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Foothills Sentry Page 2 JULY 2024 jadtec.com 714-282-0828 jadt ec.com $ 15 95 /mo as low as SECURITY JADTEC HELPING YOU PROTECT WHAT MATTERS MOST aco4202 Small lot infill development gets green light By Carrie Graham Developer Intracorp Homes will be the first to build housing in Orange under the city’s 2021 Small Lot Subdivision Ordi- nance. The City Council's unani- mous approval, May 28, came after the city’s Design Review Committee (DRC) and Planning Commission both rejected it. Those reviewers found the project too massive for the site, recognizing negative impacts on traffic and neighborhood privacy. The only changes after the Plan- ning Commission denial was the unit count reduced from 49 to 48, and planned three-story homes abutting the backyards of neigh- bors were reduced to two-story, with setbacks increased by two to five feet. Rooftop decks on those units were eliminated, and bed- room windows raised to above eye-level. The project site is the aban- doned AT&T building on Katella and Cambridge. Residents on neighboring Carleton Street, who share the development’s northern border, have lodged a number of complaints since December. The majority are not against hous- ing being built, but believe the planned community, which will fit 48 units on a 2.71-acre lot, is just too dense and too tall. They say their single-story homes bor- dering the project will be over- whelmed by the multi-story fa- çade, their privacy will be lost, and yards cast in shade. Traffic on an already burdened Cambridge Street will lead to accidents. An imperfect fit “Housing should go on this lot, I absolutely agree with that,” said Carol Fox, a former DRC mem- ber speaking as a resident. “Just because housing needs to go there doesn't mean it needs to go in as- is. You can add conditions.” A primary disconnect for resi- dents was language in the city’s Small Lot Subdivision Guide- book. It clearly states, “For small lot subdivisions involving five or more lots ... the project requires approval by the DRC and the Planning Commission.” Many were of the impression that the rejections by the two entities should have left the Intracorp project dead in the water. However, Senior Planner Chad Ortlieb explained, “On a project like this one, where there's a Gen- eral Plan amendment and a zone change, Orange municipal code specifically states the city council has the final say.” Unlike with the DRC and Planning Commission meetings, which were largely attended by opponents of the project, a num- ber of residents showed up or submitted emails to the council in support. They referred to the disused land in its current state as “blighted,” citing it as both an eye sore and a safety hazard. A blighted site The former AT&T building, which closed about five years ago, has become a hotspot for police activity. In the past 18 months, OPD has documented 53 visits, including 13 arrests and one death. “It's routine for the bike team and HEART team to go by every day, because it’s a large building and it’s vacant,” said Po- lice Chief Dan Adams. Although Code Enforcement tried for months to contact the owner to secure the property, the owner was unresponsive, leading the city to ultimately condemn the building in January 2023. In addition to the ailing building’s criminal activity, some also ques- tioned what else could go there, for better or worse. The property had been zoned for commercial use, and while there had been some interest shown by various businesses, none had been formally submit- ted by the time Intracorp pro- posed its project. Many in favor also cited the need for more affordable hous- ing for families in Orange. One resident in opposition, however, noted that just building more housing won’t necessarily solve the problem. “It was said at the last city council meeting that 39% of the homes in Orange are owned by investors,” said Brandy Romero. “What's to say that these homes aren't going to be owned by in- vestors? We need to do something to regulate that before we build more housing.” The traffic issues, dismissed by the developer and city traffic engineer, did snag the attention of Councilman Jon Dumitru. In voting to approve the project, he asked that another traffic study be done in about two years to deter- mine whether accidents have in- creased or not. “That,” a Carleton resident sighed, “will be too late.” Local scholars excel Iowa State University an- nounced that Lauren Kettner, an interior design major from North Tustin, was named to the spring semester Dean's List. Malia Man- cini, also from North Tustin, was named to the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin, Madi- son, College of Letters and Sci- ence. Bryan Gilman of Orange was named to the spring semester Dean’s List at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Brandon DeRosa, also from Orange, was recognized by the College of Wil- liam & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Marquette University, Milwau- kee, named Orange’s Ryan Osker to its Dean’s List; Osker is pursu- ing a doctorate in physical ther- apy. David Holloman of Orange graduated from Marquette, earn- ing a master of science in nursing. Intracorp Homes plans to build 48 multi-story units on a 2.7-acre lot at Katella and Cambridge.