HRC FULL PACKET 2012-06-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

"The Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard is substantially intact as a rurallagricultural landscape with a Craftsman Bungalow and Valencia orchard in proximity. The site as a whole portrays a significant period in Santa Ana's history, and is associated with a business and use that was once common, but is now rare. The site is eligible for the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties as Key under under criterion 6." It should not be overlooked that whereas all previous listings on the city's Register of Historical Properties (excluding local historic districts) are for single buildings or structures, the 2p~2-41 recommendation acknowledges the importance of contextual and associationa! factors in ascribing "significance" fo historical properties by nominating both the "Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard;"and, thereby, would establish a precedent for more inclusive considerafion of historic status in the future. Although the Save Our Orchard Coalition was pleased the city chose to recommend adoption of resolution HRCA No. 2012-01/HRC No. 2012-01, we were nonetheless dismayed with the tone of the oral argument made by the city before the Historic Resources Commission. The presentation itself came across as apologetic and dismissive. It identified and emphasized weaknesses of historic status determination made in earlier drafts of the TAVA-EIR which had subsequently been challenged andlor revised in later versions of the document. Specifically, reference was made to poor condition of the orchard and insignificance of small-family orchard operations to the overall regional citrus industry. Both characterizations have been demonstrated to be factually incorrect, either through expert testimony or re-interpretation of the EIR consultant's own data. As a result, we feel the case for adopting the resolution for listing the Sexlinger Orange Orchard on the city's Register of Historical Properties was weakened from the outset. Our appeal of the HRC denial of the resolution begins with the tenor and attitude reflected above. The following factors ~- each, and in combination -- we believe may have, inappropriately (and in error}, contributed to the decision to deny "historical properties" status. 1. Condition of Orange Trees: The characterization of the orange trees as "dead and dying" has persisted since 2008 when the Discovery Wvrks, loc. "Cultural Resource Study" was drafted in response to the Empire Homes, Inc. proposed housing project. SOOC has consistently challenged this inaccurate and misleading assessment with current photographs of the orchard, invitations for public viewing of the orchard, and through on-site appraisal by regionally- recognized citrus experts. Bob Knight, owner-operator of Old Grove Orange in Mentone, California and Founder and Coordinator of the Inland Orange Conservancy, a fourth generation southern California citrus grower, has observed the Sexlinger Orange Orchard to be in overall "good condition" despite years of neglect (i.e., lack of irrigation, pruning, etc.). Mr. Knight further suggests the orchard is "commercial grade" -- capable of being profitably operated. (Testimony contrary to this evidence was given before the HRC by Lowell and Dwight Schroeder, two brothers who live close to the Sexlinger property and, also, were small-scale commercial citrus growers.) Preserving History & Heritage Promoting I~ducation & Health Promoting food & Gabs Page 3 of 5