HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 23 - Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01: 4th and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)Planning and Building Agency
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Item # 23
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
October 17, 2023
TOPIC: Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01: 4th and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
AGENDA TITLE
Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01 to facilitate the construction of a rental
residential development consisting of fifteen apartment units, with one unit proposed as
affordable to very low-income households.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a resolution approving Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01 as
conditioned.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF SANTA ANA APPROVING THE DENSITY BONUS AGREEMENT NO. 2023-
01 AS CONDITIONED FOR A NEW RENTAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
WITH FIFTEEN UNITS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1212 E. FOURTH
STREET (APN: 398-385-02)
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Density Bonus Agreement with Unison
Real Estate Group, LLC, for a 55-year term, for a rental residential development
consisting of fifteen apartment units, with one unit proposed as affordable to very
low-income households, at 1212 E. Fourth Street, subject to non -substantive
changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney.
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Oscar Uranga (applicant), on behalf of Unison Real Estate Group, LLC (property owner),
is requesting approval of density bonus agreement (DBA) No. 2023-01 to allow the
construction of a rental residential development consisting of fifteen apartment units, with
one unit proposed as affordable to very -low income households earning less than 50-
percent of the area median income (AMI), on a vacant site located at 1212 E. Fourth
Street. As proposed, the project will utilize waivers from development standards and/or
development concessions through the density bonus agreement pursuant to California
Government Code sections 65915 through 65918 and Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC)
Section 41-1600 through 41-1607. Moreover, the project requires approval by the Planning
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 2
Commission and City Council for a density bonus to allow up to 52.26 dwelling units per
acre (du/ac). The request satisfies the purpose and intent of the Transit Zoning Code
(TZC) to promote a pedestrian -oriented environment with a mix of land uses and to
provide additional affordable housing stock to an underserved segment of the region's
population. As a result, staff recommends approval of the DBA.
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 3
Plannina Commission Action
On August 28, 2023, the Planning Commission held a public hearing for the project and
voted (5-2-0) to recommend that the City Council approve Density Bonus Agreement
No. 2023-01 with conditions. Following this vote, the item requires City Council approval
of the density bonus agreement.
DISCUSSION
Table 1: Prolect and Location Information
Item
Information
Project Address and Council Ward
1212 E. Fourth Street — Ward 6
Nearest Intersection
East Fourth Street and North Grand Avenue
General Plan Designation
Urban Neigh borhood-Medi u m UN-40
Zoning Designation
Corridor (CDR) district within the Transit Zoning Code (SD-
84)
Surrounding Land Uses
North
Commercial
East
Vacant
South
Single-family residential
West
Commercial
Property Size
0.287-acres 12,500 square feet
Existing Site Development
The site is currently vacant and unimproved.
Use Permissions
Multi -Family Residential (permitted under Corridor district
within the Transit Zoning Code
Zoning Code Sections Affected
Uses
Article XVI.I (Density Bonus); CDR,
Table 2A — Use Standards
Development
Standards
CDR, Section 41-2013; Section 41-2020;
Section 41-2024
Prolect Description
The project includes the construction of a new four-story residential building with
flats/apartments consisting of fifteen apartment units, 591 square feet of open space,
seventeen parking spaces, and onsite bicycle storage. The residential development will
include six studio units, five one -bedroom plus office units, one one -bedroom unit, and
three two -bedroom units. Each of the fifteen units will contain full kitchens, bedrooms,
bathrooms, and open/common (living) areas, and nine would include private decks. Of the
total units in the development, one unit is proposed to be affordable to households earning
less than 50-percent of the area median income (AMI), which is currently set at $71,750,
adjusted for a four -person household size, as published by California Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD).
The project features a contemporary architectural style similar to many multiple -family
or mixed -use residential communities under construction in Santa Ana and the region.
The overall design, massing, features, and materials of the new construction will be
compatible with, but differentiated from, the existing neighborhood. The contemporary
architectural style would include cement board shiplap siding, brick veneer, stucco
finishes, vinyl frame windows, metal railings for proposed decks, metal awnings, and high
quality architectural detailing. The project would also incorporate a series of art murals
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 4
along the east and west elevations. Moreover, the structure is designed to fully screen all
mechanical equipment within the structure and parapet walls. Overall, the project will
include a design and solid construction materials that will ensure that the project ages well
for the duration of the building's lifetime.
Density Bonus Agreement
The California Density Bonus (Government Code § 65915 et seq.) law allows developers
proposing five or more residential units to seek increases in base density for providing on -
site housing units in exchange for providing affordable units on site. To help incentivize
constructing on -site affordable units, the law allows developers to seek a density bonus
that allows a project to exceed local density restrictions, as specified by state law, and up
to three incentives/concessions and an unlimited number of waivers that facilitate
production of units, which are essentially variances from development standards that
would help the project be built without significant burden and without detriment to public
health. The first version of the Density Bonus Law was adopted in 1979 and has since
been amended at various times. In early 2017, the law was amended to restrict the ability
of local jurisdictions to require studies to "justify" the density bonus and requested
incentives/waivers and places the onus on local jurisdictions to prove that the
incentives/concessions or waivers are not financially warranted.
Pursuant to the California Density Bonus law, a project's affordability level is determined
by dividing the number of proposed affordable units by the allowable "base" density (i.e.,
40 du/ac). Moreover, the State density bonus law states that units added by a density
bonus are excluded from the calculations. As outlined by Table 2 below, the base density
for the 0.287-acre site at 40 du/ac is 12 units. Of the total units in the development, one
units is proposed to be affordable. Therefore, the project would provide eight percent (8%)
of the base units for very low income households. As such, State density bonus law allows
the developer to request a maximum density bonus of 27.5 percent. This would allow a
project with a total of 16 units, but the applicant is proposing to develop only fifteen units
on the site.
Due to the project's eight -percent affordability rate, under Government Code section
65915, the developer can seek one density bonus concession and unlimited waivers.
Table 2: Density Bonus Calculation
Affordable Unit — 8% 1 unit)*
Density Bonus Calculation
Units Allowed
Base Density - Flex Block Housing type (most
0.287 acres x 40 du/ac
12 Units**
"intense" t e allowed in CDR
27.5-Percent State Density Bonus
12 units x 0.275
+4 Units**
Total Potential Units
16 Units
Proposed Units
15 Units
*Affordable unit percentage is calculated excluding units added by a density bonus.
**AB 2501 states that any density calculations resulting units shall be rounded up to the next whole
number. Applies to: Number of affordable units required to be eligible for the density bonus; Base
density i.e. the number of affordable units in the base project); and Eligible bonus units.
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 5
The purpose of the State's Density Bonus Law is to encourage the development and
availability of affordable housing by requiring the inclusion of affordable housing units
within new developments. Pursuant to California Government Code sections 65915 (d)(1)
and 65915 (e)(1), a local jurisdiction is limited in its ability to deny requested concessions
and waivers and is preempted from denying the increased density required by the Density
Bonus Law.
Pursuant to Government Code § 65915 (d)(1), a requested concession or incentive shall
be granted unless the City makes written findings, based on substantial evidence of any of
the following: (1) the concession or incentive does not result in identifiable and actual cost
reductions to provide the proposed affordable housing, (2) the concession or incentive
would have a specific, adverse impact on public health and safety, or on any real property
listed on the California Register of Historical Resources, and for which there is no feasible
method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact without rendering the
project unaffordable to low-income and moderate -income households, or (3) the
concession or incentive would be contrary to state or federal law.
The Density Bonus Law also constrains the ability to deny requested waivers. Subject to
exceptions for projects that receive a waiver from controls on maximum density,
Government Code § 65915 (e)(1) provides that the City cannot apply any development
standard that would physically preclude the construction of a development entitled to a
density bonus at the increased density or with the concessions or incentives, unless the
City makes findings that the waiver would have a specific, adverse impact on public health
or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific
adverse impact.
Although the City has analyzed the project and has identified several areas of concern, the
conditions of approval proposed for the project are intended to address any of the project's
potential impacts. Table 3 outlines the incentives/concessions and waivers requested by
the applicant.
Table 3: Requested Incentives/Concessions
TZC Standard
Requirement
Provided
• No ground floor retail or service
• Multi -family dwellings permitted
uses provided for this project.
only on second or upper floors, or
Multi -family dwelling proposed on
Mixed -Use
behind retail or service ground
the ground floor, street facing (not
Requirement
floor use.
behind retail or service ground
floor use) — Requires
TZC, Table 2A. Use Standards
Concession (1 of 1), Cal. Gov't
Code Sec. 65915 (d)(1)
• Maximum height in Corridor
The project proposes a building height
Maximum Height
(CDR) land use district is three
of four stories (58 feet and 9 inches) —
stories
Requires Waiver, Cal. Gov't Code
Section 41-2013 - Table CDR-1
Sec. 65915 (e)(1)
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 6
TZC Standard
Requirement
Provided
Building Size and
Massing
The second through fourth floor can
The second through fourth floor
Standards —
only be 85-percent of the ground floor
exceed the allowable ratio and are
97 9-percent of the ground floor's
Maximum Ratio
volume/gross floor area (cannot
volume (proposed 3,811 square feet).
for each Flex
exceed 3,309 square feet).
— Requires Waiver, Cal. Gov't Code
Block story
Section 41-2022 (i)(5) - Table BT-4
Sec. 65915 (e)(1)
• Common open space to be
0 No common open space in the
designed as a courtyard, or in the
form of a courtyard, or in the front
front as a forecourt —
as a forecourt, is provided
• required to be 15-percent of the lot
• 433 square feet of common
(1,875 square feet required).
interior space provided in the form
Open Space
0 Private open space required for
of lobby space (approximately 3.5-
Standards
each residential unit, not less than
percent of lot)
50 square feet with a minimum of
9 591 square feet of private open
6 feet in each direction (700
space will be provided in the form
square feet of private open space
of private decks for nine (9) Units.
required).
— Requires Waiver (1 of 1), Cal.
Section 41-2022
Gov't Code Sec. 65915 (e)(1)
• All setbacks, yards, and shared
common open spaces are
required to be landscaped.
0 A landscape buffer of 2 feet is
• A landscape buffer of not less
proposed along the western
than five feet required to be
property lines, 3 feet less than
Landscaping
provided to separate parking lot
required
Standards
from an adjacent property
0 Partial and diamond -shaped tree
• Surface parking lots required to be
planters are provided in the
landscaped per City's commercial
surface parking lot — Requires
area standards, which require full-
Waiver, Cal. Gov't Code Sec.
size landscape planters for every
65915 (e)(1)
ten parking spaces.
Section 41-2020 6
Onsite Parking
In addition, the site is parked in compliance with California Government Code 65915
(p)(1)(A) and 65915 (p)(1)(B) and provides 17 total surface parking spaces or 1.1 spaces
per unit. The California Density Bonus Law allows a parking ratio of one (1) stall for studio
or one -bedroom units, and one and one-half (1.5) stalls for two -bedroom units, inclusive
of handicapped and guest parking.
Analysis of the Issues
Pursuant to Section 41-1607 of the SAMC, because the applicant requested "deviations"
(incentives/concessions and waivers), it was subject to review and approval by the
Planning Commission. The Planning Commission approved the application with following
findings:
1. The proposed development will materially assist in accomplishing the goal of
providing affordable housing opportunities in economically balanced communities
throughout the city.
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 7
2. The development will not be inconsistent with the purpose of the underlying zone
or applicable designation in the general plan land use element.
3. The deviation is necessary to make it economically feasible for the applicant to
utilize a density bonus authorized for the development pursuant to section 41-
1603.
Because the project does not exceed four stories in height, the project does not require a
Site Plan Review Application pursuant to Table 2A (Use Standards) as part of the Transit
Zoning Code (TZC). Accordingly, the Planning Commission's review and determination for
this request was limited to the provisions of the Density Bonus Agreement application only.
Table 4: Analysis of the Requested Incentives/Concessions (1) and Waivers (4)
Standard
Analysis
Mixed -Use
Table 2A (Use Standards) in the Transit Zoning Code (TZC) states that multi -
Requirement
family dwellings are a permitted use in the Corridor (CDR) district, but only on
second or upper floors, or behind retail or service ground floor use.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65915 (k)(1), a concession may be
sought by the applicant not only to modify or eliminate a development standard
but also to modify "zoning code requirements." In this case, the requirement for
ground floor commercial is a zoning code requirement. Strict adherence to this
requirement would result in a reduction in the number of units that can be
provided in the overall project, thus not achieving the full 27.5-percent density
bonus to which the applicant is entitled. Moreover, the ground floor
commercial requirement is subordinate in function to the primary zoning
classification of Multi -Family Dwellings within the CDR district. Lastly,
adherence to ground floor commercial requirement would be economically
infeasible, as it would require adding and additional story to the building to
meet the ground floor commercial requirement and to still provide the number
of units that the applicant is entitled to under State law.
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 8
Standard
Analysis
Maximum Height
The maximum height permitted in the CDR district of the TZC is three stories.
As proposed, the maximum height of the new structure would be four stories
(58-feet, nine -inches). However, only the stairwell and elevator penthouse will
be at the maximum height, the rest of the four-story structure would be 51-feet,
nine -inches in height.
The proposed fourth story is required to accommodate the number of units
permissible under the Density Bonus Law. The gross site area and existing
site conditions severely restrict the applicant from providing a site plan that
could accommodate the proposed number of units with a three story building
type. With the current maximum height restriction, the applicant could propose
underground parking to take advantage of the limited gross site area.
However, this would result in a project that is financially infeasible. Strict
adherence to the maximum height requirement would result in a loss of four
residential units, would physically preclude construction of the project, and
would preclude the construction of the affordable unit to be dedicated to very -
low income occupants. This would also make the project infeasible and would
not allow the applicant to achieve the full 27.5-percent density bonus to which
the applicant is entitled under State law.
Building Size and
Pursuant to Section 41-2022 of the TZC, the residential building is designed as
Massing Standards —
Flex Block Building Type. The building type establishes a maximum ratio for
Maximum Ratio for
each flex block story/level. Specifically, the second through fourth floor can
each Flex Block story
only be 85-percent of the ground floor volume/gross floor area. As designed,
the second through fourth floor cannot exceed 3,309 square feet.
The second through fourth floor of the proposed building exceed the allowable
ratio and are 97.9-percent of the ground floor's volume. The second through
fourth floor are proposed to be 3,811 square feet, exceeding the maximum
allowable by 502 square feet. The proposed site has a smaller than average
lot depth and lot width, compared to most lots in the downtown area. Lots in
Downtown area range in lot depth and width but are on average 250 feet by
250 feet. The subject site is approximately 100 feet by 125 feet. Without the
increase in the allowable building size and massing standards, the project
would need to be redesigned, resulting in several impacts to the feasibility of
the site's development. These impacts would include a loss parking spaces; an
incompatible design and unbalanced composition of massing the project site;
and a smaller building footprint that would reduce the building's interior floor
area and individual unit sizes and result in a loss of units.
In order to provide the required building size and massing standards, the
developer would be required to construct an additional level, resulting in a
different type of construction (steel -frame versus wood), or build underground
parking, further increasing development costs and making the project
infeasible.
Open Space
Pursuant to Section 41-2022 of the TZC, the residential building is designed as
Standards
Flex Block Building Type. This building type requires common open space to
be designed as a courtyard or in the front as a forecourt, have it open to the
sky, and to be equal to 15-percent of the lot. Moreover, private open space is
required to be provided for each residential unit, no less than 50 square feet
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 9
Standard
Analysis
with a minimum dimension of six feet in each direction. The total common
open space required is 1,875 square feet and the total private open space
required is 750 square feet.
As proposed, the project provides 433 square feet of common interior space,
provided in the form of lobby space (approximately 3.5-percent of lot) to be
furnished (e.g., coffee tables, chairs, lounge tables, etc.), where feasible. The
project also provides 591 square feet of private open space, in the form of
private decks for nine units. The gross site area and existing site conditions
severely restrict the ability for the project to accommodate any common open
space, and restrict the ability to provide the fully required private open space.
Providing the required common open space standard would lead to the
elimination of three or more units, which would affect the feasibility to construct
the project. In order to maintain the current proposed unit count, the developer
would be required to construct additional floor levels or required to provide
underground parking, which would further increase development costs and
make the project financially infeasible. To help alleviate the common open
space deficiency, the project proposes an average of 40 square feet of private
open space per unit, through use of private balconies/decks.
Landscaping
Pursuant to Section 41-2020 of the TZC, all setbacks, yards, and shared
Standards
common open spaces are required to be landscaped. In addition, a landscape
buffer of not less than five feet is required to be provided to separate parking
lot from an adjacent properties and the surface parking lot is required to be
landscaped per City's commercial area standards.
As designed, the project provides a landscape buffer of two feet proposed
along the western property lines, three feet less than required. In addition, the
project does not provide the required landscape planters in the surface parking
lot. Due to site constraints, smaller than average lot size, and parking and
landscaping requirements, the required landscape buffer and landscape
planters cannot be accommodated. Maintaining the required landscape
standards would result in a site redesign, reducing the number of parking stall,
the drive aisle width, the ability of trash trucks to service the site, and ultimately
lead to the loss of bedroom units, resulting in the project becoming infeasible.
In order to provide the required landscaping and maintain the current proposed
unit count, the developer would be required to construct an additional level,
resulting in a different type of construction (steel -frame versus wood), or build
underground parking, further increasing development costs.
When analyzed cumulatively, the requested concessions and waivers could be avoided if
the project were designed on a different site or using a different site plan. If the project
were designed with a multi -level parking and/or subterranean parking structure, or if the
applicant used different building materials to construct a taller project, additional area on
site would become available to provide the ground floor commercial, minimum required
open space, landscaping, and the required building size and massing.
However, these changes would increase development costs, resulting in the housing
project becoming financially infeasible due to the significantly increased financial
implications of an alternative construction type compared to the relatively smaller scale of
Density Bonus Agreement for 1212 E. Fourth Street
October 17, 2023
Page 10
the project. In addition, these changes would reduce the number of units that could be
constructed on the site and therefore eliminate the affordable housing unit that would
result from the project.
In addition, the changes would increase development costs and reduce the financial
feasibility of redeveloping the site, resulting in the affordable housing project becoming
financially infeasible due to the significantly increased financial implications. Lastly, the
proposed deviations are necessary to make the project economically feasible for the
applicant to utilize a density bonus authorized for the development pursuant to Section 41-
1603 of the SAMC.
Public Notification and Community Outreach
Project notifications were posted, published, and mailed in accordance with City and
State regulations. In addition, staff contacted the provided contacts for the Saddleback
View Neighborhood Association to ensure they were aware of the project and public
hearing. At the time this report was printed, no issues of concern were raised regarding
the proposed development.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared and certified in 2010 in order to
address the potential environmental impacts associated with the Transit Zoning Code. A
mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP), findings of fact, and a statement
of overriding consideration were adopted with the 2010 EIR.
As proposed, the development is not anticipated to have additional environmental
impacts not addressed in the 2010 EIR. Therefore, no additional environmental review
will be required. Based on this analysis, a Notice of Exemption, Environmental Review
No. 2022-04 will be filed for this project. However, all applicable mitigation measures in
the original EIR and associated MMRP will be enforced.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution — Density Bonus Agreement
2. Draft Density Bonus Agreement
3. August 28, 2023 - Planning Commission Staff Report and Exhibits
Submitted By: Minh Thai, Executive Director of Planning and Building Agency, and
Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director of Community Development Agency
Approved By: Steven A. Mendoza, Assistant City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA APPROVING DENSITY BONUS AGREEMENT
NO. 2023-01 AS CONDITIONED FOR A NEW RENTAL
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH FIFTEEN UNITS
FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1212 E. FOURTH
STREET (APN: 398-385-02)
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines
and declares as follows:
A. Oscar Uranga Applicant), on behalf of Unison Real Estate Group, LLC
(Property Owner), is requesting approval of density bonus agreement
(DBA) No. 2023-01 to allow the construction of a rental residential
development, consisting of fifteen apartment units with one unit proposed
as affordable to very -low income households earning less than 50 percent
of the area median income (AMI) for the property located at 1212 E.
