Responses to Late Comments as of October 1, 2024

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recreation space, social space, and trail connectivity." This comment will be forwarded to City decision makers as a part of the Staff Report for the Project. Regarding the landscape plan and residential unit sizes, the Draft Supplemental EIR includes the proposed Open Space Plan in Figure 3-1 1. In addition, Section 5.0 of the Specific Plan sets forth design guidelines for landscaping for future developments within the Specific Plan. The exact size of the residential units is not known at this time as the proposed Project is a Specific Plan that delineates the maximum buildout of the Specific Plan area. Future residential development projects may not include the maximum allowable number of residential units and would be reviewed through the City's development review and permitting process. Further, it should be noted that the existing General Plan District Center High (DC-5) land use designation has an allowable density of 125 dwelling units per acre (du/ac), and the proposed development would result in a maximum density of 91 du/ac, which is 34 du/ac below the maximum allowed by DC-5. Comment LCC5.4: This comment questions how many low-income units would be available as part of the proposed Project. The comment also explains that the increase in population will require increased security as well as areas for pets that would live within the development. Response LCC5.4: The comment does not raise any specific environmental concern with the analysis within the Draft Supplemental EIR or requirements of the proposed Specific Plan. The proposed Specific Plan does not include specific requirements for affordable units. However, the proposed Project would result in a residential density of 91 du/ac, which would allow the potential for each proposed residential or mixed -use development to include affordable residential units. Section 3.6 of the proposed Specific Plan describes that the City of Santa Ana has established an Affordable Housing Opportunity and Creation Ordinance (AHOCO) to encourage the development of housing that is affordable to a range of households with varying income levels. The Ordinance is applicable to new residential projects within the Specific Plan area that meet certain criteria. As implementing projects in the Specific Plan area are submitted to the City for review, they would be required to comply with the City's AHOCO or the Project's Development Agreement when approved. In addition, affordable housing is an economic and social issue. CEQA is an environmental protection statute that is concerned with physical changes to the environment (CEQA Guidelines Section 15358(b)). The environment includes land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, and objects of historic or aesthetic significance (CEQA Guidelines Section 15360). The Project's potential economic and social effects are not considered effects on the environment (CEQA Guidelines Sections 15064(e) and 15131(a)). Thus, consistent with CEQA, the Draft Supplemental EIR includes an analysis of the Project's potentially significant physical impacts on the environment and does not include substantial discussion of the Project's economic or social effects. Because no environmental impacts related to affordable housing would occur, mitigation measures are not required. In regard to security, as noted on page 5.1 1-12 of the Draft Supplemental EIR, the Project would include development of an administrative Police Department substation within the commercial use area. In addition, the Project would include low -intensity security lighting, security cameras, electronic access to residential buildings, and onsite security personnel. Therefore, adequate security for public patrons would be included within the Project. CEQA is an environmental protection statute that is concerned with physical changes to the environment (CEQA Guidelines Section 15358(b)). The environment includes land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, and objects of historic or aesthetic significance (CEQA Guidelines Section 15360). The Project's potential economic and social effects are not considered effects on the environment (CEQA Guidelines Sections 15064(e) and 15131(a)). Thus, consistent with CEQA, the Draft SEIR includes an analysis of the Project's potentially significant physical impacts on the environment and does not include substantial discussion of pet access to open spaces. Comment LCC5.5: This comment states that this would be one of the largest projects in Orange County history and that the developer should be held responsible to develop what is approved by the City. The UM