75A - PH METRO EAST MIXED USE OVERLAY (MEMU)

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GPA No. 2018-3, AA No.2018-6, ZOA No. 2018-3, and SPR No. 2018-02 Metro East Mixed_ Use (MEMU) Overlay Zone and Elan projects July 23, 2018 Page 9 courtyard will be surrounded by an artist gallery, leasing office, and other community amenities. Additional open space on site will serve the residents and tenants within the community. Amenity rooms, decks and balconies, two pool areas and private courtyards, and view rooms will meet or exceed the.present and proposed (amended) MEMU standards. The project's landscape palette has been selected to match and complement the Santa Ana Zoo that lies to the east of the project site across Elk Lane. The project frontage will also be improved with unique lighting and street furniture to match the Santa Ana Zoo. The applicant has coordinated the landscape plan with the Public Works and Parks, Recreation ;and Community Services agencies. Elan will feature a contemporary architectural style with Mid-century modem elements. Building materials are designed to mimic or complement the natural environment, with generous use of horizontal elements and carefully -placed vertical emphases, angles, metal brows, and fiber cement siding resembling wood, wood railings, glass, concrete, and cement blocks. The project's defining architectural features are the 24 -foot high ceilings for the commercial component and the full - height illuminated Window Wall along First Street. All utilities, loading, and move -ins will be contained within the building, and all parking (subterranean or above -ground structure) will be concealed from view from both the public and from within the project. The contemporary style also incorporates influences commemorating the Elks Lodge and Saddleback Inn. As part of the project, the applicant has proposed a full reconstruction of Elk Lane between First Street and Chestnut Avenue. The improvements are voluntary and have been coordinated with the Planning and Building, Public Works, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services agencies. Improvements include undulating sidewalk patterns on the project site, sidewalk improvements on the zoo (east) side of Elk Lane, and new bulb -outs and crosswalks on both sides of Elk Lane. The applicant has committed to constructing the new street, sidewalks, curbs, parking, and gutters, and will landscape both sides of Elk Lane, with the City assuming the long-term responsibility of maintenance through a maintenance agreement. These improvements have been designed to take into account the new Zoo Master Plan, adopted in March 2018. In addition to the improvements to Elk Lane, the project will require reconstruction of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters along First and Lyon streets. Portions of all streets along the project's frontage (Elk Lane.and First and Lyon streets) will also be repaved. The project will be conditioned to require continued coordination among the Planning .and Building, Public Works, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services agencies to identify opportunities for street art, signage, and other installations to complement the Santa Ana Zoo. The commercial component on First Street and the live/work units' ground -floor shopkeeper spaces have been designed to accommodate a wide range of tenants and ,to be expanded if market conditions warrant. The First Street commercial space has been designed with full two` - story volumes, enabling the square footage to be doubled within to over 16;000 square feet. This. square footage can accommodate half a dozen smaller tenants, a large pharmacy, or neighborhood market and cafe. The design and success of the commercial spaces are intended to 75A-13