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 charter 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 E. Thomas Chappell, an Unmarried Man, (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Owner”), owner of real property located at 433 West Santa Clara Avenue, 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 historical 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 structures and improvements thereon, located at 433 West Santa Clara Avenue, Santa Ana, CA, 92706 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 designated on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties pursuant to the requirements 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.
E. Owner and City intend to carry out the purposes of California Government Code, Chapter 1, Part 5 of Division 1 of Title 5, Article 12, Section 50280 et seq., which
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
433 West Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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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 November 5, 2025, 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 Government Code Sections 50280 through 50290 and in Section 2, below.
2. Renewal.
a. Each year on the anniversary of the effective 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 any year not to renew the Agreement, the Owner or City shall serve written notice of nonrenewal 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” and “Historical Property Description” attached hereto, marked collectively as Exhibit B, notably the general architectural form, style, materials, design, scale, proportions, organization of windows, doors, and other openings, textures, details, mass, roof line, porch and other aspects of the appearance of the exterior to the satisfaction of the City.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
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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 Recreation, 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 public to see the Historic Property from the public right-of-way shall be maintained, and Owner 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 rehabilitation plan approved by the Historic Resources Commission; paving of yard surface; exterior alterations or additions unless approved by the Historic Resources Commission and such alterations are in keeping with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards; deteriorating, dilapidated or unrepaired structures such as fences, roofs, doors, walls, and windows; storage of junk, trash, debris, 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 initial 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 State 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 Equalization information required to determine compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
f. Owner shall implement the rehabilitation and restoration work items as discussed in detail in Exhibit D, “Proposed Structure Improvements” or “Work Plan” and the City Council Historic Property Preservation Agreement (HPPA No. 2025-10) staff report dated November 4, 2025. All work items shall be completed within the first ten years of the Mills Act Agreement, with specific items completed within the first five years including assessing condition of all windows, including frames and sashes, and repairing or replacing in-kind, as necessary and subject to Planning Division staff approval; assessing condition of roof, roofing tiles, exposed rafters, and fascia and repairing or replacing in-kind, as necessary and subject to Planning Division staff approval; and replacing vinyl windows on east and north facades with stylistically appropriate wood sash windows, subject to Planning Division staff approval. Proof of completion, as requested by the City of Santa Ana, will be required in order to satisfy and maintain the Mills Act Agreement.
Staff approval is required before items are amended or removed/replaced from the improvements list.
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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 determine 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 cancel this Agreement if it determines that the Owner have breached any of the conditions of this Agreement, or has allowed the property to deteriorate to the point that it no longer meets the 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 County Auditor as set forth in Government Code Section 50286.
This cancellation fee shall be a percentage (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 cancellation, 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 frustrates 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 enforce, or enjoin the breach of, the terms of the Agreement. In the event of a default, under the provisions to cancel the Agreement by Owner, the City shall give written notice to Owner by registered or certified mail, and if such a violation is not corrected to the reasonable 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 any 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 violation by Owner or apply for such relief as may be appropriate. 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
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
433 West Santa Clara Avenue
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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 433 West Santa Clara Avenue, Assessor Parcel Number, 002-123-18, and more particularly described 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 that 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 title or interest to the Historic Property.
Every contract, deed, or other instrument 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 the 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 recognized that the consideration for the execution of this Agreement is the substantial public benefit to be derived therefrom and the advantage that will accrue to Owner as a result of the effect 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 other 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: City Clerk
Owner: E. Thomas Chappell
433 West Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
433 West Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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10. General Provisions.
a. None of the terms, provisions, or conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership between the parties hereto and 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 employees harmless from liability for damage or claims for damage for personal injuries, including death, 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 officials, 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 regardless 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, conditions, and restrictions contained in this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure 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, reservations, or restrictions contained herein, or to determine the rights and duties of any party hereunder, 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 competent 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.
