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Variance No. 2016 -06 <br />July 25, 2016 <br />Page 4 <br />In analyzing the applicant's request, staff believes that unique circumstances exist that warrant <br />approval of the variance. This includes its location, which results in no feasible option to provide <br />additional parking that the Santa Ana Municipal Code requires for restaurant uses; on -site parking <br />spaces will be sufficient to accommodate all uses on the site as identified in the parking analysis for <br />the project; the parking variance will preserve the properly owner's ability to lease the building to uses <br />that will contribute to identifying the site as an economically viable development; the site will have <br />sufficient parking to accommodate the various uses during the peak parking hours on both weekdays <br />and weekends; and, the variance will allow the property owner to fill vacant tenant spaces, <br />contributing to the vitality and success of the retail center. Finally, conditions have been placed to <br />ensure that the site be in compliance with all other development standards applicable to the property. <br />The project site is located within the boundaries of the Mid -City Neighborhood Association and <br />adjacent to the Memorial Park and Shadow Run Neighborhood Associations. Staff contacted the <br />presidents of these neighborhood associations, who identified no concerns with the project. The <br />project site was also posted with a notice advertising this public hearing, a notice was published in <br />the Orange County Reporter, and mailed notices were sent to all property owners and tenants <br />within 500 feet of the project site. At the time of this printing, no correspondence, by phone, <br />written, or electronic, had been received from any members of the public. <br />CEQA Comollance <br />In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act the recommended action is exempt for <br />further review per Section 15301. The Class 1 exemption allows the operation, repair, maintenance, <br />permitting, or leasing of existing structures. <br />The project consists of the re- tenanting of existing retail tenant spaces within a commercial center. <br />No expansion of square footage or interior reconfigurations of existing square footage is proposed as <br />part of the project. The proposed restaurant tenants have been found by the City's development <br />review agencies to not create any adverse impacts. The restaurant uses are proposed to be <br />located on a site that is not designated by federal, state, or local agencies to be an environmental <br />resource of hazardous or critical concern. The cumulative impact of this project will not be <br />significant as the property is already served by roads and utilities and will not create any adverse <br />impacts such as noise, traffic, or safety concerns. There is no reasonable possibility that the <br />project will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. The project <br />is not located within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway and will not result in <br />damage to scenic resources. The project is not located on a site which is included on any list <br />compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. Lastly, the project is not <br />proposed on a site that is considered a historical resource or that is listed in the Santa Ana <br />Register of Historic Properties. As a result, Categorical Exemption Environmental Review <br />No. 2015 -125 will be filed for this project. <br />RIUM <br />