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Amendment to Conditional Use Permit No. 78-26 August 23, 2004 Page 2 Project Description Essex Management Corporation, L. P. proposes to construct a 600 square foot, single-story building to provide on-site leasing/management services for the existing complex. The new building will be located on an approximately 12,000 square foot passive open space area and will provide a new controlled entrance to the residential complex (Exhibits 4 and 5) . In addition, the applicant is proposing to remodel the existing recreation building. The remodel will mainly consist of upgrading restrooms and doors to current accessibility requirements and relocating shower facilities to the exterior of the building for ease of use from the swimming pool area (Exhibits 6 and 7). Additionally, as shown on Exhibit 3, the applicant will be installing playground equipment, picnic tables, barbeque grills and benches on the passive open areas for the enjoyment of the tenants. Lastly, the applicant is proposing to upgrade the landscaped area around the new entrance to the complex by adding six trees and a variety of shrubs and groundcover (Exhibit 8). Since the proposed project was not reviewed as part of the original conditional use permit, an amendment to the conditional use permit will be required for the applicant to pursue this project. Analysis of the Issues Based on City records, the existing 140-unit residential complex was constructed in 1969 as an apartment complex pursuant to the regulations of the R4 zoning district and in compliance with the City's General Plan land use designation. In February 1975, the City modified all residential zoning districts to include condominium conversions as a conditionally permitted use. In 1979, the City Council approved Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 78-26 to allow the conversion of these apartments to condominiums. Presently, the units are held under one ownership and are available for rent. The leasing and management services for the complex are presently conducted from one of the residential units. While accessible to existing tenants, the offices are visually and relatively physically inaccessible to prospective tenants. The complex lacks a visually identifiable architectural entry, since solid block walls surround the complex. Prospective tenants presently access the complex through a four- foot wide controlled access gate. The lack of visual entry not only deters prospective tenants, but does not allow staff members to be in 31A-3