Fourth Street.
B. The Transit Zoning Code was adopted in 2010 to provide the zoning
necessary to support the long-term development of a successful transit
program. The regulating plan, which establishes land uses and
development standards, allows a variety of housing and commercial
projects, including affordable residential communities, live/work units,
service and retail, and professional offices.
C. The California Density Bonus law allows developers to seek increases in
base density for providing on -site housing units in exchange for providing
affordable units on site. To incentivize constructing on -site affordable units,
the law allows developers to seek a density bonus that allows a project to
exceed local density restrictions, as specified by state law, as well as
incentives/concessions or waivers that would help the project be built without
significant burden and without detriment to public health.
D. The Applicant's request has been thoroughly evaluated by the City's
Development Review Committee (DRC) through Development Project No.
2021-33. Through this review, the DRC has considered the subject site,
proposed development, and the applicant's requests for a density bonus,
and requested incentives/concessions and waivers pursuant to the State's
Density Bonus Law.
Resolution No. 2023-XX
Page 1 of 13
E. Section 41-1607 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) requires an
application for a density bonus agreement containing deviations
(incentives/concessions and/or waivers) to be approved by the Planning
Commission.
F. On August 28, 2023, the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana
held a duly noticed public hearing and at that time considered all
testimony, written and oral and voted to recommend 5-2-0 (Ayes:
Commissioners Pham, Ramos, Woo, Escamilla, and Oliva; Noes: Leo and
Benninger) that the City Council approve DBA No. 2023-01 as
conditioned.
G. On October 17, 2023, the City Council of the City of Santa Ana held a duly
noticed public meeting and at that time considered all testimony, written
and oral.
H. The City Council hereby determines that the following findings, which must
be established in order to grant this Density Bonus Agreement pursuant to
SAMC Section 41-1607, have been established for DBA No. 2023-01 to
allow construction of the proposed project:
1. That the proposed development will materially assist in
accomplishing the goal of providing affordable housing
opportunities in economically balanced communities throughout the
city.
The proposed development will provide fifteen residential rental
units, including one unit for very -low income households,
contributing toward the City's rental housing stock to serve the
needs of diverse and underserved populations. The area in which
the project is proposed, the Transit Zoning Code, currently contains
a mix of uses, including single-family residential, medium and
medium -high density apartments, townhomes, and neighborhood -
serving commercial. The construction of this project will contribute
toward an economically balanced community by providing housing
for different demographic and income levels in an area rich with
employment opportunities, commercial development, and market -
rate housing.
2. That the development will not be inconsistent with the purpose of
the underlying zone or applicable designation in the general plan
land use element.
The project site is in an area already identified in both the City's
Zoning Code (the Transit Zoning Code) and General Plan (the Land
Use and Housing elements) for new residential communities.
Moreover, the City's General Plan land use designation for the
Resolution No. 2023-XX
Page 2 of 13
project site is Urban Neighborhood -Medium (UN-40), which allows
for the development of semi -urban villages that are well connected
to schools, parks, and shopping centers. These areas are
accessible by multiple modes of transportation, have lively and
pedestrian -friendly streetscapes, and are designed to foster
community interaction.
This designation allows a mix of uses, including medium and
medium -high density apartments, townhomes, garden- or motor -
court homes, and neighborhood- serving commercial. Mixed -use
projects are allowed in both horizontal configuration, with
commercial and residential uses side -by -side, and vertical, with
commercial uses on the ground floor and residential above. Lastly,
the proposed density of 52.26 dwelling units per acre (du/ac) is
within the limits established by the California Density Bonus Law for
an eight -percent affordability rate for one very -low income unit.
3. That the deviation is necessary to make it economically feasible for
the Applicant to utilize a density bonus authorized for the
development pursuant to section 41-1603.
The proposed project requires one deviation through
incentives/concessions: Mixed -use requirement; as well as four
deviations through a waiver in (1) maximum building height; (2)
building size and massing standards; (3) open space standards;
and (4) landscape standards. The five deviations are described as
follows:
Mixed -use Requirement (Incentive/Concession)
Table 2A (Use Standards) in the Transit Zoning Code (TZC) states
that multi -family dwellings are a permitted use in the Corridor
(CDR) district, but only on second or upper floors, or behind retail
or service ground floor use.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65915 (k)(1), a concession
may be sought by the applicant not only to modify or eliminate a
development standard but also to modify "zoning code
requirements." In this case, the requirement for ground floor
commercial is a zoning code requirement. Strict adherence to this
requirement would result in a reduction in the number of units that
can be provided in the overall project, thus not achieving the full
27.5-percent density bonus to which the applicant is entitled.
Moreover, the ground floor commercial requirement is subordinate
in function to the primary zoning classification of Multi -Family
Dwellings within the CDR district. Lastly, adherence to ground floor
commercial requirement would be economically infeasible, as it
Resolution No. 2023-XX
Page 3 of 13
would require adding another story to the building to meet the
ground floor commercial requirement and to still provide the
number of units that the applicant is entitled to under State law.
Maximum Height (Waiver)
The maximum height permitted in the CDR district of the TZC is
three stories. As proposed, the maximum height of the new
structure would be four stories (58-feet, nine -inches). However,
only the stairwell and elevator penthouse will be at the maximum
height, and the rest of the four-story structure would be 51-feet,
nine -inches in height.
The proposed fourth story is needed to make construction of the
residential development financially feasible. The gross site area
and existing site conditions severely restrict the applicant from
providing a site plan that could accommodate the proposed number
of units with a three story building type. With the current maximum
height restriction, the applicant could propose underground parking
to take advantage of the limited gross site area. However, this
would result in a project that is financially infeasible. Strict
adherence to the maximum height requirement would result in a
loss of four residential units, would physically preclude construction
of the project, and would preclude the construction of the affordable
unit to be dedicated to very -low income occupants. This would also
make the project infeasible and would not allow the applicant to
achieve the full 27.5-percent density bonus to which the applicant is
entitled under State law.
Building Size and Massing Standards — Maximum Ratio for each
Flex Block story (Waiver)
Pursuant to Section 41-2022 of the TZC, the residential building is
designed as Flex Block Building Type. The building type
establishes a maximum ratio for each flex block story/level.
Specifically, the second through fourth floor can only be 85-percent
of the ground floor volume/gross floor area. As designed, the
second through fourth floor cannot exceed 3,309 square feet.
The second through fourth floor of the proposed building exceed
the allowable ratio and are 97.9-percent of the ground floor's
volume. The second through fourth floor are proposed to be 3,811
square feet, exceeding the maximum allowable by 502 square feet.
The proposed site has a smaller than average lot depth and lot
width, compared to most lots in the downtown area. Lots in the
downtown area range in lot depth and width but are on average 250
feet by 250 feet. The subject site is approximately 100 feet by 125
Resolution No. 2023-XX
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feet. Without the increase in the allowable building size and
massing standards, the project would need to be redesigned,
resulting in several impacts to the feasibility of the site's
development. These impacts would include a loss parking spaces;
an incompatible design and unbalanced composition of massing
the project site; and a smaller building footprint that would reduce
the building's interior floor area and individual unit sizes and result
in a loss of units.
In order to provide the required building size and massing
standards, the developer would be required to construct an
additional level, resulting in a different type of construction (steel -
frame versus wood), or build underground parking, further
increasing development costs and making the project infeasible.
Open Space Standards (Waiver)
Pursuant to Section 41-2022 of the TZC, the residential building is
designed as Flex Block Building Type. This building type requires
common open space to be designed as a courtyard or in the front
as a forecourt, have it open to the sky, and to be equal to 15-
percent of the lot. Moreover, private open space is required to be
provided for each residential unit, no less than 50 square feet with a
minimum dimension of six feet in each direction. The total common
open space required is 1,875 square feet and the total private open
space required is 750 square feet.
As proposed, the project provides 433 square feet of common
interior space, provided in the form of lobby space (approximately
3.5-percent of lot). To the extent feasible, the lobby space is to be
furnished (e.g., coffee tables, chairs, lounge tables, etc.). The
project also provides 591 square feet of private open space, in the
form of private decks for nine units. The gross site area and
existing site conditions severely restrict the ability for the project to
accommodate any common open space, and restrict the ability to
provide the fully required private open space. Providing the
required common open space standard would lead to the
elimination of three or more units, which would affect the feasibility
to construct the project. In order to maintain the current proposed
unit count, the developer would be required to construct additional
floor levels or required to provide underground parking, which
would further increase development costs and make the project
financially infeasible. To help alleviate the common open space
deficiency, the project proposes an average of 40 square feet of
private open space per unit, through use of private balconies/decks.
Resolution No. 2023-XX
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Landscape Standards (Waiver)
Pursuant to Section 41-2020 of the TZC, all setbacks, yards, and
shared common open spaces are required to be landscaped. In
addition, a landscape buffer of not less than five feet is required to
be provided to separate parking lot from an adjacent properties and
the surface parking lot is required to be landscaped per City's
commercial area standards.
As designed, the project provides a landscape buffer of two feet
proposed along the western property lines, three feet less than
required. In addition, the project does not provide the required full-
size landscape planters in the surface parking lot and instead
provides partial and diamond -shaped planters. Due to site
constraints, smaller than average lot size, and parking and
landscaping requirements, the required landscape buffer and
landscape planters cannot be accommodated. Maintaining the
required landscape standards would result in a site redesign,
reducing the number of parking stall, the drive aisle width, the
ability of trash trucks to service the site, and ultimately lead to the
loss of bedroom units, resulting in the project becoming infeasible.
In order to provide the required landscaping and maintain the
current proposed unit count, the developer would be required to
construct an additional level, resulting in a different type of
construction (steel -frame versus wood), or build underground
parking, further increasing development costs.
Section 2. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was
prepared and certified in 2010 in order to address the potential environmental impacts
associated with the Transit Zoning Code. A mitigation monitoring and reporting program
(MMRP), findings of fact, and a statement of overriding consideration were adopted with
the 2010 EIR. As proposed, the development is not anticipated to have additional
environmental impacts not addressed in the 2010 EIR. Therefore, no additional
environmental review will be required. Based on this analysis, a Notice of Exemption,
Environmental Review No. 2022-04 will be filed for this project. All applicable mitigation
measures in the original EIR and associated MMRP will be enforced.
Section 3. The Applicant shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold the City and/or
any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, authorized
volunteers, and instrumentalities thereof, harmless from any and all claims, demands,
lawsuits, writs of mandamus, referendum, and other proceedings (whether legal,
equitable, declaratory, administrative or adjudicatory in nature), and alternative dispute
resolution procedures (including, but not limited to arbitrations, mediations, and such
other procedures), judgments, orders, and decisions (collectively "Actions"), brought
against the City and/or any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments,
agencies, and instrumentalities thereof, that challenge, attack, or seek to modify, set
Resolution No. 2023-XX
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aside, void, or annul, any action of, or any permit or approval issued by the City and/or
any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities thereof (including actions approved by the voters of the City) for or
concerning the project, whether such Actions are brought under the Ralph M. Brown
Act, California Environmental Quality Act, the Planning and Zoning Law, the Subdivision
Map Act, Code of Civil Procedure sections 1085 or 1094.5, or any other federal, state or
local constitution, statute, law, ordinance, charter, rule, regulation, or any decision of a
court of competent jurisdiction. It is expressly agreed that the City shall have the right to
approve the legal counsel providing the City's defense, and that Applicant shall
reimburse the City for any costs and expenses directly and necessarily incurred by the
City in the course of the defense. City shall promptly notify the Applicant of any Action
brought and City shall cooperate with Applicant in the defense of the Action.
Section 4. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana, after conducting the public
hearing, hereby approves Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01 as conditioned in
Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated as though fully set forth herein. This decision
is based upon the evidence submitted at the above said hearing, which includes, but is not
limited to: the Request for Planning Commission Action dated August 28, 2023, and
exhibits attached thereto; the Request for City Council Action dated October 17, 2023, and
exhibits attached thereto; and the public testimony, written and oral, all of which are
incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this
resolution.
ADOPTED this day of
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho
City Attorney
IN
Jose Montoya
Assistant City Attorney
111111►101040
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
Resolution No. 2023-XX
Page 7 of 13
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers
Resolution No. 2023-XX
Page 8 of 13
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, Jennifer L. Hall, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No.
2023-XX to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa
Ana on , 2023.
Date:
City Clerk
City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2023-XX
Page 9 of 13
EXHIBIT A
Conditions for Approval for Density Bonus Agreement Application No. 2023-01
Density Bonus Agreement Application No. 2023-01 is approved subject to compliance, to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Manager, with applicable sections of the Santa
Ana Municipal Code, the California Administrative Code, the California Building Standards
Code, and all other applicable regulations. In addition, it shall meet the following conditions
of approval:
The Applicant must comply with each and every condition listed below prior to exercising
the rights conferred by the Density Bonus Agreement.
The Applicant must remain in compliance with all conditions listed below throughout the
life of the development project. Failure to comply with each and every condition may result
in the revocation/termination of the Density Bonus Agreement.
1. All proposed site improvements must conform to the Development Project (DP)
approval of DP No. 2021-33.
2. Any amendment to the DP No. 2021-33, including modifications to approved
materials, finishes, architecture, site plan, landscaping, unit count, mix, and
square footages must be submitted to the Planning Division for review. At that
time, staff will determine if administrative relief is available or if the Development
Project Review must be amended.
3. All mechanical equipment shall be screened from view from public and
courtyard areas.
4. Prior to issuance of building permits, the Applicant shall submit a construction
schedule and staging plan to the Planning Division for review and approval.
The plan shall include construction hours, staging areas, parking and site
security/screening during project construction.
5. Prior to issuance of building permits, the Applicant shall submit to the Planning
Division and have approved a Parking Management Plan (PMP). The PMP shall
provide for measures to address any parking shortages that may result from the
project, with terms including but not limited to:
a. Requiring onsite parking permits (such as stickers or hang -tags) for any
parking in the onsite parking spaces for both residents and guests;
b. Policies for maximum time vehicles may be parked in the surface parking
spaces, including any guest parking; and
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
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c. Policies for towing unauthorized vehicles; vehicles parked in
unauthorized locations, such as fire lanes; vehicles parking in surface
guest parking without a sticker, hang -tag, or other identifiers; and
vehicles parked longer than any maximum guest parking timeframes
allowed;
6. Prior to installation of landscaping, the Applicant shall submit representative
photos and specifications of all trees to be installed on the project site for review
and approval by the Planning Division. Specifications shall include, at a
minimum, the species, box size (24 inches minimum), brown trunk height (10-
foot minimum), and name and location of the supplier.
7. Walls and Fencing.
a. The applicant shall construct a minimum six-foot (6') tall perimeter wall,
as measured from nearest adjacent finished sidewalk, surrounding the
project site, unless a conforming perimeter wall (minimum six-foot tall)
already exists. Any new or existing perimeter wall shall conform to all
applicable Citywide Design Guidelines, including a split -face or painted
design with regularly -spaced pilasters and decorative cap. The applicant
is responsible for coordination with any adjacent property owners to
avoid double -walls or gaps between walls where possible.
b. Climbing vines shall be planted at regularly -spaced intervals along all
exposed walls and wrought -iron fencing to deter graffiti. All solid walls
shall be finished with anti -graffiti coating.
8. After project occupancy, landscaping and hardscape materials must be
maintained as shown on the approved landscape plans.
9. Prior to final occupancy, a Property Maintenance Agreement (Maintenance
Agreement) must be recorded against the property. The agreement will be
subject to review and approval by the Planning and Building Agency, the
Community Development Agency, the Public Works Agency, and the City
Attorney to ensure that the property and all improvements located thereupon
are properly maintained. Applicant (and the owner of the property upon which
the authorized use and/or authorized improvements are located, if different from
the Applicant) shall execute a Maintenance Agreement with the City of Santa
Ana. The Maintenance Agreement shall be recorded against the property and
contain covenants, conditions and restrictions relating to the following:
a. Compliance with operational conditions applicable during any period(s) of
construction or major repair (e.g., proper screening and securing of the
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
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construction site; implementation of proper erosion control, dust control
and noise mitigation measure; adherence to approved project phasing
etc.);
b. Compliance with ongoing operational conditions, requirements and
restrictions, as applicable (including but not limited to hours of operation,
security requirements, the proper storage and disposal of trash and
debris, enforcement of the parking management plan, and/or restrictions
on certain uses);
c. Ongoing compliance with approved design and construction parameters,
signage parameters and restrictions as well as landscape designs, as
applicable;
d. Ongoing maintenance, repair and upkeep of the property and all
improvements located thereupon (including but not limited to controls on
the proliferation of trash and debris about the property; the proper and
timely removal of graffiti; the timely maintenance, repair and upkeep of
damaged, vandalized and/or weathered buildings, structures and/or
improvements; the timely maintenance, repair and upkeep of exterior
paint, parking striping, lighting and irrigation fixtures, walls and fencing,
publicly accessible bathrooms and bathroom fixtures, landscaping and
related landscape improvements and the like, as applicable);
e. If Applicant and the owner of the property are different (e.g., if the
Applicant is a tenant or licensee of the property or any portion thereof),
both the Applicant and the owner of the property shall be signatories to
the Maintenance Agreement and both shall be jointly and severally liable
for compliance with its terms.
f. The Maintenance Agreement shall further provide that any party
responsible for complying with its terms shall not assign its ownership
interest in the property or any interest in any lease, sublease, license or
sublicense, unless the prospective assignee agrees in writing to assume
all of the duties and obligations and responsibilities set forth under the
Maintenance Agreement.
g. The Maintenance Agreement shall contain provisions relating to the
enforcement of its conditions by the City and shall also contain provisions
authorizing the City to recover costs and expenses which the City may
incur arising out of any enforcement and/or remediation efforts which the
City may undertake in order to cure any deficiency in maintenance, repair
or upkeep or to enforce any restrictions or conditions upon the use of the
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
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property. The Maintenance Agreement shall further provide that any
unreimbursed costs and/or expenses incurred by the City to cure a
deficiency in maintenance or to enforce use restrictions shall become a
lien upon the property in an amount equivalent to the actual costs and/or
expense incurred by the City.
h. The execution and recordation of the Maintenance Agreement shall be a
condition precedent to the Certificate of Occupancy.
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
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RECORDING REQUESTED BY:
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
City of Santa Ana
Clerk of the Council
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-30)
P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, California 92702
Attention: Clerk of the Council
Free Recording pursuant to
Government Code 27383
DENSITY BONUS HOUSING AGREEMENT
(1212 E. Fourth Street, Santa Ana, California; APN: 398-385-02)
This DENSITY BONUS HOUSING AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), made and entered
into this day of , 2023 ("Effective Date"), by and between the City of Santa
Ana, a charter city and municipal corporation of the State of California ("City"), and Unison Real
Estate Group, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company ("Developer"). City and Developer
are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Parties" and individually as a "Party."
RECITALS
A. Developer is the owner of that certain property located within the City of Santa Ana,
County of Orange, State of California, commonly known as 1212 E. Fourth Street, Santa
Ana, California, 92701, and legally described as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto
and incorporated herein by this reference as if set forth in full ("Property").
