Salenius
X
Donna Duffy Phillips Hutton Partners, LLC and Truth and Advertising X
Jean Poppa
X
Jacqueline Caro
X `
Alan Lawson Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society
X
Allen Moon
X
Alberta Christy
X
First Name Last Name Organization Favor Oppose General
Jack Jakosky Empire Broadway LLC X
Ramona Building LLC
Santora Group LLC
Q Creative LLC
Business located at 208 E. 4th Street X
Western Union and Vigo X
Revolution Beauty Salon X
Chevitas X
Dolex Dollar Express X
Angers X
Jacebo Video X
Taquerias Guadalajara X
Business located at 305-103 E. 4th Street X
Unlisted X
TOTAL 48 19 0
Comments received after established deadline - not distributed
First Name Last Name Organization Favor Oppose General
Louis Hoffman Santa Ana Historical Preservation Soceity
X
TOTAL 0 1 0
Comments distributed during meeting.
First Name Last Name Organization Favor Oppose General
Tim Rush X
TOTAL
0 1 0
Page 1 of 2
Chairman McLoughlin
Santa Ana Planning Commission
City of Santa Ana
P.O. Box 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: Toll Brother’s Apartment Living project at 4th and Main
On behalf of our membership, I write to state our support for the Toll
Brothers Apartment Living project in downtown Santa Ana.
The Building Industry Association of Orange County (BIA/OC) is a non-profit
trade association of over 1,100 member companies employing over 100,000
people affiliated with the home building industry. Our mission is to champion
housing as the foundation of vibrant and sustainable communities.
As such, we support this project because it will bring much needed housing
while simultaneously supporting and encouraging new business opportunity and
economic growth. Additionally, this project implements the vision described in
your General Plan and Transit Zoning Code. This project represents the
opportunity to bring further vitality through housing to your downtown corridor.
Further, considering the recent and significant investments/improvements to
downtown Santa Ana, this project serves as a natural complement, if not
capstone. With projects like the Santa Ana Streetcar, improved pedestrian and
bike access and the existing parking capacity of the area, this project ties
together multiple endeavors that will collaboratively enhance the regional
desirability of Downtown Santa Ana.
In light of the multiple factors discussed above, BIA/OC strongly requests your
support for the Toll Brother’s Project at the First American site.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration
Respectfully,
Steven C. LaMotte
Chapter Executive Officer
PRESIDENT
RICK WOOD
TRI POINTE HOMES
VICE PRESIDENT
SUNTI KUMJIM
MBK HOMES
TREASURER/ SECRETARY
ERIC NELSON
TRUMARK HOMES
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
MIKE GARTLAN
KB HOMES
TRADE CONTRACTOR V.P.
ALAN BOUDREAU
BOUDREAU PIPELINE
CORPORATION
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT
MARK HIMMELSTEIN
NEWMEYER & DILLION, LLP
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
PETER VANEK
FOREMOST COMPANIES
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
SEAN MATSLER
COX CASTLE & NICHOLSON, LLP
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
STEVE LA MOTTE
September 23, 2019
September 14, 2019
Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Sent via email: sbernal@santa-ana.org
RE: First American project -Toll Brothers project
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission:
I am writing to you as the President of Downtown Neighborhood Association, a Downtown Inc
Board Member and a 20 year resident of Downtown Santa Ana. I have been involved in
working with the Toll Brothers Multi-family team in the development of this exciting project.
This project implements the vision of the City’s Transit Zoning Code and will provide the
catalyst to the downtown area that we have supported since the zoning was adopted.
I am excited to see the proposed project and how it will connect the downtown. Right now this
area is disconnected by a fortress, that in my opinion has become an eyesore. The significant
dollars that the City of Santa Ana has spent in public improvements in downtown will begin to
come together with this project: the streetcar, the pedestrian and bicycle improvements, the
public parking structures all justify approving the project as proposed. I am thrilled that they
voluntarily incorporated a 5% or 11 units of this project to be affordable to low income families.
Something that many developers have not been willing to do. And I am also happy to see that
the project accommodates an on site place for their dogs.
I urge your support of this project without delay.
Sincerely,
Tish Leon
DTNA President
714-401-8312
106 WEST w 106 W. 4th Street, Suite 211, Santa Ana, California, 92701
September 18, 2019
Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Sent via email: sbernal@santa-ana.org
RE: First American Mixed Use Project
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission:
I am writing to you as a business and property owner in downtown Santa Ana. We own
106 West 4th Street, which his directly cattycorner, at 4th and Main Street, to the subject
First American project. We have watched the steady progress of Toll Brothers in the
development of this exciting project, which will implement the vision of the City’s
Transit Zoning Code and provide the catalyst to the downtown area that we have
supported since the zoning was adopted. We strongly support Toll Brothers’ project as
proposed, including the parking ratio provided by the project. All of the significant
dollars that the City of Santa Ana has spent on public improvements (e.g., the streetcar,
the pedestrian and bicycle improvements, the public parking structures) to make
downtown Santa Ana THE downtown for Orange County will come together, and be
realized with this project as proposed.
PLEASE support this project without any further delay. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Ted Tapfer
Vice President
Miller-Burg-duPont, Inc.
From:Mitre-Ramirez, Norma
To:Fregoso, Vince; Thai, Minh
Cc:Bernal, Sarah; Magalona, Jocelyn
Subject:FW: Planning Commission: construction disruption
Date:Thursday, September 19, 2019 6:31:49 PM
Attachments:image001.png
image002.png
The following communication pertaining to an item on the Planning Commission, has been received
for your review and consideration.
