75C - 320 WEST FOURTH STREET - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

AA No. 06-04, SPR No. 06-07 and CUP No. 06-14 September 25, 2006 Page 4 Interior's Standards as it relates to infill development. Additionally, the Downtown National Register District includes buildings in a variety of heights ranging from single story to six stories. Based on this information and analysis, staff believes that the proposed structure is compatible with the massing and scale of other buildings in the district. Historic Ghost Billboard The project site is located on a lot that has been vacant since 1978. The site has been occupied by a variety of one and two-story buildings over time, with a fire and subsequent demolition, of a commercial building in 1978. The site was cleared and the existing basement was excavated. During the demolition, a "ghost billboard" was uncovered on the adj acent Semi Tropic Hotel building directly to the east (Exhibit 7). This sign is a remnant of billboard advertising painted directly on the building's party wall. While not individually listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties, it has been determined through a study by a qualified architectural historian that the ghost sign is eligible for listing in the California State Historical Register, thereby rendering it worthy of preservation. Additionally, the Historic Resources Commission had the opportunity to review and comment regarding this project at its September 7, 2006 meeting. The applicant proposes to highlight this ghost sign by creating a courtyard next to the adjacent Semi-Tropic Hotel building. This will be accomplished through a 30-foot setback of the proposed building for a width of approximately 15 feet. This courtyard will be gated, and will highlight the public view of the historic ghost sign through landscaping, a water feature, and an interpretive sign with photos of the sign in its entirety. Additionally, the sign will be fully documented through the completion of a Historic American Building Survey (HABS) . This survey includes large format pictorial documentation, as well as historical documentation and drawings. Summary and Conclusion Based upon the analysis detailed above, it is recommended that the Planning Commission recommend that City Council approve Amendment Application No. 2006-04, approve and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Environmental Review No. 2006-234, Site Plan Review No. 2006-07 and Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-14 (Exhibits 8 and 9) . 75C-6