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GPA No. 2020-07, AA No. 2020-05 - Westview Housing <br />January 19, 2021 <br />Page 2 <br />Neighborhood (UN) and approval of an Amendment Application (AA) to change the <br />property's zoning district from General Commercial (C2) to Specific Development No. 97 <br />(SD-97). Staff is recommending approval of the applicant's request as the project <br />provides quality affordable housing along a major transit corridor as well as high -quality <br />site planning and architecture that will bring new investment to the area. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Project Background and Chronology — On July 2, 2019, the Community Development <br />Agency issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting applications to develop affordable <br />housing projects in the City with funds available from the HOME Investments Partnership <br />Program, Community Development Block Grant Program, Rental Rehabilitation Program <br />and Inclusionary Housing Fund. Four proposals were submitted in response to the RFP <br />and a panel consisting of City staff and a consultant reviewed the proposals and <br />interviewed the developer and service provider teams. Community Development <br />Partners, in partnership with Mercy House Living Centers, was the top rated proposal. As <br />such, on April 7, 2020 the City Council approved a pre -commitment of $3,904,341 of <br />affordable housing funds to Community Development Partners and Mercy House for the <br />proposed development. <br />In June of 2020, the applicant submitted an application to the City's development review <br />committee. As required by the Sunshine Ordinance, on July 20, 2020 the applicant held <br />a virtual Sunshine Meeting. At the meeting, community members raised concerns about <br />parking and traffic. The Public Works Agency conducted a follow-up meeting on <br />November 12, 2020, to overview the traffic impacts related to the project and future capital <br />improvement projects. A total of five residents participated in the meeting. <br />Community Development Partners has a portfolio of 22 projects, including three projects <br />in Santa Ana (Tiny Tim/La Placita Cinco, The Aqua, and The Orchard), comprising over <br />1,600 units. <br />Table 1: Project and Location Information <br />Item <br />Information <br />Project Address <br />2530 and 2534 Westminster Avenue <br />Nearest Intersection <br />Fairview Street and Westminster Avenue <br />General Plan Designation <br />Existing <br />Proposed <br />General Commercial (GC) <br />Urban Neighborhood (UN) <br />Zoning Designation <br />General Commercial (C2) <br />Specific Development No. 97 <br />SD-97 <br />Surrounding Land Uses <br />North <br />Commercial <br />East <br />Commercial <br />South <br />Single-family residential <br />West <br />Single-family residential and Commercial <br />Site Size (combined) <br />89,559 square feet (2.056 net acres) <br />Existing Site Development <br />Vacant <br />