2020-065 - Adopting Environmental Findings of Fact

Home Browse Search

The Wamer Redhill Mixed -Use Project CEQA Findings of Fact the site. Construction -related visual impacts would not be constant over the 27-month construction period (as different construction phases would involve varying activities occurring at different times). Upon completion of construction, these short-term visual impacts would cease. Because the views of construction activities would be temporary and changing as construction progresses, impacts related to the visual degradation of the existing character or quality of the site would be temporary and less than significant. Operations Implementation of the Project would result in a strong visual contrast from existing conditions but would not degrade the character or quality of the site, which currently has limited visual character or interest. The character of the site would change from setback urban views of industrial uses to a residential, urban mixed -use village that would have a unifying urban modern architectural theme. While implementation of the Project would alter the visual character of the site and surroundings, it is not anticipated that a substantial degradation of the visual character or quality would occur. In addition, the proposed Project would be visually compatible with the existing and future built environment in the Project area that includes various high -density, urban -style boxy large buildings and ornamental landscaping. The areas in the viewshed of the Project site include urban structures such as, Naval Air Station airplane hangars, two and four-story office structures, and a 5-story hotel. The undeveloped chained linked areas across from the Project site in the Tustin Legacy Specific Plan are planned for employment buildings that would likely be modern in architecture and are permitted to be 6-stories and 70-feet in height with a 40-foot setback from Red Hill Avenue. Although the 94 foot high structure would be 24-feet higher than development within the Tustin Legacy, and four stories taller than adjacent structures on Red Hill and across Warner Avenue from the site, the modern urban and dense character of the proposed Project would be similar to the existing and planned uses, which generate similar views. As a result, the proposed Project would not substantially degrade the existing visual character of the site or surrounding area, and impacts would be less than significant. Regarding a potential conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality, the Project includes a zone change that would change the existing zoning designation change from M-I (Light Industrial) to a Specific Development (SD) to implement the proposed mixed -use Project. As described in the City's Zoning Code Section 41-593.1, the purpose of the SD zone is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by the use of good design principles, maintaining an orderly and harmonious appearance, and encouraging excellence of property development. When development projects are proposed within the SD zone, they are required (per Zoning Code Section 41-593.4) to submit development plans for architectural review to ensure that buildings, structures, and grounds would be in keeping with the neighborhood and would not be detrimental to the harmonious development of the City or impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the neighborhood. The proposed Project would create an attractive, cohesive mixed -use community through the use of contemporary architectural materials and landscaping throughout the Project site. As required by the Zoning Code, the proposed Project's development plans would be reviewed by the City to ensure consistency with development standards. Thus, the proposed Project would not conflict with applicable zoning or other regulations governing scenic quality. Overall, impacts would be less than significant. City of Santa Ana 6 May 2020