RECORDING REQUESTED BY
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-30)
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Attn: Clerk of the Council
FREE RECORDING PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 27383
_________________________________________________________________________
HISTORIC PROPERTY PRESERVATION AGREEMENT
This Historic Property Preservation Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between the City of Santa Ana, a charte r city and municipal corporation duly organized and existing under the Constitution and laws of the of the State of California (hereinafter referred to as “City”), and Kelly S. Thomas and Bethany S. Thomas, Trustees of the Thomas Living Trust Dated March 28, 2022, (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Owner”), owner of real property located at 925 North Lowell Street , Santa Ana, California , in the County of Orange and listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties.
RECITALS
A. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana is authorized by California Government Code Section 50280 et seq. (known as the “Mills Act”) to enter into contracts with owners of qualified hi storical properties to provide for appropriate use, maintenance, rehabilitation and restoration such that these historic properties retain their historic character and integrity.
B. The Owner possesses fee title in and to that certain qualified real property together with associated structure s and improvements thereon, located at 925 North Lowell Street, Santa Ana, CA, 92703 and more particularly described in Exhibit “A,” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and hereinafter referred to as the “Historic Property”.
C. The Historic Property is officially desi gnated on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties pursuant to the re quirements of Chapter 30 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code.
D. City and Owner, for their mutual benefit, now desire to enter into this Agreement which defines and limits the use and alteration of this Historic Property in order to enhance and maintain its value as a cultural and historical resource for Owner and for the community; to prevent inappropriate alterations to the Historic Property and to ensure that repairs, additions, new building, and other changes are appropriate; and to ensure that rehabilitation and maintenance are carried out in an exemplary manner.
Exhibit 1
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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E. Owner and City intend to carry out th e purposes of California Government Code, Chapter 1, Part 5 of Division 1 of Title 5, Article 12, Section 50280 et seq., which will enable the Historic Property to qualify for an assessment of valuation as a restricted historical property pursuant to Article 1.9, Sec. 439 et seq., Chapter 3 Part 2 of Division 1 of the California Tax and Revenue Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City of Santa Ana and the Owner of the Historic Property agree as follows:
1. Effective Date and Terms of Agreement.
This Agreement shall be effective and commence on Ma y 8, 2024, and shall remain in effect
for a term of ten (10) years thereafter. Each year, upon the anniversary of the effective date
of this Agreement, such initial term will automatically be extended as provided in California Gove
rnment Code Sections 50280 through 50290 and in Section 2, below.
2. Renewal.
a. Each year on the anniversary of the effect ive date of this Agreement, a year shall automatically be added to the initial ten (10) year term of this Agreement unless written notice of nonrenewal is served as provided herein.
b. If the Owner or the City desire(s) in an y year not to renew the Agreement, the Owner or City shall serve written notice of non renewal of the Agreement on the other party.
Unless such notice is served by the Owner to the City at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual renewal date, or served by the City to the Owner at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual renewal date, one (1) year shall automatically be added to the term of the Agreement as provided herein.
c. Within 30 days from receipt of City’s notice of nonrenewal, the Owner may file a written protest of City’s decision of nonrenewal. The City may, at any time prior to the annual renewal date of the Agreement, withdraw its notice to the Owner of nonrenewal. d. If either the Owner or the City serves notice to the other of nonrenewal in any year, the Agreement shall remain in effect for the balance of the term then remaining, either from its original execution or from the last renewal of the Agreement, whichever may apply.
3. Standards and Conditions for Historic Property.
During the term of this Agreement, the Historic Property shall be subject to the following conditions, requirements and restrictions:
a. Owner shall maintain the Historic Property in a good state of repair and shall preserve, maintain, and, where necessary, restore or rehabilitate the property and its character- defining features described in the “Executive Summary” attached hereto, marked as Exhibit B1, and “Historical Property Description” attached hereto, marked as Exhibit B2, notably the general architectural form, style, materials, design, scale, proportions, organization of windows, doors,
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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and other openings, textures, details, mass, roof line, porch and other aspects of the appearance of the exterior to the satisfaction of the City.
b. All changes to the Historic Property shall comply with applicable City plans and regulations, and conform to the rules and regulations of the Office of Historic Preservation of the State Department of Parks and R ecreation, namely the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Historic Preservation Projects. These guidelines are attached hereto, marked as Exhibit C, and incorporated herein by this reference. Owner shall continually maintain the Historic Property in the same or better condition.
