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Resolution No. 2019-xx <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />stories in height but portions of the building are 32 feet 5 inches tall. <br />The additional height is necessary to meet the California Building <br />Code requirements for interior clearance and provide for an <br />architectural design that is traditional of Coptic Orthodox churches. <br />With regards to topography and geology, the property has a history of <br />ground water intrusion into the basement of the existing church. As a <br />result, it is disadvantageous and undesirable for the church to <br />continue to use the existing church basement for community and <br />parish programming. <br />2. That the granting of a variance or minor exception is necessary for <br />the preservation and enjoyment of one (1) or more substantial <br />property rights. <br />Granting the minor exception will allow the church to construct a <br />community service building that will serve the parish and allow the <br />property owner to utilize the property to its maximum potential. The <br />purpose of regulating building height is to preserve the visual <br />environment and by ensuring that new development is harmonious in <br />scale and character with the existing development. In this case the <br />community service building will be approximately 60-feet from the <br />closest single-family dwelling and will have decorative walls and <br />enhanced landscaping with trees that will be installed along the <br />perimeter of the site to help preserve the visual environment. <br />Further, the height of the existing church is 35 feet, with the new <br />building to be consistent in height. <br />3. That the granting of a variance or minor exception will not be <br />materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to <br />surrounding property. <br />The community service building will not exacerbate the existing <br />height conditions. The existing church is 35-feet in height, the new <br />community service building will be 32 feet, 5 inches; therefore, the <br />approval of the minor exception will not create a new detriment to the <br />public welfare or surrounding properties. The community service <br />building will result in a positive addition to the community. <br />4. That the granting of a minor exception will not adversely affect the <br />general plan of the City. <br />With the exception of building height, the project is consistent with all <br />development standards identified in the Single-Family Residence <br />(R1) zoning district and the Santa Ana Municipal Code. Furthermore, <br />the project was designed in accordance with Chapter 10 (Special Use <br />Guidelines) and Section 12 (Religious Institution) of the Citywide <br />Design Guidelines adopted by City Council in 2006. <br />4-26