Respectfully,
Norma Mitre | Assistant Clerk of the Council
Clerk of the Council Office | 20 Civic Center Plaza | Santa Ana, CA 92701
P: 714-647-6520 | F: 714-6476956 |nmitre@santa-ana.org
http://www.santa-ana.org/
http://www.ocvote.com/
This email and any files or attachments transmitted with it may contain privileged or otherwise
confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe that you may have received
this communication in error, please advise the sender via reply email and immediately delete the
email you received. This e-mail (and attachments, if any) may be subject to the California Public
Records Act, and as such, may, therefore, be subject to public disclosure unless otherwise exempt
under the Act.
From: lety.@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2019 4:02 PM
To: eComment <eComment@santa-ana.org>
Cc: Bernal, Sarah <SBernal@santa-ana.org>; Pezeshkpour, Ali <APezeshkpour@santa-ana.org>;
;
Subject: Planning Commission: construction disruption
I am writing regarding the disruption that is happening & will happen in DTSA.
My main concern is that all of the projects, which include the Streetcar, Toll Brothers and how they
will affect the Downtown & surrounding neighborhoods.
All of these projects are going to have things in common.
Street closures, disruption for businesses/residents, traffic & parking.
I was told that in 2010 there was an EIR conducted that included all the proposed projects. This
study showed that traffic & parking would be greatly affected and would affect the quality of life for
the residents & businesses. However it still passed the Planning Commission & the City Council,
which means that it was ignored and disregarded!
I am in favor of many if not all of the projects, but I still would like some accountability regarding the
impact on the traffic & parking on how this will affect the Downtown and surrounding
neighborhoods.
I am asking that you consider that each project add sufficient parking, so they will not have to park in
the neighborhoods.
I live at Town Square Condominiums, and we lack parking. Street parking is metered and not allowed
over night parking. Many of our residents have to park miles away and walk home.
With more apartments being built in downtown, I can see this problem getting worse.
I know that construction will have an impact, but I was upset when I heard that you all knew this
would happen and didn’t plan for it.
Thanks for your consideration.
Tish Leon
Downtown Neighborhood Association
7
September 3, 2019
Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Sent via email: sbernal@santa-ana.org
RE: First American Mixed Use Project
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission:
On behalf of the brewers, bartenders, and our wholesale team at The Good Beer Company, Inc.,
located at 309 West Fourth Street in Downtown Santa Ana, I am writing to you to urge you to
support the First American Mixed Use Project.
After reviewing the plans and speaking personally with the Toll Brothers team, I am encouraged
by this development, and excited for this progress. This project will implement the vision of the
City’s Transit Zoning Code and will provide the catalyst to the downtown area that we have
supported since the zoning was adopted.
We strongly support Toll Brothers’ project as proposed, including the parking ratio provided by the
project. All of the significant infrastructure investments that the City of Santa Ana has made,
including the streetcar, the pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and the public parking
structures, were completed in order to make projects like this feasible.
We urge your support of this project without delay.
Sincerely,
Brandon Fender
President
THE GOOD BEER COMPANY, INC
September 20, 2019
Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Sent via email: sbernal@santa-ana.org
RE: First American Mixed Use Project
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission:
I am writing to you as a business owner in downtown Santa Ana. My business is
The Artists Village Apartments, located at 201 N. Broadway.
We have been monitoring the steady progress of the Toll Brothers Multi-family team
in the development of this exciting project. This project will implement the vision of
the City’s Transit Zoning Code and will provide the catalyst to the downtown area
that we have supported since the zoning was adopted. We strongly support Toll
Brothers’ project as proposed, including the parking ratio provided by the project.
All of the significant dollars that the City of Santa Ana has spent on public
improvements to make our downtown THE downtown for Orange County will begin
to come together with this project: the streetcar, the pedestrian and bicycle
improvements, the public parking structures all justify approving the project as
proposed.
We urge your support of this project without delay.
Sincerely,
Paul Julian
Advanced Real Estate Services, Inc.
From:Ricki Older
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:Redevelopment of the “First American Square site” and demolition of home office building of First American Title Insurance Building, c.1931
Date:Saturday, September 21, 2019 3:43:32 PM
Agenda item, No. 4, meeting September 23rd, 2019
RE: Redevelopment of the “First American Square site” and demolition of home office building of First American Title Insurance Building, c.1931
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and members of the Planning Commission;
Tonight you will consider the above project for approval. Before you cast your vote we would ask you to consider the following concerns…….
1. While not opposed to redevelopment of the site, given the sheer size and prominence of the location careful consideration needs to be given to whatever replaces what is there today.
2. The site includes the original home office of First American Title Insurance Company, circa 1931. Designed by the noted architect Allen Ruoff of Los Angeles (who by the way did extensivework at Fairhaven Memorial
Park).
3. Yes it had a metal “curtain” installed in 1967, but underneath that lies a beautiful historic building. We would love to see that building adaptively reused and incorporated into this new project.
4.
5. It will be far more interesting, both architecturally and culturally as a result of the adaptive reuse.
6. The proposed building doesn’t even fit in with the City’s own general plan document and its Transportation EIR that was completed several years ago for the Downtown Trolley project.
7. Sadly, this is yet another example of the City Staff dismissing the preservation community and all that it represents in Santa Ana and in the County.
8. The site sits adjacent to THREE National Register Historic Districts, the 1931 building sans the metal skirt and “lick and stick bricks” is clearly eligible for listing as a historic landmark.
9. We have an opportunity to keep history alive in Santa Ana as they do in the great European cities.
We ask that you raise the bar on this development as it will have a huge impact on our downtown built environment. We have many landmarks in town that escaped the wrecking ball because good folks in our community were willing to
take a step back, take a deep breath and exercise good judgement. Let’s not fall victim to a developer who has their trigger finger on the D-6 Caterpillar wanting to strip our downtown of a soul.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ricki Older
Wilshire Square Past Co Chair and Former ETAC Commissioner
From:tinamacaws@sbcglobal.net
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:First American building project
Date:Sunday, September 22, 2019 9:01:22 AM
Dear chairman McLoughlin and members of the planning commission,
I am writing to ask the planning commission re evaluate the proposed demolition of the First
American building on Main St. and Fifth St.
