Dear Chair and Members of the Design Review Committee,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the DRC Agenda Item 4.2 Design Review No. 5090-22 proposed duplex and ADU development at 221 S Earlham St Orange CA 92869. I believe this development presents significant issues that warrant serious reconsideration.
Foremost is inadequate parking. 50% of the project’s parking, 2 enclosed garages are so awkwardly located as to be unusable. Please provide evidence a typical vehicle could actually enter the garage. As staff for the design committee noted the access to the garage is so awkward the garages will unlikely be used for vehicles, meaning the 9 bedroom project has only 2 usable parking spaces. Since the garages are unusable for vehicles the city staff noted they will probably be used for storage or I believe will be used for additional living space to pack additional residents in the development to reduce the cost of rent for each tenant living in the project. If inhabited by married couples that would potentially be 18 people of driving and car owning age potentially living in the development. The 200 block of S Earlham does not have sufficient parking for the residents currently living on the block causing them to park their vehicles in the 300 block of S Earlham. I have lived in the 300 block of S Earlham for 33 years and only in the last 6 months has the lack of parking in the neighborhood to the north resulted in vehicles owned by people not living in the 300 block parking in front of my home on a daily basis. These vehicles block mail delivery access and placement of trach carts as well as visiting friends and family. Adding a large number of new residents with vehicles will only exacerbate an already existing problem. The residents of the 300 block are considering permit parking for residents only which if implemented will push the 10-15 vehicles to other more distant streets to park on. Approving this development with 2 usable parking spots will exacerbate the current parking shortage reducing the quality of the neighborhood for current and future residents.
Second, the scale, size and appearance of the project is inconsistent with the rest of the 200 block’s single story single family homes of heritage architectural style. The project will tower over the recently constructed single story home in the adjacent lot to the north resulting in loss of views from adjacent homes along with a loss of privacy as the new project will enable viewing directly into adjacent homes and yards eliminating any privacy currently enjoyed. Approval of this project will set a precedent that other single story homes in this neighborhood could be torn down and replaced by massive 9 bedroom projects with 2 usable parking spaces again repeating and adding to the current lack of parking in the neighborhood. FYI – There is a vacant lot 100 yards north of 221 S Earlham that is larger and would have the lot size to build a 9 bedroom project with adequate on-site parking with a design fitting and in alignment with the existing neighborhood.
Thank you for your attention to my concerns. I trust that the committee will consider these points and act in the best interests of our neighborhood by denying this project until it is modified with adequate parking for the projects residents and the design is modified to align with the size of the homes in this neighborhood.
Best Regards,
Robert Tinkham
33 year homeowner 356 S Earlham St
My family and I deeply oppose the request to construct a new residence and a detached rear residence and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at
221 S. Earlham Street (Design Review No. 5090-22).
My family has been residence and home owners on Earlham and Park street spanning over 50 years and several generations. We are proud to be native residents of the City of Orange since its inception. To that topic, this new build would not only be an eyesore for the public and community but this does not fit in with the historic beauty and culture that is Orange.
We as Orange residents need to be mindful of what we are building around us. Over the past 5-10 years, we have seen an immense growth in the population of Orange. We cannot let go of the beauty that is Orange for the sake of cash flow and filling someone's pockets.
I say this with love but sternness: please oppose the 221 S. Earlham Street build. This will increase what is already a dense neighborhood, make way for crime, create an unlikable view/look and devalue the historic preservation of this neighborhood.
Dear Chair and Members of the Design Review Committee,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the DRC Agenda Item 4.2 Design Review No. 5090-22 proposed duplex and ADU development at 221 S Earlham St Orange CA 92869. I believe this development presents significant issues that warrant serious reconsideration.
Foremost is inadequate parking. 50% of the project’s parking, 2 enclosed garages are so awkwardly located as to be unusable. Please provide evidence a typical vehicle could actually enter the garage. As staff for the design committee noted the access to the garage is so awkward the garages will unlikely be used for vehicles, meaning the 9 bedroom project has only 2 usable parking spaces. Since the garages are unusable for vehicles the city staff noted they will probably be used for storage or I believe will be used for additional living space to pack additional residents in the development to reduce the cost of rent for each tenant living in the project. If inhabited by married couples that would potentially be 18 people of driving and car owning age potentially living in the development. The 200 block of S Earlham does not have sufficient parking for the residents currently living on the block causing them to park their vehicles in the 300 block of S Earlham. I have lived in the 300 block of S Earlham for 33 years and only in the last 6 months has the lack of parking in the neighborhood to the north resulted in vehicles owned by people not living in the 300 block parking in front of my home on a daily basis. These vehicles block mail delivery access and placement of trach carts as well as visiting friends and family. Adding a large number of new residents with vehicles will only exacerbate an already existing problem. The residents of the 300 block are considering permit parking for residents only which if implemented will push the 10-15 vehicles to other more distant streets to park on. Approving this development with 2 usable parking spots will exacerbate the current parking shortage reducing the quality of the neighborhood for current and future residents.
Second, the scale, size and appearance of the project is inconsistent with the rest of the 200 block’s single story single family homes of heritage architectural style. The project will tower over the recently constructed single story home in the adjacent lot to the north resulting in loss of views from adjacent homes along with a loss of privacy as the new project will enable viewing directly into adjacent homes and yards eliminating any privacy currently enjoyed. Approval of this project will set a precedent that other single story homes in this neighborhood could be torn down and replaced by massive 9 bedroom projects with 2 usable parking spaces again repeating and adding to the current lack of parking in the neighborhood. FYI – There is a vacant lot 100 yards north of 221 S Earlham that is larger and would have the lot size to build a 9 bedroom project with adequate on-site parking with a design fitting and in alignment with the existing neighborhood.
Thank you for your attention to my concerns. I trust that the committee will consider these points and act in the best interests of our neighborhood by denying this project until it is modified with adequate parking for the projects residents and the design is modified to align with the size of the homes in this neighborhood.
Best Regards,
Robert Tinkham
33 year homeowner 356 S Earlham St
To Whom It May Concern,
My family and I deeply oppose the request to construct a new residence and a detached rear residence and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at
221 S. Earlham Street (Design Review No. 5090-22).
My family has been residence and home owners on Earlham and Park street spanning over 50 years and several generations. We are proud to be native residents of the City of Orange since its inception. To that topic, this new build would not only be an eyesore for the public and community but this does not fit in with the historic beauty and culture that is Orange.
We as Orange residents need to be mindful of what we are building around us. Over the past 5-10 years, we have seen an immense growth in the population of Orange. We cannot let go of the beauty that is Orange for the sake of cash flow and filling someone's pockets.
I say this with love but sternness: please oppose the 221 S. Earlham Street build. This will increase what is already a dense neighborhood, make way for crime, create an unlikable view/look and devalue the historic preservation of this neighborhood.
Thank you for your consideration.
Long-time resident, native Orange resident, Valerie Silva-Geletko