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WORK STUDY SESSION H ADAPTIVE REUSE -1600 NORTH BROADWAY Karen Haluza and Jay Trevino provided an introduction that outlined the concepts of adaptive re-use and explained that tonight's discussion would speak generally about how buildings once constructed for other purposes, such as offices, could successfully be converted to other uses, such as mixed-use residential, as well as presenting a "case study" for discussion of the building located at 1600 N. Broadway. The Commission discussed the appropriateness of the case study building, 1600 N. Broadway, as a candidate for residential adaptive re-use, as well as the concept of adaptive re-use in general in other areas of the City. Comments on the 1600 N. Broadway building expressed the Commission's cautious approach to converting buildings to residential uses in areas that have quality of life challenges to be overcome. The existing multi-family projects in the area, some of which have deteriorated conditions, the lack of strong pedestrian-oriented amenities, such as neighborhood-serving retail and other destinations, and the lack of on-site amenities within the building itself, were seen as potentially limiting factors in the long-term success of the residential adaptive re-use of the case study building. In general, the Commission commented that adaptive re-use projects should reach a higher standard than may even be applied to new construction rather than a less stringent standard. Projects such as the Steadfast "Cordoba" project were offered as examples of the minimum high- quality standard that should be achieved. Specific comments were made about the need to ensure that older buildings be re-wired to accommodate high-speed Internet access. The Commission expressed the need to be flexible in the consideration of proposals for adaptive re-use for the case-study building, but added that the timing of such a proposal could be very significant. For example, the completion of the 1 Broadway Plaza office tower could dramatically alter the surrounding environment making the location more conducive to residential adaptive re-use in the future. The Commission expressed that it may be necessary in the interim period to re-tenant the building with another office use or leave vacant if necessary. In the City as a whole the Commission thought it was important that specific goals and objectives be established for any larger adaptive re-use program and that strategic locations be identified and potentially, specific districts created where the amenities (walkable environment, coffee shops, specialty grocery stores) needed to create a neighborhood with an excellent quality of life, and that could support adaptive re-use, were provided for. The Commission emphasized the need and nearby amenities and recreation opportunities as key elements in the success of any future adaptive re-use strategies. PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2005-33 Filed by Fairhaven Memorial Park to consider the expansion to the approximately eight-acre property located north of Fairhaven Avenue and east of Cambridge Street. The proposed expansion would include the development of new mausoleum buildings, a new pavilion building, new internment sites, a new sidewalk on the south side of Fairhaven Avenue and extensive landscaping in the General Agricultural (A1) zoning district at 1701 East Fairhaven Avenue. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: January 13, 2006 PUBLICLY NOTICED:. January 13, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 3 January 23, 2006