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Ibarra, Evelyn <br />From: Jenny Hartshorne <jennyahartshorne@gmail.com> <br />Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2024 3:55 PM <br />To: eComment <br />Subject: 2221 Heliotrope <br />Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br />To whom it may concern: <br />I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed construction of a large pagoda on the grounds of the <br />Maharaja House in the Floral Park neighborhood and the conversion of this historic property into a community cultural <br />center. Both proposals would have detrimental effects on the historical, residential, and community -focused character <br />of our neighborhood. <br />Preserving the Integrity of Residential Zoning <br />Floral Park is a residential neighborhood, and zoning regulations are in place to protect this designation. The conversion <br />JH-1 of the Maharaja House into a community cultural center violates these regulations, creating a commercial or semi - <br />commercial use in a space that was not designed to support such activities. This undermines the intent of the zoning <br />rules and threatens the residential environment we cherish. <br />2 <br />Misuse of Historic Designation Privileges <br />The Maharaja House, recognized for its Streamline Moderne architecture, benefits from historic designation, including <br />reduced property taxes to encourage proper maintenance and preservation of the property. Using these benefits to <br />JH-2 further plans that disregard preservation standards and zoning regulations is an inappropriate exploitation of the <br />system. Historic designation is a privilege, not a loophole for commercial development. <br />Architectural and Community Concerns <br />The proposed pagoda construction raises significant questions about its compatibility with the Maharaja House's <br />JH-3 architectural style and the neighborhood's cohesive aesthetic. While cultural expression is important, it must be <br />balanced with preserving the historic and visual integrity of the community. The pagoda's large scale and divergent <br />style would disrupt the neighborhood's historic charm. <br />IS <br />Negative Impact on Residents <br />A cultural center in this location would undoubtedly lead to increased traffic, parking issues, and noise, negatively <br />affecting residents' quality of life. Floral Park is not equipped to handle the added congestion or infrastructure strain <br />JH-4 such a development would cause. <br />Setting a Precedent for Future Developments <br />