If this iconic building is demolished, part of the charm of Santa Ana goes with it. I realize time goes
on and places change, however there must be a way to still maintain the historic look of the project.
I have seen this done all over our city and it works just fine. There must be a way to repurpose
without demolition.
Please vote no on this issue until revisions are explored that would keep the look but move ahead
with the times.
Thank you for your attention,
Tina Davidson
President
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society
From:Mimi Mar
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:First American Mixed Use Project
Date:Sunday, September 22, 2019 4:11:47 PM
September 23, 2019
Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Sent via email: sbernal@santa-ana.org
RE: First American Mixed Use Project
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission:
I am writing to you as a business owner in downtown Santa Ana. My business is
The Pizza Press, located at 117 W. 4th Street.
I am voicing my support for the Toll Brothers ambitious plan to build a Multi-family project
on the old First American site. Please support this project as proposed in how it was
submitted.
I believe in DTSA, which is the reason why I opened my business here a little over a year
and a half ago. This area needs more businesses to thrive and grow. The Toll Brothers
project will bring a new energy and transform DTSA to a vibrant area to live, work and play.
Please do not delay approving the Toll Brothers project. DTSA sorely needs this type of
development.This area has been blighted for so long and great strides have been made in
the past few years to bring DTSA into a major destination to live and visit. DTSA now have
a first rate company, who is known in the industry for building luxury homes and luxury
projects, who is investing here in Santa Ana. Please do not make this a long arduous
project for them. Please approve the project now.
Please contact me at 7
Sincerely,
Mimi Mar
The Pizza Press
From:Susan Deering
To:Cano, Angie
Cc:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:FA building
Date:Sunday, September 22, 2019 5:52:50 PM
Please investigate further the First American building slated for demolition.
Thank you,
Susan Deering.
Sent from my iPhone
From:jphlegal@aol.com
To:Nguyen, Ken
Cc:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:Re: First American Project
Date:Sunday, September 22, 2019 8:33:10 PM
Also, re Parcel 2 -- it proposes only 21 parking stalls for 24 units?? Not everyone walks, bikes or will take
the SA Trolley.
Thank you,
Julie Humphreys
-----Original Message-----
From: Nguyen, Ken <knguyen20@santa-ana.org>
To: jphlegal@aol.com <jphlegal@aol.com>
Cc: Bernal, Sarah <SBernal@santa-ana.org>
Sent: Sun, Sep 22, 2019 6:24 pm
Subject: Re: First American Project
Thank you :)
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 22, 2019, at 6:20 PM, "jphlegal@aol.com" <jphlegal@aol.com> wrote:
Kenneth,
I strongly urge and recommend further investigation before approving this proposed project.
I understand that, standing in this location, at the corner of N. Main and E. 5th--
but partially concealed under a 1966 veneer of sheet metal and brick--s a 1931
Art Moderne building associated with the earliest history of First American, and Orange County
itself.
There are elements of the 1931 exterior vestibule- terrazzo floor, decorative ceiling and fluted
columns- that were integrated into the modern construction and remain visible on N. Main today.
However, because the 1931 building isn’t fully exposed, the environmental report commissioned by
Toll Brothers Apartment Living (the project applicant) concluded that there is no historic structure
on the site.
I understand that City staff has maintained that the site is without historic merit because it's not
within a historic district, and has been unwilling to challenge the environmental
assessment. However, this is not supported by the city's past practice since the city has frequently
sought to identify and seek historic designation of many structures that are not within a currently-
identified "Historic District."
Moreover, the City's own General Plan is clear about the value of historic preservation to the local
economy and quality of life in Santa Ana. The General Plan policies as interpreted in the Transit
District Zoning and EIR -- to which this block is subject -- emphasize the need to preserve and
design in accordance with the pre-World War II architecture of the neighborhood.
I believe further investigation is required. If the 1960s-era alterations are reversible--as
many preservationists believe they are--then the 1931 building may be restored to a new use.
While I might support a properly-designed mixed-use development in the project location, I don’t
believe it’s necessary to demolish historic structures to achieve a desirable outcome for all
stakeholders. The historic integrity of DTSA and its surrounding structures is a major asset that
should be valued and preserved at all reasonable cost. Other cities, including Los Angeles,
are revitalizing their historic downtown cores without destroying historic properties. We can move
forward without destroying the past.
Thank you,
Julie Humphreys
From:Nathan/Roberta Reed
To:Bernal, Sarah; Davidson Tina; Alan Lawson
Subject:First American Title Building
Date:Sunday, September 22, 2019 8:06:16 PM
Mr McLoughlin and Planning Commission Members,
This email is in regard to the proposal to demolish the buildings that comprise First American
Square for purposes of mixed use residential and commercial construction.
We are appealing to the Planning Commission, and ultimately the City Council, to consider
modification to this project to include saving portions of the historic structure and
incorporating them into the new structure. We have lost many of the historic buildings in
town, and this one is so key to Santa Ana, and even Orange County History.
In conjunction with this proposal, we also request that the Planning Commission ask the
developer to design a building facade that would blend in better with the historic
surroundings. While the artist rendering looks nice, this project is so close to the historic
downtown and at its size will be so prominent, the statement made by that building should be
one of blending in with nearby historic structures, not competing with them. Use of parts of
the original building could contribute to this.
Reuse of existing buildings also contributes to "green" construction, which is so necessary in
today's environment.
