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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso25-24_730 S. Van Ness Ave Resolution No. 2025-24 Page 1 of 6 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-24 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2025-02 AS CONDITIONED TO ALLOW A MAJOR RESIDENTIAL ADDITION AND EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS TO AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOME WITHIN THE HENINGER PARK SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT (SD-40) LOCATED AT 730 S. VAN NESS AVENUE (APN: 010-203-15) BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines, and declares as follows: A. Jeremy Cole ( “Applicant”), representing Sonia Gonzalez (“Property Owner”), is requesting approval of Site Plan Review (SPR) No. 2025-02 in order to allow a major residential addition, exterior alterations, and an interior remodel to an existing single-family home for the property addressed as 730 S. Van Ness Avenue, within the Specific Development No. 40 (“SD- 40”) zoning district. B. Pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code (“SAMC”) Section 41-593.3, any use or development of property within a Specific Development district shall be in compliance with the ordinance adopting the specific development plan for such property. C. SAMC Section 41-593.4 requires a review by the Planning Commission of all plans in the SD-40 zoning district for the purpose of ensuring that buildings, structures, and grounds will be in keeping with the given neighborhood and will not be detrimental to the harmonious development of the City or impair the desirability of investment or occupation in that given neighborhood. D. The General Provisions of SD-40 require Planning Commission review through the Site Plan Review process for all new construction within the area defined as SD-40. Moreover, the codified Heninger Park Architectural Design Guidelines (“HPADG”) requires Planning Commission review and approval for all construction of new residential units, residential additions, and new accessory structures. E. The HPADG apply to all new infill development projects and all properties within SD-40 that have been determined to be eligible or are listed on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties (“Register”). These properties are listed in Appendix A of the HPADG. Resolution No. 2025-24 Page 2 of 6 F. SD-40 and the HPADG note that properties not listed on the Register or identified in HPADG’s Appendix are subject to review by the Planning Commission for conformance with the City of Santa Ana Citywide Design Guidelines (“SACDG”). G. The subject property is neither listed nor eligible for listing on the Register, pursuant to Appendix A of the HPADG. Therefore, staff reviewed the Project for compliance with the SD-40 and SACDG development standards. H. The proposed work maintains architectural standards compatible with the existing architectural character of the Heninger Park neighborhood, and is designed to include architecturally appropriate exterior materials, gable treatments, and architectural massing consistent with existing neighborhood fabric and architectural styles found in the area. The overall features and materials would be architecturally compatible with the SACDG, as they include high quality materials that will ensure that the residence ages well for the duration of the building’s lifespan. I. On July 28, 2025, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on SPR No. 2025-02. J. The Planning Commission, after considering all of the evidence submitted, finds and determines that the Project is in substantial compliance with applicable development standards outlined within SD-40 zoning district and the SACDG. Specifically, the Planning Commission finds that the proposed residence would meet all required SD-40 development standards, including but not limited to, lot coverage, height, and setbacks. In addition, the residential addition and alterations are designed in an architectural design identified as appropriate within the HPADG and the SACDG (i.e., Minimal Traditional architectural style). The modifications are proposed to be compatible in size, scale, massing, and design to the nearby homes and neighborhood. The proposed work maintains architectural standards compatible with the existing architectural character of the Heninger Park neighborhood, and is designed to include architecturally appropriate exterior materials, gable treatments, and architectural massing consistent with existing neighborhood fabric and architectural styles found in the area. The overall features and materials would be architecturally compatible with the SACDG, as they include high quality materials that will ensure that the residence ages well for the duration of the building’s lifetime. Section 2. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the Project is exempt from further review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1/Existing Facilities). The Project consists in an increase of less than 50 percent of structure before addition. Moreover, the Project is in an area where all public services and facilities are available to allow for the maximum development permissible in the General Plan, and the area in which the Project is located is not considered environmentally sensitive. Based on this analysis, a Notice of Exemption, Environmental Review No. 2025-57, will be filed for this project. Resolution No. 2025-24 Page 3 of 6 Section 3. The Applicant shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold the City and/or any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, authorized volunteers, and instrumentalities thereof, harmless from any and all claims, demands, lawsuits, writs of mandamus, referendum, and other proceedings (whether legal, equitable, declaratory, administrative or adjudicatory in nature), and alternative dispute resolution procedures (including, but not limited to arbitrations, mediations, and such other procedures), judgments, orders, and decisions (collectively “Actions”), brought against the City and/or any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, and instrumentalities thereof, that challenge, attack, or seek to modify, set aside, void, or annul, any action of, or any permit or approval issued by the City and/or any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, and instrumentalities thereof (including actions approved by the voters of the City) for or concerning the Project, whether such Actions are brought under the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Environmental Quality Act, the Planning and Zoning Law, the Subdivision Map Act, Code of Civil Procedure sections 1085 or 1094.5, or any other federal, state or local constitution, statute, law, ordinance, charter, rule, regulation, or any decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. It is expressly agreed that the City shall have the right to approve the legal counsel providing the City’s defense, and that Applicant shall reimburse the City for any costs and expenses directly and necessarily incurred by the City in the course of the defense. City shall promptly notify the Applicant of any Action brought and City shall cooperate with Applicant in the defense of the Action. Section 4. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana, after conducting the public hearing, hereby approves Site Plan Review No. 2025-02, as conditioned in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein, for the Project located at 730 S. Van Ness Avenue. This decision is based upon the evidence submitted at the above- referenced hearing, including but not limited to: The Request for Planning Commission Action dated July 28, 2025, and exhibits attached thereto; and the public testimony, written and oral, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference. ADOPTED this 28th day of July, 2025 by the following vote. AYES: Commissioners: Carl Benninger, Manuel J. Escamilla, Christopher Leo, Bao Pham, Isuri S. Ramos, Alan Woo (6) NOES: Commissioners: ABSENT: Commissioners: ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners: Jennifer Oliva (1) Isuri S. Ramos Chairperson Resolution No. 2025-24 Page 4 of 6 APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney By: Melissa M. Crosthwaite Senior Assistant City Attorney Resolution No. 2025-24 Page 5 of 6 CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, GEMA ZAPIEN, Acting Recording Secretary, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2025-24 to be the original resolution adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana on July 28, 2025. Date: Gema Zapien Acting Recording Secretary City of Santa Ana 07/28/2025 Resolution No. 2025-24 Page 6 of 6 EXHIBIT A Conditions of Approval for Site Plan Review No. 2025-02 Site Plan Review No. 2025-02 to allow a major residential addition, exterior alterations, and an interior remodel to an existing single-family home is approved subject to compliance, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Manager, with all applicable sections of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, the California Building Standards Code, and all other applicable regulations: The Applicant must comply with each and every condition listed below prior to exercising the rights conferred by this site plan review. The Applicant must remain in compliance with all conditions listed below throughout the life of the site plan review. Failure to comply with each and every condition may result in the revocation of the site plan review. 1. Any amendment to the SPR No. 2025-02, including modifications to approved materials, finishes, architecture, site plan, landscaping, and square footage must be submitted to the Planning Division for review. At that time, staff will determine if administrative relief is available or if the Development Project Review or Site Plan Review Application must be amended. 2. Prior to building permit issuance, the project plans shall comply with landscaping requirements outlined in HPADG and SAMC Section 41-609. 3. All exterior materials, including but not limited to siding, stucco, trim, roof shingles, and attic vents, shall match the existing structure in color, texture, and finish to the satisfaction of the Planning and Building Agency. 4. All new vinyl-hung windows and replacement windows shall include decorative wood trim and sill details that match the existing character of the residence. Window sizes, proportions, and placements shall be consistent with the original architectural style. 5. While the property is not eligible for listing on the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties, all exterior modifications shall be consistent with the Minimal Traditional architectural style as described in the HPADG and SACDG. 6. The existing rear water heater shall be enclosed using matching materials and construction detailing to integrate fully with the architectural character of the structure. 7. After project occupancy, landscaping and hardscape materials must be maintained as shown on the approved Project plans.