2014-006 - Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element and Public Safety Element Updates

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HOUSING CONSTRAINTS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS This section discusses the various environmental factors in relation to the production, maintenance, and improvement of housing in Santa Ana. These include environmental hazards, infrastructure issues for water and sewer, and opportunities for energy conservation. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS Natural Hazards Like the entire Southern California region, the City of Santa Ana is in an area of high seismic activity. Although no active fault traces cross the City, Santa Ana's close proximity to five major fault zones subjects the area to surface rupture, ground shaking, and ground failure. Several of Santa Ana's public buildings have undergone rehabilitation to reduce seismic risk. Flooding is also a consideration for several areas within Santa Ana. The principal watercourse traversing the City is the Santa Ana River, with Santiago Creek as the main tributary located at the northern part of the City. With the Prado Dam improvements to the flood control system, only a small portion of the northwest area of the City and an area adjacent to the Santiago Creek are subject to the 100 -year floodplain. Sites identified to address the RHNA and discussed in Appendix C are not located within the 100 - year floodplain. Man -Made Hazards Certain land uses in Santa Ana use hazardous materials or pose fire hazards. The majority of hazardous materials are on industrially zoned land or in commercial development that either sells or uses such materials. According to the CalEPA Enviromapper, no sites have hazardous materials that would impact the ability to construct new housing on sites discussed in Appendix C. Since the City of Santa Ana is largely developed, there is minimal potential for fire related to brush or other natural materials. Fire hazards within the City may be associated with heavy industrial uses, older commercial and residential structures, overcrowding in residential units, the presence of hazardous materials, and arson. The City recently adopted amendments to the Fire Code, but the amendments are not unlike measures adopted in neighboring cities. INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRAINTS According to the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan and 2003 Sewer Master Plan, the existing infrastructure system is well- developed and largely sufficient on a citywide basis. Current and projected deficiencies are primarily a result of recent growth and development pressures within the City, although increased consumption by existing customers is also a factor. The following provides a citywide discussion of infrastructure systems. A more focused analysis on areas of potential residential growth can be found in the land inventory discussion. CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT B -33