Our second concern is that of traffic. We are concerned that the downtown does not have the
infrastructure to manage the impacts of this project. We encourage the Planning Commission
to review the traffic study very carefully to ensure that traffic in the area can be managed,
either with or without mitigation, to ensure that the project does not create negative impacts to
ALL the residents of Santa Ana, as well as those who do business and work in our town.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Nathan and Roberta Reed
Santa Ana 92707
From:Ryan Chase
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:First American Mixed Use Project
Date:Sunday, September 22, 2019 8:42:37 PMHi Sarah - can you please pass along to Planning Commission.Thanks---
RE: First American Mixed Use Project Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission: I am writing to you as a longtime and 4th generation property/business owner in SantaAna, my family has been involved in Downtown since 1919. I personally have beenheavily involved in a lot of projects Downtown over the past decade and couldn't bemore excited about the First American Project. The project is a bell whether forDowntown and will activate a "dead" full city block and bring in much needed and indemand Downtown residential housing. The new housing stock will not only bring aclass A multi million dollar investment Downtown but vibrancy/activation to the street,construction and permanent jobs, city fees and much needed dollars for Downtownbusinesses. Please approve the project now and without delay, its a critical and integraldevelopment towards the continued growth and investment Downtown.Thank you for your consideration.Ryan Chase
From:Kathryn Hansen
To:McLoughlin, Mark
Cc:Rivera, Felix; Nguyen, Ken; Contreras-Leo, Cynthia; Cano, Angie; Bernal, Sarah; preserveoc@gmail.com
Subject:First American Project
Date:Sunday, September 22, 2019 9:18:43 PM
This requests the Santa Ana Planning Commission please consider further investigation of the property involved in
this project, specifically in regard to
verifying the existence of a concealed 1931 structure of historic value.
Such a structure would enhance the richness of the historic downtown Santa Ana area and further the work of the
City in preserving its commercial, cultural, and architectural heritage.
Please let nothing of value be lost to action taken in haste or by mistaken preconceptions.
Please research this property to preserve any hidden value for the benefit of its present and future citizenry.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Hansen
Member, Orange County Preserve
Sent from my iPhone
From:Connie Major
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:stop PC vote on American title Build
Date:Sunday, September 22, 2019 10:12:57 PM
To Santa Ana Planning Commission
RE: First American Title Building
I have lived in Santa Ana over 40 years and raised 3 children as we worked and played here. I
have walked by the First American Title Building and parking lot so many times thinking it is
such an shame what was done to “modernize” the area. I can still see some of the original
1931 Art Deco elements and wonder what is under that “modern” facade. It could be just a
covering and the original fantastic structural “art” is still there; that would add to the
rejuvenation of our historic downtown with real history.
I am writing to ask the Planning Commission to hold off their vote on the Toll Brothers
project and allow time for a better more in depth historic survey to be completed.
Best Regards,
Connie Major, A Ceramic Artist - Clay is clean dirt and I love to play in it!
( land
cell
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
First American Title / Toll Brothers Residential Development Project
Santa Ana Planning Commission
September 23, 2019
Submitted by Jeff Dickman
(photo credits - Chris Jepsen's O.C History Roundup web site)
The Historical Property Survey of the First American Title building, as prepared for the City of Santa
Ana, is inadequate. The Survey failed to identify important, existing elements of the original Orange
County / First American Title building. The survey also failed to assess the physical state of
preservation of the 1931 Art Deco (zig-zag Moderne) style structure; which likely rests underneath the
modern Jeffersonian facade. The Survey also fails to appreciate the remarkable and outstanding legacy
of the founder and leaders of the Orange County Title Company, later renamed as the First American
Title Company.
Reasons to postpone the public hearing for the First American / Toll Brothers project include:
A. The Historic Property Survey failed to identify substantial existing exterior elements of the 1931 Zig
Zag, Art Deco building. The survey states:
“The subject property does not appear to meet the criteria for inclusion in the NRHP or the CRHR, or
for local designation in the City of Santa Ana under any significance criteria. While the property’s
component buildings were first constructed in 1931 and circa 1949, virtually nothing remains of
either building’s exterior following the substantial 1966 and 1976-77 alterations to the exterior.”
The Survey then concludes, without acknowledging the presence of the original exterior entry
elements of the building, and without ever performing a physical investigation to identify the
condition of the original exterior, that:
“...the property does not retain sufficient integrity to convey any potential significant associations prior
to 1966.”
The Main Street entry of the original 1931 Zig Zag, Art Deco building is mostly intact. Photograph #1
shows the original facade between 10-15 years following construction. Photograph #2 shows the west
facade as it appears today. The original entry is still visible in both pictures.
The entry retains the two original, round, and fluted columns, with decorative capitals (tops), and
decorative bases. The columns create and define the entry space, which includes the original
decorative 3-panel, low-relief ceiling (Photograph #4), and the likely original decorative floor
(Photograph #5). On the rear wall of the entry are the two original flat (engaged) columns (see
Photograph #6). These rise from their decorative bases, to the ceiling, and connect with the upper
decorative ceiling panels. Also on the rear wall of the entry are two large, elongated original windows.
The two windows are covered with a painted panel, and framed with trim.
Photograph #3 provides a second view of the west facade, taken from approximately Fourth Street,
looking north. Photograph #3 shows the different heights of the Orange County Title building, and the
two adjoining buildings. Please note that the modern exterior cladding of the three buildings appear
to mimic the different heights of the three buildings, as if they were all merely covered over.
At the separate Fifth Street entrance to the title building (Photograph #7 and #8), the original zig-zag
load-bearing lintel is visible just inside the doorway,. The original stone staircase, and its stonework
Art Deco newel post (the handrail anchor), also appear intact. The point here, is the underlying
buildings were not demolished. Instead the buildings were removed, and then reused.
