75C - PH MORTIMER MIXED USE - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Appeal Application No. 2020-02, ER No. 2018-13 & AA No. 2020-04 — 4th and Mortimer Mixed -Use Development December 1, 2020 Page 7 beyond those already addressed in the 2010 EIR. Therefore, an addendum is the appropriate CEQA document. Land Use Impacts from Zone Change and Variance: The zone change and variance for the project do not result in land use impacts. The addendum prepared for the 4th and Mortimer Mixed -Use project analyzes whether the project (including its proposed zone change and variance) would result in incompatibilities with surrounding existing uses, result in the division of an established community, result in inconsistencies with regional land use plans, and consistency with the general plan and TZC. The addendum explains that the proposed zone change and the proposed variance on a single block would accommodate the proposed building type, density and massing. Further, the zone change and variance would improve consistency by permitting aesthetic consistency between the two buildings proposed for the project, would provide a better transition between lower and higher density than the current zoning allows, and the proposed buildings (including building type, density, and massing) would not result in any incompatibilities with adjacent buildings and uses. Although the TZC provides for a mixture of development types situated within walking distance of many modes of transit, it did not contemplate the precise route of the OC Streetcar at the time of its adoption in 2010. The 4th and Mortimer Mixed -Use project is proposed to be located adjacent to eastbound segments of the streetcar with a stop immediately adjacent at the intersection of Fourth and French streets. As a gateway project along the streetcar line, the proposed zoned change facilitates a design that better reflects a sense of downtown and builds upon allowable planning and architectural intensities, affirmatively addressing the pedestrian orientation and circulation at all street frontages. Furthermore, the zone change acknowledges the density and building envelope opportunities of the TZC to support the recent investment in the streetcar and maximizing development potential along the proposed routes. Thus, substantial evidence supports the addendum's conclusion that no land use impact would occur. Historic Resources: As explained in the addendum, none of the buildings on either site are a historic resource. Moreover, none of the buildings are considered eligible for listing on either the National Register or the California Register. The building on Site B was considered potentially eligible for local listing in 1980 but due to the building's significant alterations to the brick and stucco fagade, the double stepped parapet fagade, the removal of the metal cap pieces and double -hung windows, the building is no longer considered eligible for even local listing. There is no evidence available to support a conclusion that the building is historically significant. Therefore, demolition of the building does not constitute a new impact for purposes of CEQA. As such, its demolition does not preclude use of an addendum. Mitigation Measures from The Transit Zoning Code EIR: Should the City Council approve the project, the City Council would also adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program of the 2010 EIR. All mitigation measures from the 2010 EIR that apply to individual projects within the TZC area would apply to this project. Some 75C-7