c. A view corridor enabling the general publ ic to see the Historic Property from the public right-of-way shall be maintained, and Owne r shall not be permitted to block the view corridor to the property with any new structure, such as walls, fences or shrubbery, so as to prevent the viewing of the historic landmark by the public. d. The following are prohibited: demolition of the Historic Property or destruction of character-defining features of the building or site; removal of trees and other major vegetation unless removal is approved by a rehabilitati on plan approved by the Historic Resources Commission; paving of yard surface; exterior alterations or additions unless approved by the Historic Resources Commission and such altera tions are in keeping with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards; deteriorating, di lapidated or unrepaired structures such as fences, roofs, doors, walls, and windows; storage of junk, trash, de bris, discarded or unused objects such as cars, appliances, or furniture; and other unsightly by decoration, structure or vegetation which is unsightly by reason of its height, condition, or inappropriate location. e. Owner shall allow reasonable periodic inspection by prior appointment, as needed or at least every five (5) years after the initia l inspection, of the interior and exterior of the Historic Property by representatives of the City of Santa Ana, the County Assessor, the State Department of Parks and Recreation, and the S tate Board of Equalization, to determine the Owner’s compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. As part of the periodic inspection, Owner shall supply information in a format determined acceptable by the representatives of the City of Santa Ana, the County Assessor, the State Department of Parks and Recreation, and the State Board of Equalizati on information required to determine compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
f. Owner shall implement the re habilitation and restoration work items as discussed in detail in Exhibit D, “Proposed Structure Improvements.” Repair in-kind all wood windows as needed and replace wood rot that is beyond repair to match existing, front door replacement with a compatible door design, and existing rough stucco to be removed and restored to a smooth stucco with trowel pattern, shall be finalize d within the first five years of the Mills Act Agreement, with all other work items completed within the first ten years of the Mills Act Agreement. Proof of status and completion, as reque sted from time to time by the City of Santa Ana, will be required in order to satisfy and main tain the Mills Act Agreement. Staff approval is required before items shall be amended or removed/replaced from the improvements list.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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4. Furnishing of Information.
The Owner hereby agrees to furnish the City with any and all information requested which may be necessary or advisable to deter mine compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
5. Cancellation.
a. The City, following a duly noticed public hearing by the City Council as set forth in Government Code Section 50280, et. seq., may cance l this Agreement if it determines that the Owner have breached any of the conditions of th is Agreement, or has allowed the property to deteriorate to the point that it no longer meets th e standards for a qualified Historic Property, or if the City determines that the Owner have failed to restore or rehabilitate the property in the manner specified in Section 3 of this Agreement. If a contract is cancelled for these reasons, the Owner shall pay a cancellation fee to the Count y Auditor as set forth in Government Code Section 50286. This cancellation fee shall be a perc entage (currently set at twelve and one-half (12 ½) percent by Government Code Section 50286) of the current fair market value of the property at the time of the cancella tion, as determined by the county assessor, without regard to any restriction imposed pursuant to this Agreement.
b. If the Historic Property is destroyed by earthquake, fire, flood or other natural disaster such that in the opinion of the City Building Official more than sixty (60) percent of the original fabric of the structure must be replaced , this Agreement shall be canceled immediately because, in effect, the historic value of the structure will have been destroyed. No fee shall be imposed in the case of destruction by acts of God or natural disaster. c. If the Historic Property is acquired by eminent domain and the City Council determines that the acquisition frus trates the purpose of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be cancelled and no fee imposed, as specified in Government Code Section 50288.
