HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201023_Project_Description_Revised
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
THE RESIDENCES AT 4400 VON KARMAN
1. Project Location
The Residences at 4400 Von Karman (“Project”) site is located at 4400 Von Karman Avenue in the City
of Newport Beach, County of Orange, California. The approximately 13.00-acre site is relatively flat
at an approximate elevation of 46 to 52 feet above mean sea level (msl).
The Project site is an irregularly-shaped property generally bordered by Birch Street to the northeast,
Von Karman Avenue to the west, and existing office uses and associated surface parking lots and
parking structures to the east and south within Koll Center Newport. The Property currently provides
a common pool of structured and surface parking to serve office tenants within the Koll Center
Newport. Koll Center Newport is an approximately 154-acre mixed-use development area generally
bordered on the northeast by Campus Drive, on the southeast by Jamboree Road, and on the west by
MacArthur Boulevard.
Regional access to the site is from State Route 73 (SR-73) via Jamboree Road to the south and
Interstate 405 (I-405) via Jamboree Road to the north. Vehicular access to the site is provided from
Birch Street and Von Karman Avenue. Currently, there are three driveways on Birch Street and two
driveways on Von Karman Avenue.
The Project site is approximately 0.5 mile southwest of John Wayne Airport, 0.5 mile northwest of the
San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve, and 1.5 miles northwest of the University of California, Irvine
(UCI).
2. Existing Land Uses
The Project site is currently developed with surface and structured parking lots and common
landscape areas for Koll Center Newport. Koll Center Newport includes low-rise, mid-rise, and high-
rise office buildings, hotels, and a private club.
There are three office buildings located within the boundaries of the Project site, none of which are
part of the Project.
▪ 4490 Von Karman Avenue is a two-story (33 feet) office building located southeast of the
intersection of Birch Street at Von Karman Avenue.
▪ 4440 Von Karman Avenue is a three-story (62 feet) office building located south of the 4490
Von Karman Avenue office building.
▪ 4910 Birch Street is a four-story (60 feet) office building located adjacent to and east of the
4490 Von Karman building.
Adjacent and surrounding land uses include the following:
Northwest Extended Stay America Hotel (4 stories, 50 feet) is northwest of
the intersection of Birch Street at Von Karman Avenue.
The Duke Hotel (10 stories, 112 feet) is southwest of the
intersection of Birch Street at Von Karman Avenue.
Northeast Birch Street
Low-rise, office buildings (one story) and surface parking north of
Birch Street.
South 4340 Von Karman Avenue office building (4 stories, 63 feet).
4350 Von Karman Avenue office building (4 stories, 63 feet).
Uptown Newport residential apartments (75 feet)
TowerJazz Semiconductor manufacturing facility (two to three
stories, 88 feet)
Southeast 5000 Birch Street office building (10 stories, 154 feet) with an
associated free-standing parking structure adjacent to and south
of the building. The office building is immediately adjacent to the
Project site.
The California Superior Court Harbor Justice Center – Newport
Beach (two stories) is on the northwest corner of Birch Street at
Jamboree Road.
Low-rise office buildings (two stories) with surface parking are on
the south side of Birch Street. The surface parking for the office
buildings is adjacent to the Uptown Newport apartments.
Fast-food restaurants along Jamboree Road in Koll Center
Newport abut the Uptown Newport project site.
Southwest/West Von Karman Avenue
West of Von Karman Avenue, land uses include but are not
limited to a private club and the Bank of the West (9 story, 140
feet) office building.
3. Project Characteristics
The Project would allow for the development of 260 base residential units, a 1.1-acre public park, .6
acres of parks and walkways (including a 0.45 mile jogging trail), and a detached parking structure.
Approximately 1 acres of the site would be dedicated to access, parking, utilities, and landscaping. In
addition to the 260 base units, the Project is seeking a 20% density bonus. With the density bonus,
the Project will include 312 residential apartments consisting of 299 market-rate units and 13 very-
low affordable units.
The Project would include 55 studio units, 149 one-bedroom units, and 108 two-bedroom units, for a
total of 312 units. The studios would range in size from 515 square feet to 628 square feet. The one-
bedroom units would range from 665 square feet to 1,025 square feet. The two-bedroom units would
range from 1,000 square feet to 1,413 square feet. Balconies would be provided on all units and
would range in size from 26 square feet to 71 square feet (except that studio units would have Juliet
balconies only).
The dwelling units would be in one building on approximately 2.7 acres consisting of four stories over
one level of on-grade parking and two levels of below grading parking with an overall building height
of 65 feet. Other elements such as stairwells, parapets, and elevator overruns would exceed 65 feet
and would be at a height of approximately 70 feet.