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Santa Ana, CA 92706
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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 recorded 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
433 West Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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ATTEST: CITY OF SANTA ANA
________________________ _________________________
JENNIFER L. HALL ALVARO NUÑEZ
City Clerk City Manager
OWNER
Date: ___________________ By:__________________
E. THOMAS CHAPPELL
APPROVED AS TO FORM: RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL:
SONIA CARVALHO
City Attorney
By: _____________________ _____________________
BRANDON SALVATIERRA ALI PEZESHKPOUR
Deputy City Attorney Executive Director
Planning and Building Agency
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
433 West Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFRONIA, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
LOT 14 OF TRACT NO. 76, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 22, PAGES 35 OF
MISCELLANUEOUS MAPS IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF SAID COUNTY
EXCEPT FROM SAID LOT 14 THE WESTERLY 15.00 FEET AND THE EASTERLY 10.00 FEET OF THE SOUTHERLY 150.00 FEET.
Assessor’s Parcel Number: 002-123-18
Exhibit B
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hector Godinez House
433 West Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
NAME Hector Godinez House REF. NO.
ADDRESS 433 West Santa Clara Avenue
CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92706 ORANGE COUNTY
YEAR BUILT 1974 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: Key
HISTORIC DISTRICT Floral Park NEIGHBORHOOD Floral Park
CALIFORNIA REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION B/2 CALIFORNIA REGISTER STATUS CODE 5S3 Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted Prehistoric Historic Both
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION:
The Hector Godinez House is significantly and historically associated with Hector G. Godinez. Mr. Godinez was the first Mexican American appointed to United States Postal Service Postmaster in Santa Ana and the country in 1961 by President Kennedy and worked as an activist and community leader for the Hispanic community of Santa Ana fighting racism in education and other facets of society. Mr. Godinez was a founding member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Santa Ana chapter and worked to desegregate Orange County public schools. He served as national president of the LULAC from 1960 to 1961.
SUMMARY/CONCLUSION:
The Hector Godinez House qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Key Category Criterion 2(c) for its association with Hector G. Godinez, activist and community leader in Santa Ana and Southern California. The established period of signifcance is 1974 when he constructed the residence and garage to 1979 whe he was part of the Santa Ana Healthcare Authority and District Manager for the United States Postal Service in Southern California.
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.)
2: It is associated with the lives of persons important in our past.
It is associated with the lives of persons important in our past. 5S3: Appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation.
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 _6_ Resource name(s) or number Hector Godinez House P1. Other Identifier:N/A
*P2. Location: Unrestricted *a. County Orange County *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad:Orange Quadrangle California-Orange County 7.5-Minute Series Date:2022 * c. Address 433 West Santa Clara Avenue City: Santa Ana Zip: 92706 * e. Other Locational Data: Assessor’s Parcel Number 002-123-18
*P3a. Description:
Located on in the Floral Park neighborhood, the Hector Godinez House consists of a one-story, single-family residence and pool house constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style (Figure 1). Built on an L-plan, the residence is capped with a clay, barrel-tile-clad hipped roof. Siding throughout the residence is rough stucco. Along the west side of the building, an arcade with tiled flooring and an exposed wood ceiling starts from the front of the building, where it shelters an attached two-car garage (Figure 2). The arcade terminates at the north at the deeply set-back front entrance, which is accessed by way of the glazed front door with a terracotta surround. East-facing windows front much of the course of the arcade. Generally, these are wood fixed or tripartite sliding units, though a single sliding vinyl window punctures the wall at the clerestory level (Figure 3).
(See Continuation Sheet 3 of 5.)
*P3b. Resource Attributes: HP2. Single-Family Residence
*P4. Resources Present: Building
P5b. Photo:
(Figure 1) Primary (south) facade,
view north, taken April 29, 2025.