B. Developer is proposing to develop a residential development consisting of no more than
fifteen (15) residential rental units on the Property, as more particularly set forth in
Density Bonus Application No. DBA-2023-1 ("Project"). Without the density bonus,
Developer would only be permitted to build twelve (12) units on the Property.
C. Santa Ana Municipal Code sections 41-1600, et seq. ("City Density Bonus for Affordable
Housing"), and California Government Code sections 65915, et seq. ("State Density
Bonus Law"), set forth a process to provide increased residential densities and incentives,
concessions, and waivers to property owners or developers who guarantee that a portion
of their residential development will be available to low income, very -low income, or
senior (also known as "qualified") households. These regulations are intended to
materially assist the housing industry in providing adequate and affordable housing for
all economic segments of the community and to provide a balance of housing
opportunities for very -low income, low income and senior households throughout the
city.
D. The Project is proposing a total number of fifteen (15) residential rental units, including
one (1) unit for very -low income households. Pursuant to California Government Code
Sections 65915 (p)(1)(A) and 65915 (p)(1)(B), the Project will provide seventeen (17)
total onsite parking spaces or 1.1 spaces per unit at a ratio of one (1) stall for studio or
one -bedroom units, and one and one-half (1.5) stalls for two -bedroom units. No
additional parking concession is requested or provided.
E. The Project complies with the affordable housing requirements set forth in the State
Density Bonus Law and City Density Bonus for Affordable Housing. For purposes of
this Agreement, the Project shall be a "housing development" as defined in the State
Density Bonus Law.
F. In light of the purpose of the State Density Bonus Law and City Density Bonus for
Affordable Housing, and the express provisions of Government Code Sections
65915(d)(1)(2)(A) and 65915(e)(1), the City has determined to grant Developer's
application for one (1) concession and four (4) waivers.
G. This Agreement, and the exhibits attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference,
are intended to set forth the terms and conditions for the implementation of the Project's
requirement to provide affordable housing units in exchange for receiving the density
bonus, concession and waivers set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, which are incorporated herein
by this reference, and of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND EXHIBITS
1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms that may be defined elsewhere in this
Agreement, the following terms when used in this Agreement shall be defined as follows:
1.1.1 "Adjusted for family size appropriate to the unit" shall have the
meaning set forth by Health and Safety Code Section 50052.5(h).
1.1.2 "Affordable Rent" means the maximum Monthly Rent that may be
charged to and paid by an Eligible Household for the Affordable Units, as required by the terms
of this Agreement, and which shall not exceed one -twelfth (1/12) of the product of thirty percent
(30%) times fifty percent (50%) times the Median Income for Orange County, as defined below
in Section 1.1.17. The Affordable Rent shall be adjusted to reflect a reasonable utilities allowance
for utilities paid by the household using the Santa Ana Housing Authority Multi -Family Housing
Utility Allowance Schedule, and shall be updated no less than annually.
1.1.3 "Affordable Rent Schedule" means a rent schedule established as of the
date of issuance of an occupancy permit (exclusive of tenant utility payments or security deposits)
for the required number/percentage of the total number of units in the Project which are to be
rented or available for rent to Very -Low Income Tenants. Said Affordable Rent Schedule shall be
established at the time of the issuance of the occupancy permit ("Initial Rent Schedule") and shall
2
be created in accordance with the Orange County, California Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area
("PMSA") as published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development
("HCD"), adjusted for family size, and shall be updated no less than annually.
1.1.4 "Affordable Units" means one (1) unit, which shall be comprised of one
(1) one -bedroom unit for Very -Low Income Tenants. Any change to the number or distribution
of Affordable Units is subject to City Manager approval.
1.1.5 "Agreement" means this Density Bonus Housing Agreement.
1.1.6 "City" means the City of Santa Ana, California
1.1.7 "City Council" means the City Council of the City of Santa Ana.
1.1.8 "City Attorney" means the City Attorney for the City of Santa Ana.
1.1.9 "City Manager" means the City Manager for the City of Santa Ana.
1.1.10 "City's Planning Commission" means the Planning Commission for the
City of Santa Ana.
1.1.11 "Density Bonus Housing Agreement Term" means the period during
which this Agreement shall be in full force and effect, as provided for in Section 6.1 below.
1.1.12 "Developer" means Unison Real Estate Group, LLC, a California Limited
Liability Company, and its permitted successors and assigns to all or any part of the Property,
Project or this Agreement.
1.1.13 "Effective Date" means the date the Developer and the City shall record or
cause to be recorded in the Official Records for Orange County, California, an executed original
of this Agreement, pursuant to section 4.1 herein.
1.1.14 "Eligible Household" means a Household whose income does not exceed
the qualifying limit for a "Very -Low Income Tenant" as defined herein.
1.1.15 "Extremely -Low Income Tenant" means persons and families whose
income does not exceed thirty (30%) of the area median income for the Orange County, California
PMSA, adjusted for household size, as published by HCD.
1.1.16 "Household" means all persons residing in a Unit.
1.1.17 "Median Income" means the Orange County, California area median
income, adjusted for family size appropriate to the unit pursuant to California Health and Safety
Code § 50052.5(h), as periodically published by HCD.
1.1.18 "Monthly Rent" means the total of monthly payments for: (a) use and
occupancy of each Affordable Unit and land and facilities associated therewith; (b) any separately
charged fees or service charges assessed by Developer which are required of all tenants, other than
security deposits, application fees or credit check fees; (c) a reasonable allowance for an adequate
level of service of utilities not included in (a) or (b) above, including garbage collection, sewer,
water, electricity, gas and other heating, cooking and refrigeration fuels, but not including
telephone or cable service, to the extent applicable and charged to tenant; and, (d) possessory
interest, taxes or other fees or charges assessed for use of the land and facilities associated
therewith by a public or private entity other than Developer. In the event that certain utility charges
are paid by the landlord rather than the tenant, no utility allowance shall be deducted from the rent
for that type of utility charge.
1.1.19 "Project" means that certain affordable residential development as more
particularly described in Recital B and Section 2 of this Agreement.
1.1.20 "Property" means that certain real property more particularly described in
the legal description in Exhibit A and improvements thereon.
1.1.21 "State Density Bonus Law" means Government Code sections 65915, et
seq., as they exist on the Effective Date.
1.1.22 "Unit" means a residential dwelling unit within the Project to be
constructed or caused to be constructed by Developer pursuant to this Agreement.
1.1.23 "Unrestricted Units" means the Units within the Project to be constructed
or caused to be constructed by Developer to a Household without restriction.
1.1.24 "Very -Low Income Tenant" means a Household whose income does not
exceed fifty (50%) of the area median income for the Orange County, California PMSA, adjusted
for household size, as published by HCD. Very -Low Income Tenant shall include a household that
qualifies as an Extremely Low -Income Household.
1.2 Exhibits. The following documents are attached to, and by this reference made a
part of, this Agreement:
1.2.1 Exhibit A — Legal Description of the Property
1.2.2 Exhibit B — Tenant Verification
1.2.3 Exhibit C — Annual Tenant Recertification
1.2.4 Exhibit D — Annual Rental Housing Compliance Report
1.2.5 Exhibit E — Notice of Affordability Restrictions on Transfer of Property
0
2. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY
2.1 Project. Developer shall develop, operate, and maintain, or cause the development,
operation and maintenance of, the Property as a fifteen (15) unit rental residential community, with
one (1) Affordable Unit for Very -Low Income Tenants.
2.2 Density Bonus. The Project shall have fifteen (15) Units, to be rented, occupied,
operated, and maintained pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Developer
understands and agrees that Developer is utilizing a twenty -seven -and -a -half percent (27.5%)
density bonus increase provided by the State Density Bonus Law (12 Base Units x 27.5% = 4 State
Density Bonus Units) for a total of sixteen (16) units. However, Developer is only proposing
fifteen (15) Units, so Developer shall not construct or develop, or otherwise claim a right to
construct or develop any additional State and/or City Density Bonus Units on the Property.
2.3 Development Concessions, Incentives, and Waivers. As set forth in the City
entitlements, Developer petitioned for and is hereby granted the following concessions, incentives,
and waivers as part of the approval of Density Bonus Application No. DBA-2023-1 for the Project:
2.3.1 Concession. In accordance with Government Code Section 65915(d)(1),
Developer is granted a concession for relief from the requirement for ground floor retail or
services, as set forth in Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-2007.
2.3.2 Waivers. In accordance with Government Code Section 65915(e)(1),
Developer is granted the following waivers:
(a) The height limitation set forth in Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-2013(a)
is waived to the extent the building height for this Project may be up to fifty-one (51) feet and nine
(9) inches and four (4) stories.
(b) The maximum allowable building size and massing ratio set forth in Santa
Ana Municipal Code § 41-2022(i)(5) are waived to the extent that the second through fourth floor
will exceed the maximum allowable building size and massing ratio, and are 97.9-percent of the
ground floor's volume.
(c) The open space requirements set forth in Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-
2022(f) are waived such that the Project shall not be required to provide common open space in
the form of a courtyard or in the front as a forecourt, and only five -hundred ninety-one (591) square
feet of private open space will be required in the form of private decks for nine (9) Units.
(d) The requirement for a landscape buffer set forth in Santa Ana Municipal Code
§ 41-2020(6) is waived to the extent that a two (2) foot landscape buffer will be provided along
the western property line, instead of the required five (5), and no landscape planters will be
provided on the surface parking lot.
2.4 Parking Requirements. Onsite parking shall be provided in compliance with
Government Code Sections 65915(p)(1)(A) and 65915(p)(1)(B). No parking concession is
requested or provided. The Project will provide seventeen (17) total onsite parking spaces or 1.1
spaces per unit at a ratio of one (1) stall for studio or one -bedroom units, and one and one-half
(1.5) stalls for two -bedroom units.
2.5 No Further Concessions, Incentives, or Waivers. Developer acknowledges and
agrees that the concessions, incentives, and waivers set forth in section 2.3, and the parking
requirements set forth in section 2.4, above, fully satisfy any duty City may have under the City
Density Bonus for Affordable Housing, the Density Bonus Law, or any other law or regulation to
provide any density bonus incentive or to waive any building, zoning, or other requirement in
connection with a density bonus. By this Agreement, Developer releases any and all claims
Developer may have against City in any way relating to or arising from City's obligation to waive
requirements of or provide development incentives pursuant to the City Density Bonus for
Affordable Housing and the Density Bonus Law applicable to the Project.
2.6 Unrestricted Units. The Project, for purposes of this Agreement, may have no more
than fourteen (14) Unrestricted Units comprised of six (6) studio units, five (5) one bed -room units
and three (3) two -bedroom units. Any change to the unit distribution of the Unrestricted Units may
affect the comparability of the Affordable Units and is subject to City Manager approval.
2.7 Affordable Units. The Project, for purposes of this Agreement, shall have no less
than one (1) Unit, which shall be comprised of one (1) one -bedroom unit designated as an
Affordable Unit pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Affordable Unit
shall be consistent with all City approvals, comparable in bedroom distribution and amenities to
the Unrestricted Units, and shall be located throughout the Project as required under Santa Ana
Municipal Code section 41-1602(c)(5).
2.8 Minimum Development Standards for Affordable Units. The Affordable Unit shall
be constructed with the same exterior appearance and interior features, fixtures, and amenities, and
shall use the same type and quality of materials as provided for any Unrestricted Units, regardless
of whether such Unrestricted Units are in the Project.
2.9 Permits and Processing; Compliance with Laws. Developer, at its sole cost and
expense, or as otherwise set forth in a separate written agreement, shall secure or cause to be
secured any and all permits that may be required for development of the Project by City or any
other federal, state, or local governmental entity having or claiming jurisdiction over the Property
or Project. Upon securing any and all permits, and all necessary financing and property interests,
Developer shall carry out and perform the development, operation, and maintenance of the Project
or cause the performance of the development, operation, and maintenance of the Project, in
conformity with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and all conditions of
approval issued by the City Council and City's Planning Commission for the Project. Any changes
to the Project shall be reviewed by the City to determine compliance with this Agreement. If any
changes to the Project shall materially alter the ability of Developer to comply with any terms of
this Agreement in City's sole determination, then City and Developer shall meet and confer to
address amendments and revisions to this Agreement as necessary.
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2.10 Relocation Prior to Development of Project. If relocation is required prior to the
completion of development of the Project, Developer shall have the sole and exclusive
responsibility for providing relocation assistance and paying all relocation costs as maybe required
to comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In addition to any other indemnity
provided by Developer under this Agreement, Developer shall indemnify, defend (with counsel of
City's choosing and the consent of Developer, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and
which may be joint defense counsel upon City's and Developer's consent), and hold harmless City
and all of its officials, officers, employees, representatives, volunteers and agents from any and all
alleged or actual claims, causes of action, liabilities, and damages from any third party for
relocation assistance, benefits and costs prior to the completion of the development of the Project.
2.11 Mechanic's Liens; Indemnification. Developer shall take all actions reasonably
necessary to remove any future mechanic's liens or other similar liens (including design
professional liens) against the Property or Project, or any part thereof, by reason of work, labor,
services, or materials supplied or claimed to have been supplied to Developer or caused by, at the
direction of, or on behalf of Developer. Prior to the recording of this Agreement (or memorandum
thereof) pursuant to Section 4.2 below, Developer shall provide evidence from the Title Company
of any new recordings against the Property or Project. City hereby reserves all rights to post notices
of non -responsibility and any other notices as may be appropriate upon a filing of a mechanic's
lien. In addition to any other indemnity provided by Developer under this Agreement, Developer
shall indemnify, defend (with counsel of City's choosing and the consent of Developer, which shall
not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and which may be joint defense counsel
upon City's and Developer's consent), and hold harmless City and all of its officials, officers,
employees, representatives, volunteers and agents from any and all alleged or actual claims, causes
of action, liabilities, and damages from any third party by reason of a mechanic's lien or work,
labor, services, or materials supplied or claimed to have been supplied to Developer or caused by,
at the direction of, or on behalf of Developer.
3. AFFORDABILITY
3.1 Total Affordability Term. Each Affordable Unit shall be restricted to use and
occupancy by an Eligible Household for a total period of no less than fifty-five (55) years ("Total
Affordability Term"). The Total Affordability Term for an Affordable Unit shall commence on
the date that the building in which the Affordable Unit is located receives all required occupancy
permits from the City.
3.2 Memorializing Commencement of Total Affordability. Developer shall keep
or cause to be kept detailed records of the commencement date of the Total Affordability Term for
each Affordable Unit. City shall have the right to review and verify said records without a fee from
City to Developer to ensure that the commencement date specified by Developer for an Affordable
Unit coincides with the date that the initial Affordable Unit received all permits from City required
for occupancy of the Unit. In the event that a conflict exists between the date specified by
Developer for the commencement of the Total Affordability Term for an Affordable Unit and the
date specified by City's issuance of all required permits for occupancy of the Unit, the date
specified by City's issuance of all required permits for occupancy of the Unit shall control.
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3.3 Levels of Affordability.
3.3.1 Very Low Income Tenants. Developer covenants that no less than one (1)
Affordable Unit in the Project shall at all times during the Density Bonus Housing Agreement
Term be rented to, or held vacant and available for immediate occupancy by an Eligible
Household, at an Affordable Rent.
4. OPERATION OF THE PROJECT BY DEVELOPER
4.1 Payment of Density Bonus Setup Fee. A Density Bonus Setup Fee in the amount
of $2,768.25, will be charged to the Developer and must be paid prior to execution of this
Agreement.
4.2 Recording of Documents. No later than issuance of building permits for the Project,
Developer and the City shall record or cause to be recorded in the Official Records for Orange
County, California, an executed original of this Agreement. City shall cooperate with Developer
in promptly executing in recordable form this Agreement. The date of recording of the Agreement
shall be the Effective Date of the Agreement. Upon the date of recording, the terms and conditions
of this Agreement shall be binding upon and run with the Property for no longer than the Total
Affordability Term, and the Project. It is the express intent and agreement between the Parties that
this Agreement shall remain binding and enforceable against the Property, the Project, and the
Units to ensure compliance with the State Density Bonus Law and City Density Bonus Law, and
to ensure the continued supply of Affordable Units in the Project, except as expressly set forth in
this Agreement.
4.3 Rental of Units. Upon the completion of construction of the Project and receipt by
Developer of all required permits for the occupancy of the Units, Developer shall rent or cause to
be rented each Affordable Unit for the Total Affordability Term for such Affordable Unit in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, which provide among other
terms and conditions for the rental of each Affordable Unit at an Affordable Rent to an Eligible
Household for the Total Affordability Term.
4.4 Occupancy Levels. Subject to state or federal laws and regulations, the number of
persons permitted to occupy each Affordable Unit shall not exceed two persons per bedroom, plus
one person.
4.4.1 Written Notification. If an Eligible Household, during the terms of its
tenancy, adds members that exceed the maximum occupancy allowed under this section,
Developer shall provide written notification informing the household that: it is over -
occupancy; has been placed on a waiting list for up to one -hundred and eighty (180) days;
the expiration date of the waiting list; and the terms for terminating the lease. A written
status update will be provided to the household at one -hundred and twenty (120) days,
ninety (90) days, sixty (60) days and thirty (30) days if applicable.
4.5 Use of the PropertX. All uses conducted on the Property by Developer, including,
without limitation, all activities undertaken by the Developer pursuant to this Agreement, shall
conform to all applicable provisions of the Santa Ana Municipal Code and other applicable federal,
state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. The Project shall at all times during the term of this
Agreement be used as a rental housing complex and none of the Affordable Units in the Project,
nor shall the Property or any portion thereof, ever be used as a hotel, motel, dormitory, fraternity
or sorority house, rooming house, hospital, nursing home, sanitarium or rest home, or be converted
to condominium ownership. All of the community facilities and any social programs provided to
the Project's residents shall be available on an equal, nondiscriminatory basis to residents of all
Units at the Project.
4.6 Maintenance. Developer shall, at all times during the term of this Agreement, cause
the Property and the Project to be maintained in a decent, safe and sanitary manner, regardless of
cause of the disrepair. Owner shall be fully and solely responsible for costs of maintenance, repair,
addition and improvements. City, and any of its employees, agents, contractors or designees shall
have the right to enter upon the Property at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner to inspect
the Project, after providing notice as follows: (i) at least a 24-hour notice to Developer and Tenants
of the Affordable Unit which will be inspected, or (ii) at least 48 hours' notice to Developer, which
shall promptly give notice to Tenants of the Affordable Unit to be inspected.
4.7 Affordable Rental Lease Agreement. Developer shall prepare and obtain City's
approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, of a rental
lease agreement for the Affordable Unit ("Affordable Unit Lease Agreement") for the Affordable
Unit. All Affordable Unit Lease Agreements must 1) identify the names and ages of all members
of the household who will occupy the Affordable Unit; and 2) state that the Household's right to
occupy the Affordable Unit is subject to compliance with the Median Income requirements,
adjusted for family size appropriate to the unit, as periodically published by HCD. All Affordable
Unit Lease Agreements must be consistent with the terms contained in this Density Bonus
Agreement.
4.8 Selection of Tenants.
4.8.1 Developer shall be responsible for the selection of tenants for the Affordable
Units in compliance with lawful and reasonable criteria and the requirements of this Agreement.
4.8.2 Local preference for Santa Ana residents and workers in tenant selection for
the Affordable Units shall be a requirement of the Project. Subject to applicable laws and
regulations governing nondiscrimination and preferences in housing occupancy required by the
State of California, the Developer shall give preference in leasing the Affordable Units to
households that live and/or work in the City of Santa Ana or who have an active Housing Choice
Voucher issued by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Ana or any other Public Housing
Authority.
