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

Home Browse Search

Appeal Application No. 2024-01 for Construction of a 23'-4" Tall Accessory Building (2221 N Heliotrope Drive) November 19, 2024 Page 8 family residence. In addition, the proposed structure has been designed to be located away from adjacent properties to minimize the privacy concerns and visual impacts. By locating the structure towards the northeast end of the property, the design limits the potential impacts to the single-family properties along all elevations due the proposed setbacks (12 and 15 feet), the existing six foot high stucco wall, and existing mature landscaping ranging in height from 12-feet to 25-feet tall (e.g., mature tree and mature bamboo). In addition, the public right-of-way parkways are improved with mature oak trees along Santa Clara Avenue, 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 additional bamboo behind the existing six-foot high stucco wall to help screen any deficient areas. Staff is recommending bamboo as it's one of the fastest -growing plants and it would help maintain consistency with the existing landscaping. Lastly, by setting back the structure approximately 15 feet from the rear (east) property line, the design limits any potential aesthetic impacts to the property to the east. The overall design and location will ensure that the neighborhood character is maintained along the side elevation (along Santa Clara Avenue). Therefore, the construction of the proposed pavilion will not result in a change to the neighborhood character or identity. To further ensure that the proposed pavilion will not negatively affect the neighborhood character or identity, staff is recommending a condition of approval prohibiting the use of the structure and the site for any commercial purposes, including, but not limited to, tours, museum use, festivals, etc. The site will be required to remain and operate as a single-family residential site, or the conditional use permit may be subject to revocation as outlined in Section 41-651 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC). Historic Analysis 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 as described in Exhibit 3. 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. Chapter 30 (Places of Historical and Architectural Significance) of the SAMC defines modification as, "Any change, alteration, restoration, remodeling, rehabilitation, construction, or relocation of the physical exterior of a historic structure." Moreover,