TO: Chair and Members of the Planning Commission
THRU: Anna Pehoushek, Assistant Community Development Director
FROM: Monique Schwartz, Senior Planner
1. Subject
title
Approval of time extension for The Orion Senior Citizen Apartment Complex located at 1800 E. La Veta Avenue (Conditional Use Permit No. 3146-21, Major Site Plan Review No. 1047-21, and Design Review No. 5042-21).
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2. Summary
A request to extend the entitlements for a proposal to redevelop an existing 3.85-acre rehabilitation center site with a new 166-unit affordable senior citizen apartment complex and related site improvements.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve a one-year time extension for Conditional Use Permit No. 3146-21, Major Site Plan Review No. 1047-21, and Design Review No. 5042-21.
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4. AUTHORIZING GUIDELINES
Orange Municipal Code (OMC) Section 17.08.060 authorizes the body granting final approval for a land use entitlement (in this case the Planning Commission) to extend the period upon which to commence use or construction of the land use entitlement by a period of up to one year. The person seeking such an extension must submit a written request to the Community Development Director in a form acceptable to the Director. The written request should be submitted at least 45 days prior to the expiration date and at a minimum shall explain the extenuating circumstances that have delayed construction or use of the land use entitlement. A request for an extension shall not require public notice provided that no conditions or other requirements are added, deleted, or modified.
5. DISCUSSION AND background
On March 7, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. PC 02-22 (Attachment 2) approving Conditional Use Permit No. 3146-21, Major Site Plan Review No. 1047-21, Design Review No. 5042-21, and a density bonus with affordable housing concessions and waivers to development standards, for a proposal to redevelop an existing 3.85-acre rehabilitation center site with a new 166-unit affordable senior citizen apartment complex and related site improvements (“Project”). The staff report and minutes from the hearing are included as Attachments 3 and 4, respectively.
The applicant has received low-income housing tax credits and tax-exempt bonds to fund the Project; however, because of rising interest rates, the applicant is requesting additional time to secure supplemental funding. On December 4, 2023, the Community Development Department received a written request from USA Properties Fund Incorporated (Attachment 1) requesting the additional time to commence use or construction as it completes the funding process. The proposed time extension would begin on March 7, 2024 and expire on March 7, 2025.
6. ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment 1 Letter from USA Properties Fund Incorporated, dated November 29, 2023
• Attachment 2 March 7, 2022 Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 02-22
• Attachment 3 March 7, 2022 Planning Commission Staff Report
• Attachment 4 March 7, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
• Attachment 5 March 7, 2022 Planning Commission Approved Project Plans for Reference Purposes