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Sources: historic
1974, City of Santa Ana 2025
*P7. Owner and Address:
Edward T. Chappell
433 West Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706-1615
*P8. Recorded by:
James Williams
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza M-20
Santa Ana, CA 92702
*P9. Date Recorded:
April 29, 2025
*P10. Survey Type:
Intensive Survey Update
*P11. Report Citation:
None
*Attachments: Sketch Map
Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information
P5a. Photo
Exhibit B
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # __________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# ______________________________________________
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
*Resource Name or #: Hector Godinez House
B1. Historic Name: Hector Godinez House
B2. Common Name: Same
B3. Original Use: Single-family residence B4. Present Use: Single-family residence *B5. Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History:
January 1, 1974. Residence and garage constructed. $50,000. (City of Santa Ana 2025) June 24, 1975. Swimming pool constructed. $5,000. (City of Santa Ana 2025) Circa 1999. Trellis shade structure added. Value unknown. (NETR Online 2025) February 29, 2016. Rough stucco siding replaced. Value unknown. (City of Santa Ana 2025) Date unknown. Original windows replaced with wood-frame and vinyl-frame sash windows, original doors replaced, garage doors replaced.
*B7. Moved? No
*B8. Related Features: N/A
B9a. Architect: Unknown b. Builder: Hector Godinez *B10. Significance: Theme Mexican American Heritage and Advocacy in Santa Ana Area Santa Ana Period of Significance: 1974-1979 Property Type: Single-family residence Applicable Criteria: B/2
The Hector Godinez House is historically significant for its association with its original owner and builder, Hector G. Godinez.
Building permit data indicates the property was built in 1974 by owner and contractor Hector Godinez for $50,000 (City of Santa Ana 2025). Before owning the subject property, Mr. Godinez was born in San Diego in 1924 but moved to Santa Ana where he attended ethnically segregated schools, which became a social issue he fought against later in life. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Mr. Godinez enlisted in the United States Army and served in General Patton's Third Army as a tank commander. For his service, he earned a Bronze Star for Bravery, five battle stars, and a Purple Heart when he was injured during the Battle of the Bulge. After his honorable discharge and through a Federal program created to help partially disabled veterans gain government jobs, Mr. Godinez started his 49-year career with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in Santa Ana.
In 1961, Mr. Godinez was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as the first Mexican American postmaster not only in Santa Ana but in the country (United States Congressional Hearing 2002; Ancestry.com 2010; The Register 1961). From there, Hector worked his way up to become the Southern California district manager for the United States Post Office, managing more than 44,000 employees and an operating budget of $750 million. (See Continuation Sheet 3 of 6).
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: None
*B12. References:
(See Continuation Sheet 5 of 6.)
B13. Remarks: None
*B14. Evaluator: Ashley Losco, City of Santa Ana.
*Date of Evaluation: August 12, 2025
DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information
Sketch Map
(This space reserved for official comments.)
Hector Godinez House
433 W. Santa Clara Avenue N
SANTA CLARA AVENUE
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date April 29, 2025 Continuation DPR 523L
*P3a. Description (continued):
Accessed through a gate and rough stucco-clad walls, the east elevation features wood-frame horizontal sliding wood sash windows and vinyl-frame horizontal sliding sash windows (Figures 4 and 5). Additionally, a set of wood-frame French doors sit at the center of the east elevation adjacent to decorative metal sconces. A concrete path runs down the side of the east elevation towards the backyard which features a swimming pool, pool house, and a trellis shade structure. The north elevation accesses the backyard through four entrances: one entrance at the eastern end has a single, glazed wood-frame door and three of the entrances are wood-frame French doors with sidelites (Figures 6 and 7). The entrances sit on either side of a large exterior brick chimney and vinyl-frame horizontal sliding sash windows (Figure 8). Another set of wood-frame French doors and a single wood-frame door are located on the west façade facing a concrete path leading to the backyard.
At the rear of the property adjacent to the swimming pool is a pool house structure sitting on a brick foundation and capped with a front-gabled roof clad in barrel tile cladding (Figures 9 and 10). The wood frame structure of the roof is exposed atop stucco and brick clad walls which are open to the pool with a couch. Landscaping on the property consists of a lawn north and south of the residence, palms and ornamental plants, and a mature trees at the back yard. Four large brick-clad columns line the front yard along the sidewalk and West Santa Clara Avenue.
*B10. Significance (continued):
Alongside his work as a postmaster, Mr. Godinez was a founder of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Santa Ana chapter and worked to desegregate Orange County public schools. Santa Ana LULAC was dedicated to addressing improvement of conditions for Mexican Americans and responsible for Mendez v. Orange County Board of Education in 1947.