4.8.3 All applicants will be screened and "lotterized." A waiting list will be
created from a lottery generated from the initial pool of rental applications. The waiting list will
track applicant name and contact information, lottery number (or designated number after the
initial lottery), household income, household size, status of application, and any other information
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deemed necessary. The waiting list will be maintained as an electronic file and available for audit
by the City of Santa Ana in accordance with resident selection procedures as set forth herein.
4.8.4 Prior to the rental or lease of an Affordable Unit to a tenant(s), Developer
shall require the tenant(s) to execute a written lease and to complete a Tenant Income Verification
Form (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B) certifying that the tenant(s)
occupying the Affordable Unit is/are an Eligible Household and otherwise meet(s) the eligibility
requirements established for the Affordable Unit. Developer shall verify the income of the
tenant(s) as set forth herein.
4.9 Income Verification and Certification.
Developer shall make reasonable efforts to verify or cause to be verified that the income
and asset statement provided by an applicant in an income certification is accurate by taking, at a
minimum, at least one of the following steps as a part of the verification process: (1) obtain three
months consecutive pay stubs for the most recent pay period, (2) obtain an income tax return for
the most recent tax year, (3) obtain an income verification form from the applicant's current
employer, (4) obtain an income verification form from the Social Security Administration and/or
the California Department of Social Services if the applicant receives assistance from either of
such agencies, or (5) if the applicant is unemployed and has no such tax return, obtain another
form of independent verification.
4.9.1 Gross Household Income. Gross household income means all income from
whatever source from all adult Household members, which is anticipated to be received during the
12-month period following the date of the determination of Gross Household Income. The
applicable sources of income are defined in California Code of Regulations Title 25 Housing and
Community Development Section 6914.
4.9.2 Annual Recertification. Developer agrees to recertify or cause to be
recertified household eligibility annually. Notification of Annual Tenant Recertification shall be
sent to the household in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. An Annual Rental
Housing Compliance Report ("Annual Compliance Report") shall be sent by Developer to the City
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D for City's review and approval. The Annual
Compliance Report shall be due to the City within thirty (30) days of the anniversary of the
commencement of the Total Affordability Term, which is the date that each building receives all
required occupancy permits from the City.
4.9.3 Continued Income Qualification and Vacated Affordable Units. If the
annual recertification demonstrates that a previously Eligible Household's gross household
income exceeds the allowed Median Income for the Affordable Unit, the Developer will
be considered in compliance with this agreement so long as one of the following pertinent
actions from the following list is taken:
(a) The Developer may offer to rent the unit to the previously, but no longer,
Eligible Household as an Unrestricted Unit without any limitations on rental
rates. In that case, the Developer must then make available for rent to an
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Eligible Household another unit within the Project that meets the size and
location requirements for Affordable Units under this Density Bonus
Agreement. If there are no vacant units meeting those requirements, then the
next available unit within the Project which does meet those requirements must
be rented to an Eligible Household.
(b) If the no longer Eligible Household either moves to another Unrestricted Unit
within the Project or leaves the Project altogether, then the vacated Affordable
Unit, or, at Developer's election, any other Unrestricted Unit within the Project
which meets the size and location requirements for Affordable Units under this
Density Bonus Housing Agreement and has the same number of bedrooms as
the vacated unit, shall be rented as an Affordable Unit to an Eligible Household.
(c) Developer may proceed to terminate the tenancy and pursue any and all
remedies in accordance with law or contract.
4.10 Monitoring and Recordkeeping. Throughout the Term of this Agreement,
Developer shall annually complete or cause to be completed and submit to City the Annual
Compliance Report. Developer agrees to pay a reasonable fee, as set by City resolution, for the
purpose of paying the actual costs associated with the City's obligation to monitor Developer's
compliance with the affordability restrictions contained in this Agreement related to the Affordable
Units, not to exceed monitoring costs for up to one (1) Affordable Units. Representatives of City
shall be entitled to enter the Property if necessary after review of above documentation, upon at
least forty-eight (48) hour notice, to monitor compliance with this Agreement, and shall be entitled
to inspect the records of the Project relating to the Affordable Units and to conduct an independent
audit or inspection of such records at a location within the City that is reasonably acceptable to the
City without a fee from the City. Developer agrees to cooperate with City in making the Property
and the records of the Project relating to the Affordable Unit reasonably available for such
inspection or audit. Developer agrees to maintain or cause for the maintenance of each record of
the Project for no less than five (5) years after creation of each such record.
Developer shall allow the City to conduct annual inspections of the Affordable Unit on the
Property after the date of construction completion, with reasonable notice, which shall be at least
twenty four (24) hours in advance, unless a shorter time is required in an emergency, to Owner of
the Affordable Unit. Developer shall commence to cure or cause the commencement to cure any
defects or deficiencies found by the City while conducting such inspections within ten (10)
Business Days of written notice thereof, or such longer period as is reasonable within the sole
discretion of the City.
4.11 Notice of Affordability Restrictions on Transfer of Property. In the event the
Developer wishes to sell or transfer the Project, during the Total Affordability Term, the City and
the Developer shall execute and deposit into escrow, a Notice of Affordability Restrictions on
Transfer of the Property, to be executed by the City and Developer in a form substantially similar
to Exhibit E, which is attached hereto and must be executed by the parties prior to any transfer of
the Property.
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4.12 [Intentionally Reserved]
4.13 Emergency Evacuation Plan. Developer shall submit and obtain approval of an
Emergency Evacuation Plan (the EEP) from City Police and Fire Protection agencies prior to
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Up-to-date 24-hour emergency contact information for
the on -site personnel shall be provided to the City on an ongoing basis and the approved EEP shall
be kept onsite and also be submitted to the following City Agencies:
(a) Police Department
(b) Fire Department
(c) Planning and Building Agency
(d) Community Development Agency
4.14 Crime Free Housing. Developer shall work with City staff to formalize a crime
free housing policy, procedure, and design plan (the "CFH Plan"), which includes the following
provisions:
a. Requiring parking areas and common interior areas (lobbies, elevators, etc.) to contain
security cameras;
b. Requiring routine unit inspections;
c. Ensuring lobby/other entrance doors are secured and accessed via remote controls, fobs,
etc.; and
d. Have policies in place to ensure that common use areas such as hallways and trash
enclosures are maintained in good condition and repair (e.g., well -lit, kept clean, etc.).
Developer shall submit and obtain approval from the City's Planning and Building Agency
("PBX') that the CFH Plan meets the requirements of this Subsection 4.14 prior to issuance of the
Certificate of Occupancy. The approved CFH Plan shall be implemented and administered by
Developer or its designated property manager.
4.15 Onsite Parking Management Plan. Developer shall provide onsite parking for
residents and visitors of the Project and actively monitor the parking demand of the Project site.
Developer shall continually monitor and take the following measures to manage the parking
demand of the Project site to mitigate the use of offsite parking spaces on private or public
properties and/or right-of-way.
a. Requiring onsite parking permits (such as stickers or hang -tags) for any parking in the
onsite parking spaces for both residents and guests;
b. Policies for maximum time vehicles may be parked in the surface parking spaces,
including any guest parking; and
c. Policies for towing unauthorized vehicles, vehicles parked in unauthorized locations
(such as fire lanes), vehicles parking in surface guest parking without a sticker, hang -tag,
or other identifiers, and vehicles parked longer than any maximum guest parking
timeframes allowed.
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Prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, Developer shall submit and obtain
approval from the PBA a Parking Management Plan (the "PMP") including those measures above.
The approved PMP shall be adhered to and be enforced by the Project at all times.
4.16 Marketing and Resident Selection Plan. Each Affordable Unit shall be leased to
Eligible Households selected by Developer who meet all of the requirements provided herein.
Prior to Certificate of Occupancy, Developer shall prepare and obtain City's approval of a
marketing program and resident selection plan for the leasing of the Affordable Units at the Project
("Marketing Program"). The leasing of the Affordable Units shall thereafter be marketed in
accordance with the Marketing Program as the same may be amended from time to time with
City's prior written approval. Upon request, Developer shall provide City with periodic reports
with respect to the leasing of the Housing Units.
4.16.1 The Marketing Program shall include, but is not limited to, marketing and
community outreach activities, proposed tenant selection criteria, occupancy standards,
income requirements, timeline and details for outreach and marketing, data collection,
record keeping and monitoring, procedures for complaints, and compliance assessment.
Components of the resident selection plan shall include, but are not limited to, the
application process, interview procedure, apartment offer and assignment, rejected
applications, and wait list management. All requirements set forth herein shall be
incorporated in the Marketing Program.
5. [INTENTIONALLY RESERVED]
6. TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT
6.1 Term. The term of this Agreement ("Density Bonus Housing Agreement Term")
shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until the date that is fifty-five (55) years
after the City issues the last certificate of occupancy for the building in which the Affordable Units
are located.
7. DEFAULT AND TERMINATION; INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Default. Failure or delay by any Party to perform any term or provision of this
Agreement, which is not cured within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice from the other Party
specifying the default (or such other period specifically provided herein), constitutes a default
under this Agreement; provided, however, if such default is of the nature requiring more than thirty
(30) days to cure, the defaulting Party shall avoid default hereunder by commencing to cure within
such thirty (30) day period, and thereafter diligently pursuing such cure to completion within an
additional sixty (60) days following the conclusion of such thirty (30) day period (for a total of
ninety (90) days). Except as required to protect against further damages, the injured Party may
not institute proceedings against the Party in default until the time for cure has expired. Failure or
delay in giving such notice shall not constitute a waiver of any default, nor shall it change the time
of default.
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7.2 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies of the Parties are
cumulative, and the exercise by either Party of one or more of its rights or remedies shall not
preclude the exercise by it, at the same or different times, of any other rights or remedies for the
same default or any other default by the other Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, in no event shall either Party be liable for speculative, consequential,
punitive or other indirect damages, and each Party waives any right to collect speculative,
consequential, punitive or other indirect damages against the other Party.
7.3 Indemnification. In addition to any other indemnity specifically provided in this
Agreement, Developer agrees to defend (with counsel of City's choosing and the consent of
Developer, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and which may be
joint defense counsel upon City's and Developer's consent) indemnify and hold harmless City and
its respective officers, officials, agents, employees, representatives, and volunteers (collectively,
"Indemnitees") from and against any loss, liability, claim, or judgment arising from any act or
omission of Developer in connection with its obligations under this Agreement, except to the
extent caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of Indemnitees.
ASSIGNMENT: COVENANTS RUN WITH THE LAND
8.1 Assignment by Developer.
8.1.1 Prohibited Transfers or Assignments. Except as authorized in this Section
or Section 8.1.2 below, Developer shall not sell, transfer, or assign the Property or Project in whole
or in part, or transfer or assign Developer's rights and obligations in this Agreement, in whole or
in part, without City's prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed ("Permitted Transfer"); provided, however, Developer shall have the right
without City's prior written approval to transfer or assign the Property, Project and/or Developer's
rights and obligations in this Agreement to any entity that is controlled by, or is under common
control with, Developer, and Developer shall thereafter be released from any future obligations
under this Agreement. In connection with Permitted Transfer, Developer shall: (i) notify City in
writing of the sale, transfer, or assignment of all or any portion of the Property, and (ii) deliver to
City an assignment and assumption agreement (or other agreement) in a form approved by City in
its reasonable discretion and executed by Developer and its transferee/assignee pursuant to which
Developer's transferee/assignee assumes all of Developer's covenants and obligations set forth
herein with respect to the Property or the portion thereof so transferred. Any request for transfer
or assignment of the Agreement by Developer shall require the payment of fees or a deposit to
compensate the City for approximate expenses incurred by Developer to City, as applicable, for
the City's review of the request. Upon the delivery of the assignment and assumption agreement
as provided for above for a Permitted Transfer, or in the event of a sale of the Property as provided
for in Section 8.1.1, Developer shall be released from any future obligations under this Agreement.
8.1.2 Sale of Property. Owner agrees and declares that the Property and the
Project shall be held, conveyed, mortgaged, encumbered, leased, rented, used, occupied, operated,
sold, and approved subject to all obligations set forth or incorporated in this Agreement, all of
which are for the purpose of enhancing and protecting the value and attractiveness of the Property
and the Project. All of the obligations set forth or incorporated in this Agreement shall constitute
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covenants which run with the land and shall be binding on Owner and its successors and assigns,
and all parties having or acquiring any right, title or interest in, or to any part of the Property or
Project. Owner further understands and agrees that the Density Bonus permit approvals received
for this Project have been made on the condition that Owner and all subsequent owners, or other
successors and assigns of the Property and/or Project lease and rent the Affordable Units in
accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of this Agreement for a
term of 55 consecutive years commencing upon the date that the Project is first occupied.
8.1.3 Subsequent Assi.gnme . As used in this Agreement, the term "Developer"
shall be deemed to include any such transferee or assignee after the date such sale, transfer, or
assignment occurs in compliance with this Agreement.
8.1.4 Unpermitted Assignments Void. Any sale, transfer, or assignment made in
violation of this Agreement shall be null and void, and City shall have the right to pursue any right
or remedy at law or in equity to enforce the provisions of the restriction against unpermitted sales,
transfers, or assignments.
8.2 Covenants Run with the Land. The Property shall be used, occupied and improved
subject to the covenants, conditions, and restrictions set forth herein. The covenants, conditions,
restrictions, reservations, equitable servitudes, liens and charges set forth in this Agreement shall
run with the Property and shall be binding upon Developer and all persons having any right, title
or interest in the Property, or any part thereof, their heirs, and successive owners and assigns, shall
inure to the benefit of City and its successors and assigns, and may be enforced by City and its
successors and assigns. The covenants established in this Agreement shall, without regard to
technical classification and designation, be binding for the benefit and in favor of City and its
successors and assigns, and the parties hereto expressly agree that this Agreement and the
covenants herein shall run in favor of City. City is deemed the beneficiary of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and of the covenants running with the land, for and in its own right
and for the purposes of protecting the interests of the community and other parties, public or
private, in whose favor and for whose benefit this Agreement and the covenants running with the
land have been provided. Developer hereby declares its understanding and intent that the burden
of the covenants set forth herein touch and concern the land and that the Developer's interest in the
Property is rendered less valuable thereby. Developer hereby further declares its understanding
and intent that the agreement provides a public benefit in furtherance of benefit of such covenants
touch and concern the land by enhancing and increasing the enjoyment and use of the Property by
the citizens of City and by furthering the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of City.
9. MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and all of its exhibits and attachments set forth
and contain the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the density bonus
of the Project, and there are no oral or written representations, understandings or ancillary
covenants, undertakings or agreements which are not contained or expressly referred to herein.
No testimony or evidence of any such representations, understandings or covenants shall be
admissible in any proceeding of any kind or nature to interpret or determine the terms or conditions
of this Agreement.
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9.2 Amendment. Any alteration, change or modification of or to this Agreement, in
order to become effective, shall be made in writing and in each instance approved by the City
Council, or through the City Manager as detailed herein, and signed on behalf of each party. The
City Manager shall have the authority to make approvals, issue interpretations, execute documents,
waive provisions, and/or enter into amendments of this Agreement on behalf of City that further
the intent of this Agreement. Any requested alteration, change or modification of the Agreement
by Developer shall require the payment of fees or deposit by Developer to City, as applicable, for
the City's review of the request. Each alteration, change, or modification to this Agreement shall
be recorded against the Property in the Official Records of Orange County, California.
9.3 Notices.
9.3.1 Delivery. As used in this Agreement, "notice" includes, but is not limited
to, the communication of notice, request, demand, approval, statement, report, acceptance,
consent, waiver, appointment or other communication required or permitted hereunder. All notices
shall be in writing and shall be considered given either: (i) when delivered in person to the
recipient named below; or (ii) on the date of delivery shown on the return receipt, after deposit in
the United States mail in a sealed envelope as either registered or certified mail with return receipt
requested, and postage and postal charges prepaid, and addressed to the recipient named below; or
(iii) two (2) days after deposit in the United States mail in a sealed envelope, first class mail and
postage prepaid, and addressed to the recipient named below; or (iv) one (1) day after deposit with
a known and reliable next -day document delivery service (such as Federal Express), charges
prepaid and delivery scheduled next -day to the recipient named below, provided that the sending
party receives a confirmation of delivery from the delivery service provider; or (v) the first
business day following the date of transmittal of any facsimile, provided confirmation of
successful transmittal is retained by the sending Party; or (vi) upon transmission thereof (as
evidenced by the recipient's reply to such notice or other competent evidence of actual receipt) if
transmitted by electronic transmission (email), provided that a copy of such notice is concurrently
sent by first-class mail postage prepaid. All notices shall be addressed as follows:
If to City: City of Santa Ana
Community Development Agency
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-26)
P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, California 92702
Attention: Housing Manager
With a copy to: Office of the City Attorney
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, 7th Floor (M-29)
Santa Ana, California 92702
If to Developer: Unison Real Estate Group, LLC
18952 MacArthur Blvd Suite 210
Irvine, CA 92612
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Attention: Oscar Uranga
9.3.2 Change of Address. Either Party may, by notice given at any time, require
subsequent notices to be given to another person or entity, whether a party or an officer or
representative of a party, or to a different address, or both. Notices given before actual receipt of
notice of change shall not be invalidated by the change.
9.4 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement shall
be determined invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected
thereby to the extent such remaining provisions are not rendered impractical to perform, taking
into consideration the purposes of this Agreement.
9.5 Interpretation and Governing. This Agreement and any dispute hereunder
shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without
regard to conflict of law principles. This Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to
its fair language and common meaning to achieve the objectives and purposes of the Parties hereto,
and the rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting
Party shall not be employed in interpreting this Agreement, all Parties having been represented by
counsel in the negotiation and preparation hereof.
9.6 Section Headings. All section headings and subheadings are inserted for
convenience only and shall not affect any construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
9.7 Singular and Plural. As used herein, the singular of any word includes the plural,
and vice versa, as context so dictates. Masculine, feminine, and neuter forms of any word include
the other as context so dictates.
9.8 Joint and Several Obligations. If at any time during the term of this Agreement the
Property and/or Project is owned, in whole or in part, by more than one Developer, all obligations
of such Developer under this Agreement shall be joint and several, and the default of any such
Developer shall be the default of all such Developers.
9.9 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance of the provisions of
this Agreement as to which time is an element.
9.10 Computation of Days. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement or any Exhibit
attached hereto, use of the term "days" shall mean calendar days. For purposes of this Agreement
and all Exhibits attached hereto, "business days" shall mean every day of the week except
Saturdays, Sundays, official State holidays as recognized in Government Code Section 19853(a)
or successor statute, and any days in which Santa Ana City Hall is closed for business.
9.11 Waiver. Failure by a Party to insist upon the strict performance of any of the
provisions of this Agreement by the other Party, or the failure by a Party to exercise its rights upon
the default of the other Party, shall not constitute a waiver of such Party's right to insist and demand
strict compliance by the other Party with the terms of this Agreement thereafter.
17
9.12 Non -Discrimination. In performing its obligations under this Agreement,
Developer shall not discriminate because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, sexual
orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, or disability, as defined and prohibited by applicable
law, in the recruitment, selection, training, utilization, promotion, termination or other related
activities. Developer affirms that it is an equal opportunity employer and shall comply with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
9.13 Third Party Beneficiaries. No person or entity, other than City and Developer shall
have any right of action based upon any provision of this Agreement.
