7.1. Public Hearing to consider a proposal to redevelop a former utility property with 48 two-and three-story single-family small lot homes at 901 E. Katella Avenue, and adoption of Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 1882-22 and associated Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
(General Plan Amendment No. 0004-22, Zone Change No. 1307-22, Tentative Tract Map No. 0051-22, Major Site Plan Review No. 1111-22, Design Review No. 5092-22, Administrative Adjustment No. 0293-23, and Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 1882-22).
For the past few months, I have taken the time to research this proposed project. I have attended both Design Review Committee and Planning Commission meetings where the project was REJECTED both times. The DRC and the Planning Commission are respectable people and understand that the project, as it is currently proposed is the wrong project for this lot. There are other areas in Orange where this would be welcomed but not at 901 Katella. My neighbors and I will greatly suffer many negative impacts this project would bring.
My wife and I have lived on Carleton Ave for 4 years with our 2 kids. We plan on being lifetime residents on this block, in this home and most importantly, in Orange. We have opposed this development since we first received notification but not because we don't want to see a new development in the vacant lot. We oppose it because it is the wrong plan for this site. It will devalue the entire neighborhood and bring on a look that doesn't fit with the historical Orange vibe.
I'm not sure why this developer can propose this type of community when nothing surrounding it remotely resembles the current style of surrounding dwellings.
The privacy issues it would cause for me, and my neighbors is unnerving. We could never leave windows or curtains open if our homes faced the property, especially at night when the lights are glowing from within. The bleed over parking and the additional traffic would cause huge headaches for the existing neighbors.
I think Intracorp is only looking to make a profit, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, they aren't investing in the City of Orange. They want to build the homes and get out after they pass off the community to an HOA. They need to completely redesign their proposal with less homes, less floors, and less potential residents/cars. It would be a joy to see the development resemble that of the local residential blocks.
I hope the City Council understands the negative impact this proposed project will bring and votes to oppose/reject. Please listen to the Orange residents and your neighbors. We do not want this Intracorp development as it is currently designed.
I live on the north side of Carleton Ave at the corner at Cambridge St., directly behind the property under consideration by the City Council for development of 48 homes. I am writing to express my strong opposition to the project as it is being proposed. The row of two story units, that are set back only 10 feet from the back wall of our homes on the north side of Carleton Ave, will be a real threat to our privacy we enjoy in our own backyards. They also will block sunlight from our property, affecting our plants/ landscaping. Another aspect that will be very detrimental is the insufficient amount of parking spaces. If each unit only had 2 cars ( very likely 3 or 4), the garages would be full and there are only 25 or so spaces for visitors. So, it it is going to be a real parking problem for our neighborhood as visitors or extra cars will be parking on our street, seeing that it is the first and most opportune place to go. Also, with such density, and two small entries/exits onto Katella Ave and Cambridge St, the traffic dangers for commuters who will need to turn left onto each to get to the nearby freeway will greatly increase. There is also the reality to be acknowledged that it is very likely that many of the proposed units will be purchased for use as a short term rental ( think “Air B&B”) where each room in the unit would be occupied by persons with their own car, making the traffic/parking problems even worse. Then there are the three story units with a fourth floor rooftop patio posing the same threat to our privacy, as well as dangers possible in the event of Santa Ana winds that come through several times each year. This sort of urban, high density housing does not fit with the nice one story neighborhood design that we have paid for and enjoyed for decades, so I am writing , along with my neighbors, to protest and plead for you, our City Council, to reject this proposal tomorrow. Sincerely, R. Housky 918 E Carleton Ave, Orange
No, No, No! I am begging our elected officials to do the right thing and listen to their constituents, especially the Carleton Avenue residents that have the highest level of negative impact from this project, as well as their own city’s Design Review team and Planning Commission. We OPPOSE this project as it currently stands. If these were single story ranch style homes that fit with the existing community, different story. This current design of tall cookie cutter tiny McMansions is something you would see in Irvine or Tustin, not in our beloved city of Orange. Now we have safety concerns of people staring into our backyards, watching our kids swim, new roof lines blocking our existing solar panels, horrible traffic in an already congested area, etc. When we purchased our home over a decade ago, it never crossed our mind that businesses behind our home could be rezoned from commercial to residential, and to something potentially as horrific as this. If approved, it sets a horrible precedent for the rest of the city. Please, please listen to the people that voted you into office, not the wealthy developers sitting at their office in Newport Beach. - Katie Polzer
The first request the City Council must decide, before you consider any of the project issues, details, and valid concerns from adjacent property owners, is the applicant's request to change the land use. Do you find changing the land use designation from General Commercial (CG) to Medium Density Residential (MDR) is in the city's short and long-term best interest. If the answer to that question is no, the General Plan request should be denied. No further discussion or action is needed. Direct staff to bring back a resolution to deny and move on to the next item on agenda.
