By Kathy Lee Scott/Garden Grove Journal
An infill housing project from Brandywine Homes will offer 20 single family homes at Garden Grove’s southeast border off Fairview Street. With the council’s Tuesday-night approval to change the site zoning to a planned unit development, the Irvine-based developer can build residences on smaller lots than under the original, single-family zone.
“I hope this starts a trend for improvements,” said Mayor William Dalton.
The agreement gives Brandywine four years to construct the project.
“We’ll build more upscale homes than what are there now,” said Jim Barisic, chairman.
The project site sits south of Trask Avenue on the west side of Fairview Street, and it encompasses almost 2.5 acres.
The developer plans to erect six three-bedroom and 14 four-bedroom houses, all fronting a new private drive. Entrance to the project will come off Fairview, although an alley will connect the drive to Avalon Street.
Charles Mitchell asked if visitors park outside the project, could they get there by foot. According to city staff, they would have to walk around to the Fairview entrance.
The smaller two-story homes will contain 1,625 square feet on lots that can be as small as 2,888 square feet. The larger ones, also two-story, will have 2,140 square feet on lots up to 3,770 square feet.
Each home’s rear yard will range from 15 to 18 feet in depth.
An oval-shaped, open-space area sits just inside the main entrance, which the developer identified as a children’s play area or where people could sit on benches.
“This space is in the middle of the street, a handy place for kids to play on,” said Peggy Bergen.
She also brought up how the residents will turn left from the complex to drive children to the local schools. “Most of the cars are headed to the (22) Freeway during rush hour,” she said.
Forty of the 76 parking spaces come from the two-car garages, with 20 spots on the driveways and 16 along the street.
Four existing homes will be torn down to make way for the project. Additionally, a private water well will be capped and filled. The developer will place all utility lines underground.
A homeowner’s association would be responsible for keeping graffiti off the exterior perimeter walls.
Barisic expects to begin showing homes early 2011.