9.14 Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be deemed to be in default where failure or
delay in performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement is caused by floods,
earthquakes, other Acts of God, fires, pandemics as declared by federal, state, or local emergency
resolution, wars, riots or similar hostilities, strikes and other labor difficulties beyond the Party's
control (including the Party's employment force), court actions (such as restraining orders or
injunctions), or other causes beyond the Party's control, including delays by any governmental
entity (although the City may not benefit from this provision for a delay that results from City's
failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement), or an insurance company of either party.
If any such events shall occur, the term of this Agreement and the time for performance by either
Party of any of its obligations hereunder may be extended by the written agreement of the Parties
for the period of time that such events prevented such performance.
9.15 Mutual Covenants. The covenants contained herein are mutual covenants and also
constitute conditions to the concurrent or subsequent performance by the Party benefited thereby
of the covenants to be performed hereunder by such benefited Party.
9.16 Successors in Interest. The burdens of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and
the benefits of this Agreement shall inure to, all permitted successors in interest to the Parties to
this Agreement. All provisions of this Agreement shall be enforceable as equitable servitudes and
constitute covenants running with the land. Each covenant to do or refrain from doing some act
hereunder with regard to development of the Property: (a) is for the benefit of and is a burden upon
every portion of the Property; (b) runs with the Property and each portion thereof; and (c) is binding
upon each Party and each successor in interest approved pursuant to this Agreement during
ownership of the Property or any portion thereof.
9.17 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in counterparts,
which counterparts shall be construed together and have the same effect as if all of the Parties had
executed the same instrument.
9.18 Jurisdiction and Venue. Any action at law or in equity under this Agreement or
brought by a Party hereto for the purpose of enforcing, construing or determining the validity of
any provision of this Agreement shall be filed and tried in the Superior Court of the County of
Orange, State of California, and the Parties hereto waive all provisions of law providing for the
filing, removal or change of venue to any other court.
IN
9.19 Project as a Private Undertaking. It is specifically understood and agreed by and
between the Parties hereto that the development of the Project is a private development, that neither
Party is acting as the agent of the other in any respect hereunder, and that each Party is an
independent contracting entity with respect to the terms, covenants and conditions contained in
this Agreement. No partnership, joint venture or other association of any kind is formed by this
Agreement. The only relationship between City and Developer is that of a government entity
regulating the development of private property and the Developer of such property.
9.20 Further Actions and Instruments. Each of the Parties shall cooperate with and
provide reasonable assistance to the other to the extent contemplated hereunder in the performance
of all obligations under this Agreement and in the satisfaction of the Project and conditions of this
Agreement. Upon the request of either Party at any time, the other Party shall promptly execute,
with acknowledgment or affidavit if reasonably required, and file or record such required
instruments and writings and take any actions as may be reasonably necessary under the terms of
this Agreement to carry out the intent and to fulfill the provisions of this Agreement or the Project
or to evidence or consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. City hereby
authorizes City Manager to take such other actions and negotiate and execute any additional
agreements or amendments to this agreement as may be reasonably necessary or proper to fulfill
the City's obligations under this Agreement. The City Manager may delegate her or his powers
and duties under this Agreement to an authorized management level employee of the City.
9.21 Estoppel Certificate. Within ten (10) business days following a written request by
any of the Parties, the other Party shall execute and deliver to the requesting Party a statement
certifying that (i) either this Agreement is unmodified and in full force and effect or there have
been specified (date and nature) modifications to the Agreement, but it remains in full force and
effect as modified; and (ii) either there are no known current uncured defaults under this
Agreement or that the responding Party alleges that specified (date and nature) defaults exist. The
statement shall also provide any other reasonable information requested. The failure to timely
deliver this statement shall constitute a conclusive presumption that this Agreement is in full force
and effect without modification, except as may be represented by the requesting Party, and that
there are no uncured defaults in the performance of the requesting Party, except as may be
represented by the requesting Party.
9.22 No Subordination. City's approval of the necessary land use entitlements that
authorize Developer to develop, operate, and maintain the Project was based upon Developer's
obligation to provide the Affordable Units pursuant to the State Density Bonus Law, City Density
Bonus for Affordable Housing, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. For the Term of
the Density Bonus Housing Agreement, this Agreement shall have priority over any and all
mortgages, deeds of trust, and other similar forms of secured financing recorded against the
Property or anyportion thereof. Developer expressly understands and acknowledges that state law
requires preservation of affordability covenants in connection with the approval of this density
bonus project.
9.23 Attorneys' Fees and Costs. If either Party to this Agreement commences an action
against the other Party to this Agreement arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the
19
prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees, expert witness fees, costs
of investigation, and costs of suit from the losing Party.
9.24 Authority to Execute. The person or persons executing this Agreement on behalf
of each Party warrants and represents that he or she/they have the authority to execute this
Agreement on behalf of his or her/their corporation, partnership or business entity and warrants
and represents that he or she/they has/have the authority to bind the Party to the performance of its
obligations hereunder.
{Signatures on following page)
20
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Density Bonus Housing
Agreement to be executed on the date set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.
ATTEST:
Jennifer L. Hall
Clerk of the Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Sonia R. Carvalho
City Attorney
in
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL:
Michael Garcia
Executive Director
Community Development Agency
CITY OF SANTA ANA
Kristine Ridge
City Manager
UNISON REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC
Oscar Uranga
21
EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY
REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, COUNTY OF ORANGE, STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
LOTS 3 AND 4 IN BLOCK "A" OF "SANTA ANA INVESTMENT COMPANY TRACT NO. 1
HUMPHREY'S ADDITION TO SANTA ANA", IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, COUNTY OF
ORANGE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 11, PAGE 39 OF
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
APN: 398-385-02
22
EXHIBIT B
TENANT VERIFICATION
23
EXHIBIT C
ANNUAL TENANT RECERTIFICATION
24
EXHIBIT D
ANNUAL RENTAL HOUSING COMPLIANCE REPORT
25
EXHIBIT E
NOTICE OF AFFORDABILITY RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
26
1. DENSITY BONUS AGREEMENT NO. 2023-01 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 1212 EAST FOURTH STREET LOCATED WITHIN THE CORRIDOR (CDR)
DISTRICT OF THE TRANSIT ZONING CODE/SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT NO. 84
(SD84).
Project Applicant: Oscar Uranga with Unison Real Estate Group, LLC (Applicant
and Property Owner)
Proposed Project: Applicant is proposing to construct a 15-unit rental residential
development, with one unit proposed as affordable to very -low income households.
In order to facilitate the construction of the project, the applicant is requesting
approval of Density Bonus Agreement (DBA) No. 2023-01 to utilize waivers from
development standards and/or development concessions as permitted pursuant to
California Government Code sections 65915 through 65918 as implemented by the
Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) Sections 41-1600 through 41-1607.
Environmental Impact: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the project is exempt from further review.
Categorical Exemption, Environmental Review (ER) No. 2022-04 will be filed for this
project.
Recommended Action:
• Adopt a resolution approving Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01 as
conditioned.
Planning and Building Agency
Item # 1
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Planning Commission Staff Report
August 28, 2023
Topic: Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01 — 4t" and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution approving Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01 as conditioned.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Oscar Uranga (applicant), on behalf of Unison Real Estate Group, LLC (property owner), is
requesting approval of density bonus agreement (DBA) No. 2023-01 to allow the
construction of a rental residential development consisting of fifteen apartment units, with
one unit proposed as affordable to very -low income households earning less than 30-50
percent of the area median income (AMI), on a vacant site located at 1212 E. Fourth Street.
As proposed, the project will utilize waivers from development standards and/or
development concessions through the density bonus agreement pursuant to California
Government Code sections 65915 through 65918 and Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC)
Section 41-1600 through 41-1607. Moreover, the project requires approval by the Planning
Commission and City Council for a density bonus to allow up to 52.26 dwelling units per
acre (du/ac). The request satisfies the purpose and intent of the Transit Zoning Code (TZC)
to promote a pedestrian -oriented environment with a mix of land uses and to provide
additional affordable housing stock to an underserved segment of the region's population.
As a result, staff recommends approval of the DBA.
DISCUSSION
Table 1: Project and Location Information
Item
Information
Project Address and Council Ward
1212 E. Fourth Street — Ward 6
Nearest Intersection
East Fourth Street and North Grand Avenue
General Plan Designation
Urban Neighborhood -Medium UN-40
Zoning Designation
Corridor (CDR) district within the Transit Zoning Code (SD-
84
Surrounding Land Uses
North
Commercial
East
Vacant
South
Single-family residential
DBA No. 2023-01— 4th and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
August 28, 2023
Page 2
West I Commercial
Property Size
0.287-acres 12,500 square feet
Existing Site Development
The site is currently vacant and unimproved.
Multi -Family Residential (permitted under Corridor district
Use Permissions
within the Transit Zoning Code
Article XVI.I (Density Bonus); CDR,
Uses
Table 2A — Use Standards
Zoning Code Sections Affected
Development
CDR, Section 41-2013; Section 41-2020;
Standards
Section 41-2024
Project Description
The project includes the construction of a new four-story residential building with
flats/apartments consisting of fifteen apartment units, 591 square feet of open space,
seventeen parking spaces, and onsite bicycle storage. The residential development will
include six studio units, five one -bedroom plus office units, one one -bedroom unit, and
three two -bedroom units. Each of the fifteen units will contain full kitchens, bedrooms,
bathrooms, and open/common (living) areas, and nine would include private decks. Of the
total units in the development, one unit is proposed to be affordable to households earning
less than 30-50 percent of the area median income (AMI), which is currently set at $71,750,
adjusted for a four -person household size, as published by California Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD).
The project features a contemporary architectural style similar to many multiple -family or
mixed -use residential communities under construction in Santa Ana and the region. The
overall design, massing, features, and materials of the new construction will be
compatible with, but differentiated from the existing neighborhood. The contemporary
architectural style would include cement board shiplap siding, brick veneer, stucco finishes,
vinyl frame windows, metal railings for proposed decks, metal awnings, and high quality
architectural detailing. The project would also incorporate a series of art murals along the
east and west elevations. Moreover, the structure is designed to fully screen all mechanical
equipment within the structure and parapet walls. Overall, the project will include a design
and solid construction materials that will ensure that the project ages well for the duration of
the building's lifetime.
Density Bonus
The California Density Bonus law allows developers proposing five or more residential units
to seek increases in base density for providing on -site housing units in exchange for
providing affordable units on site. To help make constructing on -site affordable units
feasible, the law allows developers to seek up to three incentives/concessions and an
unlimited number of waivers that facilitate production of units, which are essentially
variances from development standards that would help the project be built without significant
burden and without detriment to public health. The first version of the Density Bonus Law
was adopted in 1979 and has since been amended at various times. In early 2017, the law
DBA No. 2023-01— 41" and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
August 28, 2023
Page 3
was amended to restrict the ability of local jurisdictions to require studies to "justify" the
density bonus and requested incentives/waivers and places the onus on local jurisdictions
to prove that the incentives/concessions or waivers are not financially warranted.
Pursuant to the California Density Bonus law, a project's affordability level is determined by
dividing the number of proposed affordable units by the allowable "base" density (i.e., 40
du/ac). Moreover, the State density bonus law states that units added by a density bonus
are excluded from the calculations. As outlined by Table 2 below, the base density for the
0.287-acre site at 40 du/ac is 12 units. Of the total units in the development, one units is
proposed to be affordable. Therefore, the project would have an eight -percent affordability
rate. As such, State density bonus law allows the developer to request a maximum density
bonus of 27.5 percent.
Due to the project's eight -percent affordability rate, the developer can seek one density
bonus concession and unlimited waivers, pursuant to Section 65915 et al. of the California
Government Code (Density Bonuses and Other Incentives). In addition, California Assembly
Bill No. 2345, approved September 28, 2020, revised the State Density Bonus Law originally
adopted in 1979 to provide additional benefits for projects that include qualifying affordable
housing. Pursuant to Section 65915 et al. of the California Government Code, the developer
is requesting a 27.5-percent density bonus. As such, the maximum unit yield for the 0.287-
acre site using the most "intense" building type allowed in CDR and the State density bonus
is 16 units, as outlined in Table 2. However, the applicant is proposing to develop fifteen
units on the site.
Table 2: Density Bonus Calculation
Affordable Unit — 8% 1 unit)*
Density Bonus Calculation
Units Allowed
Base Density - Flex Block Housing type (most
0.287 acres x 40 du/ac
12 Units**
"intense" t e allowed in CDR
27.5-Percent State Density Bonus
12 units x 0.275
+4 Units**
Total Units
16 Units
Proposed Units
15 Units
*Affordable unit percentage is calculated excluding units added by a density bonus.
**AB 2501 states that any density calculations resulting units shall be rounded up to the next whole
number. Applies to: Number of affordable units required to be eligible for the density bonus; Base
density i.e. the number of affordable units in the base project); and Eligible bonus units.
The purpose of the State's Density Bonus Law is to encourage the development and
availability of affordable housing by requiring the inclusion of affordable housing units within
new developments. Pursuant to California Government Code sections 65915 (d)(1) and
65915 (e)(1), a local jurisdiction is limited in its ability to deny requested concessions and
waivers and is preempted from denying the Density Bonus Agreement application. Although
the City has analyzed the project and has identified several areas of concern, the conditions
of approval proposed for the project are intended to address any of the project's potential
impacts. Table 3 outlines the incentives/concessions and waivers requested by the
applicant.
DBA No. 2023-01— 4th and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
August 28, 2023
Page 4
Table 3: Requested Incentives/Concessions
TZC Standard
Requirement
Provided
• No ground floor retail or service
• Multi -family dwellings permitted
uses provided for this project.
only on second or upper floors, or
9 Multi -family dwelling proposed on
Mixed -Use
behind retail or service ground
the ground floor, street facing (not
Requirement
floor use.
behind retail or service ground
floor use) — Requires
TZC, Table 2A. Use Standards
Concession (1 of 1), Cal. Gov't
Code Sec. 65915 d 1
• Maximum height in Corridor
The project proposes a building height
Maximum Height
(CDR) land use district is three
of four stories (58 feet and 9 inches) —
stories
Requires Waiver, Cal. Gov't Code
Section 41-2013 - Table CDR-1
Sec. 65915 (e)(1)
Building Size and
Massing
The second through fourth floor can
The second through fourth floor
Standards —
only be 85-percent of the ground floor
exceed the allowable ratio and are
ercent of the ground floor's
Maximum Ratio
volume/gross floor area (cannot
volume
volume (proposed 3,811 square feet).
v
for each Flex
exceed 3,309 square feet).
— Requires Waiver, Cal. Gov't Code
Block story
Section 41-2022 (i)(5) - Table BT-4
Sec. 65915 (e)(1)
• Common open space to be
No common open space in the
designed as a courtyard, or in the
form of a courtyard, or in the front
front as a forecourt —
as a forecourt, is provided
• required to be 15-percent of the lot
• 433 square feet of common
(1,875 square feet required).
interior space provided in the form
Open Space
0 Private open space required for
of lobby space (approximately 3.5-
percent of lot)
Standards
each residential unit, not less than
0 591 square feet of private open
50 square feet with a minimum of
space will be provided in the form
6 feet in each direction (700
of private decks for nine (9) Units.
square feet of private open space
— Requires Concession (1 of 1),
required).
Section 41-2022 (1)
Cal. Gov't Code Sec. 65915
(d)(1)
• All setbacks, yards, and shared
common open spaces are
required to be landscaped.
• A landscape buffer of 2 feet is
• A landscape buffer of not less
proposed along the western
than five feet required to be
property lines, 3 feet less than
Landscaping
provided to separate parking lot
required
Standards
from an adjacent property
0 Partial and diamond -shaped tree
• Surface parking lots required to be
planters are provided in the
landscaped per City's commercial
surface parking lot — Requires
area standards, which require full-
Waiver, Cal. Gov't Code Sec.
size landscape planters for every
65915 (e)(1)
ten parking spaces.
Section 41-2020 6
DBA No. 2023-01— 41" and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
August 28, 2023
Page 5
Onsite Parking
In addition, the site is parked in compliance with California Government Code 65915
(p)(1)(A) and 65915 (p)(1)(B) and provides 17 total surface parking spaces or 1.1 spaces
per unit. The California Density Bonus Law allows a parking ratio of one (1) stall for studio
or one -bedroom units, and one and one-half (1.5) stalls for two -bedroom units, inclusive
of handicapped and guest parking.
Analysis of the Issues
Pursuant to Section 41-1607 of the SAMC, an application for a density bonus agreement is
required to be approved by the Planning Commission for any project containing "deviations"
(incentives/concessions and/or waivers). The Planning Commission's review of the density
bonus agreement is based on the following findings:
1. The proposed development will materially assist in accomplishing the goal of
providing affordable housing opportunities in economically balanced communities
throughout the city.
2. The development will not be inconsistent with the purpose of the underlying zone
or applicable designation in the general plan land use element.
3. The deviation is necessary to make it economically feasible for the applicant to
utilize a density bonus authorized for the development pursuant to section 41-
1603.
Because the project does not exceed four stories in height, the project does not require a
Site Plan Review Application pursuant to Table 2A (Use Standards) as part of the Transit
Zoning Code (TZC). Accordingly, the Planning Commission's review and determination for
this request are limited to the provisions of the Density Bonus Agreement application only.
Table 4: Analysis of the Requested Incentives/Concessions (1) and Waivers (4)
Standard
Analysis
Mixed -Use Requirement
Table 2A (Use Standards) in the Transit Zoning Code (TZC) states that multi-
family dwellings are a permitted use in the Corridor (CDR) district, but only
on second or upper floors, or behind retail or service ground floor use.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65915 (k)(1), a concession may be
sought by the applicant not only to modify or eliminate a development
standard but also to modify "zoning code requirements." In this case, the
requirement for ground floor commercial is a zoning code requirement. Strict
adherence to this requirement would result in a reduction in the number of
units that can be provided in the overall project, thus not achieving the full
27.5-percent density bonus to which the applicant is entitled. Moreover, the
ground floor commercial requirement is subordinate in function to the primary
zoning classification of Multi -Family Dwellings within the CDR district. Lastly,
DBA No. 2023-01— 4th and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
August 28, 2023
Page 6
Standard
Analysis
adherence to ground floor commercial requirement would be economically
infeasible, as it would require adding and additional story to the building to
meet the ground floor commercial requirement and to still provide the number
of units that the applicant is entitled to under State law.
Maximum Height
The maximum height permitted in the CDR district of the TZC is three stories.
As proposed, the maximum height of the new structure would be four stories
(58-feet, nine -inches). However, only the stairwell and elevator penthouse
will be at the maximum height, the rest of the four-story structure would be
51-feet, nine -inches in height.
The proposed fourth story is required to accommodate the number of units
permissible under the Density Bonus Law. The gross site area and existing
site conditions severely restrict the applicant from providing a site plan that
could accommodate the proposed number of units with a three story building
type. With the current maximum height restriction, the applicant could
propose underground parking to take advantage of the limited gross site
area. However, this would result in a project that is financially infeasible.
Strict adherence to the maximum height requirement would result in a loss
of four residential units, would physically preclude construction of the project,
and would preclude the construction of the affordable unit to be dedicated to
very -low income occupants. This would also make the project infeasible and
would not allow the applicant to achieve the full 27.5-percent density bonus
to which the applicant is entitled under State law.
Building Size and
Pursuant to Section 41-2022 of the TZC, the residential building is designed
Massing Standards —
as Flex Block Building Type. The building type establishes a maximum ratio
Maximum Ratio for each
for each flex block story/level. Specifically, the second through fourth floor
Flex Block story
can only be 85-percent of the ground floor volume/gross floor area. As
designed, the second through fourth floor cannot exceed 3,309 square feet.
