Project Applicant City-initiated.

Project Status:  Approved.

Tentative Hearing Date: April 28, 2010.

Project Location Heritage Plaza Shopping Center, located at the northeast corner of Culver Drive and Walnut Avenue in Planning Area 11 (El Camino Real).

Project Description The proposed Variance application seeks to reduce the required 40-foot building setback and landscaping coverage requirements for the Heritage Plaza Shopping Center buildings along northbound Culver drive by the amount necessary to add an additional drive lane on northbound Culver Drive. This project is in anticipation of a future widening of Culver Drive which will add an additional lane on northbound Culver Drive from Walnut Avenue to Scottsdale (Phase I) and ultimately end at the Santa Ana Freeway (Phase II). The first phase of widening is expected to require the acquisition of a portion of the frontage of the Heritage Plaza Shopping Center, and to move the curb face an average of 13 feet eastward from its current location.

Project Hearing Body The City’s Zoning Administrator is the expected hearing body. A notice will be posted at designated locations throughout the City and a notice will be mailed to residents within 500 feet of the shopping center at least 15 days prior to any hearing.

Information Contact Omar Masry, Associate Planner at (949) 724-6375 or omar@cityofirvine.org