75B - 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 11 in the Civic Center. The public comment period ends on July 27, which will allow the,Cify to respond to any comments received and incorporate comments .and responses into the 'Final SEIR before the City Council public hearing, tentatively scheduled on August 21. As of'.this printing, no comments or communications from the public have been received on .the draft.SEIR. All mitigation measures in the original EIR and associated Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) have been enforced and continue to apply to the proposed Elan. project. The same measures identified in the original MEMU EIR MMRP are carried over within the draft SEIR. New mitigation measures proposed for the Elan project include documenting the building to Historic American Building Survey (HABS) Level 2 standards, preserving distinctive Elks Lodge building elements on the Elan project site, and developing an interpretative opportunity on the Elan site for public enjoyment. In addition to these measures, the applicant is proposing !to commemorate the Saddleback Inn, which occupied a portion of the site before its demolition. The full -height illuminated window wall along First Street will contain a view room to be -named after Walt Disney, who frequented the Saddleback Inn. In addition, a health risk assessment (HRA) was prepared to identify any impacts from developing a residential community near a major freeway. 'Using two methods of analysis, the HRA finds that a less than significant impact to project residents would occur due to the project's proximity to a major freeway. Economic Impacts MEMU Overlay Zone Expansion With the exception of the AMCAL community and Holiday Inn Express projects, the majority of the 52 parcels that are proposed to be rezoned with the OZ -1 designation have not undergone substantial improvements since first .being developed. The OZ -1 designation will provide opportunities for market-driven redevelopment, without a full rezoning or property takings. Moreover, amending the MEMU document is intended to respond to current market demands in the area. A large portion of the MEMU Overlay Zone is designated "Village Center; which allows office and commercial developments. However, the only form of housing allowed in this district is live/work construction. In order to facilitate development in the original MEMU area, the City's amendment to allow construction of multi -family housing in this land use district will directly address several development projects that are anticipated in the MEMU area that have not yet submitted development applications due to the live/work restriction. Other amendments, such as modifying development standards to more closely match standards found in other zoning districts, are.. intended to streamline the development process without the need for variance applications or density bonus incentives/concessions or waivers. This streamlining is intended to provide greater predictability to developers engaging in the development review process and is expected to result in additional medium- to large-scale developments in the area. 75B-15