The survey makes no mention of this reuse, or whether the City of Santa Ana should be concerned
that an important structure is threatened with demolition. Instead, the survey works to downplay the
value of the building, its possibly relationship to the adjoining buildings, or the obvious and well-
documented history of the Orange County Title Company, and its contributions to the growth of the
City of Santa Ana, and Orange County.
B. The Survey also asserts:
“...the property does not appear to meet the requirements for local designation in respect to aspects of
local Criterion D that pertain to associations with important historical events, the city of Santa Ana’s
founding, or “centers for political, social, economic, or cultural activity.”
And,
“...First American Square was found ineligible for listing in the NRHP or the CRHR or for designation as
City of Santa Ana Historic Resource. As such, it does not qualify as a historical resource and its
demolition would not result in a significant adverse impact to historical resources as defined by CEQA.”
However the Survey then contracts the above statements, when it asserts:
“First American Financial Corp. was known as Orange County Title Co. and had only one office when
Donald P. Kennedy, fresh out of law school, joined the family firm in 1948. When Kennedy began
leading its expansion beyond the county lines in 1957, the title insurance company had annual sales of
less than $1.5 million. By 2006, First American was one of the world’s largest title insurers and was
developing vast databases that helped transform the real estate industry. It had hundreds of offices
in the United States and abroad and revenue topping $8 billion — an expansion attributed to
Kennedy, who died Saturday at his home in Santa Ana after three years of declining health. He was
93.“
“He saw the opportunity for growth and worked tirelessly,” said Parker Kennedy, Donald Kennedy’s son
and successor as chairman of the Santa Ana firm. “The company couldn’t have had a better leader.”
“While building First American, the elder Kennedy, along with his wife, Dorothy, also helped build
dozens of community organizations. A past chairman of the Orange County Business Committee for
the Arts, Kennedy was a board member of South Coast Repertory and the Athletic Board at Stanford
University. He was a keen supporter of the athletic and law programs at Chapman University in
Orange, where the law school named a hall after him.”
“As board chairman at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana, he was instrumental in
negotiating partnerships with the Smithsonian Institution and the British Museum, greatly expanding
the museum’s offerings to the public. His support for a major addition — the Dorothy and Donald
Kennedy Wing — tripled the Bowers’ exhibit space.”
Based on the Survey's own findings, the extraordinary lives of the Parker and Kennedy families, one
must conclude that the Orange County Title building, is likely eligible for inclusion to the City of Santa
Ana's Register of Historic Properties, and similarly eligible for inclusion to the National Register of
Historical Places, based on the building's association as a “center for political, social, economic, or
cultural activity.”
Other important concerns involve the inadequacy of the City's Transit Zoning Code EIR, and how it
negatively impacts the examination and preservation of the Orange County Title building. Some of
these defects are listed below.
The Cultural Resources portion of the The Transit Zoning Code EIR (TZC) fails to discuss the First
American Title building, even though this complex of buildings is within the boundary of the
TZC.
Table 4.4-1 of the TZC identifies numerous historic buildings in the Transit Zoning Code area.
However the First American Title building is not on that list.
The First American Title complex of buildings, nor the Orange County Title building specifically,
was ever studied at a building level of examination, as part of the TZC EIR. This means the City
has no information to provide the Planning Commission regarding the condition of the Orange
County Title building, the two adjoining buildings, or any other clad structures within the larger
city block of buildings.
On page 4.4-11 of the TZC, “Unless a resource listed in a survey has been demolished, lost
substantial integrity, or there is a preponderance of evidence indicating that it is otherwise not
eligible for listing, a lead agency should consider the resource to be potentially eligible for the
CRHR.” There is NO preponderance of evidence indicating that the Orange County Title
building, or any other clad building within the First American complex of buildings, is not
existing, and eligible. As such the City of Santa Ana must recognize the 1931 Orange County
Title building, and any other clad building in the First American block, IS potentially eligible for
the CRHR.
When the Transit Zoning Code was adopted in 2010, the City found there were no available
mitigations measures to reduce impacts to less than significance – this is not true.
Incorporating older buildings into the design of new buildings is a feasible mitigation measure
that was not considered in 2010 or in the RINCON addendum. The information before the
Planning Commission is defective and lacking.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In response to the inaccuracies and inadequacies in the City's Historic Property Survey of the 1931 Zig
Zag, Art Deco title building, I suggest the Planning Commission delay consideration of the First
American / Toll Brothers project until:
1. A physical investigation is completed of the exterior walls of the title building, and the two adjoining
antique structures, for the purpose of discovering their extent and condition.
2. Preparation of a new Historic Property Survey to:
a. Evaluate the results of the physical investigation and the eligibility of the two adjoining properties to
the City's Register of Historic Properties, and the several buildings eligibility for nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places.
b. Nominate the eligible structure(s) to the City and Federal Registers of Historic Properties and Places.
3. Prepare a Preservation Plan to restore, and reuse the Orange County Title building, and possibly the
other adjoining buildings, as part of the First American / Toll Brothers development project.
Conclusion
It is vital to the cultural, architectural, and historical legacy of Santa Ana that the landowner, the
applicant and the City recognize, reuse, preserve and celebrate the extremely significant role of the
Orange County Title Company, and the First American Title Company, and their role as the Leader in
the title and real estate industries in Orange County, and the Nation.
Instead of demolishing the old Orange County Title building, and the two adjoining buildings, the
project should instead, preserve the 1931 Zig Zag, Art Deco building, and as a legacy to its founder, Mr.
C.E. Parker, and later Mr. Donald Kennedy, and their families, and the role and contributions these
individuals played in Orange County society, business, and civic life.
