2011-036 - Approving General Plan Amendement No. 2011-02

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guiding principles. Once in place, it is the province of this Council to examine the specifics of a proposed project to determine whether it would be in harmony with the policies stated in the general plan. F. The City Council has weighed and balanced the general plan's policies, both new and old, and has determined that based upon this balancing that General Plan Amendment No. 2011-02 is consistent with the purpose of the general plan. G. Applicant is requesting approval of Variance No. 2011-06 to allow a reduction in landscaped setbacks for a new medical and professional office building at 1306-1312 West Santa Ana Boulevard. H. On May 9, 2011, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing and voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2011-06. On June 6, 2011, the City Council of the City of Santa Ana held a duly noticed public hearing and at that time considered all testimony, written and oral, related to Variance No. 2011-06. J. Variance No. 2011-06 has been filed with the City of Santa Ana seeking to reduce the required landscaped setbacks along the street frontage in the C1 district. Section 41-368 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code requires a fifteen (15) foot front and side yard landscaped setback if the yard abuts a public street in the C1 district. K. Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 41-638 authorizes the Planning Commission to grant a variance upon making certain findings. 1. That because of special circumstances applicable to the subject property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, the strict application of the zoning ordinance is found to deprive the subject property of privileges not otherwise at variance with the intent and purpose of provisions of this Chapter. The project site has a special circumstance related to its size, shape and location. The property is located at an intersection of two major arterial streets, is adjacent to a heavily utilized bus stop and is in an area that contains a large volume of pedestrian traffic. The shifting of the building closer to the street will encourage pedestrian accessibility to the site and provide easier access to the structure from the adjacent residential uses. Resolution No. 2011-036 Page 2 of 6