6. Enforcement of Agreement.
a. In lieu of and/or in addition to any provisions to cancel the Agreement as referenced herein, City may specifically e nforce, or enjoin the breach of, the terms of the Agreement. In the event of a default, under th e provisions to cancel the Agreement by Owner, the City shall give written notice to Owner by regi stered or certified mail, and if such a violation is not corrected to the reasonab le satisfaction of the City Manager or designee within thirty (30) days thereafter, or if not corrected within such a reasonable time as may be required to cure the breach or default, or default cannot be cured within thirty (30) days (provided that acts to cure the breach or default may be commenced within thirty (30) days and shall thereafter be diligently pursued to completion by Owner), then City may, without further notice, declare a default under the terms of this Agreement and may bring an y action necessary to specifically enforce the obligations of Owner growing out of the terms of this Agreement, apply to any court, state or federal, for injunctive relief against any violati on by Owner or apply for such relief as may be appropriate.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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b. City does not waive any claim of default by the Owner if City does not enforce or cancel this Agreement. All other remedies at law or in equity which are not otherwise provided for in this Agreement or in City’s regulations governing historic properties are available to City to pursue in the event that there is a breach of this Agreement. No waiver by City of any breach or default under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other subsequent breach thereof or default hereunder.
7. Binding effect of Agreement.
a. Owner hereby subjects the Historic Property, located at 925 North Lowell Street, Assessor Parcel Number, 405-183-01, and more particularly describe d in Exhibit A, in the City of Santa Ana, to the covenants, conditions, and restrictions as set forth in this Agreement. b. City and Owner hereby declare their specific intent th at the covenants, conditions and restrictions as set forth herein shall be deemed covenants running with the land and shall pass to and be binding upon Owner’ s successors and assigns in ti tle or interest to the Historic Property. Every contract, deed, or other inst rument hereinafter executed, covering or conveying the Historic Property or any portion thereof, shall conclusively be held to have been executed, delivered, and accepted subject to the tenants, restrictions, and reservations expressed in this Agreement regardless of whether such covenants, conditions and restrictions are set forth in such contract, deed, or other instrument.
c. This property is listed in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties (Register). In any real property transaction, the owner of this property or t he owner’s representative shall provide the buyer of this property with notice that the property is listed on the City’s historic Register.
8. No Compensation.
Owner shall not receive any payment from City in consideration of the obligation imposed under this Agreement, it being recogniz ed that the consideration for the execution of this Agreement is the substantia l public benefit to be derived th erefrom and the advantage that will accrue to Owner as a result of the effe ct upon the assessed value of the Property on the account of the restrictions on the use and preservation of the Property.
9. Notice.
Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be sent to the address of the respective parties as specified below or at ot her addresses that may be later specified by the parties hereto.
City: City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-30)
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Attn: Clerk of the Council
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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Owners: Kelly S. Thomas and Bethany S. Thomas, Trustees of the Thomas Living Trust Dated March 28, 2022
Attn: Kelly S. Thomas and Bethany S. Thomas
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
10. G
eneral Provisions.
a. None of the terms, provisions, or conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership between the parties hereto an d any of their heirs, successors, or assigns, nor shall such terms, provisions or conditions cause them to be considered joint ventures or members of any joint enterprise.
b. The Owner agrees to and shall indemnify and hold the City and its elected and appointed officials, officers, agents, and employee s harmless from liability for damage or claims for damage for personal injuries, including deat h, and claims for property damage which may arise from the direct or indirect use or operations of the Owner or those of his or her contractor, subcontractor, agent, employee, or other person acting on his or her behalf which relates to the use, operation, and maintenance of the Historic Property. The Owner hereby agrees to and shall defend the City and its elected and appointed of ficials, officers, agents, and employees with respect to any and all actions for damages caused by, or alleged to have been caused by, reason of the Owner's activities in connection with the Historic Property. c. This hold harmless provision applies to all damages and claims for damages suffered, or alleged to have been suffered, and costs of defense incurred, by reason of the operations referred to in this Agreement rega rdless of whether or not City prepared, supplied, or approved the plans, specifications or other documents for the Historic Property. d. All of the agreements, rights, covenants, c onditions, and restrictions contained in this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall i nure to the benefit of the parties herein, their heirs, successors, legal representatives, assigns, and all persons acquiring any part or portion of the Historic Property, whether by operation of law on in any manner whatsoever. e. In the event legal proceedings are brought by any party or parties to enforce or restrain a violation of any of the covenants, re servations, or restrictions contained herein, or to determine the rights and duties of any party he reunder, the prevailing party in such proceeding may recover all reasonable attorney’s fees to be fixed by the court, in addition to court costs and other relief ordered by the court.
f. In the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable or invalid by any court of competen t jurisdiction, or by subsequent preemptive legislation, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions, or portions thereof, shall not be effected thereby.
g. This Agreement shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, with venue in Orange County.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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11. Recordation.