The second through fourth floor of the proposed building exceed the
allowable ratio and are 97.9-percent of the ground floor's volume. The
second through fourth floor are proposed to be 3,811 square feet, exceeding
the maximum allowable by 502 square feet. The proposed site has a smaller
than average lot depth and lot width, compared to most lots in the downtown
area. Lots in Downtown area range in lot depth and width but are on average
250 feet by 250 feet. The subject site is approximately 100 feet by 125 feet.
Without the increase in the allowable building size and massing standards,
the project would need to be redesigned, resulting in several impacts to the
feasibility of the site's development. These impacts would include a loss
parking spaces; an incompatible design and unbalanced composition of
massing the project site; and a smaller building footprint that would reduce
the building's interior floor area and individual unit sizes and result in a loss
of units.
In order to provide the required building size and massing standards, the
developer would be required to construct an additional level, resulting in a
different type of construction (steel -frame versus wood), or build
underground parking, further increasing development costs and making the
project infeasible.
DBA No. 2023-01— 4th and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
August 28, 2023
Page 7
Standard
Analysis
Open Space Standards
Pursuant to Section 41-2022 of the TZC, the residential building is designed
as Flex Block Building Type. This building type requires common open space
to be designed as a courtyard or in the front as a forecourt, have it open to
the sky, and to be equal to 15-percent of the lot. Moreover, private open
space is required to be provided for each residential unit, no less than 50
square feet with a minimum dimension of six feet in each direction. The total
common open space required is 1,875 square feet and the total private open
space required is 750 square feet.
As proposed, the project provides 433 square feet of common interior space,
provided in the form of lobby space (approximately 3.5-percent of lot) to be
furnished (e.g., coffee tables, chairs, lounge tables, etc.), where feasible. The
project also provides 591 square feet of private open space, in the form of
private decks for nine units. The gross site area and existing site conditions
severely restrict the ability for the project to accommodate any common open
space, and restrict the ability to provide the fully required private open space.
Providing the required common open space standard would lead to the
elimination of three or more units, which would affect the feasibility to
construct the project. In order to maintain the current proposed unit count,
the developer would be required to construct additional floor levels or
required to provide underground parking, which would further increase
development costs and make the project financially infeasible. To help
alleviate the common open space deficiency, the project proposes an
average of 40 square feet of private open space per unit, through use of
rivate balconies/decks.
Landscaping Standards
Pursuant to Section 41-2020 of the TZC, all setbacks, yards, and shared
common open spaces are required to be landscaped. In addition, a
landscape buffer of not less than five feet is required to be provided to
separate parking lot from an adjacent properties and the surface parking lot
is required to be landscaped per City's commercial area standards.
As designed, the project provides a landscape buffer of two feet proposed
along the western property lines, three feet less than required. In addition,
the project does not provide the required landscape planters in the surface
parking lot. Due to site constraints, smaller than average lot size, and
parking and landscaping requirements, the required landscape buffer and
landscape planters cannot be accommodated. Maintaining the required
landscape standards would result in a site redesign, reducing the number
of parking stall, the drive aisle width, the ability of trash trucks to service the
site, and ultimately lead to the loss of bedroom units, resulting in the project
becoming infeasible. In order to provide the required landscaping and
maintain the current proposed unit count, the developer would be required
to construct an additional level, resulting in a different type of construction
(steel -frame versus wood), or build underground parking, further increasing
development costs.
When analyzed cumulatively, the requested concessions and waivers could be avoided if
the project were designed on a different site or using a different site plan. If the project were
designed with a multi -level parking and/or subterranean parking structure, or if the applicant
used different building materials to construct a taller project, additional area on site would
become available to provide the ground floor commercial, minimum required open space,
DBA No. 2023-01— 41" and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
August 28, 2023
Page 8
landscaping, and the required building size and massing. However, these changes would
increase development costs, resulting in the housing project becoming financially infeasible
due to the significantly increased financial implications of an alternative construction type
compared to the relatively smaller scale of the project. In addition, these changes would
reduce the number of units that could be constructed on the site and therefore eliminate the
affordable housing unit that would result from the project.
In addition, the changes would increase development costs and reduce the financial
feasibility of redeveloping the site, resulting in the affordable housing project becoming
financially infeasible due to the significantly increased financial implications. Lastly, the
proposed deviations are necessary to make the project economically feasible for the
applicant to utilize a density bonus authorized for the development pursuant to Section 41-
1603 of the SAMC.
Public Notification and Community Outreach
Project notifications were posted, published, and mailed in accordance with City and State
regulations. Copies of the public notice, including a 1,000-foot notification radius map,
and the site posting are provided in Exhibit 11. In addition, staff contacted the provided
contacts for the Saddleback View Neighborhood Association to ensure they were aware
of the project and public hearing. At the time this report was printed, no issues of concern
were raised regarding the proposed development.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared and certified in 2010 in orderto address
the potential environmental impacts associated with the Transit Zoning Code. A mitigation
monitoring and reporting program (MMRP), findings of fact, and a statement of overriding
consideration were adopted with the 2010 EIR.
As proposed, the development is not anticipated to have additional environmental impacts
not addressed in the 2010 EIR. Therefore, no additional environmental review will be
required. Based on this analysis, a Notice of Exemption, Environmental Review No. 2022-
04 will be filed for this project. However, all applicable mitigation measures in the original
EIR and associated MMRP will be enforced. The 2010 TZC EIR and MMRP have been
provided as Exhibit 10 for reference.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution Approving DBA No. 2023-01 as conditioned
2. Vicinity Zoning and Aerial View
3. Site Photos
4. Site Plan
DBA No. 2023-01— 41" and Grand (1212 E. Fourth Street)
August 28, 2023
Page 9
5. Unit Floor Plans
6. Building Elevations
7. Building Perspectives
8. Preliminary Landscape Plans
9. Draft Density Bonus Agreement
10. 2010 Transit Zoning Code EIR
11. Copy of Public Notice
Submitted By:
Pedro Gomez, AICP Senior Planner
Approved By:
Minh Thai, Executive Director, Planning and Building Agency
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING DENSITY BONUS
AGREEMENT NO. 2023-01 AS CONDITIONED FOR A NEW
RENTAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH FIFTEEN
UNITS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1212 E.
FOURTH STREET (APN: 398-385-02)
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA
ANA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds,
determines and declares as follows:
A. Oscar Uranga (applicant), on behalf of Unison Real Estate Group, LLC
(property owner), is requesting approval of density bonus agreement (DBA)
No. 2023-01 to allow the construction of a rental residential development,
consisting of fifteen apartment units with one unit proposed as affordable
to very -low income households earning less than 50 percent of the area
median income (AMI) for the property located at 1212 E. Fourth Street.
B. The Transit Zoning Code was adopted in 2010 to provide the zoning
necessary to support the long-term development of a successful transit
program. The regulating plan, which establishes land uses and
development standards, allows a variety of housing and commercial
projects, including affordable residential communities, live/work units,
service and retail, and professional offices.
C. The California Density Bonus law allows developers to seek increases in base
density for providing on -site housing units in exchange for providing affordable
units on site. To help make constructing on -site affordable units feasible, the
law allows developers to seek incentives/concessions or waivers that would
help the project be built without significant burden and without detriment to
public health.
D. The Applicant's request has been thoroughly evaluated by the City's
Development Review Committee (DRC) through Development Project No.
2021-33. Through this review, the DRC has considered the subject site,
proposed development, and the applicant's requests for
incentives/concessions and waivers pursuant to the State's Density Bonus
Law.
E. Section 41-1607 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) requires an
application for a density bonus agreement containing deviations
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 1 of 12
(incentives/concessions and/or waivers) to be approved by the Planning
Commission.
F. On August 28, 2023, the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana
held a duly noticed public hearing and at that time considered all testimony,
written and oral.
G. The Planning Commission determines that the following findings, which
must be established in order to grant this Density Bonus Agreement
application pursuant to SAMC Section 41-1607, have been established for
Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01 to allow construction of the
proposed project:
1. That the proposed development will materially assist in
accomplishing the goal of providing affordable housing opportunities
in economically balanced communities throughout the city.
The proposed development will provide fifteen residential
rental units, including one unit for very -low income
households, contributing toward the City's rental housing
stock to serve the needs of diverse and underserved
populations. The area in which the project is proposed, the
Transit Zoning Code, currently contains a mix of uses,
including single-family residential, medium and medium -high
density apartments, townhomes, and neighborhood- serving
commercial. The construction of this project will contribute
toward an economically balanced community by providing
housing for different demographic and income levels in an
area rich with employment opportunities, commercial
development, and market -rate housing.
2. That the development will not be inconsistent with the purpose of the
underlying zone or applicable designation in the general plan land
use element.
The project site is in an area already identified in both the City's
Zoning Code (the Transit Zoning Code) and General Plan (the
Land Use and Housing elements) for new residential
communities. Moreover, the City's General Plan land use
designation for the project site is Urban Neighborhood -Medium
(UN-40), which allows for the development of semi -urban
villages that are well connected to schools, parks, and shopping
centers. These areas are accessible by multiple modes of
transportation, have lively and pedestrian -friendly streetscapes,
and are designed to foster community interaction.
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 2 of 12
This designation allows a mix of uses, including medium and
medium -high density apartments, townhomes, garden- or
motor -court homes, and neighborhood- serving commercial.
Mixed -use projects are allowed in both horizontal configuration,
with commercial and residential uses side -by -side, and vertical,
with commercial uses on the ground floor and residential above.
Lastly, the proposed density of 52.26 dwelling units per acre
(du/ac) is below the density bonus provisions in the California
Density Bonus Law for an eight -percent affordability rate for one
very -low income unit (27.5-percent State Density Bonus) which
allows for 55.7 du/ac on the project site.
3. That the deviation is necessary to make it economically feasible for
the Applicant to utilize a density bonus authorized for the
development pursuant to section 41-1603.
The proposed project requires one deviation through
incentives/concessions: Mixed -use requirement; as well as
four deviations through a waiver in (1) maximum building
height; (2) building size and massing standards; (3) open
space standards; and (4) landscape standards. The five
deviations are described as follows:
Mixed -use Requirement (Incentive/Concession)
Table 2A (Use Standards) in the Transit Zoning Code (TZC)
states that multi -family dwellings are a permitted use in the
Corridor (CDR) district, but only on second or upper floors, or
behind retail or service ground floor use.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65915 (k)(1), a
concession may be sought by the applicant not only to modify
or eliminate a development standard but also to modify
"zoning code requirements." In this case, the requirement for
ground floor commercial is a zoning code requirement. Strict
adherence to this requirement would result in a reduction in
the number of units that can be provided in the overall project,
thus not achieving the full 27.5-percent density bonus to which
the applicant is entitled. Moreover, the ground floor
commercial requirement is subordinate in function to the
primary zoning classification of Multi -Family Dwellings within
the CDR district. Lastly, adherence to ground floor
commercial requirement would be economically infeasible, as
it would require adding another story to the building to meet
the ground floor commercial requirement and to still provide
the number of units that the applicant is entitled to under State
law.
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 3 of 12
Maximum Height (Waiver)
The maximum height permitted in the CDR district of the TZC
is three stories. As proposed, the maximum height of the new
structure would be four stories (58-feet, nine -inches).
However, only the stairwell and elevator penthouse will be at
the maximum height, and the rest of the four-story structure
would be 51-feet, nine -inches in height.
The proposed fourth story is needed to make construction of
the residential development financially feasible. The gross site
area and existing site conditions severely restrict the applicant
from providing a site plan that could accommodate the
proposed number of units with a three story building type. With
the current maximum height restriction, the applicant could
propose underground parking to take advantage of the limited
gross site area. However, this would result in a project that is
financially infeasible. Strict adherence to the maximum height
requirement would result in a loss of four residential units,
would physically preclude construction of the project, and
would preclude the construction of the affordable unit to be
dedicated to very -low income occupants. This would also
make the project infeasible and would not allow the applicant
to achieve the full 27.5-percent density bonus to which the
applicant is entitled under State law.
Building Size and Massing Standards — Maximum Ratio for
each Flex Block story (Waiver)
Pursuant to Section 41-2022 of the TZC, the residential
building is designed as Flex Block Building Type. The building
type establishes a maximum ratio for each flex block
story/level. Specifically, the second through fourth floor can
only be 85-percent of the ground floor volume/gross floor
area. As designed, the second through fourth floor cannot
exceed 3,309 square feet.
The second through fourth floor of the proposed building
exceed the allowable ratio and are 97.9-percent of the ground
floor's volume. The second through fourth floor are proposed
to be 3,811 square feet, exceeding the maximum allowable by
502 square feet. The proposed site has a smaller than
average lot depth and lot width, compared to most lots in the
downtown area. Lots in the downtown area range in lot depth
and width but are on average 250 feet by 250 feet. The subject
site is approximately 100 feet by 125 feet. Without the
increase in the allowable building size and massing
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 4 of 12
standards, the project would need to be redesigned, resulting
in several impacts to the feasibility of the site's development.
These impacts would include a loss parking spaces; an
incompatible design and unbalanced composition of massing
the project site; and a smaller building footprint that would
reduce the building's interior floor area and individual unit
sizes and result in a loss of units.
In order to provide the required building size and massing
standards, the developer would be required to construct an
additional level, resulting in a different type of construction
(steel -frame versus wood), or build underground parking,
further increasing development costs and making the project
infeasible.
Open Space Standards (Waiver)
Pursuant to Section 41-2022 of the TZC, the residential
building is designed as Flex Block Building Type. This building
type requires common open space to be designed as a
courtyard or in the front as a forecourt, have it open to the sky,
and to be equal to 15-percent of the lot. Moreover, private
open space is required to be provided for each residential unit,
no less than 50 square feet with a minimum dimension of six
feet in each direction. The total common open space required
is 1,875 square feet and the total private open space required
is 750 square feet.
As proposed, the project provides 433 square feet of common
interior space, provided in the form of lobby space
(approximately 3.5-percent of lot) to be furnished (e.g., coffee
tables, chairs, lounge tables, etc.), where feasible. The project
also provides 591 square feet of private open space, in the
form of private decks for nine units. The gross site area and
existing site conditions severely restrict the ability for the
project to accommodate any common open space, and
restrict the ability to provide the fully required private open
space. Providing the required common open space standard
would lead to the elimination of three or more units, which
would affect the feasibility to construct the project. In order to
maintain the current proposed unit count, the developer would
be required to construct additional floor levels or required to
provide underground parking, which would further increase
development costs and make the project financially infeasible.
To help alleviate the common open space deficiency, the
project proposes an average of 40 square feet of private open
space per unit, through use of private balconies/decks.
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 5 of 12
Landscape Standards (Waiver)
Pursuant to Section 41-2020 of the TZC, all setbacks, yards,
and shared common open spaces are required to be
landscaped. In addition, a landscape buffer of not less than
five feet is required to be provided to separate parking lot from
an adjacent properties and the surface parking lot is required
to be landscaped per City's commercial area standards.
As designed, the project provides a landscape buffer of two
feet proposed along the western property lines, three feet less
than required. In addition, the project does not provide the
required full-size landscape planters in the surface parking lot
and instead provides partial and diamond -shaped planters.
Due to site constraints, smaller than average lot size, and
parking and landscaping requirements, the required
landscape buffer and landscape planters cannot be
accommodated. Maintaining the required landscape
standards would result in a site redesign, reducing the number
of parking stall, the drive aisle width, the ability of trash trucks
to service the site, and ultimately lead to the loss of bedroom
units, resulting in the project becoming infeasible. In order to
provide the required landscaping and maintain the current
proposed unit count, the developer would be required to
construct an additional level, resulting in a different type of
construction (steel -frame versus wood), or build underground
parking, further increasing development costs.
Section 2. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
and the CEQA Guidelines, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared and
certified in 2010 in order to address the potential environmental impacts associated with
the Transit Zoning Code. A mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP), findings
of fact, and a statement of overriding consideration were adopted with the 2010 EIR. As
proposed, the development is not anticipated to have additional environmental impacts
not addressed in the 2010 EIR. Therefore, no additional environmental review will be
required. Based on this analysis, a Notice of Exemption, Environmental Review No. 2022-
04 will be filed for this project. All applicable mitigation measures in the original EIR and
associated MMRP will be enforced.
Section 3. The Applicant shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold the City
and/or any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, authorized
volunteers, and instrumentalities thereof, harmless from any and all claims, demands,
lawsuits, writs of mandamus, referendum, and other proceedings (whether legal,
equitable, declaratory, administrative or adjudicatory in nature), and alternative dispute
resolution procedures (including, but not limited to arbitrations, mediations, and such
other procedures), judgments, orders, and decisions (collectively "Actions"), brought
against the City and/or any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments,
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 6 of 12
agencies, and instrumentalities thereof, that challenge, attack, or seek to modify, set
aside, void, or annul, any action of, or any permit or approval issued by the City and/or
any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities thereof (including actions approved by the voters of the City) for or
concerning the project, whether such Actions are brought under the Ralph M. Brown Act,
California Environmental Quality Act, the Planning and Zoning Law, the Subdivision Map
Act, Code of Civil Procedure sections 1085 or 1094.5, or any other federal, state or local
constitution, statute, law, ordinance, charter, rule, regulation, or any decision of a court of
competent jurisdiction. It is expressly agreed that the City shall have the right to approve
the legal counsel providing the City's defense, and that Applicant shall reimburse the City
for any costs and expenses directly and necessarily incurred by the City in the course of
the defense. City shall promptly notify the Applicant of any Action brought and City shall
cooperate with Applicant in the defense of the Action.
Section 4. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana, after conducting the
public hearing, hereby approves Density Bonus Agreement No. 2023-01 as conditioned in
Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated as though fully set forth herein. This decision is
based upon the evidence submitted at the above said hearing, which includes, but is not
limited to: the Request for Planning Commission Action dated August 28, 2023, and exhibits
attached thereto; and the public testimony, written and oral, all of which are incorporated
herein by this reference.
ADOPTED this 28t" day of August 2023, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners:
NOES: Commissioners:
ABSENT: Commissioners:
ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners:
Bao Pham
Chairperson
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By: Il°
John Funk
Chief Assistant City Attorney
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 7 of 12
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, Nuvia Ocampo, Recording Secretary, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2023-XXX to be the original resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Santa Ana on August 28, 2023.
Date:
Recording Secretary
City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 8 of 12
EXHIBIT A
Conditions for Approval for Density Bonus Agreement Application No. 2023-01
Density Bonus Agreement Application No. 2023-01 is approved subject to compliance, to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Manager, with applicable sections of the Santa
Ana Municipal Code, the California Administrative Code, the California Building Standards
Code, and all other applicable regulations. In addition, it shall meet the following conditions
of approval:
The Applicant must comply with each and every condition listed below prior to exercising
the rights conferred by the Density Bonus Agreement.
The Applicant must remain in compliance with all conditions listed below throughout the life
of the development project. Failure to comply with each and every condition may result in
the revocation/termination of the Density Bonus Agreement.
1. All proposed site improvements must conform to the Development Project (DP)
approval of DP No. 2021-33.
2. Any amendment to the DP No. 2021-33, including modifications to approved
materials, finishes, architecture, site plan, landscaping, unit count, mix, and
square footages must be submitted to the Planning Division for review. At that
time, staff will determine if administrative relief is available or if the Development
Project Review must be amended.
3. All mechanical equipment shall be screened from view from public and courtyard
areas.
