3 - WORK STUDY_114 AND 117 EAST FIFTH STREET_COMMENT

Home Browse Search

REQUEST #2. Direct the Applicant to redesign its project, to reflect the architectural style of one or more buildings in the Downtown, perhaps the Art Deco style. City Policy 3.5 Encourage new development and/or additions to existing development that are compatible in scale, and consistent with the architectural style and character of the neighborhood. COMMENT: Toll Brothers project fails to include the existing Orange County Title Company building as part of its design. Instead the project proposes to demolish that premier historic structure even though substantial elements of the building are clearly evident at the Main Street entry, as are interior elements seen from the 5th Street entry. The scale of the existing First American block is 2 stories. The new project will exceed this height by three times. REQUEST #3. Direct the Applicant to design the project so it is compatible and consistent with the scale, and architectural style and character of the original historic Downtown. City Goal 4. The protection of unique community assets and open space that enhance the quality of life (page 4.4-14) COMMENT: Project fails to follow Goal 4, because it does not explicitly protect unique community assets and open space. Instead the project threatens these unique assets and open space because it is growth-inducing, and will encourage other over-sized, and out-of- scale developments to be constructed in and around the surrounding neighborhoods. The project also fails to mitigate for its negative impact to the unique historical character of the adjoining neighborhoods, thus degrading these assets. REQUEST #4. Direct the Applicant to investigate the impacts of its growth-inducing development on the unique community assets and open space which encircle it, and to provide for mitigation measures for these negative project impacts City Policy 4.1 Maintain areas of the City with unique characteristics which contribute positively to the area in which they are located, such as the Artists Village and historic French Park. COMMENT: The Applicant opposes uncovering the metal clad siding which covers the original Orange County Title building to learn whether the exterior of the structure remains. If the Applicant demolishes the building, it will fail to maintain any unique characteristics which contribute to the Downtown per City's adopted policy. REQUEST #5: Direct the Applicant to expose the west-facing and north-facing elevations of the Orange County Title Company building so the state of preservation can be assessed.