No later than
twenty (20) days after the parties execute and enter into this Agreement, the City shall cause this Agreement to be rec orded in the office of the County Recorder of the County of Orange.
12. Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended, in whole or in part, only by a written recorded instrument executed by the parties hereto.
13. Effective Date
This Agreement shall be effective on the day and year first written above in Section 1. {Signature page follows}
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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ATTEST: CITY OF SANTA ANA
________________________ _________________________
JENNIFER L. HALL THOMAS R. HATCH
City Clerk Interim City Manager
OWNERS
Date: ___________________ By:__________________
KELLY S. THOMAS
Trustee of the Thomas Living Trust
Dated March 28, 2022
Date: ___________________ By:__________________
BETHANY S. THOMAS
Trustee of the Thomas Living Trust
Dated March 28, 2022
APPROVED AS TO FORM: RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL:
SONIA CARVALHO
City Attorney
By: _____________________ _____________________
BRANDON SALVATIERRA MINH THAI
Deputy City Attorney Executive Director
Planning and Building Agency
y: ________________________________________________________ _____________________________ ________________ _______________________
RRRRRRRRRRRRRANANANANANNANANANANANNNANNDON SALVATIERRA
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
REAL PROPRETY IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, COUNTY OF ORANGE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
LOT 43 OF TRACT NO. 455, FLOWER SQUARE, IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA,
COUNTY OF ORANGE COUNTY, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 17, PAGE 8 OF MISCELLANEOUS MAPS IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF SAID ORANGE COUNTY.
Assessor’s Parcel Number: 405-183-01
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Woitke House
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
NAME Woitke House REF. NO.
ADDRESS 925 North Lowell Street
CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92703 ORANGE COUNTY
YEAR BUILT 1928 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: Contributive
HISTORIC DISTRICT N/A NEIGHBORHOOD Washington Square
CALIFORNIA REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION C/3 CALIFORNIA REGISTER STATUS CODE 5S3 Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted Prehistoric Historic Both
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mission/Spanish Revival
The Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival style, as its name implies, encompasses two major subcategories. The Mission Revival vocabulary, popular between 1890 and 1920, drew its inspiration from the missions of the Southwest. Identifying features include curved parapets (or espadaña); red tiled roofs and coping; low-pitched roofs, often with overhanging eaves; porch roofs supported by large, square piers; arches; and wall surfaces commonly covered in smooth stucco. The Spanish Colonial Revival flourished between 1915 and 1940, reaching its apex during the 1920s and 1930s. The movement received widespread attention after the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego in 1915, where lavish interpretations of Spanish and Mexican prototypes were showcased. Easily recognizable hallmarks of the Spanish Colonial Revival are low-pitched roofs, usually with little or no overhangs and red tile roof coverings, flat roofs surrounded by tiled parapets; and stuccoed walls. The Spanish vocabulary also includes arches; asymmetry; balconies and patios; window grilles; and decorative elements of wood, wrought iron, tile, or stone.
SUMMARY/CONCLUSION:
The Woitke House qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Criterion 1 for embodiment of the distinguishing characteristics of a Spanish Revival style residential building. The recommended categorization is “Contributive” because it contributes to the overall character and history of Washington Square and is a representative example of Spanish Revival architecture in Santa Ana (Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2(3)).
EXPLANATION OF CODES:
• California Register Criteria for Evaluation: (From California Office of Historic Preservation, Technical Assistance Series # 7, “How to Nominate Resources to the California Register of Historical Resources,” September 4, 2001.) 3: It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values. • It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values.
5S3: Appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation.
Exhibit B
State of California ⎯⎯ The Resources Agency Primary #______________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #__________________________________________________ PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial______________________________________________ NRHP Status Code_____________________________________
Other Listings_____________________________________________________________________ Review Code________ Reviewer________________________ Date_______________ Page _1_ of _5_ Resource name(s) or number (assigned by recorder) Woitke House P1. Other Identifier:
*P2. Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted *a. County Orange County *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad: Orange Quadrangle California-Orange County 7.5-Minute Series Date: 2022 *c. Address 925 North Lowell Street City: Santa Ana Zip: 92703 *e. Other Locational Data: Assessor’s Parcel Number 405-183-01 *P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries) The Woitke House is a one story, single-family, Spanish Revival Style residence located on a modestly sized parcel in the Washington Square neighborhood (Figure 1). The asymmetrical residence exhibits a rectangular-shaped plan with a hipped roof clad in clay tiles that has a flat roof at its center. The roof has minimal eave overhang. The exterior of the house is clad in a coarse/textured stucco finish. The primary (west) façade is divided into three bays. A partially enclosed covered patio with multiple arched openings encloses the northern two bays, which features a tripartite wood window and the main entrance.