Photograph #1 – Orange County Title Building. Constructed in 1931
Photograph #2 – Current Appearance of the Orange County Title Building
Photograph #3 - Orange County Title Building (highlighted). Looking north along Main Street
Photograph #4 – Original Zig Zag Art Deco Ceiling
Photograph #5 – Likely Original Entry Chevron-patterned Floor
Photograph #6 – Original (round) fluted columns, and fluted, flat (engaged) columns on rear wall. Square
columns likely not original. Original bullet window is covered with a framed and painted panel (back wall).
Photograph #7 – North Entry from Fifth Street. Note Staggered Lintel
Photograph #8 – North Entry from Fifth Street – Note Original Stone Staircase and Newel Post
9/22/2019
Mr. Mark McLoughlin, Chair
Planning Commission, City of Santa Ana
Re: Orange County and First American Title Building/Toll Brothers Project
Agenda Item 4 for the 9/23/19 Planning Commission Hearing
Dear Chairman McLoughlin:
As a concerned preservationist, Santa Ana resident, and past-President of the Santa Ana Historical
Preservation Society, I am writing to urge the Commission to postpone the scheduled public hearing for
the First American project. In addition to the cultural resource section of the Transit Zoning Code (TZC)
EIR, a site specific supplemental EIR is needed before hearings commence.
The Historical Property Survey of this building is completely inadequate, and failed to identify the many
remaining architectural features of the original 1931 Art Deco structure. These were not removed but
were in some cases covered over in the “modernizations” done to the building in the 1960s and 1970s
by First American Title. Much more research must be done to evaluate this building and no project
approvals should be granted until a thorough study is done.
The reasons this building was not included in Santa Ana’s Historic Register are unclear, as it is obvious
that its architectural details and Orange County Title’s cultural importance would make it eligible for
inclusion.
The consultants made no effort that I, or Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society, are aware of to
reach out to the preservation community on this project. At this point I would be completely against the
demolition of the structure because of its historical importance to the community and its contribution to
the look and feel of historic downtown. Once proper evaluation is done, instead of demolition, other
options should be considered in discussion with the preservation community, such as incorporation of
historic elements into a new project.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Alison Young
Santa Ana, CA 92707
@sbcglobal.net
cc: Planning Commissioners
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society
From:Rhonda McNutt
To:McLoughlin, Mark
Cc:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:Toll Brothers project
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 8:07:53 AM
Dear Mr. McLoughlin,
I have been a resident of Santa Ana for 27 years and seen decline, growth, and prosperity in
our city. I chose Santa Ana for it's diversity and beautiful neighborhoods. When cities allow
areas to be eradicated for "new and improved" growth, older architecture is demolished and
often not replaced by something that has beauty, the sturdiness, and general feel of things that
were built in earlier times.
I urge you to demand further investigation of this area to see if the 1931 building located on N
Main and E 5th can be restored to its former glory in the name of historic preservation.
Thank you for your time,
Rhonda McNutt
Resident of Santa Ana
From:Jean Willis
To:McLoughlin, Mark; Bernal, Sarah; Rivera, Felix; Nguyen, Ken; Contreras-Leo, Cynthia; Cano, Angie
Cc:Krista Nicholds
Subject:First American Title Building
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 9:19:42 AM
I understand that the Planning Commission will be meeting this evening to discuss the future
of this building in downtown Santa Ana.
I believe it would be an irreversible mistake to approve the current application to destroy the
building and construct a mixed use project on the site.
I would urge you to consider further investigation of this property as to it's historic
significance and inherent architectural beauty. Downtown Santa Ana is known for it's historic
architecture; once demolished, a building can never be replaced.
I hope that you will continue to be a model for other cities in your ability to preserve the past
while creating a vibrant and diverse urban experience.
Best regards,
Jean Willis
September 23, 2019 Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box 1988, M31 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Sent via email: sbernal@santa-ana.org
RE: First American Mixed Use Project
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission: My name is Jon Gothold. I have been a resident of Santa Ana for over 31 years. In addition, I have owned the Old Santa Ana City Hall building on 3rd and Main Street for nearly 20 years. I am lending my voice of support for the proposed redevelopment of the old First American property on 5th and Main Street. Since late July of this year, I have been in the somewhat unique position of having to reach out to various businesses and commercial real estate brokers inside and outside of Santa Ana as I go thru the process of having to release the Old City Hall. My property has been occupied by a single tenant for nearly 20 years, and this is the first time it has been available to the public for lease. What I have found from talking to people who are familiar with, but not intimate with Downtown Santa Ana is that there is a perception that we have slowed down on our new development projects in the Downtown, and many have asked me why that is, since we had been having quite a lot of favorable momentum. Those of us that are here daily know that this isn’t the case, but what I realized is that in terms of larger, big impact projects such as the 4th Street Marketplace, the artist live-work lofts in the Artists Village and the Train Station district, it has been sometime since there was a new project of any real size in the Downtown. I feel that the First American re-development project is exactly the kind of positive game-changer we need Downtown right now. The positive impact that this will have on our city, especially compared to what is currently on the site is almost immeasurable. We have a real opportunity here to take the Downtown to the next level in terms of making it a highly desirable place to live and work, and I am 100% in favor of it. Sincerely, Jon Gothold Santa Ana 92706
From:Ginelle Hardy
To:McLoughlin, Mark
Cc:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:First American Title / Toll Brothers Residential Development Project
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 10:25:02 AM
Dear Commissioner McLouglin,
Please consider a delay in moving forward on an approval of the
First American Title / Toll Brothers Residential Development
Project.
There is concern that original existing architectural features,
materials and fabric remain intact at the historical First American
Title Company building and site. Additionally an assessment of
the physical state of preservation of the 1931 Art Deco (zig-zag
Moderne) style structure; (which likely rests underneath the
modern Jeffersonian facade), has not taken place.
