HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 1 Public Comment_EtheridgeFrom:aetheridge@aol.com
To:eComments, PBA
Subject:Agenda #1: 2221 N. Heliotrope, Floral Park, Santa Ana
Date:Saturday, March 26, 2022 3:23:37 PM
Good morning,
This letter is in reference to the above property and the owners' request for approval to build a 23+ foot
high, 205 square foot free standing Vietnamese pagoda in their backyard. This is in addition to the other
large structures they have already built in the backyard. Rhetorically, one might ask how many of these
outbuildings do they need?
I implore you to deny this request for a number of reasons:
1. Floral Park has been officially designated and registered as a historic neighborhood in the State of
California. One of the criteria for this designation is that the neighborhood be an outstanding example of a
period, style, or architectural movement. Residents involved with the Floral Park Association worked long
and hard to get this designation.
Most people who live in Floral Park are deeply committed to maintaining the ambiance of the
neighborhood, and the architectural integrity of the homes here. I've no wish to be misunderstood in these
culturally sensitive times, but the fact of the matter is that if one moves into Floral Park and, more
specifically, into an outstanding example of the Art Moderne style, then one shouldn't really be defacing
the property with large Vietnamese pagodas and tea houses that are visible from the street - as are the
dragons snaking across the roofs. These structures are clearly inappropriate for the home's original
architecture.
2. "The Maharaja House," as it is known, is a historic landmark listed on the Santa Ana Register of
Historic Places. This home is only one of two other examples of the Art Moderne style in Santa Ana. As
such, it is worth preserving, as are its surroundings. Why is that not being insisted upon?
3. The owners of this property have a history of ignoring any permit denials they receive from the City or
the Historic Resources Commission. Several years ago, they requested permission to change the roof
line on the home from flat to pitched. Since a flat roof line is one of the hallmarks of the Art Moderne style,
this change would have had a negative effect on the home's historic value and its appearance.
Their request was denied, but the owners went ahead anyway with the changes they wanted. This
resulted in the City filing misdemeanor charges and a conflict with the Historic Resources Commission.
The owners also replaced the original steel case windows in secret while the home was tented for
fumigation. They sought variance approval after the fact.
So it seems that the owners do what they want, and then the City slaps them on the wrist. This
encourages them to engage in the same behavior over and over again. Meanwhile, Floral Park's
architectural integrity suffers. Frankly, I find this appalling.
4. It is interesting that a large dumpster has appeared outside the home in the last 24 hours. Does this
indicate construction is on the horizon? Are the owners preparing to move forward regardless of the City's
decision? Forgive me, but this would fit the pattern of past behavior.
5. Finally, my understanding is that the home on Heliotrope isn't even a primary residence. I respectfully
suggest that the owners be told to build any future tea houses and/or pagodas on their other property.
Thank you.
Anne Etheridge
2128 N. Greenleaf Street
Santa Ana 92706