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Chapter 5 Statement of Overriding Considerations d. The Transit Zoning Code provides zoning which would allow for the integration of new infill development, such as the Developer Project, into existing neighborhoods. e. The Transit Zoning Code and the Developer Project are consistent with and further the goals, policies and objectives of the Southern California Association of Governments ("SCAG") 2008 Regional Transportation Plan: Making the Connections (RTP), and SCAG's 2008 Regional Comprehensive Plan: Heoing Communities Achieve a Sustainable Future (RCP) land use goals. The RTP's goals include identifying strategic areas for infill, pedestrian friendly environments, and focusing housing and employment growth in transit-accessible locations through transit-oriented developments (EIR, Section 4.7 [Land Use], and RTP, pp. 90-91). The RCP includes similar strategies, such as establishment of mixed-use clusters and other transit oriented development around transit stations and along transit corridors (RCP, pp. 15-17). f. Development of the Transit Zoning Code will result in fewer traffic impacts than the No Project/Reasonably Foreseeable Development (Table 5-3). This result is consistent with and furthers the implementation strategies detailed in the California Resources Board Climate Change Scoping Plan (Scoping Plan). AB 32 directed the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to develop a Scoping Plan with actions to reach the target. The Scoping Plan's proposed strategies for local governments include a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measure of "infill, affordable and transit- oriented housing development and the land use changes necessary to increase such development." (Scoping Plan, Vol. 1, C-76.) g. The Transit Zoning Code plays a critical role in achieving targets under SB 375, California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act. The ARB Scoping Plan cites the key role of SB 375 in implementing AB 32, noting SB 375 "reflects the importance of achieving significant additional reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from changed land use patterns and improved transportation to help achieve the goals of AB 32." (Scoping Plan, p. 47.) The role of local governments is also recognized in reaching SB 375 targets. "Local Governments have the ability to directly influence both the siting and design of new residential and commercial developments in a way that reduces greenhouse gases associated with vehicle travel, as well as energy, water, and waste.... Enhanced public transit service combined with incentives for land use development that provides a better market for public transit will play an important role in helping to reach regional targets." (Scoping Plan, p. 48.) The AB 32 implementation strategy for SB 375 includes the following measure: "Enhanced public transit service combined with incentives for land use development that provides a better market for public transit will play an important role in helping to reach regional targets." (Scoping Plan, p. 48.) h. The City of Santa Ana currently has a shortage of rental units appropriately sized to accommodate families. As stated in the City's 2006-2014 Housing Element, while multiple-family housing comprises 41% of all housing stock within the City, only 13% of multiple family and single-family rental units have three or more bedrooms. It is estimated that 45% of all families who rent have five or more members. This translates into a shortage of 12,000 large family rental units. The Developer Project contains 77 two-bedroom units and 68 three-bedroom units. In addition, the Mercy House project will provide one three-bedroom and five two-bedroom units. These units are appropriately sized to meet Santa Ana's identified demographic needs. i. The City currently suffers from a shortage of affordable housing. As set forth in the City's certified Housing Element (2006-2014), the City of Santa Ana's share of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for 2006-2014 3,393 units of new residential construction, 694 of which are to be affordable to very low income households, 574 of which are to be affordable to low income households, and 665 to be affordable to moderate income households (EIR, Section 4.9). State law 5-10 Revised Station District Project and FOL Settlement Agreement Findings of Fact/Statement of Overriding Considerations