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 3 The project site is located along the southern edge of the City of Santa Ana ("City"), on the northeast corner of West Sunflower Avenue and South Bear Street, transected by South Plaza Drive. The project site includes 11 addresses (1561, 1611, 1621, 1631, 1641, and 1661 W. Sunflower Avenue; 3820, 3840, and 3951 S. Plaza Drive; and 3811 and 3851 S. Bear Street) and seven parcels (412-131-10, 412-131-20, 412-131-21, 412-451- 01, 412-451-02, 412-451-03, and 412-451-04), collectively referred to as 1561 W. Sunflower Avenue ("Project Site"). Project entitlements include Amendment Application (AA) No. 2025-01 to establish the Village Santa Ana Specific Plan (SP-6) and to change the zoning district of the Project Site from Specific Development No. 48 (SD-48) to SP-6; Vesting Tentative Tract Map (VTTM) No. 2025-06 (County Map No. 2023-159) to subdivide the Project Site into six buildable lots; and Development Agreement (DA) No. 2025-01 outlining terms and conditions for the Project. In addition, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the Project requires: (1) certification of a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) No. 2025-01 (SCH No. 2020029087); (2) adoption of Environmental Findings of Fact and a Statement of Overriding Consideration; and (3) adoption of a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). Lastly, the Project requires overruling the Orange County Airport Land Use Commission's (ALUC) determination that the Project is inconsistent with the Airport Environs Land Use Plan (AELUP) of John Wayne Airport (JWA), including supportive findings. Pursuant to sections 41-592 and 41-667 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), approval of a specific plan and a zone change is required by the City Council by ordinance. In accordance with Section 65864 et seq. of the California Government Code (Gov. Code), the City Council is authorized to enter into binding development agreements with persons having legal or equitable interests in real property for the development of such property. In accordance with Section 21676 of the Public Utilities Code (PUC), the City Council may overrule ALUC's determination by a two-thirds vote if it makes specific findings that the Project is consistent with the purposes of the State Aeronautics Act. Lastly, pursuant to Section 34-127 of the SAMC, the Planning Commission is authorized to review and approve tentative tract maps; however, since the Project requires review of other entitlements by the City Council, the City Council is required to act on this matter as well. Staff is recommending approval of the Applicant's request because the Project is consistent with the General Plan land use designation for the Project Site, implements the goals and vision of the South Bristol Street Focus Area (SBSFA) of the General Plan, and provides for a high -quality mixed -use urban village that will contribute community benefits and new economic development opportunities for the City.