This lawsuit fought to desegregate Orange County schools and was influential as the basis for Brown v. Board of Education at the national level. He served as national president of the LULAC from 1960 to 1961 (United States Congressional Hearing 2002).
After working tirelessly for the United States Postal Service, Mr. Godinez was appointed District Manager of Los Angeles and Orange Counties in 1975 and again as the regional director of sequoia district office (which managed all mail from the coastal regions to the Mojave in southern California) in 1977 (Los Angeles Times 1975, 1977). He served on several commissions and boards while occupying the subject property including the city redevelopment commission in 1976, served as president of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce and Trustee of Rancho Santiago Community College District in 1976, and the Santa Ana Healthcare Authority in 1979 along with service in education, support for veterans, and unionizing the Santa Ana branch of postal workers (The Register 1976a, 1976b; Los Angeles Times 1979). He was the first Hispanic to be named the president of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the Santa Ana Redevelopment Board (United States Congressional Hearing 2002). Additionally, Mr. Godinez was the recipient of the NAACP’s Human Rights Award and the Western Region’s Community Service Award, and he was among the first recipients of the Postmaster General’s Award for Executive Achievement. He was distinguished by the National Association of Postmasters, the National League of Postmasters, and the National Association of Postal Supervisors (United States Congressional Hearing 2002). In 1999, Mr. Godinez passed away, and the house sold in 2001 (ParcelQuest 2025). The current owners and residents are Tom Chappell and Elvia Orrillo Blas.
The Hector Godinez House is located in Floral Park, a neighborhood northwest of downtown Santa Ana bounded by West Seventeenth Street, North Flower Street, Riverside Drive, and Broadway. Groves of orange, avocado, and walnut trees and widely scattered ranch houses characterized this area before 1920. Developer and builder Allison Honer (1897-1981), credited as the subdivider and builder of a major portion of northwest Santa Ana, arrived in Santa Ana from Beaver Falls, New York in 1922 (Talbert, pages 353-356). “Before nightfall on the day of his arrival, Mr. Honer purchased a parcel of land. And that month, he began building custom homes in Santa Ana” (Orange County Register 1981). The parcel chosen became the Floral Park subdivision between Seventeenth Street and Santiago Creek. “When built in the 1920s, the Floral Park homes were the most lavish and expensive in the area. They sold for about $45,000 each” (Orange County Register 1981). Revival architecture in a wide variety of romantic styles was celebrated in the 1920s and 1930s and Floral Park showcased examples of the English Tudor, French Norman, Spanish Colonial, and Colonial Revival. The Allison Honer Construction Company went on to complete such notable projects as the 1935 Art Deco styled Old Santa Ana City Hall, the El Toro Marine Base during World War II, and the 1960 Honer Shopping Plaza. Honer lived in the neighborhood he had helped to create, at 615 West Santa Clara Avenue.
In the late 1920s and 1930s, another builder, Roy Roscoe Russell (1881-1965), continued developing the groves of Floral Park.
An early Russell project was his 1928 subdivision of Victoria Drive between West Nineteenth Street and West Santa Clara Avenue. The homes were quite grand and displayed various revival styles, including Russell’s own large, Colonial Revival mansion at 2009 Victoria Drive. In 1937, Roy Rodney Russell, joined his father’s firm and by 1945 it was renamed as Roy Russell and Son. In the early post World War II years, Floral Park continued its development as numerous, smaller, single- family houses were built. Continuing in the Floral Park tradition, they were mostly revival in style. In the 1950s, low, horizontal State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date April 29, 2025 Continuation DPR 523L
Ranch Style houses completed the growth of Floral Park. Today, Floral Park maintains its identity as the premier neighborhood of Santa Ana, historically home to many affluent and prominent citizens.
The Hector Godinez House qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Key Category Criterion 4(b) for its association with Hector G. Godinez, activist and community leader in Santa Ana and Southern California. The established period of signifcance is 1974, when he constructed the residence, to 1979, when he was part of the Santa Ana Healthcare Authority and District Manager for the United States Postal Service in Southern California. Character-defining features of the Hector Godinez house that should be preserved are those constructed within the period of significance of 1974- 1979 and which generally reflect the property’s Spanish Colonial Revival style. They include, but are not limited to, its L plan, cross-gabled roof, clay-barrel-tile roof cladding, stucco exterior, east-façade arcade with exposed wood beams, and original wood-sash sliding windows.