The tripartite window has two casement windows with a centered fixed window and upper multi-light transoms at all three window segments (Figure 2). The main entrance door is composed of a single wood frame door with obscure glass, including metal hardware and decorative metal ornamentation fixed to the door’s exterior (Figure 3). The southern third bay contains a smaller version of the tripartite wood window that is located in the front porch. (See Continuation Sheet 3 of 5.)
*P3b. Resource Attributes:
(list attributes and codes) HP2. Single-Family Residence and HP4. Ancillary building *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other P5b. Photo: (view and date)
(Figure 1) Primary (West) elevation,
view east, August 2023
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Sources: historic
1928/ Orange County Assessor’s
*P7. Owner and Address:
Kelly and Bethany Thomas
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
*P8. Recorded by:
Andrea Dumovich Heywood
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza M-20
Santa Ana, CA 92702
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11, 2024
*P10. Survey Type:
Intensive Survey Update
*P11. Report Citation:
(Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter “none”)
None
*Attachments: None Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (list)
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information
P5a. Photo
State of California ⎯⎯ The Resources Agency Primary #__________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#______________________________________________
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
*Resource Name or #: Woitke House
B1. Historic Name: Woitke House
B2. Common Name: Same
B3. Original Use: Single-family Residence B4. Present Use: Single-family Residence *B5. Architectural Style: Spanish Revival Style
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations):
1928. Original building permit not uncovered.
November 1, 1939. Reroof residence. $65.
January 8, 1991. Add bathroom.
January 15, 1991. Reroof residence. $2,500.
December 20, 2019. Stucco and roof repair. $8,000.
March 16, 2021. Remove a non-bearing partition wall to enlarge kitchen.
November 28, 2023. Legalize kitchen window (north façade) change out that occurred in 2021: removal of two wood hung windows and one centered casement window and replacement with a compatible, single wood window with a multi-light transom to match original window style on the primary façade.
Unknown. Front, side (north), and rear door replacement; restucco exterior with coarse/textured stucco; garage door replacement. *B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date:__________ Original location:_______ _______ *B8. Related Features: Detached garage, partially enclosed patio at front façade, north side yard patio, north side yard hedge, and two mature palm trees, shrubs, bushes, lawn, and small-and-medium sized trees in front yard.
B9a. Architect: Unknown b. Builder: Unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme Residential Architecture Area Santa Ana Period of Significance: 1928 Property Type: Single-family Residence Applicable Criteria: C/3 (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity) The Woitke House is architecturally significant as an intact example of a Spanish Revival style house in Santa Ana. The original building permit was not uncovered, however County Assessor's data notes its build date as 1928. The address first appears in city directories in 1929. The original architect and builder are unknown. From 1929 to 1932, the subject property was owned by F E Woitke. Russell Munro occupied the property for one year in 1933. From 1934 to 1935, E E Sidnam owned the property. D D Hilyard then bought the property and resided in it from 1936 to 1944. The property is listed as "vacant" in the 1945 city directory and there was no city directory available for 1946. From 1947 to at least 1962, G N Ginther owned the property. No records were available between 1963 and 1964, and in 1965 the address is not listed in the city directory. No records were available from 1966 to 1978, and the address was not listed in 1979-1990. (See Continuation Sheet 3 of 5).
B11. Additional Resource Attributes:
(List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
City of Santa Ana Building Permits
Santa Ana History Room Collection, Santa Ana Public Library Sanborn Maps
(See Continuation Sheet 3 of 5.)
B13. Remarks: None
*B14. Evaluator: Andrea Dumovich Heywood, City of Santa Ana.
*Date of Evaluation: January 11, 2024
Sketch Map
(This space reserved for official comments.)
