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 Lance Uradomo and Tilly Gurman, husband and wife as community property with right of survivorship (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Owner”), owner of real property located at 2424 North Oakmont 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 2424 North Oakmont, 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.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
2424 North Oakmont Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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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 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 April 8, 2026, 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,
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
2424 North Oakmont Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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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 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" and the City Council Historic Property Preservation Agreement (HPPA No. 2024-13) staff report dated April 7, 2026. 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: trim and maintain landscaping as necessary to maintain a view of the primary (east) façade from the public right-of-way, including the large trees adjacent to the east (primary) elevation; repair or replace damaged rain gutter on the front (east) façade of the detached garage; replace non-original metal roll-up garage door with a garage door of stylistically appropriate material, subject to Planning Division staff approval; assess condition of windows and window trim throughout the property and repair or replace in- kind, as necessary with Planning Division staff approval; assess condition of wall cladding throughout the property and repair or replace in-kind as necessary with Planning Division staff
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
2424 North Oakmont Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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approval; and assess condition of Hollywood driveway of residence and repair or replace in-kind with 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.
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
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
2424 North Oakmont Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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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 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 2424 North Oakmont Avenue, Assessor Parcel Number, 003-092-40, 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
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
2424 North Oakmont Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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20 Civic Center Plaza (M-30)
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Attn: City Clerk
Owners: Lance Uradomo and Tilly Gurman
2424 North Oakmont Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
2424 North Oakmont Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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g. This Agreement shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, with venue in Orange County.
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
2424 North Oakmont Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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ATTEST: CITY OF SANTA ANA
________________________ _________________________
JENNIFER L. HALL ALVARO NUÑEZ
City Clerk City Manager
OWNERS
Date: ___________________ By:__________________
LANCE URADOMO
Date: ___________________ By:__________________
TILLY GURMAN
APPROVED AS TO FORM: RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL:
SONIA CARVALHO
City Attorney
By: _____________________ _____________________
BRANDON SALVATIERRA ALI PEZESHKPOUR
Assistant City Attorney Executive Director
Planning and Building Agency
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
2424 North Oakmont Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF ORANGE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
LOTS 20 AND 21, AND THE NORTH 5 FEET OF LOT 22 AND THE EASTERLY 25 FEET OF LOTS 2, 3 AND 4 IN BLOCK A OF TRACT NO. 378, IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA,
COUNTY OF ORANGE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS SHOWN ON A MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 16, PAGE 4 OF MISCELLANEOUS MAPS, RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Assessor’s Parcel Number: 003-092-40
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Halsell-Bricken House
2424 North Oakmont Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
NAME Halsell-Bricken House REF. NO.
ADDRESS 2424 North Oakmont Avenue
CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92706 ORANGE COUNTY
YEAR BUILT 1937 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: Landmark
HISTORIC DISTRICT N/A NEIGHBORHOOD Park Santiago
CALIFORNIA REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATIONB/2,
C/3 CALIFORNIA REGISTER STATUS CODE5S3
Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted Prehistoric Historic Both
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial Revival
The most universal of all American domestic building styles, the Colonial Revival has been popular since the 1876 Centennial celebration in Philadelphia stimulated a patriotic interest in the American architectural past. Beginning in the second half of the 1930s, and continuing in the two decades following World War II, the late Colonial Revival departed from the more literal historicism of the previous half-century and was often reduced to a few signature elements. These features include stylized door surrounds; pseudo-quoined corners; multi-paned casement or double-hung sash windows, often framed by decorative shutters; circular, oval, or octagonal accent windows; and eaves nearly flush with the exterior walls. A hipped roof subtype sometimes contained Regency references such as bow and bay windows. Another popular subtype was split-level, ranch, or Cape Cod in appearance and plan, and normally topped by gabled roofs. The materials used in the late Colonial Revival were similar to those of the earlier period—wood, brick, stone, and stucco—although stucco came to be used more frequently than before.
SUMMARY/CONCLUSION:
The Halsell-Bricken House qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Criterion 1 as an intact example of a Coloial Revival-style home in Santa Ana and under Criterion 4, due to associations with the property’s original owner, Oliver L.Halsell, who is significant as a central figure in the founding of Santa Anas Fairhaven Memorial Park. The recommended categorization is “Landmark” because it hass a distinctive architectural style and quality and is is associated with a significant person in the city (Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2).
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 significant in our past.
