An empty 1980s office building in Santa Ana is slated to give way to townhomes, according to a report to the Santa Ana Planning Commission. 

The proposed development from Meritage Homes, slated for a property at 2020 East First Street, calls for the construction of a series of three- and four-story buildings featuring 86 two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes ranging from 1,215 to 2,488 square feet in size. 

Rendering of 2020 East First Street townhomesKevin L. Crook Architect Inc.

Meritage will be required to set aside five of the homes for very low-income households, roughly corresponding to a four-person household earning $78,900 per year. That opens the project to density bonus incentives offering relief from certain zoning rules.

Kevin L. Crook is designing the homes, with C2 Collaborative serving as landscape architect.

Site plan for 2020 East First Street townhomesC2 Collaborative

"The project incorporates a contemporary architectural style consistent with many multi- family and mixed-use residential communities currently under construction in Santa Ana and the surrounding region," states a staff report. "The overall design, massing, materials, and architectural features are intended to be compatible with, yet distinct from, the existing multi-family residences to the east. "

The townhome site abuts a large senior affordable housing complex at 2222 East First Street which was completed in 2021.

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