Item 28 - Public Hearing - ZOA No. 20204-01 South Coast Technology Center

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South Coast Technology Center Project CEQA Exemption 15183 RR HYD-5 All development pursuant to the General Plan Update shall comply with the requirements detailed in Chapter 18 Article IV of the Santa Ana Municipal Code. 4.11 Land Use and Planning 4.11.1 GPU PEIR Findings The GPU PEIR concluded that the General Plan Update's policies would encourage the preservation or enhancement of the existing residential communities through infill development, open space opportunities, and development of compatible uses that would enhance the existing character of the City. A primary goal of the General Plan Update is to preserve and improve the character and integrity of existing neighborhoods and districts; specific policies would reduce the conflict between contrasting land uses and enhance neighborhoods by responsibly integrating new development into existing communities. The General Plan Update would not divide established communities; rather, implementation of the policies in the General Plan Update would ensure the development of cohesive communities. As such, the GPU PEIR concluded that impacts would be less than significant. Additionally, none of the changes in the General Plan Update would affect plans, policies, or regulations of other agencies that have jurisdiction within the City, including the Airport Environs Land Use Plan for the John Wayne Airport, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Congestion Management Plan, and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). As individual projects are considered by the City, each would be subject to a variety of federal, state, and locally adopted plans designed to mitigate environmental impacts or to preserve important resources. As such, the GPU PEIR concluded that the General Plan Update would not conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation and impacts would be less than significant. 4.11.2 Project Analysis The proposed Project would demolish three buildings and a parking structure to construct three new industrial buildings for office, manufacturing, and/or warehouse use entirely within SD-58. Similar to existing conditions, the Project Site would remain accessible from driveways along Lake Center Drive and South Susan Street. Per RR LU-1, the Project must comply with the applicable provisions of SAMC Chapter 41 (Zoning). Permitted uses in the SD-58 District are professional and business offices and commercial/retail uses. To allow the development of the proposed buildings for industrial use, an amendment to the SD-58 District would be required to allow for industrial uses. In addition, the development standards would be updated to include standards for perimeter fencing and revise parking standards to remove reference to specific numbers. Operational standards would also be included for Limited Light Industrial uses. Additionally, the proposed Project would require a lot merger and site and development plan approval. Although the proposed Project would amend SD-58 to allow for industrial uses, the Project Site's zoning would be consistent with the General Plan land use designation of Industrial. Additionally, the infill development of the portion of the Project Site west of Susan Street would enhance SD-58 by making it more cohesive. The three buildings would be designed in accordance with the updated development standards governing the SD-58 District. Upon approval of the above entitlements, the proposed Project would be consistent with the requirements of the General Plan Update and Project Site's zoning. Furthermore, the Project Site is not within a residential community; it is surrounded by office, commercial, and recreational uses. Therefore, the Project would not divide an established community and impacts would be less than significant, consistent with the conclusion in the GPU PEIR. July 2024 Page 72