5-10-17-ZA COMMENTS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

From:Michael Gallivan To:ccardinale@santa-ana.org; Soboleske, Hally; eComment Cc:Bernal, Sarah; Carvalho, Sonia R.; Mitre-Ramirez, Norma; Storck, Lisa; mMLawrence@snata-ana.org; hhassan@santa-ana.org; Pulido, Miguel; Neal, Candida; lverino@santa-ana.org Subject:RE: MINOR EXCEPTION 2017-01 {Strategic Plan Nos 3,2} REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF 5-FOOT HIGH WALL IN FRONT YARD AT HISTORIC LANDMARK RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 1904 N. HELIOTROPE DRIVE Date:Tuesday, May 09, 2017 4:36:33 PM Attachments:Michael Gallivan Letter with Highlighted Comments to Staff Recommended Action Package and Finding of Facts for Proposed 5 Foot Wall at 1904 N Heliotrope Drive 5-9-17.pdf Dear Mr. Cardinale and to whom else it concerns: I grew up and my parents still reside at 1912 Heliotrope Drive. This email and attached letter are sent to respectfully request that you deny the request to the proposed minor Exception Approval to permit a 5 foot high wall at the Historic Elliot Residence located at 1904 N. Heliotrope Drive in Floral Park. It seems egregious that City staff is considering recommending approval to permit a five-foot high fence in the front of the Historic residence as it will very clearly be a threat to public safety, diminish adjacent and area property values, and obscure visibility of the one of the most architecturally significant historic landmarks in Santa Ana (the architecturally significant balustrades will be completely obscured). I have reviewed the Recommended Action Letter prepared by Staff and the Finding of Facts which are attached to the Public Hearing package and have noted that much of the analysis and fact stated are simply not correct. Please find my specific notes and comments in red and highlighted in yellow below and attached to the staff report and Findings of Fact. It would be appreciated if you will take this email, letter and attached comments into further consideration with your recommendation on the requested approval to build a 5- foot wall around this historic residence. I respectfully request that the request for the 5-foot wall and Minor Exception be denied for all the reasons set forth in this email, letter and noted below and in the attached notes. Sincerely, Michael J. Gallivan Cell (213) 300-1030 Attachments RECOMENDATION Adopt a resolution approving Minor Exception No. 2017-01. Request of Applicant The applicant, Michael Ness is requesting approval of Minor Exception No. 2017-01 to allow the construction of a five-foot high front yard fence at 1904 North Heliotrope Drive. The applicant is proposing a minor exception from Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) § 41-61O(a)(1) which limits residential fencing on non-arterial streets to three feet in height. Pursuant to SAMC § 41-632(3)(i), minor exceptions related to fences are determined by the Zoning Administrator. Property Description and Site Location The General Plan land use designation for this site is Low Density Residential (LR-7), with a zoning designation of Single Family residence (R1). The property islocated within the Floral Park neighborhood, and is listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties. The structure is known as the Elliot House andis categorized as a Landmark. Additionally, the existing two-story house was constructed in 1931 and is 4,149 square feet. The property has a detachedtwo-car garage to the west of the house. The 17,670-square-foot property is located on the northwest corner of Heliotrope Drive and Nineteenth Street.Surrounding land uses include single family residential to the north, south, east and west (Exhibits 1, 2, 3 and 4). Project Description The applicant proposes to construct a five-foot tall decorative fence (wall)four feet in from the front and side property lines at the residential property locatedat 1904 North Heliotrope Drive (Exhibit 4). Pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) § 41-61O(a)(1), front yard fences are limited to three feet in height onresidential properties located on non-arterial streets. Although the final design will be reviewedAdministratively n, the proposed fence is designed to match the historic house in terms of material, color and design (Exhibit 5). Exhibit 5 which is attached to Zoning Administrator package(labeled as Site Plan) shows a solid wall with no compatibility with historical Italian Renaissance Architecture of house or existing balustrades on the front of the house. Project Background The applicant purchased the property in 2015 and has been in the process of renovating and rehabilitating the interior of the home. The applicant did not live in the home during the renovation process, but visited frequently to view the progress. During renovations, the applicant installed afabric covered chain link construction fence to protect the site and stored building materials. The City received complaints from nearby residentsabout the extended period of time the construction fence was in place and the property owner was cited. With interior work nearing completion, theapplicant has moved into the residence and is prepared to begin exterior improvements such as fencing and landscaping. Project Analysis The applicant would like to construct a five-foot tall (wall) fence along the front and side yards that include a solid stucco wall with a decorative wrought irongate facing the corner of the site (Exhibit 6). Design is in stark contrast to Architectural Renaissance design of House. The purpose of the fence is to obtain privacy and usable yard space. This residence and detached garage is located on a corner lot, and is set back tothe northwest corner of the lot greatly reducing the size of the usable rear yard. The Property has a beautiful useable back yard with pool and has not changed in size since owner’s purchase of the home. Being a corner lot, two sides of the lot are adjacent to streets furtherreducing the amount of private yard area. The detached garage and driveway are positioned in the rear part of the lot, reducing the usable rear yard areaby approximately 800 or more square feet. Back yard is greater than 800 sqaure feet. Additionally, the prevailing setback along Heliotrope Drive ismore than 50 feet. Therefore, for the majority of properties along Heliotrope, the front yard area functions as part of the usable yard space. The majority of Front yards on Heliotrope Drive create an open environment that is unique to Santa Ana creating value to the neighborhood and desirability for living in the Floral Park area, specifically on Heliotrope Drive. The house is a large, two-story residence, and the Italian Renaissance style ofarchitectural style is ornate and box-shaped. As such, a typical three-foot tall fence would look incongruous with this architectural style This is ridiculous as the wall will be certainly be incongruous with the Architectural style, let alone the 5 foot wall will completely block views of the historically significant balustrades surrounding the beautiful property. . The proposed front yard fence allows the property owner to enjoy their propertyrights including private yard space and to have the fence match in scale to the residence. Please note that the proposed “fence” is a wall and owner’s property rights have not changed. Owner was well aware of the architectural significance of the house when purchased recently The site is identified as a historic property categorized as Landmark due to its unique architectural significance in the Italian Renaissance style. Itsclassic design is typical of the revival styles constructed in the Floral Park neighborhood during the 1920's and 30's. The residence is quite large, and is a striking presence from the right-of-way; a three-foot tall fence would appear diminutive and not be in proportion to the house. Again this 27