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2. FINAL ENVIRONMENT IMPACT REPORT NO. 2011-01, VARIANCE NO. 2012- 04, AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 2012-02 Filed by Scott Allen of the TAVA Development, to allow the construction of a new 24-unit single-family project at 1584 East Santa Clara Avenue located in the Single Family Residential (R1) zoning district. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: February 1, 2013 ' PUBLICLY NOTICED: January 31, 2013 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council: 1. Adopt a resolution certifying Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011-01 and approve the mitigation monitoring program and statement of overriding considerations for the Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2012-04 as conditioned. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2012-02 (County Map No. 17231) as conditioned. Principal Planner Vince Fregoso presented the staff report and recommendation. Commissioner Mill inquired as to the appraised value of the property and the estimated property tax with construction of the project. Commissioner Acosta clarified that the new street would be public and that the units would be for-sale homes. Commissioner Yrarrazaval requested clarification as to the remaining steps the ' applicant would need to take prior to issuance of a demolition permit; stated that the EIR did not provide for adequate mitigation for the loss of the historic resource. Chairman Alderete asked for a comparison of the size of the new houses and lots compared to those existing in the adjacent neighborhood and cited concerns that the EIR did not contain a shade and shadow analysis to address potential impacts of the proposed two-story houses on the neighboring single story houses. Staff responded that the Aesthetics analysis did not contain a shade and shadow study due to the orientation of the new development, the distance between the new structures to the existing structures, and that the existing zoning allows for structures up to 35 feet in height. Chairman Alderete inquired about the differences between Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties designation and CEQA threshold and voiced concerns with the traffic impacts. Commissioner Yrarrazaval confirmed that the Historic Resources Commission had sought out alternatives to the demolition and that no resources were found to preserve the property. He also stated that the Historic Resources Commission adopted a resolution that suggested the City purchase the property. Written communications received and distributed to Planning Commission: ' Deborah M. Rosenthal, AICP for Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, expressed concerns with alternatives and mitigation measures; Cindy Heitzman, Executive Director at California Preservation Foundation, opposed the project citing the Hybrid alternative proposal, non-adherence of project objectives, failure to seek alternatives, and inability to access the staff report from the city website; Ellen Diamond with Grain Project supports HRC decision to have City purchase property, two-story project architecture is not in sync with neighborhood, development, prohibits preservation alternative; Deborah DeMeo Strunk, commented that project would affect historic resource and violate CEQA; Gale Brandt, in support of saving the orchard; an email from mayjuno regarding EIR compliance, and letter from Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society submitted Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 8 February 11, 2013