A detached 284-space parking structure on approximately 1.4 acres would provide approximately
three levels of parking with an overall height of 40 feet.
Implementation of the Project would require the demolition of existing surface parking and
landscaping within the limits of disturbance. All Project residential parking would be provided on site,
with additional on-site parking for the proposed public park and adjacent office uses.
Table 3-2. Proposed Residential & Office Parking
Residential Building Parking Garage
Level Office EV
Stalls
Office
Accessible
Resident EV
Stalls
Resident
Accessible
Total
Level 1 135 17 3 5 0 5 165
Basement 1 117 0 4 160 29 9 319
Basement 2 0 0 0 313 28 0 341
Garage Total 252 17 7 478 57 14 825
Surface Parking Along Internal Street
Parallel 0 0 0 0 0 10 10
Total 276 559 835
The Project’s design and materials would be high-quality with lush landscaping and activated
pedestrian spaces. The colors would be compatible with the surrounding natural and built
environment. The main building corners are the featured project massing and will be clad in warm
colored stone veneer providing a natural richness distinguishing the building as an inviting oasis in the
Koll Center development. Internal accents of cementitious siding in dark grays and blues provide
articulation to the main building façade along the southern internal street and accent the cool colors
of the exterior plaster base. Storefront windows distinguish amenity and leasing areas as unique and
special from the residential units. At the upper level balconies and amenity entrances awning are
used to provide façade articulation and visual interest. The main vehicular entrances utilize stone
veneer wayfinding elements to identify project entry points.
The square footage and massing of the new residential and parking structure buildings would be
compatible with existing buildings and would include articulated façades.
Shaded lounging would be provided in the park as well as opportunities for outdoor workspace. The
park would be programmed with a mix of active and passive uses which may include a multi-purpose
lawn for recreation, bocce court, and shade pavilion. Streetscapes would be well landscaped with
pedestrian walkways to match neighborhood character. The main entry drive will be enhanced with
seated nodes and lush landscape to soften the building façade. Podium courtyards are designed to
be amenity rich with pool, spa, outdoor fitness and lush gardens for resident comfort and recreation.
The Project’s design approach is intended to be reflective of the surrounding office context. Its
contemporary forms complement the existing office buildings to create a building that is respectful
of the current condition while creating a distinctly unique identity. The Project corners are enhanced
with rich materials to bring attention and articulate the prominent areas of the Project. The approach
to the building site orientation was done to create a sheltered refuge in the greater business
development by turning the courtyards inward away from the busy roadways of Von Karman Ave and
Birch Street. At the same time, the building pulls away from the east and west property lines to
provide generous relief from the public right-of-way to create an enjoyable pedestrian experience.
The site is linked with the surrounded development by means of a green belt and pedestrian trail
along the north property line connecting Von Karman Avenue to Birch Street with the public park
centrally located along the route. The park’s location provides a centralized amenity for the entire
neighborhood and provides the necessary relief between nearby office buildings and apartments.
The Project will comply with the Cal-Green building code and utilize the following sustainable
features:
• Low flow plumbing fixtures
• Moisture based irrigation controller
• Stormwater infiltration
• EV ready parking stalls
• Bike parking for residents and visitors
• Low-E glazing
• Low VOC paint & coatings
• High Albedo roofing
• LED light fixtures
• Low VOC emitting finished (carpet, resilient flooring, wood)
• Low formaldehyde composite wood products
• Recycled steel
• Fly ash concrete
• Building PV ready
• Energy Star appliances and bathroom fixtures
• Project is pre-piped for future gray water use
The Project will promote walkability given its proximity to the surrounding office-uses. It is anticipated
that some of the surrounding office users will choose to live in the development and therefore be able
to walk to work.
4. PARKING, VEHICULAR AND NON-VEHICULAR CIRCULATION
Parking
The Project would replace onsite parking through a combination of structure and surface parking. As
shown in Table 3-2 (Proposed Residential & Office Parking), the Project will provide 559 onsite parking
spaces for its residential units and 276 parking stalls to serve the existing office buildings in the parking
structure located at the southeast corner of the Project site.
Vehicular Access
Vehicular access to Koll Center Newport is currently provided by three driveways on Birch Street and
two driveways on Von Karman Avenue. Cross access throughout the site currently allows motorists to
access any parking area within Koll Center Newport from any of the site driveways. All driveways are
unsignalized and gated. Drivers enter either by key card or parking ticket. To exit the site, key card
users use their card to raise the gate; others must have a validated ticket or pay at the gate.
Access for the Project site, as well as the existing office buildings, would be provided from two
locations on Birch Street and one location on Von Karman Avenue. The Von Karman Avenue entrance
will be widened to accommodate full left and right turn lanes. The Birch Street exit will be widened to
accommodate full left and right turn lanes. Existing gates along the spine street that crosses the
property from Birch Street to Von Karman Avenue would be relocated as necessary to facilitate
efficient site circulation.
