Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 - PUBLIC COMMENT_TTM18-01_1514 N ENGLISH STREET1 | P a g e ARTESIA PILLAR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION 2234 North Pacific Avenue Santa Ana, Ca 92706 February 25, 2019 Sarah Bernal Recording Secretary 22 Civic Center Chambers 22 Civic Center Plaza - M20 Santa Ana, California 92701 Re: Public Hearing on Tentative Tract Map No. 2018-01 subdivision to six new parcels to construct six new single family residences at 1514 N. English Street in the Single Family (R-1) zoning district. Dear Santa Ana Planning Commission and members of the City Council: The Artesia Pillar Neighborhood Association categorically and ardently reject the application and any decision to allow a subdivision on Tentative Tract No. 2018-01 at 1514 N. English Street to construct six single family residences zoned for single family residences. Artesia Pillar Neighborhood Association (APNA) is a 45 year old neighborhood that was part of the original Santa Ana Neighborhood Organizations (SANO) preceding most neighborhood associations representing residents in the neighborhood from First Street to 17 th and Bristol to Fairview. We are not against positive development that will reverse neighborhood deterioration and preserve neighborhood integrity. As proposed with the subdivision to six single family residences in a lot zoned for a single residence, it would not be compatible with the general plan and the characteristic of single family residences in our neighborhood. We ask that the proposed subdivision be scaled back from six single family residences to two single family residences with height restrictions limited to two stories. The neighborhood integrity of the Artesia Pillar Neighborhood is being undermined and eroded by many recent decisions made by the Planning Commission and City Council over the past decade. These trends taken as whole and individual represent over development in a community of single family residences that contribute to overcrowding, lack of parking, inadequate open space and contribution to ghetto-like environments by jamming more housing onto lots designed for a single family residence. The erosion of neighborhood integrity and intrusion has resulted from the widening of Bristol, expansion of Santa Ana College, and the future development of the street trolley that will cut through the middle of the neighborhood. Historic data and research confirms that these transit project that the peaceful cohesion and identity of a neighborhood invites more commercial encroachment, crime, and neighborhood deterioration. With multiple intrusions, we ask that the Planning Commission and City Council reject the subdivision to six residences and scale back the project to a more reasonable two residences. The lot is simply too many houses for this small lot. To fit six single family residences, the developer would have to build up creating multi-storied homes. If the development is more than two stories, it would block sunshine and contribute to a lack of privacy to existing adjacent properties. The size of households these had increased with multiple generations living under one roof. The proposed subdivision for six residences would overcrowd the area. 2 | P a g e Like many of the arguments against overdevelopment like the residents objecting to 2525 North Main, we are not opposed to development and improvements to vacant underutilized lots that have been a problem However like other residents in more affluent areas, we would like the same consideration to protect our neighborhood integrity and to preserve our neighborhood from deterioration. The neighborhood suffers because of the lack of parking spaces on our streets. The crowding of six residences on a single family residence lot does not give adequate open space, setbacks to adjacent homes to afford privacy, and encourages the kind of hodge-podge development we have seen on the eastside of town. Moreover, it encourages more rental units. The area around 17th and English has an existing parking problem. Residents and or their guests or roommates from the apartment complex on 17th and King across from the post office park on English therefore denying use of parking space to existing homeowners. The scope and size of the proposed subdivision should be categorically denied. It is just wrong for that lot and the neighborhood. We recommend that the Planning Commission and City Council scaled back the project to a more reasonable two single family residence with proper setbacks, parking and enclosed garages, and yards to conform to residential characteristic of the single family residential (R-1) zoned area. Restricted should be placed not to allow further subdivisions. Should you have any question, call me at 714-835-8925. Sincerely, Ruby Gonzales Woo Ruby Gonzales Woo President 5/24/2019 CONCERNS RE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION 1514 AND 1516 ENGLISH ST My wife and I received a Notice of Public Hearing last week letting us know that a Planning Commission meeting will be held to discuss the creation of six new parcels where there are now two. This is so the owners of this property could build six new homes. Up until the time we received this notice we were not aware of any recent plans to build on this property. We want to voice our objection to this proposed plan for the following reasons: Parking • We have little to no parking on our street right now. The primary cause of this is that people living in the Solare Apartments (located at 2111 W 17th street) and other homes in the area park on English. When my son visits me he has given up on finding parking and parks on 15th street. • Many of these people park and leave their cars the full weekend. • According to the proposed Tract Map, there is limited, or no parking on the newly created private street which will only make our current problem worse. • Two of the new homes will be built with their entrance facing English. The most obvious place to park will be in front of their house. We simply cannot absorb any more street parking. • A stark reality in our community is that often multiple families pool their resources together to purchase a home in order to make it affordable. The fact that these homes are being built so large lends itself to this purpose. It’s not hard to imagine the number of cars that will belong to each house Traffic It was hard to imagine the impact the closure of College Ave would have on us when the college took it over. There are times when it is nearly impossible, and dangerous, to back out of our own driveway. The addition of six large homes will only serve to exacerbate that problem Home Design The proposed homes are very large with the average being just under 2,700 sq ft. In addition, each home is a two story structure. Those two things differentiate these homes from the others on the block, except for one. Looking at the proposed plans I disagree with Mr. Guevara’s assessment that these homes will be complementary to the other homes on our block. We have all passed neighborhoods where we see houses that stick out like sore thumbs and downgrade the neighborhood. Lack of Privacy Lot #6, which is located next to my house is being proposed to be built 5 ft from the property line. This will place this house 10 ft from my house. The difference is that theirs will be a two story structure which means I will lose all the privacy I once had and which is the reason I purchased the house in the first place. My wife and I spend as much time as possible in our backyard doing gardening and other landscape projects. Having two homes overlooking our yard where there once was none will destroy our dream of having our own little retreat. If project goes through: The property line that runs along the south side of my property, based on the existing fence, is 16” beyond the south wall of the post office parking lot. I would like to know how the proposed block wall will affect my fence. In terms of construction: What are the timelines for completion? What will be done to alleviate dust and noise levels? What work hours will be adhered to? I would like a contact number as to who to contact if any issues come up during construction. I would want this for the party responsible for the construction as well as for the City. Building that many homes in a concentrated area will surely cause some issues. Lastly- why didn’t anyone from the City come talk to us to ask what our concerns might be re the development of these homes?