Woitke House
925 North Lowell Street
State of California ⎯⎯ The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by Andrea Dumovich Heywood *Date January 11, 2024⌧ Continuation Update DPR 523L
DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information
*P3a. Description (continued):
Fenestration on the side (north) façade features a mix of window types, including paired, single-light casement wood windows; a wide fixed wood window with upper multi-light transoms; a tripartite wood-frame multi-light side door with a central door flanked by narrower doors that is located within an arched recessed porch; and one-over-one double-hung wood windows (Figures 4 and 5). Similarly, the side (south) façade’s fenestration is a mix of double-hung wood windows and fixed wood windows. The rear (east) façade contains single-light casement wood windows, a fixed wood window, and double-hung wood windows, along with two wood doors, one of which is a multi-light door and the other has a single upper light (Figure 6). All windows throughout the residence contain a prominent wood window sill.
Additional architectural features include terra cotta tile flooring at the main entrance walkway, font and side porches, and re ar entrance steps; decorative tiles within the terra cotta flooring. The rear yard contains a single-story, detached garage with a square footprint and a flat roof with parapet. Clay tile coping wraps around the garage’s parapet roofline, with a clay tile ro of awning at the primary (north) façade. Garage fenestration consists of a metal roll up door at the primary (north) façade, and a wood door and fixed wood window at the side (west) facade (Figure 7). The property is landscaped with a front lawn, two mature palm trees that flank the entrance walkway, additional medium-sized mature trees, along with shrubs, bushes, small palm trees and succulents. A tall, manicured hedge wraps around the side (north) façade, which is contained by a small metal fence.
*B10. Significance (continued):
In the 1999-2000 Criss-Cross directory, Herbert McCoy is listed as the building occupant. The present-day owners, Kelly and Bethany Thomas, have owned the property since 2003. No additional information was uncovered regarding the past owners and tenants.
The Woitke House is located in Washington Square, a neighborhood located northwest of the city center bounded by West Seventeenth Street on the north, West Civic Center Drive on the south, North Flower Street on the east, and North Bristol Street on the west. Most of this area was owned by the family of Jacob Ross, who had purchased portions of the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana in 1868 and 1869. Walnuts and other crops were grown in the area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with a few farmhouses, most notably the Ross-McNeal House at 1020 North Baker Street, dotting the landscape. By 1905, Baker and Towner were the only streets in the neighborhood, which extended from Hickey (now Civic Center) only as far as Washington and which contained only about a dozen homes. The status quo had not changed much by 1915, when a brick yard was located at the northern terminus of Olive Street at Hickey. In 1925, the beginning of the development that would convert this largely agricultural area into a middle class neighborhood of single-family homes over the next 25 years had begun. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Tudor Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival homes were the standard, with American Colonial Revival saltboxes and ranch style homes favored in the years before and after World War II. During the 1930s, many of the homes were built by local contractor Emmett Rogers, who sold lots and built homes according to standard plans, which individual property owners could customize to their tastes ("Washington Square: A Neighborhood of Pride," Washington Square Neighborhood Association). With the return of servicemen following the war and the accompanying demand for homes in southern California, the development of Washington Square was all but completed.
The Woitke House qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Criterion 1 as an intact example of a Spanish Revival style style home in Santa Ana. Located in Washington Square, the house was built in 1928.
The recommended categorization is “Contributive” because it contributes to the overall character and history of Washington Square and is a representative example of Spanish Revival architecture in Santa Ana (Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2(3)). Character-defining features of the Woitke House include, but may not be limited to: Rectangular-shaped building footprint and massing; asymmetrical primary façade; hipped roof clad in clay tiles that has a flat roof at its center; minimal eave overhang; original smooth stucco siding (to be restored with or without trowel pattern); a partially enclosed covered patio at the primary façade with multiple arched openings; a covered patio at the side (north) facade with an arched opening; two tripartite wood windows at the primary (west) façade that each contain two casement windows with a centered fixed window and upper multi-light transoms at all three window segments; additional windows including single-light casement wood windows, a tripartite wood-frame multi-light side door with a central door flanked by narrower doors, fixed wood windows, one-over-one double-hung wood windows; rear, single and multi-light wood-frame doors; prominent wood window sill on all original windows; terra cotta tile flooring at the main entrance walkway, font and side porches, and rear entrance steps; decorative tiles within the terra cotta flooring; detached garage with a flat roof and parapet that has clay tile coping and a clay tile roof awning at the primary (north) façade; and front yard landscaping including small and mature palm trees and succulents.
