Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA 4 - LETTER OF OPPOSITION (10-05-2009)10/05/2009 13:57 FAX 714 226 6460 IT FINANCE 0001 ALegacy of Pres e Santa Ana City Council 120 Civic Center Plaza San#a Ana, California 92702 ;October a, 2008 Santa Ana Historical Preservation So~~~ ]Dr.1~ilIcliIa Howe-~T/affle Home & M a ° use ~~ 120 Civic Cex-ter Iarive `TGest, Santa Ana, CA 92701-75~~ ~ i` (' ~ _ ~ . (714} 547-9645 • ~.SantaAnaIr~r~tr1 ~ < < _, ', Rf~: Lacy Neighborhood Demolition for the Station District Dear Council Members: IThe Santa Ana Historical Preservation Societyr is appealing to the Council for a stay of execution on the city-owned historic houses in the Lacy Neighborhood. Without your intervention that area will be leveled at the end of this month, with no input by the community. eleven city-owned properties have been offered to the Society for salvage of materials prior to demolition. The Society feels That these properties are valuable historic resources and has attempted since July to work with city staff to evaluate them for possible inclusion in the Station District Project. IWe requested the opportunity to share our ideas with the Developer, but assume that this request has been denied since city staff has ignored it. t.ate last week {on October 1) we were informed by the Community Development Agency Thai salvage ion these properties must be completed by October 29, or demolition will commence regardless. Given that there is not yet even a plan for the project: we do not understand th8 rush toward demolition. ~We understand that a community outreach effort for the Station District will take place during the month of October. These meetings will not be completed until October 21. The purpose of these meetings has been stated as obtaining input from key neighborhood groups regarding the 'development of the 48 agency-owned parcels and the enhancement strategy for the larger district ~area_ The Society has not been invited to participate in these meetings. !Regarding the Station District, we were #old by Cindy Nelson that "the Renaissance Plan does ,encourage historic preservation, as well as preservation of the neighborhood's character. We have jevery intention of meeting these objectives with this strategy plan...." Further, when we expressed (displeasure with the lack of community involvement in the planning process for this area, we were told "...initial community/neighborhood meetings are being organized far the month of October." Immediate demolition of the historic properties is completely incongruous with both the idea that the Renaissance Plan encourages preservation, and the idea of community input regarding the development. Commencing salvage on the properties, let alone demolition, prior to getting input from the community groups completely removes the idea of preservation from the table, and does not give ;the public the chance to give their opinion on the metier. As for meeting the objectives of the 'Renaissance Plan, we fail to see that any historic preservation whatsoever is being considered in the Station District. In fact, the Society was asked to give city staff the "top three° properties we would like 'to see preserved, and in a mailer of three weeks we were informed that this would not be feasible, even though no firm plans for the project have been developed. Finally, the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society is disappointed and disheartened by the appearance that "community outreach" is being carefully orchestrated, potentially even to the point of i ~ ' 10/05/2009 13.59 FAX 714 226 6460 IT FINANCE 1~0g1 excluding interested parties with a major stake in the outcome of this project. "Key neighborhood groups.. ,and other interest groups, including SACRED, OCCCO, and St. Joseph's Church and affected businesses, will be invited to attend these meetings." Absent from this fist is the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Saeiety, which has been In discussion with the city over this project for months, r and which specifically requested to meeE~with the developer, yet was denied this opportunity. While we hope That selected groups are not being intentionally omitted because Their position does not align with that of the city, the evidence does seem to lend itself to that very conclusion. I At this point, the Society is not asking that for the properties to be saved- We are merely asking that the public, including the Society, be given a fair chance to give input before #his wide-spread execution ~ by demolition takes place. We are also asking that the Society be given the same opportunity and level of communication that other community groups have received. It is out hope that the Council will agree with us and extend the deadline for salvage/demolition of These properties- With further discussion we believe that the Council and the community will ultimately agree that there is great value i in preserving all or some of the properties in question, in order to retain more of the historic character of the area. Thank you for your consideration of this matter and of efforts Toward hlstoric preservation in our city_ 'Sincerely, Alison Young, President Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society 10/05/20tl9 1J:56 FAX 714 226 6460 I I I IT FINANCE X001 To: The Gerk for the Council for From: Alison Young I The Mayor and City Council Fax: 714 64T-6956 Pages: 3 (including cover sheet) Phone: Date: 10/5/2009 - i Re: City Council Meeting Tonight CC: ? X Urgers D For Review ^ Please Comment ^ Please Reply D Please Recycle f y s Comnten~: 1 Please find attached a letter from the Santa Ana Historical Preservafion Society with comment ~ conceming the Station District development project. Please supply this information to the Mayor and Council prior to the Council meeting tonight and contact me at 714(226-8348 with any gifiissuons. i ~ Thank you. I I ~ , - ~ I W i ._ ` 4 ~ ~~ '~ ~ ~(// 4 - ~ _ y.r F'