Museum Voted for Helena Modjeska's Home in Canyon : Preservation: Neighbors fight public access because of traffic worries. Supervisors approve a 4-day schedule.

By JIM NEWTON

July 17, 1991 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

SANTA ANA — The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan for operating a museum at the home of Shakespearean actress Helena Modjeska, finally settling a battle that has pitted local preservationists against residents of a South County canyon community.

“This is it,” Kathie Matsuyama, who managed the project for the harbors, beaches and parks division of the county Environmental Management Agency, said after the vote. “It’s been two years and five months, but it’s been worth it.”

Under the plan approved by the supervisors, the nationally recognized historic landmark in remote Modjeska Canyon will be preserved as a museum and open to the public four days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. Access to the 14.4-acre property--which features Modjeska’s mansion and several other cottages, as well as lush oaks and other plants scattered across the grounds--will be limited to no more than 60 visitors at a time.

Limits on visiting hours, the number of visitors and access all were developed during long negotiations with canyon residents, who feared that their tiny, secluded community could be overwhelmed by traffic and noise generated by the museum.

Residents worried that cars will pose a hazard as they travel the single, winding road that snakes up Modjeska Canyon through thick olive groves at the canyon mouth.

Community representatives pressed their points, and county officials made concessions in several areas: For instance, visitors to the museum will have to park outside the canyon and take a bus or van to the house, a move that should hold down traffic on the road.

But as residents argued their case, they were opposed on several points by leaders of county historical groups, who wanted the public to have as much access as possible to the house and grounds.

That has created some hard feelings on both sides. The testy face-off resurfaced Tuesday even as supervisors were preparing to vote.

Leaders of several historical societies endorsed the operating plan for the Modjeska House--officially renamed Arden-Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens.

But canyon residents, while praising some aspects of the agreement, called the overall package “unreasonable” and “insensitive.”

In particular, residents were angry that county officials insisted on keeping the museum open on Sundays. Preservationists said they wanted the public to have access to the home on weekends, arguing that the county should make the museum open to as many visitors as possible.

Built in the late 1880s, the mansion was influenced by renowned architect Stanford White and is one of just two nationally recognized landmarks in Orange County, according to Bob Fisher, director of the harbors, beaches and parks division. The other is the birthplace of former President Richard M. Nixon in Yorba Linda.

Limiting access to such significant sites would be wrong, said Barbara Milkovich, a member of the Huntington Beach Historical Society. “All of us in the county love this house.”

Carol Jordan, chairwoman of the Orange County Historical Commission, agreed. “In the interests of the taxpayers . . . who paid for the house, we feel the restrictions should be eased,” she said.

Residents, however, vehemently disagreed.

“We treasure our community,” said Ginny Smith-Payette, president of the Modjeska Residents Assn. “We are very close-knit. Sunday is for us, as it is for you, our day of rest. . . . We will not agree to park use on both weekend days.”

Rene Brown, another canyon resident, echoed her comments.

“I’m here to plead for our Sundays,” she said. “Our hopes and dreams are there. Our children have grown up there. And we hope that our Sundays can remain.”

Despite those pleas, the board voted with the preservationists. At the urging of Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez, the board reduced the days that the museum will be open from five per week to four.

Some residents were outraged.

“We moved out to the canyon to get away from noise and traffic,” Smith-Payette said. “We deserve a weekend too, but they’re going to take it away from us.”

Smith-Payette and other residents, several of whom described themselves as deeply disappointed by the supervisors’ vote, said they would meet over the coming few days to decide on whether to continue objecting to the project.

One community representative told the supervisors Tuesday that the residents believe that the county’s environmental impact report on the project is legally flawed and subject to challenge.

For their part, county officials said the plan represents a good deal for both sides.

The county expects to spend about $7 million to create the museum and park.

Large parties at the house will be limited to four a year, and the community will be able to appoint members to a board that helps plan those functions. The museum will close at 4 p.m.; outside lighting and loudspeakers will not be allowed on the grounds.

“The county is the only property owner in the area that is pledging not to serve alcohol, not to play a radio, and not to have company over after 4 p.m.,” Fisher said. “We want to be a good neighbor.”