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may explain why so many of the trees were removed in the period of 1950 to 1970. The deadly citrus <br />virus, known as quick decline, spread though orchards in that time frame and devastated some groves <br />with total removal of orange trees with sour rootstock. This means that the trees remaining in this grove <br />are still susceptible to this disease. <br />The historic use of the property was as a commercial endeavor to produce a crop that could be <br />harvested and processed for the market. This can be viable only if the income exceeds the costs of <br />operation. If it were possible to earn a profit, there undoubtedly would be other such operations <br />remaining in this area. It should be obvious that you do not have the power to require a property owner <br />to continue an unsustainable enterprise. <br />3. Alternative uses that have been proposed. The adoption of the "Historic" status for this property <br />precludes other uses, no matter how desirable they may be. You have an option to rescind the historic <br />designation and then to consider other uses for the property. These other uses could be undertaken by <br />the city or some private company or association. One possible desirable use for the property would be <br />as an agricultural or farming exhibition and learning center. Proponents of this plan have developed <br />proposals for the reconfiguration of the house and trees for various learning activities. They have made <br />major attempts to find an organization that would be willing to finance the purchase of the property and <br />support for the proposed learning activity. It appears that after several months they have not found any <br />group or organization willing to provide the required funds. This leaves the city of Santa Ana as a <br />possible purchaser of the property. <br />4. If you councilmembers decide that the city should provide funds to purchase, develop and operate <br />the site as an exhibit and learning center, you must have available to you, reliable and in -depth studies <br />of the initial and annual operating costs. You should have a plan of operation for which the possible <br />benefits can be evaluated as to their appeal to the citizens of Santa Ana. Have such studies been made? <br />Sincerely, <br />Dwight and Lowell Schroeder. <br />75A -166 <br />