NS-3084 - Group Homes and Land Use Definitions

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homes, including sober-living homes, than to boarding houses provides a benefit to the City and its residents. Y. Without sufficient, appropriate regulation, there is no way to ensure that the individuals entering into a group home are disabled individuals and entitled to the protections under local and state law; that a group home is operated professionally 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 disabilities, 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 testimony 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 Ordinance No. NS-3084 Page 5 of 27