Here is an opportunity to open up the Historic Property Survey in
order to reinvestigate the historic significance of this property and
to reconsider the historic importance of the founder and leaders of
the Orange County Title Company, (later renamed as the First
American Title Company).
Please keep in mind that a blanket policy practice to dismiss
historic buildings as automatically insignificant because they
have not been included in a recognized historic district may
become an increasingly obsolete practice. Surveys age as time
goes by older buildings can benefit from another look as to their
historical significance and historical value.
Thank you,
Ginelle Hardy
7
From:Tom Lutz
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:Letter to Planning Commissioners
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 11:02:43 AM
September 23, 2019. 10:50 AM.
Dear Planning Commissioners,
I am writing to urge you to retain some historic preservation of the First America Title
building at Main St. and Fifth St. It is the only historic building left at that corner, and
the only others two blocks north of our historic Fourth St. are the Arcade building and
the old Horton Furniture building both on Main St. between Fifth St. and Santa Ana
Blvd. Unfortunately historic buildings across Main St. were torn down to make way
for the unimpressive "Flash Cube" buildings, not at all representative of Santa Ana's
historic culture.
My father John Lutz Jr. worked at Orange County Title / First American Title (OCT /
FAT) for 65 years up until he passed away as Vice President in 1989 at age 84. It is
where he and my mother met when they both were working in the map department
back in the 1920's. Many important transactions were conducted in the development
of Orange County at OCT / FAT, one being the title searches and escrows of the
properties in the development of Disneyland, which my father personally handled, and
those escrows bare his signatures. Other developers of importance were Bill Croddy
who built most of our industrial park off Harbor Blvd. south of Warner. And another is
Don Koll who was the developer of many of the building at Koll Center, off MacArthur
Blvd. across from John Wayne Airport just to mention a few.
First American is such an important part of Santa Ana's history that when it finally
became necessary to relocate to larger facilities, they chose to stay in Santa Ana at a
time when Irvine and South County were wooing business away from our town.
I really urge you to stipulate that a portion of the historic facade of OCT / FAT be
saved to reflect and tell the importance of the development of Orange County. Plus
my dad would really love to look down on this building where he spent 65 years. A
good example of salvaging a historic facade is the front of the old Orange School
District building across from Chapman University.
Sincerely,
Tom Lutz
Former City Councilman, Mayor Pro Tem, and Planning Commissioner.
From:smsalenius
To:McLoughlin, Mark; Rivera, Felix; Nguyen, Ken; Contreras-Leo, Cynthia; Cano, Angie; Bernal, Sarah
Subject:First American Title building and the Toll Bros. Development project
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 11:06:04 AM
To whom it may concern,
I have recently received information regarding the potential demolition of the First
American Title building on Main Street. I had the opportunity to read the Historic
Resources Survey in the EIR and was apalled at its lack of detail regarding the
building itself, as well as its disdainful treatment of the historic role the original title
company had in Orange County history. As a former environmental professional for
35 years, I would never have accepted this report as complete.
It seems that the report was based upon a cursory look at exterior photographs of the
building, with no detailed evaluation of the nature of the "renovation" done in the
1970s, or any consideration at all of the structure's interior. Instead, the report
appears to be padded with extensive archaeological resource correspondence and
prior historic resource studies that never addressed the structure in question.
This 1931 gem has simply been wrapped in a blanket of siding and brick veneer. This
kind of thing has been done to so many wonderful structures from a bygone era. The
blanket is cheaply done and looks to be easily removable. The building underneath is
a fine example of Zig-zag Art Deco rivaling the Old City Hall a few blocks south on
Main Street. It is even more important because there are so few structures from this
period remaining in Orange County.
The Historic Resouces Survey in the EIR should be expanded to investigate the
removal of the "glued-on" architecture adversely affecting this beautiful building.
Efforts should also be made to incorporate the building, with its exterior restoration
and preservation of any valuable interior features, into a re-designed development
project.
It would be shameful for the city to lose this extraordinary example of 1930s
architecture. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Sylvia M. Salenius
Santa Ana, CA 92703
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
September 23, 2019
Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Sent via email: sbernal@santa-ana.org
RE: First American Mixed Use Project
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission:
I am writing to you as a business owner in downtown Santa Ana. My businesses are
Phillips Hutton Partners, LLC and Truth and Advertising , located at 301 W. 4th
Street and 454 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
.
We have been monitoring the steady progress of the Toll Brothers Multi-family team
in the development of this exciting project. This project will implement the vision of
the City’s Transit Zoning Code and will provide the catalyst to the downtown area
that we have supported since the zoning was adopted. We strongly support Toll
Brothers’ project as proposed, including the parking ratio provided by the project.
All of the significant dollars that the City of Santa Ana has spent on public
improvements to make our downtown THE downtown for Orange County will begin
to come together with this project: the streetcar, the pedestrian and bicycle
improvements, the public parking structures all justify approving the project as
proposed.
We urge your support of this project without delay.
Sincerely,
Donna Duffy
From:Jean Poppa
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:First American building
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 11:39:01 AM
Mr. Mark McLoughlin
Chairman, and members of the Planning Commission
Planning Commission, City of Santa Ana.
AGENDA ITEM 4
This email is in effort to "re-think" completely demolishing the historic First American
building on the corner of Fifth and Main St., especially to replace it with a large mixed-use
building with 95% residential. Downtown Santa Ana has historic charm, but inch by inch,
foot by foot, the City is destroying the Charm. To illustrate, "One Broadway" project. How
many years has it "sat" as a boarded up pile of dirt waiting for it to become the tallest tower in
Orange County? For what reason does it need to be the tallest tower other than to be targeted
by people with unsound minds? What about 4th Street ---the beautiful charm of 4th street,
with cars parking in front of the stores making access very easy --now, that is going away just
so a street car named "Un-desire" going to Nowhereville can be put in place. For what
significant reason?. What about the horrendous large and tall building that is planned for
Main Street near the Discovery museum and the Santiago Park neighborhood? It seems that
Santa Ana is building and building "mixed use" buildings, with majority being residential.
