Item 28 - Public Hearing - Amendment Application for the Village Santa Ana Specific Plan

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The Village Santa Ana Specific Plan Entitlements and Development Agreement (1561 W. Sunflower Avenue) September 16, 2025 Page 14 Ke Issue Analysis A Parking Management Plan (PMP), attached hereto as Appendix E of Exhibit 7, was prepared for the Project to ensure adequate parking is being provided and managed properly for all residents, tenants, employees, and guests. The PMP identifies how parking stalls will be assigned, how gates will be managed, and how access (keycard, access codes) for residents, guests, employees, and the public will be provided. Based on the provided PMP, sufficient parking will be provided to satisfy the parking demand for residents, guests, patrons, and employees of the Project. Nevertheless, a condition of approval requiring the Applicant to implement and enforce the appropriate parking management strategies recommended in the PMP has been included. Affordable Housing and The City's inclusionary housing ordinance, known as AHOCO, generally Opportunity Creation applies to housing projects proposing five or more units that are also Ordinance (AHOCO) requesting an increase in allowable density or are located in certain sections of the City that were "up -zoned," such as through zone change or general plan amendment to allow additional residential development after November 28, 2011. As the Project is located in a section of the City that meets this threshold (SBSFA), the Applicant's request is subject to the AHOCO requirements of production of affordable housing or payment of in - lieu fees. Pursuant to Sections 41-1903 (Exempt Projects) and 41-1904 (Options to Satisfy Inclusionary Requirements) of the SAMC, the Applicant has indicated intent to select the option to pay in -lieu fees at a rate of $5 per square foot of habitable residential area through the requested development agreement. Based on available figures for the Project and under the current ordinance, staff's analysis of the Project indicates the Project could generate approximately $7,100,000 in in -lieu fees, based on 1,583 units proposed, unit types/mix, and square footages. Any in -lieu fees generated by the Project must be spent on production of affordable housing in the City of Santa Ana. Regional Housing Needs The State has placed an urgent emphasis on housing of all types. Santa Allocation (RHNA) Ana's RHNA for the current General Plan Housing Element cycle (6"' Cycle), which extends from 2021-2029, includes 3,137 housing units. This allocation is for housing units to be constructed to support the anticipated growth in the City over this period. The City has a proven track record of not only planning for housing but issuing building permits for the construction of housing at all affordability categories as demonstrated by exceeding its 5th Cycle (2014-2021) RHNA by over 2,300 percent. The City is also on pace to meet or well exceed its affordable housing and other residential development requirements for the 6I" Cycle, far outpacing any city in Orange County, as evidenced by issuing 4,441 permits for housing units across all affordability categories, as detailed in the latest (2024) Housing Element Annual Progress Report, fulfilling 100 percent of its RHNA for above moderate housing. However, very -low, low, and moderate housing numbers have not been met and the Project would assist with AHOCO in -lieu fees that can be utilized to target the remaining housing categories. SP-6 would assist the City in achieving its housing goals in a location where high intensity urban development is