State of California ⎯⎯ The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by Andrea Dumovich Heywood *Date January 11, 2024⌧ Continuation Update DPR 523L
*B12. References (continued):
Harris, Cyril M. American Architecture: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York, WW Norton, 1998.
Marsh, Diann. Santa Ana, An Illustrated History. Encinitas, Heritage Publishing, 1994.
McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984.
National Register Bulletin 16A. “How to Complete the National Register Registration Form.” Washington DC: National Register
Newspapers.com (Orange County Register and Santa Ana Register) Branch, National Park Service, US Dept. of the Interior, 1991.
Office of Historic Preservation. “Instructions for Recording Historical Resources.” Sacramento: March 1995.
Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture Since 1780. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1969.
Santa Ana and Orange County Directories, 1928-2008.
Talbert, Thomas B. The Historical Volume and Reference Works: Covering Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Tustin. Volume 1:
Orange County. Whittier: Historical Publishers, 1963.
State of California ⎯⎯ The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by Andrea Dumovich Heywood *Date January 11, 2024⌧ Continuation Update DPR 523L
Additional Figures:
Figure 2. Original tripartite window that has two
casement windows with a centered fixed window and
upper multi-light transoms at all three window segments, facing northeast.
Figure 3. Main entrance door that is composed of a
single wood frame door with obscure glass, including
metal hardware and decorative metal ornamentation
fixed to the door’s exterior, facing east.
Figure 4. Fixed wood window with upper multi-light
transoms, facing south.
Figure 5. Tripartite wood-frame multi-light side door with a central door flanked by narrower doors, facing south.
Figure 6. The rear (east) façade’s wood door with a
single upper light and an adjacent fixed wood window,
facing west.
Figure 7. Detached garage with a flat roof with parapet.
Clay tile coping wraps around the garage’s parapet
roofline, with a clay tile roof awning), facing south.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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Exhibit C
Exterior work shall be reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission and subject to the U.S.
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings, as follows:
1. Every reasonable effort shall be made to provide a compatible use for a property which requires minimal alteration of the building, structure, or site and its environment, or to use a property for its originally intended purpose.
2. The distinguishing original qualities or character of a building, structure or site and its environment shall not be destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features should be avoided when possible.
3. All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.
4. Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure, or site and its environment.
These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
5. Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure, or site shall be treated with sensitivity.
6. Deteriorated architectural features shall be repaired rather than replaced, whenever possible. In the event replacement is necessary, the new material should match the material being replaced in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. Repair or replacement of missing architectural features should be based on accurate duplications of features, substantiated by historic, physical, or pictorial evidence rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from the other buildings or structures.
7. The surface cleaning of structures shall be undertaken with the gentlest means possible. Sandblasting and other cleaning methods that will damage the historic building materials shall not be undertaken.
8. Every reasonable effort shall be made to protect and reserve archaeological resources affected by, or adjacent to any project.
9. Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material, an such design is compatible with
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
925 North Lowell Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
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size, scale, color, material and character of the property, neighborhood, or environment.
10. Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to structures shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations need to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the structure would be unimpaired.
Proposed Structure Improvements (“Work Plan”)
925 North Lowell Street
Item Year Improvement
1 2024 Replace electrical knob and tube wiring
2 2024 Replace all security lighting at the front, rear, and side yards with compatible lighting. (The decorative exterior ceiling lighting can remain.) 3 2025 Repair in-kind all wood windows as needed. Replace any wood rot that is beyond repair to match existing.
4 2026 Rear yard gate replacement with compatible style gate, or removal of the decorative iron ornamentation on existing gate.
5 2027 Garage door replacement with compatible style door 6 2027 Front door replacement with compatible style door 7 2028 Remove coarse stucco coating at residence and garage buildings, restore original finish to smooth stucco with trowel pattern, and paint the house and garage. 8 2029 Earthquake retrofit the property’s foundation
9 2031 Replace cracked driveway and garage floor
10 2032 Interior natural wood restoration – mahogany doors, hardwood floors, window casing
Exhibit D