If the answer is yes, then, you must consider the intent & purpose of the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance (SLSO). Like the GPA request, you have a second critical policy question to decide. Do you find the recently adopted SLSO proves to work well when it is applied next to a well established single-family neighborhood. Is the intensity too much? Is this the outcome our planning team expected when this development tool was adopted? Is this the project you want to be the bar as well as set precedent for future SLSO projects in town? Is this your vision for the new neighborhoods you want to see in Orange. Are our SLSO standards incomplete, needing further adjustments, and refinements. Should the SLSO be expanded to include Mixed Use sites and not be applied to sites next to R-1? Is it proper to expect an affordability element or a development agreement be part of housing projects changing the General Plan or using the SLSO? What is the fiscal hit of the project to our General Fund? We do have a serious structural deficit.
Can the applicant (or a subsequent buyer) decide not to build the project using the plans for 48 homes in their SLSO request? If they can, could that mean a shift to another residential project (density bonus, townhomes, apartments, senior community) could happen that may only require building and life safety permits?
Is proper parking provided, safe access to and from Cambridge and Katella, impacts to Carleton, useable open space, undergrounding of power lines, cleaned up site for residential development due to the past uses on the site, etc. And last, is their strong community support for the project? That's why your DRC and PC denied the project.
I say, focus on the first question. It's easier to answer.
PUBLIC SAFETY is a BIG concern issue... NO Pathways, NO Sidewalk, NO ADA consider... Pedestrians (you, me, the elder, the children, the pets...the fast walker, the slow walker, the person in a wheelchair to the baby in the stroller) will share the roadway with Cars, Driveway Trucks, Emergency vehicles, etc.... I agree with The Planning Commission (who recommended Denial of the project) "a public safety concern with the confliction of vehicular circulation and pedestrian circulation in the street." & "The project does not adequately address the Small Lot Subdivision Guidelines"
Say, NO to this very poorly designed project. A better design with more Orange Charm and lower density is something we would all like to see.
I am a resident of Carleton Ave., while I do not backup the project sit, I firmly oppose the proposed development
While there have been some changes to the project that was denied by both the Design Review Committee and Planning Commission There are still many concerns with the as proposed project.
The two-story houses only 10' from the rear of the existing yards on Carleton is an invasion of privacy. Would you like this in your backyard?
Two car Garages for 4- bedroom houses do not meet code. How many of the garages will be able to accommodate two cars when parts of most garages are used for storage? HOA will not be able to handle the enforcement necessary.
Access to the site will be severely limited as left turns on to and from Katella and Cambridge will be difficult due to existing traffic volumes and striping configurations
The proposed design is not at all compatible with the surrounding community, as required by the small lot guidelines, which is primary one-story ranch style houses.
The roof top patios adjacent to Katella will be a danger when there are Santa Ana winds because of the potential for items to be blown on to the street.
This large of a project should not fall under the small lot guidelines. I do not believe this size project was envisioned when the guidelines were adopted.
No one in the immediate vicinity is in favor of this project. Also, in cannot fall under the affordable housing category.
I am not opposed to redevelopment of this site, but this project is too much for the size of the parcel.
