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E. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana has considered the information <br />and determines that following findings, which must be established in order <br />to grant Variance No. 2017-07, have been established as required by <br />SAMC Section 41-638: <br />1. That because of special circumstances applicable to the subject <br />property, including size, shape, topography, location or <br />surroundings, the strict application of the zoning ordinance is found <br />to deprive the subject property of privileges not otherwise at <br />variance with the intent and purpose of the provisions of this <br />Chapter. <br />The project site has a special circumstance related to its <br />location and surroundings. The project is bound by the Santa <br />Ana (1-5) Freeway on the north. The site is an irregular <br />shaped lot which limits functional site configurations for a <br />hotel, restaurant and off-street parking. <br />a) The shared parking study (dated 1.16.18) prepared by RK <br />Engineering Group, Inc., has concluded that the proposed <br />number of parking spaces on-site will be sufficient to meet <br />the peak parking demands of the hotel and restaurant. As a <br />result, the parking variance will allow the Applicant the ability <br />to use the property in a manner that is consistent with the <br />surrounding commercial uses. <br />b) The variance from the front yard setback requirement is <br />due to the existing location of the MacFarlane House, an <br />existing historic structure proposed for use as a restaurant. <br />In an effort to provide an undulating streetscape, the front <br />setback will be reduced to seven (7) feet. <br />c) Walls in front yards are limited to four (4) feet in height. <br />The increase in wall height to seven feet six inches (T 6") is <br />due to the strict application of California Building Code <br />requirements for pool safety and to provide privacy to pool <br />patrons. The wall height for the restaurant deck will match <br />the pool wall to keep a uniform look along the streetscape. In <br />addition, the surrounding properties also do not meet the 15 <br />foot front setback requirement, thereby making this project <br />consistent with its surrounding development pattern. <br />d) The building elevations are visible from all four directions <br />and from the highly traveled Santa Ana (1-5) Freeway. Due <br />to the high visibility of the hotel, signage is requested for all <br />four building elevations to allow for long-distance <br />Resolution No. 2018-xx <br />Page 2 of 8 <br />75A-180 <br />