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__5S3________________________________
Other Listings _____________________________________________________________________ Review Code________ Reviewer________________________ Date_______________ Page _1_ of _7_ Resource name(s) or number (assigned by recorder) Halsell-Bricken 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 2424 N. Oakmont Avenue City: Santa Ana Zip: 92706 * e. Other Locational Data: Assessor’s Parcel Number 003-092-40
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The Halsell-Bricken House is a highly intact example of a one-to-two-story, Colonial Revival-style, single-family residence with two detached ancillary buildings and a Hollywood driveway (Figure 1). The residence is characterized by a rough L-plan, hipped roof with asphalt shingles and slight eaves, and principally stucco exterior cladding, augmented with wood lap siding on the second story of the primary (east) façade. Architectural detailing is concentrated on the primary façade, as typified by the recessed main entrance. At that location, a Classically inspired molded surround features fluted pilasters appearing to support a broken pediment with prominent dentils and a finial (Figure 2). Within the recess the walls are embellished with a simple rectangular molding, while operable sidelights flank the wood-panel front door and a wrought iron lamp is suspended from the ceiling. Other details include Classically inspired molding on the bay window to the left of the entrance (Figure 3), a small balconet on the wood-clad second story (Figure 4), and a fluted belt course. Windows on the primary façade are varied; in addition to the aforementioned bay window, the main exterior includes a multi-light porthole window, segmental arch multi-light window with ornamental shutters, and multi-light double hung wood sash and casement windows (Figure 5).
The rear and side elevations are comparatively restrained in appearance (Figure 6). These areas are characterized by stucco cladding and multi-light double-hung wood-sash windows. At the rear court, a trio of non-original glazed double doors opens from the west façade of the single-story mass (Figure 7). The adjacent patio is enclosed with a four-foot-high stuccoed wall with wood-plank gates at three locations. (See Continuation Sheet 3 of 4.)
*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 (east) facade, view
northwest, November 18, 2026
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Sources: historic
1937/Original Building Permit
*P7. Owner and Address:
Tilly Gurman & Lance Uradomo
2424 North Oakmont Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
*P8. Recorded by:
James Williams
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza M-20
Santa Ana, CA 92702
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 29, 2026
*P10. Survey Type:
Intensive Survey
*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
Exhibit B
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # __________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# ______________________________________________
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
*Resource Name or #: Halsell-Bricken House
B1. Historic Name: Halsell-Bricken House
B2. Common Name: Same
B3. Original Use: Single-Family Residence B4. Present Use: Single-Family Residence *B5. Architectural Style: American Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations):
1937. Residence and garage costructed. $7000.
1991. Construction of shop building. $12,500.
1993. Residence and garage re-roofed in-kind. $6,500.
2024: Non-historic pergola demolished.
2025: Rear sliding glass doors replaced with galzed double doors; two rear windows restored; one rear window replaced.
*B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date:__________Original location:______________ *B8. Related Features: Detached garage, shop building B9a. Architect:Unknown b. Builder: Charles Lawrence (contractor) *B10. Significance: Theme Residential Architecture AreaSanta Ana Period of Significance: 1937 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 Halsell-Bricken House is architecturally significant as an intact example of a Colonial Revival-style house in Santa Ana.
The original building permit is dated May 25, 1937, and indicates the property was developed as a residence and garage for owner Oliver L. Halsell, at a value of $7,000. The original architect and contractor are unknown. Halsell played a central role in the development of Santa Ana's Fairhaven Memorial Park, which at the time of its opening in 1911, was notable locally for its park-like planning (Tours Through History 2024). In the 1920s and 1930s, Halsell served an officer of the Santora Company, a Santa Ana-based land development firm responsible for constructing numerous commercial properties and establishing many residential subdivisions in Santa Ana and Orange County. In his duties with Santora, Halsell served as "tract manager" of the Oakmont Park tract, in which the Halsell-Bricken House is located. Originally platted for residential development in 1923, the tract was touted at the time of its initial development as one of a few areas of “high class residence construction” in the city (Santa Ana Daily Register November 8, 1923). Halsell remained at the subject property until his death in 1954. Upon his passing, Halsell's estate was transferred to the Halsell Foundation, which he established “for the cultural and religious benefit of the people of Orange County” (The Register October 26, 1954). The Halsell Foundation remains in operation to this day. (Continued on page 3 of 6.)
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) *B12. References:
Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on- line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
(See Continuation Sheet 4 of 6.)
B13. Remarks: None
*B14. Evaluator: James Williams, City of Santa Ana.
*Date of Evaluation: January 29, 2026
DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information
Sketch Map
(This space reserved for official comments.)
Halsell-Bricken House
2424 N. Oakmont Avenue
N
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date January 29, 2026Continuation Update DPR 523L
*P3a. Description (continued):
There are two buildings at the rear of the property, the original detached garage and a shop building constructed circa 1991.
The detached garage was constructed in a style similar to the residence (Figure 8). It has a rectangular plan, hipped roof with asphalt shingles and slight eaves, and stucco siding. A non-original metal roll-up garage door is located on the main (east) façade, opening toward a concrete-paved Hollywood driveway leading to Oakmont Avenue(Figure 9). There are three additional entrances, which feature two glazed wood-panel doors and one glazed solid wood door. A double-hung wood-sash window is located on the west façade.
The shop building has a rectangular plan, flat roof, and stucco siding(Figure 10). It is accessed via a metal roll-up garage door (south façade) and a glazed wood standard door (east elevation). Two horizontally sliding aluminum-sash windows are located on the east elevation. A flat-roof shelter extends from the shop’s east elevation, covering nearly all the concrete- paved area between the shop building and detached garage.
The front yard is landscaped with a broad lawn and various shrubs and mature trees, while the back yard features lawns, ornamental plants, and a citrus tree.
*B10. Significance (continued):
City directories and newspaper articles show that by 1960, F.H. Schroeder lived at this address, followed by David Schroeder (The Tustin News January 23, 1969). Gordon and Maureen Bricken acquired and moved onto the property by 1973, living there into the twenty-first century. Gordon had a two-decade career in local politics, serving on the City's Planning Commission from 1964 to 1974, the City Council in the 1970s and 1980s, and as mayor from 1981 to 1983 (Los Angeles Times June 28, 2023).
During his tenure as mayor, his leadership was linked to such projects as the Orange County World Trade Center, Santa Ana Train Station, and more generally, the "revitalization” of the Civic Center area (Los Angeles Times June 28, 2013). City planning records show, the property's current owners and residents Tilly Gurman and Lance Uradomo took ownership of the property in 2023.
The Halsell-Bricken House is located in the Park Santiago neighborhood. The neighborhood is bounded by Santiago Creek and Park on the north, East Seventeenth Street on the south, North Lincoln Avenue on the east, North Main Street on the west, and the I-5 freeway on the southwest. In large part these boundaries reflect the transportation lines that were constructed towards the end of the nineteenth century and at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the Pacific Electric interurban railroad ran up Main Street; the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe tracks followed Lincoln; and the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way mirrored the freeway route.
This area remained primarily agricultural well into the 1920s. As of 1905, the city directories listed around twenty households on East Santa Clara, Twentieth Street, “C Street” (now North Santiago Street), North Bush Street and North Main Avenue, the only streets in the area at the time. The vast majority of the residents were ranchers. By 1911, the number of households had increased to about thirty, and Edgewood Road and Valencia Street had been partially laid out, but most residents continued to list “rancher” or “fruit grower” as their occupation in the city directories. This pattern of land use was evident on the 1912 plat map of the City, which illustrated two small, Craftsman era subdivisions along Bush north of Santa Clara and on Valencia and Poinsettia south of Twentieth Street, with the remaining area divided into larger, agricultural parcels held by approximately forty landowners.
While the area east of Santiago Street was not subdivided until after the mid-1920s, most of the present day streets west of Santiago had been laid out when the City was mapped in 1923. Ranching continued to be the most prevalent occupation in the neighborhood, but increasing numbers of professionals, small business owners, merchants, and people in service professions such as painters, electricians, and ca rpenters made their homes in the western half of the neighborhood during the 1920s and 1930s. The area also attracted several city and county officials, including the City Attorney (Z. B. West, Jr., 321 East Santa Clara Avenue), County Supervisor, First District (C. H. Chapman, 2315 North Santiago Street), County Surveyor (E. H. Irwin, 2407 North Santiago Street), and County Auditor (William C. Jerome, 2422 Poinsettia Street). By April 1942, when the Sanborn Company first mapped the western half of the area, most of the lots had been improved with single-family homes, many in the revival styles popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Subsequent development of the eastern half of the neighborhood and infill construction in the western half displayed the simplified ranch style that emerged following World War II.
The Halsell-Bricken House qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Criteria 1 and 4. Under Criterion 1, the property is eligible as a good and intact example of a Colonial Revival-style house in Santa Ana. Located in Park Santiago, the house cost $7,000 to build in 1937. The recommended categorization is “landmark” because it has a distinctive architectural style and quality as a Colonial Revival-style residence (Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2.1).
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date January 29, 2026Continuation Update DPR 523L
*B10. Significance (continued):
The Halsell-Bricken House also qualifies for listing under Criterion 4, due to its associations with its original owner, Oliver L.
Halsell. Halsell is credited as a central figure in the 1911 founding of Fairhaven Memorial Park, whose park-like landscape design reflected a new and influential approach in the development of cemeteries in the United States in the early twentieth century. The property remains in use for burials, its longevity a testament to Halsell’s forward-looking mindset. Although Halsell enjoyed a highly successful career in real estate development, no information uncovered in research for this evaluation found that his contributions within the Santora Company stand out as individually significant or outweigh those of other officers of the company; as such his accomplishments with the Santora Company do contribute to the property’s significance under Criterion 4. The recommended categorization for the property under this criterion is also “Landmark” because the property is associated with a significant person in the city (Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2.1).
Regarding the potential historical significance of Gordon Bricken, although his career in public service is connected to such major projects as the Orange County World Trade Center and the Santa Ana Train Station, there is not sufficient secondary source material pertaining to his career to ascertain the details of his participation in these projects or the importance of the projects themselves. While future research may find that the Halsell-Bricken House is also significant for its associations with Bricken, no definitive conclusions can be made at the time of this evaluation.
The character-defining features of the Halsell-Bricken House are those of the original construction of the residence and which convey the property’s Colonial Revival-style design. They include, but may not be limited to: L-plan; one-to-two-story massing; asymmetrical primary (west) façade; moderately-pitched hipped roof; original wood-sash windows of multiple configurations (double-hung, casement, fixed, and porthole); stucco and wood-plank wall cladding; entrance featuring Classically inspired molded surround featuring fluted pilasters, broken pediment with prominent dentils, and finial; wood- panel front door with operable sidelights; and wrought iron porch lamp, Classically inspired molding on the bay windows and other primary-elevation locations; second-story balconet; and a fluted belt course; deep setback with a large front lawn; and Hollywood driveway.
*B12. References (continued):
City of Santa Ana Building Permits
City of Santa Ana, Public Library. City directory collection.
Los Angeles Times, via newspapers.com
Marsh, Diann. Santa Ana, An Illustrated History. Encinitas, Heritage Publishing, 1994.
McAlester, Virginia Savage. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013.
Newspapers.com (Sana Ana Register, Tustin News, The Register) Office of Historic Preservation. “Instructions for Recording Historical Resources.” Sacramento: March 1995.
Register, The, via newspapers.com
Santa Ana Daily Register, via newspapers.com
Tours Through History, “Fairhaven Cemtery Lantern Light Tour,” 2024, https://toursthroughhistory.com/fairhaven-cemetery/ Tustin News, via newspapers.com
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date January 29, 2026Continuation Update DPR 523L
Additional Figures:
Figure 2. The recessed main entrance is marked with a
Classically inspired surround with fluted columns and a broken pediment featuring a finial. facing west.
Figure 3. The bay window on the primary (east) elevation includes mullions molded as fluted columns. facing
southwest.
Figure 4. On the upper level of the main (east) façade, a small wood balconet is situated beneath multi-light wood casement windows, facing northeast.
Figure 5. The lower level of the primary façade also
features a porthole window (left) and a multi-light
segmental arch window with ornametnal shutters, facing
west.
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date January 29, 2026Continuation Update DPR 523L
Figure 6. The rear of the residence is comparatively
retrained in its appearance and features simple stucco
surfaces and multi-light double-hung windows, facing
northeast.
Figure 7. Three non-original glazed double doors front
the rear patio, facing northeast.
Figure 8. The detached garage, located northwest of the primary residence, has a hipped roof with moderate
overhangs and asphalt shingle cladding to match the
residence, facing southeast.
Figure 9. Ribbon driveay in the foreground leading to
garage in the background, facing south.
State of California The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONHRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________
*Recorded by James Williams *Date January 29, 2026Continuation Update DPR 523L
Figure 9. The shop building, directly west of the detached garage, has a stuccoed exterior, flat roof, and large open- frame shelter, facing north.
MILLS ACT AGREEMENT
2424 North Oakmont 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
2424 North Oakmont Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92706
- 2 -
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”) 2424 North Oakmont Avenue
Item Year Improvement
1 2026 Trim and maintain landscaping as necessary to maintain a view of the primary (east) façade from the public right-of-way, including the large trees adjacent to the east (primary) elevation.
2 2026 Repair or replace damaged rain gutter on the front (east) façade of the detached garage.
3 2027 Replace non-original metal roll-up garage door with a garage door of stylistically appropriate material, subject to Planning Division staff approval. 4 2029 Assess condition of windows and window trim throughout the property and repair or replace in-kind, as necessary with Planning Division staff approval. 5 2031 Assess condition of wall cladding throughout the property and repair or replace in- kind as necessary with Planning Division staff approval. 6 2033 Assess condition of roofs of residence and ancillary buildings and re-roof in-kind as necessary with Planning Division staff approval.
7 2035 Assess condition of Hollywood driveway of residence and repair or replace in-kind with Planning Division staff approval.