Item 34 - Public Hearing - Appeal Application No. 2024-01 for Construction of a 23’-4” Tall Accessory Building (2221 N Heliotrope Drive)

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Ocampo, Nuvia From: emkold@aol.com Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2024 10:50 PM To: eComments, PBA Subject: Conditional Use Permit No. 2022-06 Project Location: 2221 N Heliotrope Drive Santa Ana 92706 Hearing August 26, 2024 Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Greetings Planning Commission: The CUP Applicant is requesting approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 2022-06 to allow the construction of an accessory structure 23'4" (reduced to c. 21 feet) in height within the rear yard of an existing single-family residence located at 2221 North Heliotrope Drive. Pursuant to Section 41-232.5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), accessory buildings more than fifteen feet in height or more than one story require approval of a CUP. I am asking the Planning Commission to take the same actions in the August 26, 2024 hearing as I requested in my March 28, 2022 letter below. However, since my earlier letter below there are a few changes I would like to note to support these renewed requests. I request that the Planning Commission: 1) Postpone the hearing, and remand the matter to the Planning_ Department for new findings of fact to show compliance with the Standards of SAMCE Section 41-638. Since March 2022, I understand that the owners have publicly stated their intent to bequeath their property for use as a museum by a cultural society. The Planning Department's Finding of Fact 5 therefore seems inaccurate and not supported by current information. If it is true that the owners intend to leave their single family residential property for perpetual use as a cultural center, then I think you must find that the structure is clearly not for their "personal use and private enjoyment." Rather, the planned structure, will be just one of many exhibits on the property that are intended for public access and use by members of the general public at the planned cultural center. The use of the structure will not be "very limited, "and therefore its private use can't be assumed to "preserve the community character. " Rather, the new structure appears to be intended for public access or members of the general public. There is concern that the use of this property for large scale community events, is already having, and could certainly continue to have, a significant impact on the community character. (I have also heard concern expressed about school bus visits , numerous cultural gatherings on Saturdays and Sundays, film and sound crews, parked cars up and down the street.) The impact on community character will certainly continue to increase if the building changes ownership and is operated as a cultural center. In short, the Planning Department's previous Finding of Fact 5 may be based on assumptions that now appear to be wrong, Therefore, I ask that you either remand the matter for further investigation. OR reject Finding of Fact 5 and 2) Deny the resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2022-06 based on insufficient and inaccurate evidence in the record to show compliance with SAMCE. Section 41-638. AND 3) Refer the matter to the Historic Resources Commission for review as ma.. b�quired by the Mills Act. Since March 2022, our neighborhood has finally been designated a National Historic District. The