David Nelson
To the lone person in support of this project . This project is NOT affordable housing . These are 2 and 3 story cramped units that will go for $1.1M each on the market. The developers are trying to make a quick buck while taking advantage of the existing neighborhood residents and housing conditions. I mean who would want to live in such tight quarters with no space at an expensive price if this gets developed? Very desperate people. I am not in support of this project for a number of reasons including all the negative impacts it will do to the existing neighbors and neighborhood . Nothing about this project is positive. Increased traffic , increase parking problems , privacy concerns. It is unacceptable!!!! city council please listen to the complaints about this proposal. Anyone sane reading the background information will know that you all need to vote NO and oppose this project.
We are against this proposed Intracorp Katella development. No matter how many times the developers have tried to change this proposal, it is still unsatisfactory and does not meet the small sub lot division guidelines. The Design Review Committee and the Planning Commission have both voted not in support of this proposal. The residents of E Carleton and nearby neighborhood residents have also strongly opposed this ill planned development. I am urging the city council members to listen to your constituents and also deny this proposal. It is in the wrong location next to single story old ranch style homes, will create traffic congestion and parking nightmares and increase privacy concerns for existing residents. It is aesthetically unpleasant for the neighborhood and will take away sunshine for the backyard of our homes. Please vote your conscience and deny this proposal. This is purely about profit and not about improving the Orange neighborhood at all! It would be quite the opposite and detrimental if this is built on that corner of Katella and Cambridge lot. Please vote NO!!!!!
The proposed design by Intracorp does not follow the small lot guidelines. Scale and massing of the buildings are not compatible. Two and three story buildings with rooftop decks DO NOT belong adjacent to single story homes. The density proposed is for an urban development and not in a suburban area. Privacy is practically nill with a 10' setback on the Northern border of existing single story residents. Large 8-foot egress windows on the 2nd story units start at a height of 34-36" off the finished floor. There is a reason why both the Design Review Committee and the Planning Review Committee both denied the project. Please do not change the zoning just to allow an incompatible housing development to be built on the backs of existing R-1 single family residences.
I am a resident of Carleton Street and I am not opposed to Housing, I am opposed to this project. The city should enforce the plain language of the Small lot subdivision ordiance, First,the project must fit into the neighborhood! The how is simple. Require all houses built within 10 feet of my neighbors back yards to be single story homes, make the rest of the homes two stories. Get rid of the fourth floor decks. The extra benifit is that the units will be smaller, thus more affordable. We do not need another 48 $1,300,000.00 homes. The small lot concept is to build affordable homes . Let's use it for its purpose. Please enforce ALL of the requirements of that ordiance and reject this project as proposed. Steve Fingal.
As a single family home owner very close to this proposed housing structures, I understand my neighbors concerns due to increased traffic, sunlight issues, privacy etc BUT our single family homes are no longer single family due to unaffordable housing. The single family homes on our block contain multi-generations or dual families already. Our compassionate city MUST make tough decisions to provide additional affordable housing and we may be personally impacted but it’s needed. Thank you for considering this tough decision.
Christine and Tom Clarke
Please vote “No" to this housing project on Katella/Cambridge! The planning and design committees voted no for many reasons! The project is too intense for this site and will negatively effect the residents in the single family homes that are adjacent to the site. This development does not fit in the suburban area of single family homes and will increase parking and traffic issues on that corner that already has a dangerous blind curve. Please vote NO!
Please vote “No" to this housing project on Katella/Cambridge! The planning and design committees voted no for many reasons! The project is too intense for this site and will negatively effect the residents in the single family homes that are adjacent to the site. This development does not fit in the suburban area of single family homes and will increase parking and traffic issues on that corner that already has a dangerous blind curve. Please vote NO!
The City has a regional housing need allocation (RHNA) of 3,936 housing units, of which 1,671 are for lower-income households. This project provides the City Council with an opportunity to require the developer to ensure that a minimum % of homes are affordable. I encourage the Council to require at least 154% of the units be affordable in return for the requests the developer is asking. The City of Orange needs workforce housing for its teachers, police officers and other essential workers and the City Council can help make this happen. Thank you.
