Item 34 - Public Hearing - Appeal Application No. 2024-01 for Construction of a 23’-4” Tall Accessory Building (2221 N Heliotrope Drive)

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CUP No. 2022-06 — 2221 N. Heliotrope Drive March 28, 2022 Page 4 structure towards the south end of the property, the design limits the potential impacts to the single-family properties located towards the east, along Greenleaf Street. Moreover, by setting back the structure approximately 25 feet from the rear (south) property line, the design limits any potential impacts to the property to the south. Lastly, the design ensures that the neighborhood character is maintained along the front elevation by locating the structure approximately 60 feet from the front property line. Therefore, the construction of the proposed pavilion will not result in a change to the neighborhood character or identity. The property features a deep front yard from the sidewalk to the entrance (between 60- 70 feet), along Heliotrope Drive. The front yard is improved with various mature trees varying in height, including two species of palm trees. In addition, the public right-of-way parkways are improved with mature oak trees along Heliotrope Drive, which further help to minimize the privacy concerns and visual impacts of the proposed structure. The existing landscaping and mature trees are not proposed to be removed or altered. To ensure that the existing landscaping conditions are maintained, staff is recommending a condition of approval requiring that the trees be preserved and protected in place. Moreover, staff is recommending a condition of approval requiring that the applicant plant at least two columnar trees along the front of the existing six-foot high stucco wall, to introduce plant materials with similar heights immediately adjacent to the proposed pavilion. Historic Consideration Although the pavilion's proposed design (traditional Vietnamese design) differs from the characteristic Art Moderne style of the residence, the structure would not detract from the overall historic significance of the property. With the previous installation of the 1955 pool house, and the Vietnamese one-story garden house, along with the additional Vietnamese antiquities (e.g. bell tower, marble sculptures, 11th-century foo dogs, and a water feature), the site has taken on an eclectic architectural style. Moreover, the pavilion would share a similar design, materials, and cultural characteristics as the existing garden house on the site. Therefore, the addition of the pavilion would complement the site's various structures. In addition, the installation of the pavilion would not result in any physical alterations to the historic structure. As such, the building will continue to retain all of its character - defining features. Moreover, the structure would not impact any of the view sheds to the Maharajah House, along any public perspectives. As mentioned, the pavilion would be located south of the Maharajah House, 25 feet from the rear (south) property line, behind an existing six-foot high stucco wall. Therefore, all views of the historic structure along Heliotrope Drive and Santa Clara Avenue would remain unimpaired. Chapter 30 of the SAMC defines modification as, "Any change, alteration, restoration, remodeling, rehabilitation, construction, or relocation of the physical exterior of a historic