Pedestrian
There are existing sidewalks along Birch Street and Von Karman Avenue. Additionally, there is an
existing pedestrian connection through the site. As a part of the Project, walkways would be provided
within the site and connect to these existing sidewalks along the streets. Walkways would be provided
along the Project frontage to the spine street and into the proposed residential building, as well as
between the building, open space, and existing office buildings within the site.
Bicycle Storage
The Project would include a 770 square foot bike shop/storage on the ground level to serve Project
residents.
5. LANDSCAPING, PARKS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES
Landscaping would be provided throughout the Project site to connect different areas of the site. In
addition to the 1.1-acre public park, the Project would include approximately .6 acres of open space,
including a 0.45 mile jogging trail.
Public Park
The Project includes a 1.1-acre publicly accessible park. The park would be located near the center of
the building approximately equidistant from Birch Street and Von Karman Avenue. The park would
be programmed with a mix of active and passive uses which may include a multi-purpose lawn for
recreation, bocce court and shade pavilion.
The park would include an area of terraced seating with decomposed granite paving that has views of
the central lawn. It would also include a shade pavilion with overhead shade structures, lounge areas
with seating, outdoor tables for groups, and a specimen tree. Walkways would be provided within
the park and adjacent to the park for access to the park. The park would provide shaded lounging and
opportunities for outdoor workspace. It would be landscaped with a variety of grasses, trees, shrubs,
groundcover, and succulents.
Open Space
Jogging Trail. The Project would include a 0.45 mile jogging trail connecting the residential building
to the neighboring buildings and the park. The trail would include landscaped pathways, seating
nodes, and connections to existing buildings.
Courtyards and Terraces. Within the footprint of the building, the Project would provide a level 2
podium pool courtyard, a level 2 podium garden terrace, and a level 5 roof terrace. These
improvements will be for the use for the exclusive use of the residential buildings tenants and their
guests.
Entry Court. The Project would feature an entry court with a water feature and planted pottery in
cobble.
Amenities
The Project would include approximately the following private amenities to serve Project residents:
• 3,354 square foot clubroom
• 640 square foot dog wash
• 2,910 square foot fitness center
• 2,611 square foot roof deck
• 1,703 square foot outdoor amenity
• 15,484 square foot podium courtyard
• 770 square foot bike shop and bike storage
6. UTILITIES
Implementation of the Proposed Project would require the construction of new on-site utility
infrastructure to serve the residences and onsite features. These utilities would be connected to
existing utility infrastructure in adjacent roadways, with the final sizing and design of on-site facilities
to occur during final building design and plan check.
The Project would connect to existing utility systems. The Project site is within the service area of the
Irvine Ranch Water District. The City of Newport Beach collection system serves the Project site and
conveys wastewater to the Orange County Sanitation District. Storm water drainage is managed by
the City and the Orange County Flood Control Division of the Orange County Public Works
Department. Dry utilities—Southern California Edison for electricity, Southern California Gas
Company for natural gas, AT&T for telephone service, and Cox Communications for cable television
and data transmission—would be extended to the new buildings.
Water Service
The Project site is within the service area of the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) which provides
both potable and non-potable water. IRWD has existing potable distribution lines adjacent to and
within the site in Von Karman Avenue, the on-site spine street, and between the 4910 Birch Street
and 4440 Von Karman Avenue office buildings.
The Project would construct a new water system with connections to an existing
10-inch IRWD main in Von Karman Avenue and a 10-inch main in Birch Street to provide potable and
fire flow water service to the Project site. IRWD maintains a non-potable water main immediately
adjacent to the Project site in Von Karman Avenue. The Proposed Project would connect to the
existing 8-inch IRWD non-potable main in Von Karman Avenue.
The proposed residential building would include approximately 53,000 square feet of landscaping that
would utilize irrigation. To conserve water, the following measures would be incorporated into the
Project:
• Installation of automatic ‘smart’ irrigation controller with rain-sensor.
• Use of low precipitation/low angle irrigation spray heads.
• Use of low water consuming plants.
• Soil amendment to achieve good soil moisture retention.
• Mulching to reduce evapotransporation from the root zone.
• Installation of automatic irrigation system to provide deep-root watering to trees.
The irrigation system for each hydrozone would be automatic and would incorporate low volume drip
emitters, bubblers, and high efficiency low angle spray heads at turf only. Drip irrigation systems
would be employed where effective and feasible. Irrigation valves would be separated to allow the
system to operate in response to orientation and exposure. Plants would be grouped with similar
water, climatic and soil requirements to conserve water and create a drought responsive landscape.