4. Prior to issuance of building permits, the Applicant shall submit a construction
schedule and staging plan to the Planning Division for review and approval. The
plan shall include construction hours, staging areas, parking and site
security/screening during project construction.
5. Prior to issuance of building permits, the Applicant shall submit to the Planning
Division and have approved a Parking Management Plan (PMP). The PMP shall
provide for measures to address any parking shortages that may result from the
project, with terms including but not limited to:
a. Requiring onsite parking permits (such as stickers or hang -tags) for any
parking in the onsite parking spaces for both residents and guests;
b. Policies for maximum time vehicles may be parked in the surface parking
spaces, including any guest parking; and
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 9 of 12
c. Policies for towing unauthorized vehicles; vehicles parked in unauthorized
locations, such as fire lanes; vehicles parking in surface guest parking
without a sticker, hang -tag, or other identifiers; and vehicles parked longer
than any maximum guest parking timeframes allowed;
6. Prior to installation of landscaping, the Applicant shall submit representative
photos and specifications of all trees to be installed on the project site for review
and approval by the Planning Division. Specifications shall include, at a minimum,
the species, box size (24 inches minimum), brown trunk height (10-foot
minimum), and name and location of the supplier.
7. Walls and Fencing.
a. The applicant shall construct a minimum six-foot (6') tall perimeter wall, as
measured from nearest adjacent finished sidewalk, surrounding the
project site, unless a conforming perimeter wall (minimum six-foot tall)
already exists. Any new or existing perimeter wall shall conform to all
applicable Citywide Design Guidelines, including a split -face or painted
design with regularly -spaced pilasters and decorative cap. The applicant
is responsible for coordination with any adjacent property owners to avoid
double -walls or gaps between walls where possible.
b. Climbing vines shall be planted at regularly -spaced intervals along all
exposed walls and wrought -iron fencing to deter graffiti. All solid walls shall
be finished with anti -graffiti coating.
8. After project occupancy, landscaping and hardscape materials must be
maintained as shown on the approved landscape plans.
9. Prior to final occupancy, a Property Maintenance Agreement must be recorded
against the property. The agreement will be subject to review and applicability by
the Planning and Building Agency, the Community Development Agency, the
Public Works Agency, and the City Attorney to ensure that the property and all
improvements located thereupon are properly maintained, Applicant (and the
owner of the property upon which the authorized use and/or authorized
improvements are located if different from the Applicant) shall execute a
maintenance agreement with the City of Santa Ana which shall be recorded
against the property and which shall be in a form reasonably satisfactory to the
City Attorney. The maintenance agreement shall contain covenants, conditions
and restrictions relating to the following:
a. Compliance with operational conditions applicable during any period(s) of
construction or major repair (e.g., proper screening and securing of the
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 10 of 12
construction site; implementation of proper erosion control, dust control
and noise mitigation measure; adherence to approved project phasing
etc.);
b. Compliance with ongoing operational conditions, requirements and
restrictions, as applicable (including but not limited to hours of operation,
security requirements, the proper storage and disposal of trash and debris,
enforcement of the parking management plan, and/or restrictions on
certain uses);
c. Ongoing compliance with approved design and construction parameters,
signage parameters and restrictions as well as landscape designs, as
applicable;
d. Ongoing maintenance, repair and upkeep of the property and all
improvements located thereupon (including but not limited to controls on
the proliferation of trash and debris about the property; the proper and
timely removal of graffiti; the timely maintenance, repair and upkeep of
damaged, vandalized and/or weathered buildings, structures and/or
improvements; the timely maintenance, repair and upkeep of exterior
paint, parking striping, lighting and irrigation fixtures, walls and fencing,
publicly accessible bathrooms and bathroom fixtures, landscaping and
related landscape improvements and the like, as applicable);
e. If Applicant and the owner of the property are different (e.g., if the Applicant
is a tenant or licensee of the property or any portion thereof), both the
Applicant and the owner of the property shall be signatories to the
maintenance agreement and both shall be jointly and severally liable for
compliance with its terms.
f. The maintenance agreement shall further provide that any party
responsible for complying with its terms shall not assign its ownership
interest in the property or any interest in any lease, sublease, license or
sublicense, unless the prospective assignee agrees in writing to assume
all of the duties and obligations and responsibilities set forth under the
maintenance agreement.
g. The maintenance agreement shall contain provisions relating to the
enforcement of its conditions by the City and shall also contain provisions
authorizing the City to recover costs and expenses which the City may
incur arising out of any enforcement and/or remediation efforts which the
City may undertake in order to cure any deficiency in maintenance, repair
or upkeep or to enforce any restrictions or conditions upon the use of the
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 11 of 12
property. The maintenance agreement shall further provide that any
unreimbursed costs and/or expenses incurred by the City to cure a
deficiency in maintenance or to enforce use restrictions shall become a
lien upon the property in an amount equivalent to the actual costs and/or
expense incurred by the City.
h. The execution and recordation of the maintenance agreement shall be a
condition precedent to the Certificate of occupancy.
Resolution No. 2023-XXX
Page 12 of 12
7/26/23, 8:30 AM
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DBA-2023-01 - 1212 E. FOURTH STREET
SITE PHOTOS
EXHIBIT 3
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15'SIGHT DISTANCE TRIANGLE
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30-ABOVE GRADE ALLOWED
ESISiING WALL
2' PARKING SPACE OVERHANG
OVER LANDSCAPE AREA
TEXTURED CMU WALL
WITH ANTI-GRAFFm COATING
Vacant Lot to the East
6' High Stucco Perimeter Wall
On South, and East PL
RESIDENT PARKING
NOTE:
REFER TO SHEET El
"ENGINEERED SITE PLAN" FOR TECHNICAL DATA, NOTATIONS, UTILITIES,
EV LOCATIONS & DIMENSIONS AND PUBLIC WORKS INFORMATION NOT
SHOWN HERE
NOTE:
REFER TO SHEETS PL1 "LANDSCAPE CONCEPT PLAN" FOR HARDSCAPE
LOCATIONS, AND LANDSCAPE INFORMATION NOT SHOWN HERE
TRASH SERVICE NOTES:
REFER TO SHEET E2
"TRASH PICKUP EXHIBIT" FOR TECHNICAL DATA, NOTATIONS, AND
TRASH TRUCK TURNING MOVEMENTS AND RADII.
GOVERNINGCODESIN EFFECT ATTHETIMEYOFSUBMISSIL NYOF
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR BUILDING PERMIT.
CURRENT GOVERNING CODES ARE:
2019 California Building Code (CBC),
2019 Califomia Mechanical Code,
2019 Califomia Plumbing Code,
2019 California Electrical Code,
2019 California Energy Code,
2019 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen)
Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC).
Van Accessible Parking Spaces 2
Standard Parking Spaces 15 Q EV Included).
Total Parking Spaces 17
north
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10019, o 4 B 16
REFER TO SHEET S1 FOR
STRATIVE SITE PLAN/FIRST FLOOR PLAN FOOTPRINTS OFADJACENT
1212 E FOURTH STREET
SANTA ANA, CA
BUILDINGS SCALE: I/8"=I'-0'
ILLUSTRATIVE SITE PLAN & BUILDING PLANS A02
SECOND AND THIRD FLOOR PLAN
1212 E FOURTH STREET
SANTA ANA, CA
FOURTH FLOOR PLAN
DDWN STAIR
66
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SCALE:
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PLAN A - STUDIO 546 SF PLAN B - STUDIO 617 SF
30' 4' 255"
PLAN D - 2BR 2BA 894 SF
PLAN C - 1BR + WFH OFFICE 1BA
734 SF
0 2 4 8
SCALE: 1/4"=1'-0"
1212 E FOURTH STREET UNIT PLANS A04
SANTA ANA, CA
05/08/2023
256 1 /4"
PLAN E - 1BR 1BA 773 SF
1212 E FOURTH STREET
SANTA ANA, CA
UNIT PLANS
0 2 4 8
SCALE: 1/4"=1'-0"
Top of
Top of Par
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Exit Door
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Vinyl frame windows Cement Board
F—Shiplap Siding
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36" Low Stucco Patio Wall L Brick Veneer Metal Exit Gate NORTH ELEVATION (E FOURTH STREET)
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SCALE: 1/4"=1'9'
1212 E FOURTH STREET ELEVATIONS A06
SANTA ANA, CA
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RECORDING REQUESTED BY:
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
City of Santa Ana
Clerk of the Council
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-30)
P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, California 92702
Attention: Clerk of the Council
Free Recording pursuant to
Government Code 27383
DENSITY BONUS HOUSING AGREEMENT
(1212 E. Fourth Street, Santa Ana, California; APN: 398-385-02)
This DENSITY BONUS HOUSING AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), made and entered
into this day of , 2023 ("Effective Date"), by and between the City of Santa
Ana, a charter city and municipal corporation of the State of California ("City"), and Unison Real
Estate Group, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company ("Developer"). City and Developer
are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Parties" and individually as a "Party."
RECITALS
A. Developer is the owner of that certain property located within the City of Santa Ana,
County of Orange, State of California, commonly known as 1212 E. Fourth Street, Santa
Ana, California, 92701, and legally described as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto
and incorporated herein by this reference as if set forth in full ("Property").
B. Developer is proposing to develop a residential development consisting of no more than
fifteen (15) residential rental units on the Property, as more particularly set forth in
Density Bonus Application No. DBA-2023-1 ("Project"). Without the density bonus,
Developer would only be permitted to build twelve (12) units on the Property.
C. Santa Ana Municipal Code sections 41-1600, et seq. ("City Density Bonus for Affordable
Housing"), and California Government Code sections 65915, et seq. ("State Density
Bonus Law"), set forth a process to provide increased residential densities and incentives,
concessions, and waivers to property owners or developers who guarantee that a portion
of their residential development will be available to low income, very -low income, or
senior (also known as "qualified") households. These regulations are intended to
materially assist the housing industry in providing adequate and affordable housing for
all economic segments of the community and to provide a balance of housing
opportunities for very -low income, low income and senior households throughout the
city.
D. The Project is proposing a total number of fifteen (15) residential rental units, including
one (1) unit for very -low income households. Pursuant to California Government Code
Sections 65915 (p)(1)(A) and 65915 (p)(1)(B), the Project will provide seventeen (17)
total onsite parking spaces or 1.1 spaces per unit at a ratio of one (1) stall for studio or
one -bedroom units, and one and one-half (1.5) stalls for two -bedroom units. No
additional parking concession is requested or provided.
E. The Project complies with the affordable housing requirements set forth in the State
Density Bonus Law and City Density Bonus for Affordable Housing. For purposes of
this Agreement, the Project shall be a "housing development" as defined in the State
Density Bonus Law.
F. In light of the purpose of the State Density Bonus Law and City Density Bonus for
Affordable Housing, and the express provisions of Government Code Sections
65915(d)(1)(2)(A) and 65915(e)(1), the City has determined to grant Developer's
application for one (1) concession and four (4) waivers.
G. This Agreement, and the exhibits attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference,
are intended to set forth the terms and conditions for the implementation of the Project's
requirement to provide affordable housing units in exchange for receiving the density
bonus, concession and waivers set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, which are incorporated herein
by this reference, and of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND EXHIBITS
1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms that may be defined elsewhere in this
Agreement, the following terms when used in this Agreement shall be defined as follows:
1.1.1 "Adjusted for family size appropriate to the unit" shall have the
meaning set forth by Health and Safety Code Section 50052.5(h).
1.1.2 "Affordable Rent" means the maximum Monthly Rent that may be
charged to and paid by an Eligible Household for the Affordable Units, as required by the terms
of this Agreement, and which shall not exceed one -twelfth (1/12) of the product of thirty percent
(30%) times fifty percent (50%) times the Median Income for Orange County, as defined below
in Section 1.1.19. The Affordable Rent shall be adjusted to reflect a reasonable utilities allowance
for utilities paid by the household using the Santa Ana Housing Authority Multi -Family Housing
Utility Allowance Schedule, and shall be updated no less than annually.
1.1.3 "Affordable Rent Schedule" means a rent schedule established as of the
date of issuance of an occupancy permit (exclusive of tenant utility payments or security deposits)
for the required number/percentage of the total number of units in the Project which are to be
rented or available for rent to Very -Low Income Tenants. Said Affordable Rent Schedule shall be
established at the time of the issuance of the occupancy permit ("Initial Rent Schedule") and shall
2
be created in accordance with the Orange County, California Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area
("PMSA") as published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development
("HCD"), adjusted for family size, and shall be updated no less than annually.
1.1.4 "Affordable Units" means one (1) unit, which shall be comprised of one
(1) one -bedroom unit for Very -Low Income Tenants. Any change to the number or distribution
of Affordable Units is subject to City Manager approval.
1.1.5 "Agreement" means this Density Bonus Housing Agreement.
1.1.7 "City" means the City of Santa Ana, California
1.1.8 "City Council" means the City Council of the City of Santa Ana.
1.1.9 "City Attorney" means the City Attorney for the City of Santa Ana.
1.1.10 "City Manager" means the City Manager for the City of Santa Ana.
1.1.11 "City's Planning Commission" means the Planning Commission for the
City of Santa Ana.
1.1.12 "Density Bonus Housing Agreement Term" means the period during
which this Agreement shall be in full force and effect, as provided for in Section 6.1 below.
1.1.14 "Developer" means Unison Real Estate Group, LLC, a California Limited
Liability Company, and its permitted successors and assigns to all or any part of the Property,
Project or this Agreement.
1.1.15 "Effective Date" means the date the Developer and the City shall record or
cause to be recorded in the Official Records for Orange County, California, an executed original
of this Agreement, pursuant to section 4.1 herein.
1.1.16 "Eligible Household" means a Household whose income does not exceed
the qualifying limit for a "Very -Low Income Tenant" as defined herein.
1.1.17 "Extremely -Low Income Tenant" means persons and families whose
income does not exceed thirty (30%) of the area median income for the Orange County, California
PMSA, adjusted for household size, as published by HCD.
1.1.18 "Household" means all persons residing in a Unit.
1.1.19 "Median Income" means the Orange County, California area median
income, adjusted for family size appropriate to the unit pursuant to California Health and Safety
Code § 50052.5(h), as periodically published by HCD.
3
1.1.20 "Monthly Rent" means the total of monthly payments for: (a) use and
occupancy of each Affordable Unit and land and facilities associated therewith; (b) any separately
charged fees or service charges assessed by Developer which are required of all tenants, other than
security deposits, application fees or credit check fees; (c) a reasonable allowance for an adequate
level of service of utilities not included in (a) or (b) above, including garbage collection, sewer,
water, electricity, gas and other heating, cooking and refrigeration fuels, but not including
telephone or cable service, to the extent applicable and charged to tenant; and, (d) possessory
interest, taxes or other fees or charges assessed for use of the land and facilities associated
therewith by a public or private entity other than Developer. In the event that certain utility charges
are paid by the landlord rather than the tenant, no utility allowance shall be deducted from the rent
for that type of utility charge.
1.1.21 "Project" means that certain affordable residential development as more
particularly described in Recital B and Section 2 of this Agreement.
1.1.22 "Property" means that certain real property more particularly described in
the legal description in Exhibit A and improvements thereon.
1.1.23 "State Density Bonus Law" means Government Code sections 65915, et
seq., as they exist on the Effective Date.
1.1.24 "Unit" means a residential dwelling unit within the Project to be
constructed or caused to be constructed by Developer pursuant to this Agreement.
1.1.25 "Unrestricted Units" means the Units within the Project to be constructed
or caused to be constructed by Developer to a Household without restriction.
1.1.26 "Very -Low Income Tenant" means a Household whose income does not
exceed fifty (50%) of the area median income for the Orange County, California PMSA, adjusted
for household size, as published by HCD. Very -Low Income Tenant shall include a household that
qualifies as an Extremely Low -Income Household.
1.2 Exhibits. The following documents are attached to, and by this reference made a
part of, this Agreement:
1.2.1 Exhibit A — Legal Description of the Property
1.2.2 Exhibit B — Tenant Verification
1.2.3 Exhibit C — Annual Tenant Recertification
1.2.4 Exhibit D — Annual Rental Housing Compliance Report
1.2.5 Exhibit E — Notice of Affordability Restrictions on Transfer of Property
Ll
2. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY
2.1 Project. Developer shall develop, operate, and maintain, or cause the development,
operation and maintenance of, the Property as a fifteen (15) unit rental residential community, with
one (1) Affordable Unit for Very -Low Income Tenants.
2.2 Density Bonus. The Project shall have fifteen (15) Units, to be rented, occupied,
operated, and maintained pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Developer
understands and agrees that Developer is utilizing a twenty -seven -and -a -half percent (27.5%)
density bonus increase provided by the State Density Bonus Law (12 Base Units x 27.5% = 4 State
Density Bonus Units) for a total of sixteen (16) units. However, Developer is only proposing
fifteen (15) Units, so Developer shall not construct or develop, or otherwise claim a right to
construct or develop any additional State and/or City Density Bonus Units on the Property.
2.3 Development Concessions, Incentives, and Waivers. As set forth in the City
entitlements, Developer petitioned for and is hereby granted the following concessions, incentives,
and waivers as part of the approval of Density Bonus Application No. DBA-2023-1 for the Project:
2.3.2 Concession. In accordance with Government Code Section 65915(d)(1),
Developer is granted a concession for relief from the requirement for ground floor retail or
services, as set forth in Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-2007.
2.3.3 Waivers. In accordance with Government Code Section 65915(e)(1),
Developer is granted the following waivers:
(a) The height limitation set forth in Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-2013(a)
is waived to the extent the building height for this Project may be up to fifty-one (51) feet and nine
(9) inches and four (4) stories.
(b) The maximum allowable building size and massing ratio set forth in Santa
Ana Municipal Code § 41-2022(i)(5) are waived to the extent that the second through fourth floor
will exceed the maximum allowable building size and massing ratio, and are 97.9-percent of the
ground floor's volume.
(c) The open space requirements set forth in Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-
2022(f) are waived such that the Project shall not be required to provide common open space in
the form of a courtyard or in the front as a forecourt, and only five -hundred ninety-one (591) square
feet of private open space will be required in the form of private decks for nine (9) Units.
(d) The requirement for a landscape buffer set forth in Santa Ana Municipal Code
§ 41-2020(6) is waived to the extent that a two (2) foot landscape buffer will be provided along
the western property line, instead of the required five (5), and no landscape planters will be
provided on the surface parking lot.
2.4 Parking Requirements. Onsite parking shall be provided in compliance with
Government Code Sections 65915 (p)(1)(A) and 65915 (p)(1)(B). No parking concession is
requested or provided. The Project will provide 17 total onsite parking spaces or 1.1 spaces per
unit at a ratio of one (1) stall for studio or one -bedroom units, and one and one-half (1.5) stalls for
two -bedroom units.
2.4 No Further Concessions, Incentives, or Waivers. Developer acknowledges and
agrees that the concessions, incentives, and waivers set forth in section 2.3, and the parking
requirements set forth in section 2.4, above fully satisfies any duty City may have under the City
Density Bonus for Affordable Housing, the Density Bonus Law, or any other law or regulation to
provide any density bonus incentive or to waive any building, zoning, or other requirement in
connection with a density bonus. By this Agreement, Developer releases any and all claims
Developer may have against City in any way relating to or arising from City's obligation to waive
requirements of or provide development incentives pursuant to the City Density Bonus for
Affordable Housing and the Density Bonus Law applicable to the Project.
2.5 Unrestricted Units. The Project, for purposes of this Agreement, may have no more
than fourteen (14) Unrestricted Units comprised of six (6) studio units, five (5) one bed -room units
and three (3) two -bedroom units. Any change to the unit distribution of the Unrestricted Units may
affect the comparability of the Affordable Units and is subject to City Manager approval.