"No" to the Katella Ave/Cambridge housing project. It was a "no" in both the design and planning committee's for good reasons. The residents of Carlton are negatively affected, the Cambridge and Katella intersection would become even more dangerous. The esthetic of the project is not a fit with the surrounding neighborhoods. Please City Council also say "no" to this project.
For the past few months, I have taken the time to research this proposed project. I have attended both Design Review Committee and Planning Commission meetings where the project was REJECTED both times. The DRC and the Planning Commission are respectable people and understand that the project, as it is currently proposed is the wrong project for this lot. There are other areas in Orange where this would be welcomed but not at 901 Katella. My neighbors and I will greatly suffer many negative impacts this project would bring.
My wife and I have lived on Carleton Ave for 4 years with our 2 kids. We plan on being lifetime residents on this block, in this home and most importantly, in Orange. We have opposed this development since we first received notification but not because we don't want to see a new development in the vacant lot. We oppose it because it is the wrong plan for this site. It will devalue the entire neighborhood and bring on a look that doesn't fit with the historical Orange vibe.
I'm not sure why this developer can propose this type of community when nothing surrounding it remotely resembles the current style of surrounding dwellings.
The privacy issues it would cause for me, and my neighbors is unnerving. We could never leave windows or curtains open if our homes faced the property, especially at night when the lights are glowing from within. The bleed over parking and the additional traffic would cause huge headaches for the existing neighbors.
I think Intracorp is only looking to make a profit, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, they aren't investing in the City of Orange. They want to build the homes and get out after they pass off the community to an HOA. They need to completely redesign their proposal with less homes, less floors, and less potential residents/cars. It would be a joy to see the development resemble that of the local residential blocks.
I hope the City Council understands the negative impact this proposed project will bring and votes to oppose/reject. Please listen to the Orange residents and your neighbors. We do not want this Intracorp development as it is currently designed.
I live on the north side of Carleton Ave at the corner at Cambridge St., directly behind the property under consideration by the City Council for development of 48 homes. I am writing to express my strong opposition to the project as it is being proposed. The row of two story units, that are set back only 10 feet from the back wall of our homes on the north side of Carleton Ave, will be a real threat to our privacy we enjoy in our own backyards. They also will block sunlight from our property, affecting our plants/ landscaping. Another aspect that will be very detrimental is the insufficient amount of parking spaces. If each unit only had 2 cars ( very likely 3 or 4), the garages would be full and there are only 25 or so spaces for visitors. So, it it is going to be a real parking problem for our neighborhood as visitors or extra cars will be parking on our street, seeing that it is the first and most opportune place to go. Also, with such density, and two small entries/exits onto Katella Ave and Cambridge St, the traffic dangers for commuters who will need to turn left onto each to get to the nearby freeway will greatly increase. There is also the reality to be acknowledged that it is very likely that many of the proposed units will be purchased for use as a short term rental ( think “Air B&B”) where each room in the unit would be occupied by persons with their own car, making the traffic/parking problems even worse. Then there are the three story units with a fourth floor rooftop patio posing the same threat to our privacy, as well as dangers possible in the event of Santa Ana winds that come through several times each year. This sort of urban, high density housing does not fit with the nice one story neighborhood design that we have paid for and enjoyed for decades, so I am writing , along with my neighbors, to protest and plead for you, our City Council, to reject this proposal tomorrow. Sincerely, R. Housky 918 E Carleton Ave, Orange
No, No, No! I am begging our elected officials to do the right thing and listen to their constituents, especially the Carleton Avenue residents that have the highest level of negative impact from this project, as well as their own city’s Design Review team and Planning Commission. We OPPOSE this project as it currently stands. If these were single story ranch style homes that fit with the existing community, different story. This current design of tall cookie cutter tiny McMansions is something you would see in Irvine or Tustin, not in our beloved city of Orange. Now we have safety concerns of people staring into our backyards, watching our kids swim, new roof lines blocking our existing solar panels, horrible traffic in an already congested area, etc. When we purchased our home over a decade ago, it never crossed our mind that businesses behind our home could be rezoned from commercial to residential, and to something potentially as horrific as this. If approved, it sets a horrible precedent for the rest of the city. Please, please listen to the people that voted you into office, not the wealthy developers sitting at their office in Newport Beach. - Katie Polzer
The first request the City Council must decide, before you consider any of the project issues, details, and valid concerns from adjacent property owners, is the applicant's request to change the land use. Do you find changing the land use designation from General Commercial (CG) to Medium Density Residential (MDR) is in the city's short and long-term best interest. If the answer to that question is no, the General Plan request should be denied. No further discussion or action is needed. Direct staff to bring back a resolution to deny and move on to the next item on agenda.
