2020-066 - Approving General Plan Amendment No. 2020-02

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The Project is located proximate to existing transportation infrastructure such as the Costa Mesa (SR-55) Freeway, which provides vehicular access to the region; and, the Orange County Transportation Agency bus routes along Redhill Avenue which connects to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center. Redhill and Warner Avenues, both major urban corridors with cultural, educational, employment and retail destinations such as the Tustin Legacy, Irvine Business Complex, John Wayne Airport (SNA), beaches, Interstates 5 and 405, and the Tustin District, front the project site. Therefore, the mixed -use development would be within close proximity to major employment centers and retail establishments. The Project will also provide an additional housing option for those seeking housing within the jobs rich southeastern area of the City. The multi -storied development will complement the nearby mid -rise office buildings located Redhill Avenue. Although the density will be higher than the adjacent industrial properties, the mixed -use development is consistent with the uses to the east and south. Urban Design (UD) Element. Goal 1: to improve the physical appearance of the City through development of districts that project a sense of place, positive community image, and quality environment. UD Policy 1.1. New development and redevelopment must have the highest quality design, materials, finishes and construction. UD Policy 1.11 Visual and physical links between districts, nodes, and significant sites, landmarks and other points of interest, are to be provided in all public and private projects. The mixed -use commercial and residential buildings are of high quality design and include high quality materials such as stone veneer, brick veneers, metal panels, and canopies. The buildings are designed with courtyards and landscaped areas to reduce the mass of the buildings. The Project has street frontage on Redhill Avenue which is identified as a minor path in the General Plan and supports the Freeway Corporate District (No. 31) described in the Urban Design Element of the General Plan. The new development will include public art and convey a sense of place and contribute to the urban image for the City along a street corridor that includes regional, local and cultural landmarks. The development will be in scale with the buildings in the area to the east and south in the cities of Santa Ana, Tustin, and Irvine. In addition, the Urban Design Element of the General Plan identifies the site as being near a Gateway at Dyer Road and the SR-55 Freeway; the Project promotes elements of a Gateway by developing the site with a building with attractive architectural features, projecting a positive image for the Resolution No. 2020-066 Page 5 of 7