*B12. References (continued):
Ancestry.com. 2010. U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832- Sept. 30, 1971; Record Group: Records of the Post Office Department; Record Group Number: 28; Series: M841; Roll Number: 11. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1932/records/282295?tid=&pid=&queryId=87f4b886-3e0d- 41d1-9d04-5792f5eaba75&_phsrc=JhD1816&_phstart=successSource (accessed August 2025).
Los Angeles Times. 1975. “Postmaster Named District Manager.” October 17, 1975. https://www.newspapers.com/image/165914073/?match=1&terms=%22hector%20godinez%22 (accessed August 2025). ____. 1977. “Godinez will Head Postal Services Regional Office.” November 18, 1977. https://www.newspapers.com/image/165144141/?match=1&terms=%22hector%20godinez%22 (accessed August 2025). ____.1979. “Group Plans to By Hospitals.” February 10, 1979. https://www.newspapers.com/image/384986050/?match=1&terms=%22hector%20godinez%22 NETR Online. 2025. Historic aerials and topographic maps including 1999. https://www.historicaerials.com/(accessed August 2025).
ParcelQuest. 2025. Property Information for 433 West Santa Clara Avenue. https://pqweb.parcelquest.com/#login (accessed August 2025).
The Register. 1961. “New Acting Postmaster.” April 1, 1961. https://www.newspapers.com/image/996394799/?match=1&terms=%22hector%20godinez%22 (accessed August 2025). ____.1976a. “Aides Urge Economist Contract February 8, 1976.” https://www.newspapers.com/image/82160924/?match=1&terms=%22hector%20godinez%22 (accessed August 2025). ____.1976b. “Advertisement.” June 7, 1976.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/90356188/?match=1&terms=%22hector%20godinez%22 (accessed August 2025).
Santa Ana, City of. 2025. Building Permits for 433 West Santa Clara Avenue. Provided by the City of Santa Ana.
United States Congressional Hearing. 2002. Congressional Record — House H1181. April 10, 2002.
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date April 29, 2025 Continuation DPR 523L
Additional Figures:
Figure 2. Arcade on the primary (south) façade and east elevation with stucco columns, tile flooring, garage
openings, and primary entrance in background, facing
north.
Figure 3. These windows are representative of wood
tripartite windows on the primary façade, facing
northeast.
Figure 4. East façade with wood sliding sash window and concrete path to backyard, facing north.
Figure 5. East and north facades featuring vinyl-frame
sliding sash windows, facing southwest.
Figure 6. North façade single, wood-frame door entrance and vinyl window, facing southeast.
Figure 7. Representative example of wood-frame French
doors on north façade, facing southwest.
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date April 29, 2025 Continuation DPR 523L
Figure 8. Exterior brick chinmey on the north façade and trellis shade structure, facing south.
Figure 9. Backyard and swimming pool, facing west.
Figure 10. Pool house in the backyard feature barrel tile roofing and stucco and brick cladding, facing north.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
433 W. Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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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, and such design is compatible with
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
433 W. Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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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.
Exhibit D: Proposed Structure Improvements (“Work Plan”) 433 West Santa Clara Avenue
Item Year Improvement
1 2026 Assess condition of all windows, including frames and sashes, and repair or replace in-kind, as necessary and subject to Planning Division staff approval.
Trim trees, bushes and other landscaping to maintain a clear view of the property from the public right of way.
2 2028 Assess condition of roof, roofing tiles, exposed rafters, and fascia and repair or replace in-kind, as necessary and subject to Planning Division staff approval. 3 2030 Replace vinyl windows on east and north facades with wood sash windows, subject to Planning Division staff approval.
4 2032 As sess condition of hardscaping throughout the property and repair or replace with Planning Division staff approval.
5 2034 Assess paint and stucco throughout the residence and repair or replace, as necessary and subject to Planning Division staff approval.