Santa Ana : 4-Story Apartment House Wins Council Approval

"After meeting with four neighborhood representatives, Don Hertel, the project's architect, proposed removing the fifth story, thereby reducing the building height from 57 to 39 feet. The units will be constructed on top of existing businesses making up the complex. Hertel also proposed reorienting the balconies away from residential Sycamore Street and screening the view from the upper stories to nearby single-family houses."

"The project has been scaled back from a proposal for a five-story complex with 49 units that was presented to the council last month by BAC's Development. The Planning Commission originally recommended approval of the larger project for the northwest corner of South Main Street and Anahurst Place. However, a storm of protest erupted about the proposed building height, population density and fears of increased traffic and crime problems."

"Councilman Dan Young noted the developer's apparent willingness to work with the neighborhood and the city's planning staff. In considering the project, the council dismissed residents' concerns that the apartments would attract a criminal element."

The City Council unanimously approved a four-story, 42-unit apartment complex with an 8,400-square-foot commercial base after the developer reduced the project from an initial five-story, 49-unit proposal. Following neighborhood opposition regarding building height, population density, traffic, and crime concerns, the council referred the project back to the Planning Commission and directed the developer to meet with residents. The architect reduced the building height from 57 to 39 feet by removing the fifth story, reoriented balconies away from residential streets, and added screening to protect views of nearby single-family homes. The developer also proposed potential conversion to condominiums and construction quality improvements. The council dismissed residents' crime concerns, noting the developer's cooperation with neighborhood representatives and planning staff.

Read at Los Angeles Times