Item 22 - Public Hearing - Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2025-01 Related to Group Homes

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Ordinance No. NS-XXX Page 5 of 27 to minimize impacts to the character of residential neighborhoods; and that the secondary impacts which cause the institutionalization of group homes due to concentration of both group homes in a neighborhood and large numbers of unrelated adults residing in a single facility in a single home are lessened. Z. In addition to group homes locating in residential neighborhoods, other state - licensed residential care facilities are also taking up residence in residential neighborhoods. AA. The purpose of group homes for the disabled is to provide the disabled an equal opportunity to comfortably reside in residential neighborhoods of their choice. BB. ZOA No. 2025-01 and OA No. 2025-01 are consistent with various goals and policies of the General Plan. Specifically, these actions are consistent with Housing Element (HE) Goal 2 (a diversity of quality housing, affordability levels, and living experiences that accommodate Santa Ana’s residents and workforce of all household types, income levels, and age groups to foster an inclusive community), Policy HE-2.5 (diverse housing types), HE Goal 4 (adequate rental and ownership housing opportunities and supportive services for seniors, people with d isabilities, families with children, and people experiencing homelessness), Policies HE -4.3 and HE-4.7 (provide housing for disabled people to live independent lives and provide regulatory oversight), Community Element (CE) Policy CM-3.2 (support the creation of healthy neighborhoods), Land Use Element (LU) Policy LU -1.1 (foster compatibility between land uses to enhance livability and promote healthy lifestyles), Policy LU-4.6 (support diverse housing types that promote a healthy environment), and Policy LU-4.7 (promote mixed housing types to create inclusive communities). CC. On June 23, 2025, the Planning Commission held a duly-noticed public hearing and considered the staff report, recommendations by staff, and public tes timony concerning ZOA No. 2025-01, at which time the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance, with the exception of Section 28, which amends Chapter 8 of the SAMC and is not within the purview of the Planning Commission. DD. On August 19, 2025, the City Council held a duly-noticed public hearing and considered the staff report, recommendations by staff, and public testimony concerning the proposed ordinance. Section 2. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the CEQA Guidelines, the adoption of this Ordinance (“Project”) is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The Project is also exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. The amendments provide definitions and standards to regulate the location, operation, and licensing of group homes and do not authorize new development or changes in density or intensity of land use. Moreover, the Project is categorically exempt from further review per Section 15301