75C - PH - THE FIRST ST FAMILY APTS

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GPA No. 2016 -01, AA No. 2016 -01, & ER No. 2016 -14 March 28, 2016 Page 6 Amendment Aoolication The subject site is located in the General Commercial (C -2) zoning district. The C -2 zoning designation allows for a variety of commercial uses, including retail, service, eating establishments, automotive servicing, research laboratories, and limited warehousing. Because the project proposes a residential land use, approval of an amendment application to change the zoning district is required (Exhibit 10). Staff recommends approval of an amendment application to change the property's zoning designation from C -2 to Specific Development (SD) No. 89. The Specific Development zoning designation allows flexibility of uses and development standards that are tailored to a unique or specific project. Because the standards contained within the standard zoning code would render the proposed project unfeasible, establishing the SD zoning designation is recommended to facilitate the proposed project. If the zone change is approved, a series of site - specific objectives, policies and development standards will be used to guide the development of the proposed project. Specifically, the SD -89 document will include development standards such as uses, setbacks, parking, and height to allow the exclusive entitlement of the project. The SD document has been framed to be consistent with the proposed project and prohibits future modifications to enlarge or reduce the size of the project (Exhibit 11). The zone change would need to be approved in conjunction with the proposed General Plan amendment to change the land use designation from General Commercial to Urban Neighborhood. This would result in a project that is consistent with the goals and objectives of City's General Plan land use designation of Urban Neighborhood. Because the proposed General Plan Amendment is consistent with the General Plan Housing Element, the zone change would be consistent with the overall visioning for the project site and immediate vicinity. The project will promote a development suitable for very -low and low- income families and the local workforce. The project will contribute to the promotion of jobs - housing balance in this area of the City. Finally, the development, through the construction of the proposed public improvements and site amenities, will contribute to the enhancement of portion of the city that has seen a reduction in investment in recent decades. The introduction of a new development will contribute to the transformation of the East First Street corridor between Grand Avenue and the Santa Ana (1 -5) Freeway to an area with a mixture of residential and commercial uses. Public Notification On August 17, 2015, the applicant held a community meeting in accordance with the provisions of the City's Sunshine Ordinance at Raymond A. Villa Intermediate School. One member of the community attended: a pastor who leases an office space within the four -story office building on the subject property. Planning Division staff also attended the meeting. The applicant provided a draft notice, affidavit, copy of publication; and meeting notes to Planning Division staff in the days following the meeting. 75C -8