JANUARY 18, 2023
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
ITEM NO. 2
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION NO. 2021-00195
Location: 2219 West Orange Avenue
Request: A request to subdivide a 2.4-acre property, currently developed with a church, preschool, and daycare facility, to develop a 1.3-acre portion of the property with 24 single-family attached townhomes in six residential buildings and associated improvements. Ten percent of the units would be designated as affordable for moderate income buyers. All homes would be three stories tall and would include attached two -car side-by- side garages on the ground floor. Vehicle access to the project site would be provided via one main driveway entry from Orange Avenue. The existing improvements on the 1.3 acre portion of the site would be demolished.
Environmental Determination: The Planning Commission will consider whether a Mitigated Negative Declaration is the appropriate environmental documentation for this request under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Recommended City
Council approval of the
project, and approved
Resolution Nos. PC2023-
002, PC2023-003.
MOTION: (Perez/White)
VOTE: 5-0
Chairperson Kring, and
Commissioners
Henninger, Perez, Walker,
and White voted yes.
Project Planner:
Nick Taylor
[email protected]
Commissioner Mouawad recused himself from the item due to a conflict of real property interest less than 1,000 feet from the property. He left the Council Chamber at 5:26 p.m.
Nick Taylor, Senior Planner, provided a summary of the staff report dated January 18, 2023. He noted that the request is for a General Plan Amendment, Zoning Reclassification, Conditional Use Permit, and Tentative Tract Map to construct a 24-unit townhome project with 10% of the units affordable for moderate income buyers.
Senior Planner Taylor noted that the property is currently developed with a church, preschool, and day care facility. He referenced a site photograph and stated that the project site is approximately 2.4 acres and is in the Transition zone. It is designated for Residential-Corridor land uses by the General Plan.
The applicant proposes to demolish the existing preschool and daycare buildings and subdivide the property into two parcels. Lot 1 would consist of the existing church building, and Lot 2 would consist of 24 new attached, single-family residences using the RM-3 zone development standards. The church on Lot 1 would remain, and the parking lot would be restriped to accommodate revised circulation.
Senior Planner Taylor explained that staff has considered the proposed project and believes that it is designed in a manner that would provide a quality living environment for its future residents and is compatible with the surrounding land uses. In addition, the proposed project meets the goals of the General Plan to continue to provide a variety of quality housing opportunities to address the City’s diverse housing needs.
JANUARY 18, 2023
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
Commissioner White asked how many affordable units would be provided. Senior Planner Taylor responded three units.
Commissioner White asked if the City has been receiving more proposed infill development projects for large church properties. Scott Koehm, Principal Planner, responded that the City has received a couple of applications from religious assembly facilities that are looking to potentially subdivide their property and provide housing. He noted that infill development projects in churches is not unique to Anaheim because similar subdivisions are being subdivided in neighboring cities.
Commissioner Henninger asked when the parcel was annexed into the City of Anaheim.
Principal Planner Koehm responded 1958.
Commissioner Henninger asked if staff foresees any problems with the existing church building (Lot 1) being surrounded by low-medium density residential properties (Lot 2). Senior Planner Taylor responded that staff does not foresee any issues.
Vice Chairperson Kring opened the public hearing.
Jeff Weber, Applicant, thanked staff for an excellent presentation. Mr. Weber stated that this proposed project is a continuation of their existing successful projects on Broadway and Magnolia. He thanked the Planning Commission for the opportunity to be able to present the project. Mr. Weber stated that in a continued effort to assist the City and the community with providing new investment into west Anaheim, the project will provide three affordable units within the 24-unit project. He noted that having affordable housing units in for sale projects is tough and he commended Faith Lutheran Church for working with his team to be able to provide the affordable units in the area. The project also provides common recreation and leisure area that include shade structures, barbeques, tables and chairs, lawn areas, and fire pits. Additionally, in redeveloping the project, traffic is being reduced because the day care center to be demolished has a traffic generation potential of 433 average daily trips, while the proposed redevelopment of the 24 townhomes is only projected to produce 162 daily trips. He noted that the project also ensures sufficient parking for Faith Lutheran now and for its future uses. Mr. Weber stated that he was available for questions and thanked the Planning Commission for their consideration of the project.
Commissioner Henniger asked if the secondary sidewalk that is parallel to the public sidewalk in the right of way is a City standard. Mr. Weber responded that the secondary sidewalk was proposed to create a sense of privacy for future property owners fronting Orange Avenue.
Chairperson Kring asked if the land was going to be leased from the church. Mr. Weber responded that a portion of the land was purchased from the church, and the property will be subdivided.
Chairperson Kring asked when construction of the units would be completed. Mr. Weber responded 18 months.
Vice Chairperson Kring closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Perez thanked the developer for providing three affordable housing units.
JANUARY 18, 2023
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
Commissioner Henninger disclosed that he spoke to the applicant prior to the meeting.
It was moved by Commissioner Perez, seconded by chairperson White to recommend approval of the project to the City Council.
Motion carried 5-0 (Commissioner Mouawad recused).