HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 - PUBLIC COMMENT_HelvigDale Helvig
2536 N. Valencia St. Santa Ana CA 92706
714‐541‐7254 helvig_denny@msn.com
May 26, 2020
Chairman McLoughlin and Planning Commissioners
City of Santa Ana
Santa Ana CA 92702
SUBJECT: FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2020‐01, Bowery Mixed‐Use Project
I find it puzzling a 14.58‐acre site with 1,150 multiple family residences needs to seek relief from City
parking requirements. Why can’t a project of this size be designed to fit within City requirements?
The answer is the applicant is seeking requirement exceptions rezoning from Light Industrial (M‐1) to
Specific Development No. 96 (SD‐96), rather than rezoning to mixed‐use, which it should be. Just look at
the title of the EIR: “THE BOWERY MIXED‐USE PROJECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT”
As a Specific Development project, the developer can dictate their own requirements and leave it up to
the City to approve. As a mixed‐use development the requirements are clearly addressed and should be
followed.
Furthermore, the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) lists 3 areas that are Significant and
Unavoidable: Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Transportation. Please take the time to
understand why this is OK. Do NOT settle for less. Santa Ana deserves better.
Dale Helvig
2536 N. Valencia St. Santa Ana CA 92706
714‐541‐7254 helvig_denny@msn.com
Page 2 of 2
The City’s current standard for parkland is 2.0 acres per 1,000 residents. This standard is relatively
conservative. By comparison, the National Parks and Recreation Association recommends a standard of
between 2.5 to 5.0 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents. The Bowery project will add over 2000
residents and as such, requires the addition of 4.2 acres of parkland. The staff report [page 2–329] states
onsite total proposed open space is 183,363 square feet (4.21 acres), which is consistent with the SAMC.
This is does not meet the first two goals of the Open Space, Parks And Recreation Element:
GOAL 1: Provide sufficient open space to meet the recreational and aesthetic needs of the community.
[This project satisfies the needs of the development, not the needs of the community]
GOAL 2: Ensure ready public access and use of open space facilities. [What public access?!]
Follow the City standards for parking and parkland. Don’t approve this project as proposed. The City
should ensure the standards are met or exceeded for this project. Don’t accept less.
Respectfully,
Dale A Helvig
Santa Ana Resident
cc: Kristine Ridge
Santa Ana City Manager
Minh Thai
Executive Director, Planning
Vince Fregoso,
Manager, Planning
Ali Pezeshkpour
Principle Planner