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

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HOUSING RESOURCES METRO EAST OVERLAY Introduction 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. The plan proposes three mixed -use districts and supporting policies and programs to facilitate an ultimate buildout 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 lines, and general site characteristics. Exhibit C -1 and Table C -3 provide an illustration of sites in the MEMU Overlay Zone area and a breakdown of their residential development potential. Adequate Sites Analysis The MEMU Overlay Zone applies to all of the properties listed in Table C -3. All of the properties are included in the Active Urban District. No zoning or general plan land use designation changes would be required to develop the sites. Moreover, the MEMU Overlay Zone allows residential development as a by -right use provided the project conforms to the vision, objectives, and standards set forth in the MEMU. The residential development must obtain a Site Plan Review application approved by the Planning Commission, which makes specific findings that the project is consistent with the MEMU. The following sites could accommodate residential development: Site 1 is an 8.2 -acre vacant site, owned by a single entity, and available for development. It is adjacent to the 1 -5 and a high -rise office complex. Site 2 is a 12.9 -acre collection of five adjacent parcels that contain marginal, abandoned, and/or underutilized uses. Surrounding uses include an office building, school, and hotels, while the north side contains low -scale offices and commercial uses. Sites 2a and 2b comprise 5.6 acres and are owned by a single entity. The large site size and single ownership make this site particularly advantageous for development, as consolidation would not be necessary. Structures on Sites 2b -2e are or will soon be over 40 years old, and may be ready to transition to other uses. Although the I/L ratio appears high, the prospect of residential development could justify higher land values and incentivize development. JAA C -6 CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT