Historic Resource Commission approves Mills Act preservation agreement for Joy House at 1402 S. Birch St.

The City of Santa Ana Historic Resource Commission on an unan­imous vote approved listing the Joy House at 1402 South Birch Street on the Santa Ana Register and recommended the City Council authorize a historic property preservation agreement under the Mills Act. The commission’s action followed a staff presentation that described the house as an intact example of minimal traditional residential architecture and recommended a “contributive” categorization.

In presenting the nomination, planning staff member James Williams said the house, built in 1947, retains original features including wood sash windows, a recessed front porch and historic exterior materials; the original building permit lists the owner as Coast Construction Company and a 1949 acquisition by Carol and Donna Joy. Williams recommended the commission adopt a resolution approving HRCA-2025-14 and HRC-2025-11 and recommend council authorize HPPA-2025-11.

Commissioner Hardy asked staff to add two glass-block windows shown in the photo documentation to the property’s description and Mills Act work plan so that their maintenance would be preserved as character-defining features. Williams agreed: “We can amend the DPR forms and the Mills Act work plan to include those windows,” he said. The applicant, homeowner Laura Trudeau, told commissioners that her family moved to Wilshire Square to care for and preserve the neighborhood and the house.

After the public hearing — which drew no public opposition — a commissioner moved to approve the staff recommendation and Commissioner Hardy seconded. The secretary called the roll; the motion passed unanimously with Vice Chair Christie recorded as absent.

The commission’s action authorizes the city to enter into a Mills Act historic property preservation agreement subject to a work plan. The staff presentation and subsequent discussion identified specific maintenance obligations that the agreement will reference, including assessing and repairing horizontal plank siding, repairing or replacing windows in kind with staff approval, trimming street-facing vegetation, reroofing in kind as necessary, and addressing walkways and hardscaping.

The commission noted that formal action becomes effective after a 10-day appeal period unless the City Council holds a public hearing. The commission invited the property owners and commissioners forward for a group photo following the vote; the meeting then proceeded to the next agenda item.