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ER No. 2016-165, GPA No. 2017-02, AA No. 2017-03 <br />November 27, 2017 <br />Page 4 <br />commercial uses. Inside, the applicant is proposing vehicle/car lifts to respond to the community's <br />input requesting additional residential parking and to provide extra height to the .ground floor, <br />enhancing the building's urban design and presence on Fifth Street. Additional levels <br />(courtyard/2"d through 4th.) will contain residential units and onsite open spaces for the residents. <br />The structure has been designed with a contemporary architectural style that uses large facades; <br />repetitive window placement, and areas .for vegetation and murals. The architectural style <br />proposed is currently en vogue in Mexico City and has influenced local projects, most notably the <br />Marketplace shopping center in Tustin and Irvine. Finally, the building has been designed to <br />concentrate the highest level (4th floor) closest to Fifth Street and to reduce in scale to three <br />stories toward the back. <br />The second component of the project is to renovate the commercial center at 2223 West Fifth <br />Street. The applicant proposes adding new board form concrete, wood siding, cement plaster, <br />windows, and aluminum storefronts to the'two existing structures. These improvements will tie <br />the entire project site together and establish a uniform contemporary architectural style among all <br />buildings on the project site. <br />The third component of the project involves extensive upgrades to the site, including new <br />landscape and hardscape, , as well as relocation of the .existing .automotive repair building's <br />canopy to a new stage and "zocalo" between the two commercial buildings. This component also <br />includes a new plaza area in front of the commercial building closest to Fifth Street to maximize <br />the site's presence near the future Fixed Guideway (streetcar) station proposed nearby. <br />Additional site upgrades include construction of an urban farm behind the commercial buildings,, <br />outdoor play equipment, an entry plaza at the new residential structure, and a fitness park. The <br />proposed landscape palette includes drought -tolerant plants, and hardscape materials that will <br />feature horizontal, vertical, and chevron/zig-zag designs to complement the contemporary <br />architectural style of the buildings. <br />The fourth and final component of the project includes modifications to Fifth and Hawley streets <br />to support multi -modal transit in the project vicinity. Both streets will be reconstructed to increase <br />the width of the sidewalk along the project's frontage. Moreover, West Fifth Street will be <br />reconstructed to allow on -street parking and a new bicycle lane. Both driveways at .Fifth and <br />Hawley streets will feature bulb -outs to enhance vehicular and pedestrian safety in the area. <br />Finally, new sidewalks, curbs, street lights„and street trees will be constructed or installed along <br />the project's frontages on both streets. <br />Proiect Analysis <br />Applications for general plan amendments and amendment applications (zone changes) to create. <br />a specific development zone are analyzed using an issues -based approach. For the proposed <br />project, staff has prepared the analysis below that informs the recommendation for approval. <br />1. Is the proposed project compatible with the surrounding community and development <br />intensity? <br />75A-6 <br />