If the answer is yes, then, you must consider the intent & purpose of the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance (SLSO). Like the GPA request, you have a second critical policy question to decide. Do you find the recently adopted SLSO proves to work well when it is applied next to a well established single-family neighborhood. Is the intensity too much? Is this the outcome our planning team expected when this development tool was adopted? Is this the project you want to be the bar as well as set precedent for future SLSO projects in town? Is this your vision for the new neighborhoods you want to see in Orange. Are our SLSO standards incomplete, needing further adjustments, and refinements. Should the SLSO be expanded to include Mixed Use sites and not be applied to sites next to R-1? Is it proper to expect an affordability element or a development agreement be part of housing projects changing the General Plan or using the SLSO? What is the fiscal hit of the project to our General Fund? We do have a serious structural deficit.
Can the applicant (or a subsequent buyer) decide not to build the project using the plans for 48 homes in their SLSO request? If they can, could that mean a shift to another residential project (density bonus, townhomes, apartments, senior community) could happen that may only require building and life safety permits?
Is proper parking provided, safe access to and from Cambridge and Katella, impacts to Carleton, useable open space, undergrounding of power lines, cleaned up site for residential development due to the past uses on the site, etc. And last, is their strong community support for the project? That's why your DRC and PC denied the project.
I say, focus on the first question. It's easier to answer.
Adrienne Gladson, AICP
PUBLIC SAFETY is a BIG concern issue... NO Pathways, NO Sidewalk, NO ADA consider... Pedestrians (you, me, the elder, the children, the pets...the fast walker, the slow walker, the person in a wheelchair to the baby in the stroller) will share the roadway with Cars, Driveway Trucks, Emergency vehicles, etc.... I agree with The Planning Commission (who recommended Denial of the project) "a public safety concern with the confliction of vehicular circulation and pedestrian circulation in the street." & "The project does not adequately address the Small Lot Subdivision Guidelines"
Say, NO to this very poorly designed project. A better design with more Orange Charm and lower density is something we would all like to see.
The Planning Commission on the ultimately recommended DENIAL of the project to the City Council: "The project is too intense for the site"
I am a resident of Carleton Ave., while I do not backup the project sit, I firmly oppose the proposed development
While there have been some changes to the project that was denied by both the Design Review Committee and Planning Commission There are still many concerns with the as proposed project.
The two-story houses only 10' from the rear of the existing yards on Carleton is an invasion of privacy. Would you like this in your backyard?
Two car Garages for 4- bedroom houses do not meet code. How many of the garages will be able to accommodate two cars when parts of most garages are used for storage? HOA will not be able to handle the enforcement necessary.
Access to the site will be severely limited as left turns on to and from Katella and Cambridge will be difficult due to existing traffic volumes and striping configurations
The proposed design is not at all compatible with the surrounding community, as required by the small lot guidelines, which is primary one-story ranch style houses.
The roof top patios adjacent to Katella will be a danger when there are Santa Ana winds because of the potential for items to be blown on to the street.
This large of a project should not fall under the small lot guidelines. I do not believe this size project was envisioned when the guidelines were adopted.
No one in the immediate vicinity is in favor of this project. Also, in cannot fall under the affordable housing category.
I am not opposed to redevelopment of this site, but this project is too much for the size of the parcel.
David Nelson
To the lone person in support of this project . This project is NOT affordable housing . These are 2 and 3 story cramped units that will go for $1.1M each on the market. The developers are trying to make a quick buck while taking advantage of the existing neighborhood residents and housing conditions. I mean who would want to live in such tight quarters with no space at an expensive price if this gets developed? Very desperate people. I am not in support of this project for a number of reasons including all the negative impacts it will do to the existing neighbors and neighborhood . Nothing about this project is positive. Increased traffic , increase parking problems , privacy concerns. It is unacceptable!!!! city council please listen to the complaints about this proposal. Anyone sane reading the background information will know that you all need to vote NO and oppose this project.
We are against this proposed Intracorp Katella development. No matter how many times the developers have tried to change this proposal, it is still unsatisfactory and does not meet the small sub lot division guidelines. The Design Review Committee and the Planning Commission have both voted not in support of this proposal. The residents of E Carleton and nearby neighborhood residents have also strongly opposed this ill planned development. I am urging the city council members to listen to your constituents and also deny this proposal. It is in the wrong location next to single story old ranch style homes, will create traffic congestion and parking nightmares and increase privacy concerns for existing residents. It is aesthetically unpleasant for the neighborhood and will take away sunshine for the backyard of our homes. Please vote your conscience and deny this proposal. This is purely about profit and not about improving the Orange neighborhood at all! It would be quite the opposite and detrimental if this is built on that corner of Katella and Cambridge lot. Please vote NO!!!!!
The proposed design by Intracorp does not follow the small lot guidelines. Scale and massing of the buildings are not compatible. Two and three story buildings with rooftop decks DO NOT belong adjacent to single story homes. The density proposed is for an urban development and not in a suburban area. Privacy is practically nill with a 10' setback on the Northern border of existing single story residents. Large 8-foot egress windows on the 2nd story units start at a height of 34-36" off the finished floor. There is a reason why both the Design Review Committee and the Planning Review Committee both denied the project. Please do not change the zoning just to allow an incompatible housing development to be built on the backs of existing R-1 single family residences.
I am a resident of Carleton Street and I am not opposed to Housing, I am opposed to this project. The city should enforce the plain language of the Small lot subdivision ordiance, First,the project must fit into the neighborhood! The how is simple. Require all houses built within 10 feet of my neighbors back yards to be single story homes, make the rest of the homes two stories. Get rid of the fourth floor decks. The extra benifit is that the units will be smaller, thus more affordable. We do not need another 48 $1,300,000.00 homes. The small lot concept is to build affordable homes . Let's use it for its purpose. Please enforce ALL of the requirements of that ordiance and reject this project as proposed. Steve Fingal.
As a single family home owner very close to this proposed housing structures, I understand my neighbors concerns due to increased traffic, sunlight issues, privacy etc BUT our single family homes are no longer single family due to unaffordable housing. The single family homes on our block contain multi-generations or dual families already. Our compassionate city MUST make tough decisions to provide additional affordable housing and we may be personally impacted but it’s needed. Thank you for considering this tough decision.
Christine and Tom Clarke
Please vote “No" to this housing project on Katella/Cambridge! The planning and design committees voted no for many reasons! The project is too intense for this site and will negatively effect the residents in the single family homes that are adjacent to the site. This development does not fit in the suburban area of single family homes and will increase parking and traffic issues on that corner that already has a dangerous blind curve. Please vote NO!
Please vote “No" to this housing project on Katella/Cambridge! The planning and design committees voted no for many reasons! The project is too intense for this site and will negatively effect the residents in the single family homes that are adjacent to the site. This development does not fit in the suburban area of single family homes and will increase parking and traffic issues on that corner that already has a dangerous blind curve. Please vote NO!
The City has a regional housing need allocation (RHNA) of 3,936 housing units, of which 1,671 are for lower-income households. This project provides the City Council with an opportunity to require the developer to ensure that a minimum % of homes are affordable. I encourage the Council to require at least 154% of the units be affordable in return for the requests the developer is asking. The City of Orange needs workforce housing for its teachers, police officers and other essential workers and the City Council can help make this happen. Thank you.
"No" to the Katella Ave/Cambridge housing project. It was a "no" in both the design and planning committee's for good reasons. The residents of Carlton are negatively affected, the Cambridge and Katella intersection would become even more dangerous. The esthetic of the project is not a fit with the surrounding neighborhoods. Please City Council also say "no" to this project.