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2014 -2021 SANTA ANA HOUSING ELEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATES CITY OF SANTA ANA 1. Introduction Approach to Environmental Analysis of the Proposed Project The entire 405 unit RHNA requirement can be met with housing opportunities identified within the following sites: Metro East, TZC and Harbor Corridor Specific Plan. As detailed in the following discussion of each site, of these locations, only the Harbor Corridor Specific Plan would require a General Plan Amendment and Zone Change. Recent plans have been adopted for both Metro East and TZC and both are supported by EIRs. An EIR is currently under preparation for the Harbor Corridor Specific Plan and the project is anticipated to be approved in early 2014. At that time, environmental review and any associated mitigation measure requirements will be in place for housing development within any of the three sites that together can accommodate the total 405 unit RHNA requirement. The Housing Element update identifies Fifth Street and First Street as potential, future sites for affordable housing development. These sites would require General Plan Amendments (GPAs) and Zone Changes (ZCs) to allow residential development. At this time, such land use changes are not in process. Since these sites are not needed to achieve the RFINA, the potential environmental impact for these sites is not reviewed in any detail within this Initial Study. Moreover, as with any new housing development, these sites would be subject to future, project- specific review under CEQA at the time of a development proposal. As required by AB 162, the Public Safety Element has been updated with the Housing Element and is also analyzed as part of this Initial Study. The Public Safety Element Update is essentially a technical update focusing on the updated flood hazard map, and technical refinement to policies and narrative. These impacts would not affect the majority of the CEQA topics. The updates, however, are reviewed in the following topical sections pertaining to flooding: Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, and Public Services. The Public Safety Element Update would not result in environmental impacts associated with the remaining topical sections and therefore is not further discussed. Metro East Overlay The City of Santa Ana adopted the Metro East Mixed Use (MEMU) Overlay Zone in 2007 to facilitate the development of a vibrant urban village with a balance of professional office, mixed -use and live -work, commercial, retail, and recreational uses connected by highly amenitized pedestrian linkages. Located between the I -5 and SR -55 surrounding First Street and Fourth Street, the plan proposes three mixed -use districts and supporting policies and programs to facilitate an ultimate bu ildout of 5,551 residential units. The City has identified 21 acres of underutilized land that could accommodate a minimum of 964 units. These sites were chosen based on their vacant status or highly underutilized nature, recent residential development interest expressed for several of these parcels, historical location within a former redevelopment project area, proximity to transit lures, and general site characteristics. An environmental impact report for the MEMU Overlay Zone, certified in 2007, documents potential environmental and infrastructure constraints, and identifies assessments required at the time of specific project development within the zone. Decernber2013 The Planning Center) DC&E • Page 19 75A -41