Just because it is a trend now to build "mixed use" buildings, doesn't mean you have to go
crazy and "do the popular thing." Look what happened with the Willard neighborhood. That
area became "apartment crazy." Overloaded with apartment houses of which most look run-
down now with toys, clothes and other personal items stuffed out on the balconies. Overload
of cars on the Street. The children and families that live in those apartments have no parks or
green areas close by to enjoy. And don't say they can go to Willard school playground. That
doesn't work. Very poor planning by the City.
Truly, if anything, do the right thing and consider not completely demolishing the First
American Title building and at least stipulate that a portion of the historic facade be saved to
preserve some historic value of an old building that is part of Santa Ana's history.
Sincerely,
Jean Poppa
From:SbcGlobal
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:First American Building - Santa Ana
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 12:00:54 PM
Dear, Mr. Mark McLoughlin
Chairman, and members of the Planning Commission
Planning Commission, City of Santa Ana
AGENDA ITEM 4
I am writing to voice my opinion in regards to plans of demolishing the First American Building in Santa Ana. I
was very saddened to hear the unfortunate news as historic buildings are rare and take pride in having such buildings
in our community. Please reconsider saving and keeping part of our history.
Thank You,
Jacqueline Caro
From:Allen Moon
To:eComment
Subject:Meeting Sept 23 Comments - First American Mixed Use Project
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 10:11:33 AM
September 23, 2019 Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning CommissionCity of Santa Ana20 Civic Center PlazaP.O. Box 1988, M31Santa Ana, CA 92701Sent via email: sbernal@santa-ana.org
RE: First American Mixed Use Project Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of the Santa Ana Planning Commission: I am writing to you as a residential property owner in downtown Santa Ana..We have been monitoring the steady progress of the Toll Brothers Multi-family team inthe development of this exciting project. This project will implement the vision of theCity’s Transit Zoning Code and will provide the catalyst to the downtown area that wehave supported since the zoning was adopted. We strongly support Toll Brothers’project as proposed, including the parking ratio provided by the project. All of thesignificant dollars that the City of Santa Ana has spent on public improvements to makeour downtown THE downtown for Orange County will begin to come together with thisproject: the streetcar, the pedestrian and bicycle improvements, the public parkingstructures all justify approving the project as proposed. We urge your support of this project without delay. Sincerely, Allen MoonSanta Ana, CA 92701
--
-Allen
From:
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:Demolition of First American Building
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 12:35:13 PM
Mark McLoughlin, Chair and member of the Planning Commission:
I am oppose to the demolition of the First American Building and the corner of Fifth and Main. This
building in an important part of the historical architecture in our downtown area, especially since we are
celebrating our 150th Anniversary. If you are redeveloping this property, then a historical preservation
architect is needed to incorporate all or a major portion of this existing building to keep our history.
Thank you.
Alberta Christy
From:Louise Hoffman
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:First American Title Bldg. in SA
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 2:10:08 PM
I, a Santa Ana native with family here going back a century, have just learned about plans to demolish the
old Orange Co. Title Co. Bldg. on 5th and Main. I, for one, am definitely opposed to this plan. That
building, where I had my first full-time job in 1963, has stood for decades and I understand that under the
present stucco (or whatever it is) there is Art Deco work. The bldg. should be preserved and re-
purposed. We don't need more high-rise apartments (and traffic) in that area. Thank you
Louise D. Hoffman, Secretary
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society
NOT DISTRIBUTED - RECEIVED AFTER DEADLINE
From:timrush@bhhscaprops.com
To:Bernal, Sarah
Subject:09/23/19 Planning Commission Agenda Item No. 4, First American Title project
Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 3:38:56 PM
Planning Commission
City of Santa Ana
Sent via email
RE: Your agenda today, item No. 4
Dear Chairman McLoughlin and Members of The Planning Commission;
I respectfully request a continuance of thirty days on the above project so that investigation may be
undertaken on the existing one or two buildings that I believe qualify (or will when the investigation
is completed)as historic landmarks. Discussion should then proceed to determine the best method
to incorporate a process of adaptive reuse into the proposed project.
I fully concur with comments you have already received from the Santa Ana Historical Preservation
Society, Preserve Orange County and Mr. Jeff Dickman, President of the Historic French Park
Neighborhood Association. It is important to take note of the fact that the developer was led astray
by our Planning Staff, most notably Executive Director Minh Thai and his then second in command
Candida Neal. Had they told the developer that even though the project was not IN a designated
historic district…..it was adjacent to THREE and further that the developer might wish to have a
conversation with the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society and Preserve Orange County……I
serve on both boards and can attest we were never contacted by either the developer or First
American. In addition, myself and several members of the Historical Resource Commission asked
staff about the project over the course of about two years were told their was either nothing to
report or finally some months ago, “you will have a presentation on it, but you have no purview over
it Commissioners…” Also, First American is well aware of what lies under the façade of their former
home office. It is unfortunate that they remained silent about the history and provenance of the
buildings. No outreach was made to the preservation community except at the eleventh hour and
that is regrettable.
The good news is, if we take a step back we may well be able to move forward with a better project
that the preservation community and all of Santa Ana will heartily support.
Thank you for your deliberative efforts to help us have a rich and vibrant DTSA.
Sincerely,
Timothy D. Rush
1225 South Broadway Street
Yost-Carlton House
Wilshire Square, Santa Ana, CA 92707-1207
DISTRIBUTED DURING MEETING
714-299-4455