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VTTM No. 2022-03 and DBA No. 2022-03 – Warmington Residential September 26, 2022 Page 9 2 9 3 5 Standard Analysis Building Frontage and Minimum Ground Floor Height (Waiver) The development standards in SP-2 require a specific building frontage (e.g., forecourt, shop front, stoop, etc.) and minimum floor heights, based on a frontage type. As proposed, the project design does not provide a frontage type and the ground floor heights are proposed below the minimum required of 10’-0” to 15’-0”. The ground floor height is designed at a minimum of 9’-1” Maintaining the required frontage type minimum floor heights would result in a complete site and architectural redesign, involving more of the site area dedicated the frontages designs. In order to maintain the current proposed unit count, the developer would be required to redesign the site and elevation design construct, further increasing development costs and potentially leading to a loss of residential units, and a loss of further open space. Moreover, SP-2 was originally intended to achieve a specific urban form. The existing multi-family residential developments immediately adjacent to the project site do not provide a frontage type, nor do they maintain a minimum building floor height. Therefore, the proposed design is consistent with the existing multi-family residences. When analyzed cumulatively, the requested concessions and waivers could be avoided if the project were designed on a different site or using a different site plan. If the project were designed with a multi-level parking and/or subterranean parking structure, or if the applicant used different building materials to construct a taller project, additional area on site would become available to provide the minimum required open space and the required frontage and ground floor heights. However, these changes would increase development costs and result in a project that would exceed the maximum permitted building height, resulting in the housing project becoming financially infeasible due to the significantly increased financial implications of an alternative construction type compared to the relatively smaller scale of the project. Moreover, the changes would result in the loss of the eight affordable townhouse units. Based on the analysis provided within this report, the proposed development will materially assist in accomplishing the goal of providing additional affordable and market-rate ownership housing stock in the city and will consistent with the applicable designation in the general plan land use element. In addition, the proposed deviations are necessary to make the project economically feasible for the applicant to utilize a density bonus authorized for the development pursuant to section 41-1603. Vesting Tentative Tract Map Subdivision requests are governed by Chapter 34 and Chapter 41 of the SAMC. Pursuant to Section 66473.5 and 66474 of the California Subdivision Map Act, applications for vesting tentative tract maps are approved when it can be shown that findings can be made in support of the request. 9/26/2022 Planning Commission 3 – 9