Each hydrozone would consist of moderate to low water consuming plants. In areas of moderate
water consuming plants, plants would be amended to retain moisture for healthy growth and to
conserve water. Soils would be prepared and emended to provide for maximum moisture retention
and percolation. Planted beds would be mulched to retain soil moisture and reduce
evapotransporation.
To avoid wasted water, controls would be overseen by a flow monitor that would detect broken
sprinkler heads to stop that station’s operation, advancing to the next workable station. In the event
of a pressure supply line breakage, the operation would completely stop.
Wastewater Collection and Disposal
The City would provide sanitary sewer service to the Project site. There are three, 8-inch service
connections in Birch Street and Von Karman Avenue. The Proposed Project would connect to existing
service connections through sanitary sewer lines or laterals. Discharge from the sewer system would
be directed to the Orange County Sanitation District’s treatment plants.
Drainage and Water Quality Treatment
The site currently drains toward Von Karman Avenue (approximately 60% of flow) and Birch Street
(40% of flow) and connects to the City’s stormwater system. With buildout of the Project site, the
Project would continue to connect to the City’s stormwater system through an on-site storm drain
system. The site’s runoff would be collected and treated through vegetation before exiting the site.
Dry Utilities and Services
Public infrastructure and utility buildings, structures, and facilities including, but not limited to,
electrical, gas, telephone, and cable television would have to be extended to the proposed land uses.
All new public utilities would be placed underground within the development area. Utilities would be
principally located in road rights-of-way.
7. Construction Phasing
Implementation of the Proposed Project would be phased over an approximately 2.7-year period with
demolition and construction activities anticipated to commence in the third quarter of 2021 and
conclude in the first quarter of 2024. The Proposed Project would be constructed in three phases.
Construction phasing will be set forth in a construction management plan to be submitted, reviewed
and approved prior to construction of each phase. As discussed below and shown in the submittal
package sheet A5.3, Phase 1 includes the demolition of some surface parking and landscaping and the
construction of a free-standing parking structure; Phase 2 includes the construction of the 312 unit
residential structure; and Phase 3 includes the reconfiguration of existing surface parking.
Phase 1: Parking Structure
Phase 1 includes the demolition of approximately 106 surface parking spaces and associated
landscaping. A free-standing 284 stall parking structure would be constructed prior to breaking
ground on the remainder of the Proposed Project in order to replace surface parking temporarily
and permanently displaced by site development. The parking structure would have 3 levels of
above-ground parking, including rooftop parking. Construction activities are anticipated to occur
over an approximate 6-month timeframe.
Phase 2A: Residential Structure
Phase 2 includes the demolition of approximately 443 surface parking spaces to allow for the
construction of the Project. At the completion of Phase 2, there would be 1,654 parking spaces
with parking for the Project residences and guest as well as 284 spaces in the structure for office
uses.
The Proposed Project’s site grading and foundation excavation would require the removal of
approximately 112,000 cubic yards (cy) of material. It is anticipated that all 112,000 cy will be
exported from the site. Construction activities are anticipated to occur over an approximately 24-
month time period.
Phase 2B
Phase 2B includes the demolition of 75 surface parking spaces to allow for the reconfiguration of
on-site surface parking and access. No grading is assumed in Phase 2B. Phase 2B construction
activities would run concurrent with Phase 2A and are anticipated to occur over an approximate
3-month time period.
The following table identifies the number of parking spaces that would be provided during each phase
of the Project both during the construction of the phase when the surface parking has been removed,
and at the completion of the phase when the replacement parking or the new parking has been
completed. During the construction of the new parking structure (Phase 1) and the construction of
the residential structure (Phase 2), parking shuttles would be provided for the use by office employees
of and guests of the office buildings. At the completion of Phase 1, there would be a net increase of
178 parking spaces from 1,643 existing spaces to 1,821 spaces.
Table XXX Parking Supply by Project Phase
Phase
Starting Parking
Supply Parking Loss /Gain Ending Parking Supply
Existing
Office
Proposed
Residences
Existing
Office
Proposed
Residences
Existing
Office
Proposed
Residences
Existing 1,643a. 0 n/a n/a 1,643 0
Phase 1 - During Construction 1,643 0 -106 0 1,537 0
Phase 1 - At Phase 1
Completion
1,537 0 284 0 1,821 0
Phase 2A - During
Construction
1,821 0 -443 0 1,378 0
Phase 2A - At Phase 2A
Completion
1,378 0 276 559 1,654 559
Phase 2B - During Construction 1,654 559 -75 0 1,579 559
Phase 2B - At Phase 2B
Completion
1,579 559 75 0 1,654 559
Net Change +11 n/a