Item 28 - GPA No. 2020-07, AA No. 2020-05 - Westview Housing

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GPA No. 2020-07, AA No. 2020-05 - Westview Housing December 14, 2020 Page 2 Project Background and Chronology On July 2, 2019, the Community Development Agency issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting applications to develop affordable housing projects in the City with funds available from the HOME Investments Partnership Program, Community Development Block Grant Program, Rental Rehabilitation Program and Inclusionary Housing Fund. Four proposals were submitted in response to the RFP and a panel consisting of City staff and a consultant reviewed the proposals and interviewed the developer and service provider teams. Community Development Partners, in partnership with Mercy House Living Centers, was the top rated proposal. As such, on April 7, 2020 the City Council approved a pre -commitment of $3,904,341 of affordable housing funds to Community Development Partners and Mercy House for the proposed development. In June of 2020, the applicant submitted an application to the City's development review committee. Following the submittal, on July 20, 2020 the applicant held a virtual Sunshine Meeting. At the meeting, community members raised concerns about parking and traffic. The Public Works Agency conducted a follow-up meeting on November 12, 2020 to overview the traffic impacts related to the project and future capital improvement projects. A total of five residents participated in the meeting. Community Development Partners has a portfolio of 22 projects, including three projects in Santa Ana (Tiny Tim/La Placita Cinco, The Aqua, and The Orchard), comprising over 1,600 units. Table 1: Project and Location Information Project Address 2530 and 2534 Westminster Avenue Nearest Intersection Fairview Street and Westminster Avenue Existing Proposed General Plan Designation General Commercial (GC) Urban Neighborhood (UN) Zoning Designation General Commercial (C2) Specific Development No. 97 (SD-97) Surrounding Land Uses North Commercial East Commercial South Single-family residential West Single-family residential and Commercial Site Size (combined) 89,559 square feet (2,056 net acres) Existing Site Development Vacant Project Analysis The applicant is requesting approval of the subject entitlements in order to construct an 85-unit affordable housing project. The site is located along Westminster Avenue just west of Fairview Street and has access to Orange County Transportation Authority bus service via Route 560 along Westminster Avenue and Route 47 along Fairview Street. Table 2 provides a detailed summary of the proposed development.