CORRESPONDENCE - 60A - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

TEMPLO CALVARIO community Development Corp. — Sen1LVyomui%— August 23, 2019 Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor: I, Rev. Lee De Leon, President/CEO of Templo Calvario CDC, am writing this letter in support of THRIVE Santa Ana, the first community land trust (CLT) in Santa Ana, promoting development based on local needs, local vision and participation. Over 250 cities and diverse communities in the United States are using the CLT model to make development projects more equitable and sustainable. We ask that you approve THRIVE Santa Ana's request for an extension of their Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with the City for the Walnut and Daisy project. Further, we ask that City Council give direction to City staff, that THRIVE receive credit for cost savings brought to the City over time, and that the Walnut and Daisy parcel is transferred to THRIVE in a lease - to -own arrangement. With our past collaborations, Thrive has been able to bring a unique gathering space that has benefit the local neighborhood with many opportunities for a sustainable future. We have continued to collaborate with Thrive because we strongly believe in their vision and mission of creating steps to form mutigenerational wealth. They are deeply committed to our communities and truly seek to impact lives through their work, volunteerism and investments in the Walnut and Daisy parcel. CLTs have demonstrated effectiveness in strengthening the economy throughout the US, especially in neighborhoods of need. During the foreclosure crisis, CLTs outperformed other types of housing, with far fewer foreclosures and higher rates of secure homeownership. As platforms for development, CLTs bring together residents, developers, and City officials — something that is urgently needed throughout Santa Ana. On May 1 st, 2018, THRIVE entered into Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with the City of Santa Ana for its first piece of land - a'/ acre parcel at the corner of Walnut and Daisy streets in central Santa Ana. Over nine neighborhood meetings and outreach events during Spring and Summer to hear from residents about local needs and ideas, and to collaboratively design a community Micro -farm at Walnut and Daisy. On June 30th, THRIVE submitted its initial site plan to the City of Santa Ana. Currently, THRIVE is continuously working with the City's Planning Department to navigate zoning and building codes, and looks forward to finalizing a Development and Disposition Agreement (DDA) with the City in October 2019. The Walnut and Daisy Micro -Farm proposed by THRIVE should be recognized as a public benefit project. This community -driven business and gathering space will benefit the local neighborhood with opportunities for physical activity, economic growth and promoting healthy lifestyles. The project will in turn benefit the City as a whole, not only in direct provision of services and community benefits (a cost -saving to the City), also in creating a powerful example of resident - driven economic development. 714-543-3711 AN 714-543-2399 Q. infibftcdcorg 0 nh tccdc (,% 0 2501 W. Sth Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703 2