Item 24 - Public Hearing for Amendments to the Transit Zoning Code

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ZOA No. 2024-02 & AA No. 2024-03 (Transit Zoning Code Amendments) June 3, 2025 Page 8 On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS-3064 to extend the moratorium for an additional ten (10) months and fifteen (15) days pursuant to the Government Code as necessary to provide sufficient time for staff to continue with data tracking and reporting, research appropriate regulations, and coordinate with outside regulatory agencies and City departments to determine whether further, permanent action is necessary and to generate recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council. As part of its approval, the City Council expressed a desire for City staff to begin evaluating permanent solutions to the irreconcilable land use conflicts in the TZC area in as timely a manner as possible, which resulted in immediate evaluation of the zoning code text and map amendments consistent with direction provided for the City Council's consideration as part of this request. On April 1, 2025, the City Council issued a report to the public, pursuant to Section 65858 d of the California Government Code, describing the City's measures to alleviate conditions that led to the adoption of the moratorium. Review of City Department Activities Immediately following the adoption of the moratorium, City staff conducted an interagency meeting that included representatives from multiple City departments: the Planning Division, Building Safety Division, Code Enforcement Division, Business License, and Information Technology. Additionally, engagement with additional agencies such as the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), Public Works Agency, and the Community Development Agency's Economic Development Division has produced critical information illustrating the extent to which industrial activities interface with residential land uses in the TZC area, specifically and most concentrated in the Logan and Lacy neighborhoods. City staff reviewed public safety data from SAPD and OCFA to assess community concerns regarding emergency responses in the TZC. SAPD records show a total of 18,736 calls for service between March 2023 and July 2024, with 226 of those occurring between April and July 2024 within the Logan and Lacy neighborhoods. These calls encompassed a wide range of incidents, including patrol checks, disturbances, and traffic - related issues. Notably, 1,909 calls involved collisions, vehicle impoundments, domestic violence, and SAMC violations. OCFA data from 2022 to August 2024 indicates 238 calls for advanced life support emergencies. In 2022, 29 calls were related to respiratory issues, chest pain, and cardiac arrest, with a subsequent 7% increase in health -related calls in 2023. While the data reflects a broad spectrum of emergency responses, the concentration of industrial businesses in the TZC raises the possibility that some of these calls, particularly those related to respiratory issues and traffic incidents, may be influenced by industrial operations. Further analysis is needed to determine the specific correlation between industrial activity and public safety concerns in the area. Currently, City staff have an internal process established that continues to track and monitor incoming notices of compliance or notices of violations from outside regulatory agencies issued to a particular business/operator. City Code Enforcement activities and implementation of the City's Noxious Uses Ordinance continue being monitored at these