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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Appeal Application No. 2024-01 for Construction of a 23'-4" Tall Accessory Building (2221 N Heliotrope Drive) November 19, 2024 Page 11 proposed structure in comparison to the main residence is illustrated on the architectural plan provided in the project staff report. The height of the existing residence is approximately 25 feet while the tallest point of the pavilion (pavilion roof peak) is proposed to be a maximum of 23'-4". Therefore, the structure would be of an appropriate scale and massing. Moreover, the structure is built in a traditional Vietnamese design sharing a similar design, materials, and cultural characteristics as various other structures on the site, including an existing garden house. Thus, the proposed structure would be harmonious with the surrounding built environment. Furthermore, Policy LU-3.5 encourages the preservation and reuse of historical buildings and sites through flexible land use policies, while Policy HP-1.4 of the Historic Preservation Element encourages actively protecting historic and cultural resources. The installation of the proposed structure would not require the removal of any elements of the historic structure and would not result in any physical alterations. As such, the building will continue to retain all of its character -defining features. Moreover, the proposed structure would not impact any of the view sheds to the Maharajah House, along any public perspectives. As mentioned, the pavilion would be located approximately 30 feet to the east of the Maharajah House, and approximately 15 feet from the rear (east) property line, behind an existing six foot high stucco wall and behind existing mature landscaping (e.g., 25-foot tall mature tree and mature bamboo). Therefore, all views of the historic structure along Heliotrope Drive and Santa Clara Avenue would remain unimpaired. The proposed changes would also not affect the historical integrity of the Floral Park Historic District as a whole. As proposed, bamboo would be planted near the north property line to obscure the proposed pavilion from view from the public rights -of -way on Santa Clara Avenue and Heliotrope Drive. As previously noted, while the new bamboo would be clearly visible from the rights -of -way, its appearance alongside the existing wall would be consistent with the internal setting of the Floral Park Historic District, which is characterized in part by its variety of landscaping. As stated in the National Register nomination form for the historic district, "Landscaping varies from building to building, but as this is a point of pride within the neighborhood, landscaping is of high caliber. The majority of properties feature shallow lawns, mature shrubs and flower gardens. Perimeter fences, low walls, and hedges are usually present, and some are original to the property." In addition, the pavilion and bamboo would be confined to an area corresponding to a very limited portion of the property's northern frontage, approximately 100 linear feet. Because of the limited physical scale of the changes, the project would be partially visible only from very few public vantage points, further reducing its visual effects to the internal setting of the historic district.