2.6 Affordable Units. The Project, for purposes of this Agreement, shall have no less
than one (1) Unit, which shall be comprised of one (1) one -bedroom unit designated as an
Affordable Unit pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Affordable Unit
shall be consistent with all City approvals, comparable in bedroom distribution and amenities to
the Unrestricted Units, and shall be located throughout the Project as required under Santa Ana
Municipal Code section 41-1602(c)(5).
2.7 Minimum Development Standards for Affordable Units. The Affordable Unit shall
be constructed with the same exterior appearance and interior features, fixtures, and amenities, and
shall use the same type and quality of materials as provided for any Unrestricted Units, regardless
of whether such Unrestricted Units are in the Project.
2.8 Permits and Processing Compliance with Laws. Developer, at its sole cost and
expense, or as otherwise set forth in a separate written agreement, shall secure or cause to be
secured any and all permits that may be required for development of the Project by City or any
other federal, state, or local governmental entity having or claiming jurisdiction over the Property
or Project. Upon securing any and all permits, and all necessary financing and property interests,
Developer shall carry out and perform the development, operation, and maintenance of the Project
or cause the performance of the development, operation, and maintenance of the Project, in
conformity with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and all conditions of
approval issued by the City Council and City's Planning Commission for the Project. Any changes
to the Project shall be reviewed by the City to determine compliance with this Agreement. If any
changes to the Project shall materially alter the ability of Developer to comply with any terms of
this Agreement in City's sole determination, then City and Developer shall meet and confer to
address amendments and revisions to this Agreement as necessary.
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2.9 Relocation Prior to Development of Project. If relocation is required prior to the
completion of development of the Project, Developer shall have the sole and exclusive
responsibility for providing relocation assistance and paying all relocation costs as may be required
to comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In addition to any other indemnity
provided by Developer under this Agreement, Developer shall indemnify, defend (with counsel of
City's choosing and the consent of Developer, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and
which may be joint defense counsel upon City's and Developer's consent), and hold harmless City
and all of its officials, officers, employees, representatives, volunteers and agents from any and all
alleged or actual claims, causes of action, liabilities, and damages from any third party for
relocation assistance, benefits and costs prior to the completion of the development of the Project.
2.11 Mechanic's Liens, Indemnification. Developer shall take all actions reasonably
necessary to remove any future mechanic's liens or other similar liens (including design
professional liens) against the Property or Project, or any part thereof, by reason of work, labor,
services, or materials supplied or claimed to have been supplied to Developer or caused by, at the
direction of, or on behalf of Developer. Prior to the recording of this Agreement (or memorandum
thereof) pursuant to Section 4.1 below, Developer shall provide evidence from the Title Company
of any new recordings against the Property or Project. City hereby reserves all rights to post notices
of non -responsibility and any other notices as may be appropriate upon a filing of a mechanic's
lien. In addition to any other indemnity provided by Developer under this Agreement, Developer
shall indemnify, defend (with counsel of City's choosing and the consent of Developer, which shall
not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and which may be joint defense counsel
upon City's and Developer's consent), and hold harmless City and all of its officials, officers,
employees, representatives, volunteers and agents from any and all alleged or actual claims, causes
of action, liabilities, and damages from any third party by reason of a mechanic's lien or work,
labor, services, or materials supplied or claimed to have been supplied to Developer or caused by,
at the direction of, or on behalf of Developer.
3. AFFORDABILITY
3.1 Total Affordability. Each Affordable Unit shall be restricted to use and
occupancy by an Eligible Household for a total period of no less than fifty-five (55) years ("Total
Affordability Term"). The Total Affordability Term for an Affordable Unit shall commence on
the date that the building in which the Affordable Unit is located receives all required occupancy
permits from the City.
3.2 Memorializing Commencement of Total Affordability. Developer shall keep
or cause to be kept detailed records of the commencement date of the Total Affordability Term for
each Affordable Unit. City shall have the right to review and verify said records without a fee from
City to Developer to ensure that the commencement date specified by Developer for an Affordable
Unit coincides with the date that the initial Affordable Unit received all permits from City required
for occupancy of the Unit. In the event that a conflict exists between the date specified by
Developer for the commencement of the Total Affordability Term for an Affordable Unit and the
date specified by City's issuance of all required permits for occupancy of the Unit, the date
specified by City's issuance of all required permits for occupancy of the Unit shall control.
7
3.3 Levels of Affordability.
3.3.1 Very Low Income Tenants. Developer covenants that no less than one (1)
Affordable Unit in the Project shall at all times during the Density Bonus Housing Agreement
Term be rented to, or held vacant and available for immediate occupancy by an Eligible
Household, at an Affordable Rent.
4. OPERATION OF THE PROJECT BY DEVELOPER
4.1 Payment of Density Bonus Setup Fee. A Density Bonus Setup Fee in the amount
of $2,768.25, will be charged to the Developer and must be paid prior to execution of this
Agreement.
4.2 Recording of Documents. No later than issuance of building permits for the Project,
Developer and the City shall record or cause to be recorded in the Official Records for Orange
County, California, an executed original of this Agreement. City shall cooperate with Developer
in promptly executing in recordable form this Agreement. The date of recording of the Agreement
shall be the Effective Date of the Agreement. Upon the date of recording, the terms and conditions
of this Agreement shall be binding upon and run with the Property for no longer than the Total
Affordability Term, and the Project. It is the express intent and agreement between the Parties that
this Agreement shall remain binding and enforceable against the Property, the Project, and the
Units to ensure compliance with the State Density Bonus Law and City Density Bonus Law, and
to ensure the continued supply of Affordable Units in the Project, except as expressly set forth in
this Agreement.
4.2 Rental of Units. Upon the completion of construction of the Project and receipt by
Developer of all required permits for the occupancy of the Units, Developer shall rent or cause to
be rented each Affordable Unit for the Total Affordability Term for such Affordable Unit in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, which provide among other
terms and conditions for the rental of each Affordable Unit at an Affordable Rent to an Eligible
Household for the Total Affordability Term.
4.4 Occupancy Levels. Subject to state or federal laws and regulations, the number of
persons permitted to occupy each Affordable Unit shall not exceed two persons per bedroom, plus
one person.
4.4.1 Written Notification. If an Eligible Household, during the terms of its
tenancy, adds members that exceed the maximum occupancy allowed under this section,
Developer shall provide written notification informing the household that: it is over -
occupancy; has been placed on a waiting list for up to one -hundred and eighty (180) days;
the expiration date of the waiting list; and the terms for terminating the lease. A written
status update will be provided to the household at one -hundred and twenty (120) days,
ninety (90) days, sixty (60) days and thirty (30) days if applicable.
4.5 Use of the Property. All uses conducted on the Property by Developer, including,
without limitation, all activities undertaken by the Developer pursuant to this Agreement, shall
conform to all applicable provisions of the Santa Ana Municipal Code and other applicable federal,
state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. The Project shall at all times during the term of this
Agreement be used as a rental housing complex and none of the Affordable Units in the Project,
nor shall the Property or any portion thereof, ever be used as a hotel, motel, dormitory, fraternity
or sorority house, rooming house, hospital, nursing home, sanitarium or rest home, or be converted
to condominium ownership. All of the community facilities and any social programs provided to
the Project's residents shall be available on an equal, nondiscriminatory basis to residents of all
Units at the Project.
4.6 Maintenance. Developer shall, at all times during the term of this Agreement, cause
the Property and the Project to be maintained in a decent, safe and sanitary manner, regardless of
cause of the disrepair. Owner shall be fully and solely responsible for costs of maintenance, repair,
addition and improvements. City, and any of its employees, agents, contractors or designees shall
have the right to enter upon the Property at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner to inspect
the Project, after providing notice as follows: (i) at least a 24-hour notice to Developer and Tenants
of the Affordable Unit which will be inspected, or (ii) at least 48 hours' notice to Developer, which
shall promptly give notice to Tenants of the Affordable Unit to be inspected.
4.7 Affordable Rental Lease Agreement. Developer shall prepare and obtain City's
approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, of a rental
lease agreement for the Affordable Unit ("Affordable Unit Lease Agreement") for the Affordable
Unit. All Affordable Unit Lease Agreements must 1) identify the names and ages of all members
of the household who will occupy the Affordable Unit; and 2) state that the Household's right to
occupy the Affordable Unit is subject to compliance with the Median Income requirements,
adjusted for family size appropriate to the unit, as periodically published by HCD. All Affordable
Unit Lease Agreements must be consistent with the terms contained in this Density Bonus
Agreement.
4.8 Selection of Tenants.
4.8.1 Developer shall be responsible for the selection of tenants for the Affordable
Units in compliance with lawful and reasonable criteria and the requirements of this Agreement.
4.8.2 Local preference for Santa Ana residents and workers in tenant selection for
the Affordable Units shall be a requirement of the Project. Subject to applicable laws and
regulations governing nondiscrimination and preferences in housing occupancy required by the
State of California, the Developer shall give preference in leasing the Affordable Units to
households that live and/or work in the City of Santa Ana or who have an active Housing Choice
Voucher issued by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Ana or any other Public Housing
Authority.
4.8.3 All applicants will be screened and "lotterized." A waiting list will be
created from a lottery generated from the initial pool of rental applications. The waiting list will
track applicant name and contact information, lottery number (or designated number after the
initial lottery), household income, household size, status of application, and any other information
W
deemed necessary. The waiting list will be maintained as an electronic file and available for audit
by the City of Santa Ana in accordance with resident selection procedures as set forth herein.
4.8.4 Prior to the rental or lease of an Affordable Unit to a tenant(s), Developer
shall require the tenant(s) to execute a written lease and to complete a Tenant Income Verification
Form (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B) certifying that the tenant(s)
occupying the Affordable Unit is/are an Eligible Household and otherwise meet(s) the eligibility
requirements established for the Affordable Unit. Developer shall verify the income of the
tenant(s) as set forth herein.
4.9 Income Verification and Certification.
Developer shall make reasonable efforts to verify or cause to be verified that the income
and asset statement provided by an applicant in an income certification is accurate by taking, at a
minimum, at least one of the following steps as a part of the verification process: (1) obtain three
months consecutive pay stubs for the most recent pay period, (2) obtain an income tax return for
the most recent tax year, (3) obtain an income verification form from the applicant's current
employer, (4) obtain an income verification form from the Social Security Administration and/or
the California Department of Social Services if the applicant receives assistance from either of
such agencies, or (5) if the applicant is unemployed and has no such tax return, obtain another
form of independent verification.
4.9.1 Gross Household Income. Gross household income means all income from
whatever source from all adult Household members, which is anticipated to be received during the
12-month period following the date of the determination of Gross Household Income. The
applicable sources of income are defined in California Code of Regulations Title 25 Housing and
Community Development Section 6914.
4.9.2 Annual Recertification. Developer agrees to recertify or cause to be
recertified household eligibility annually. Notification of Annual Tenant Recertification shall be
sent to the household in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. An Annual Rental
Housing Compliance Report ("Annual Compliance Report") shall be sent by Developer to the City
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D for City's review and approval. The Annual
Compliance Report shall be due to the City within 30 days of the anniversary of the
commencement of the Total Affordability Term, which is the date that each building receives all
required occupancy permits from the City.
4.9.3 Continued Income Qualification and Vacated Affordable Units. If the
annual recertification demonstrates that a previously Eligible Household's gross household
income exceeds the allowed Median Income for the Affordable Unit, the Developer will
be considered in compliance with this agreement so long as one of the following pertinent
actions from the following list is taken:
(a) The Developer may offer to rent the unit to the previously, but no longer,
Eligible Household as an Unrestricted Unit without any limitations on rental
rates. In that case, the Developer must then make available for rent to an
10
Eligible Household another unit within the Project that meets the size and
location requirements for Affordable Units under this Density Bonus
Agreement. If there are no vacant units meeting those requirements, then the
next available unit within the Project which does meet those requirements must
be rented to an Eligible Household.
(b) If the no longer Eligible Household either moves to another Unrestricted Unit
within the Project or leaves the Project altogether, then the vacated Affordable
Unit, or, at Developer's election, any other Unrestricted Unit within the Project
which meets the size and location requirements for Affordable Units under this
Density Bonus Housing Agreement and has the same number of bedrooms as
the vacated unit, shall be rented as an Affordable Unit to an Eligible Household.
(c) Developer may proceed to terminate the tenancy and pursue any and all
remedies in accordance with law or contract.
4.10 Monitoring and Recordkeeping. Throughout the Term of this Agreement,
Developer shall annually complete or cause to be completed and submit to City the Annual
Compliance Report. Developer agrees to pay a reasonable fee, as set by City resolution, for the
purpose of paying the actual costs associated with the City's obligation to monitor Developer's
compliance with the affordability restrictions contained in this Agreement related to the Affordable
Units, not to exceed monitoring costs for up to one (1) Affordable Units. Representatives of City
shall be entitled to enter the Property if necessary after review of above documentation, upon at
least forty-eight (48) hour notice, to monitor compliance with this Agreement, and shall be entitled
to inspect the records of the Project relating to the Affordable Units and to conduct an independent
audit or inspection of such records at a location within the City that is reasonably acceptable to the
City without a fee from the City. Developer agrees to cooperate with City in making the Property
and the records of the Project relating to the Affordable Unit reasonably available for such
inspection or audit. Developer agrees to maintain or cause for the maintenance of each record of
the Project for no less than five (5) years after creation of each such record.
Developer shall allow the City to conduct annual inspections of the Affordable Unit on the
Property after the date of construction completion, with reasonable notice, which shall be at least
twenty four (24) hours in advance, unless a shorter time is required in an emergency, to Owner of
the Affordable Unit. Developer shall commence to cure or cause the commencement to cure any
defects or deficiencies found by the City while conducting such inspections within ten (10)
Business Days of written notice thereof, or such longer period as is reasonable within the sole
discretion of the City.
4.11 Notice of Affordability Restrictions on Transfer of Property. In the event the
Developer wishes to sell or transfer the Project, during the Total Affordability Term, the City and
the Developer shall execute and deposit into escrow, a Notice of Affordability Restrictions on
Transfer of the Property, to be executed by the City and Developer in a form substantially similar
to Exhibit E, which is attached hereto and must be executed by the parties prior to any transfer of
the Property.
11
4.12 [Intentionally Reserved]
4.14 Emergency Evacuation Plan. Developer shall submit and obtain approval of an
Emergency Evacuation Plan (the EEP) from City Police and Fire Protection agencies prior to
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Up-to-date 24-hour emergency contact information for
the on -site personnel shall be provided to the City on an ongoing basis and the approved EEP shall
be kept onsite and also be submitted to the following City Agencies:
(a) Police Department
(b) Fire Department
(c) Planning and Building Agency
(d) Community Development Agency
4.15 Crime Free Housing. Developer shall work with City staff to formalize a crime free
housing policy, procedure, and design plan (the "CFH Plan"), which includes the following
provisions:
a. Requiring parking areas and common interior areas (lobbies, elevators, etc.) to contain
security cameras;
b. Requiring routine unit inspections;
c. Ensuring lobby/other entrance doors are secured and accessed via remote controls, fobs,
etc.; and
d. Have policies in place to ensure that common use areas such as hallways and trash
enclosures are maintained in good condition and repair (e.g., well -lit, kept clean, etc.).
Developer shall submit and obtain approval from the City's Planning and Building Agency
("PBA") that the CFH Plan meets the requirements of this Subsection 4.15 prior to issuance of the
Certificate of Occupancy. The approved CFH Plan shall be implemented and administered by
Developer or its designated property manager.
4.16 Onsite Parking Management Plan. Developer shall provide onsite parking for
residents and visitors of the Project and actively monitor the parking demand of the Project site.
Developer shall continually monitor and take the following measures to manage the parking
demand of the Project site to mitigate the use of offsite parking spaces on private or public
properties and/or right-of-way.
a. Requiring onsite parking permits (such as stickers or hang -tags) for any parking in the
onsite parking spaces for both residents and guests;
b. Policies for maximum time vehicles may be parked in the surface parking spaces,
including any guest parking; and
c. Policies for towing unauthorized vehicles, vehicles parked in unauthorized locations
(such as fire lanes), vehicles parking in surface guest parking without a sticker, hang -tag,
or other identifiers, and vehicles parked longer than any maximum guest parking
timeframes allowed.
12
Prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, Developer shall submit and obtain
approval from the PBA a Parking Management Plan (the "PMP") including those measures above.
The approved PMP shall be adhered to and be enforced by the Project at all times.
4.17 Marketing and Resident Selection Plan. Each Affordable Unit shall be leased to
Eligible Households selected by Developer who meet all of the requirements provided herein.
Prior to Certificate of Occupancy, Developer shall prepare and obtain City's approval of a
marketing program and resident selection plan for the leasing of the Affordable Units at the Project
("Marketing Program"). The leasing of the Affordable Units shall thereafter be marketed in
accordance with the Marketing Program as the same may be amended from time to time with
City's prior written approval. Upon request, Developer shall provide City with periodic reports
with respect to the leasing of the Housing Units.
4.17.1 The Marketing Program shall include, but is not limited to, marketing and
community outreach activities, proposed tenant selection criteria, occupancy standards,
income requirements, timeline and details for outreach and marketing, data collection,
record keeping and monitoring, procedures for complaints, and compliance assessment.
Components of the resident selection plan shall include, but are not limited to, the
application process, interview procedure, apartment offer and assignment, rejected
applications, and wait list management. All requirements set forth herein shall be
incorporated in the Marketing Program.
5. [INTENTIONALLY RESERVED]
6. TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT
6.1 Term. The term of this Agreement ("Density Bonus Housing Agreement Term")
shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until the date that is fifty-five (55) years
after the City issues the last certificate of occupancy for the building in which the Affordable Units
are located.
7. DEFAULT AND TERMINATION; INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Default. Failure or delay by any Party to perform any term or provision of this
Agreement, which is not cured within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice from the other Party
specifying the default (or such other period specifically provided herein), constitutes a default
under this Agreement; provided, however, if such default is of the nature requiring more than thirty
(30) days to cure, the defaulting Party shall avoid default hereunder by commencing to cure within
such thirty (30) day period, and thereafter diligently pursuing such cure to completion within an
additional sixty (60) days following the conclusion of such thirty (30) day period (for a total of
ninety (90) days). Except as required to protect against further damages, the injured Party may
not institute proceedings against the Party in default until the time for cure has expired. Failure or
delay in giving such notice shall not constitute a waiver of any default, nor shall it change the time
of default.
13
7.2 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies of the Parties are
cumulative, and the exercise by either Party of one or more of its rights or remedies shall not
preclude the exercise by it, at the same or different times, of any other rights or remedies for the
same default or any other default by the other Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, in no event shall either Party be liable for speculative, consequential,
punitive or other indirect damages, and each Party waives any right to collect speculative,
consequential, punitive or other indirect damages against the other Party.
7.3 Indemnification. In addition to any other indemnity specifically provided in this
Agreement, Developer agrees to defend (with counsel of City's choosing and the consent of
Developer, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and which may be
joint defense counsel upon City's and Developer's consent) indemnify and hold harmless City and
its respective officers, officials, agents, employees, representatives, and volunteers (collectively,
"Indemnitees") from and against any loss, liability, claim, or judgment arising from any act or
omission of Developer in connection with its obligations under this Agreement, except to the
extent caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of Indemnitees.
8. ASSIGNMENT, COVENANTS RUN WITH THE LAND
8.1 Assignment by Developer.
8.1.1 Prohibited Transfers or Assignments. Except as authorized in this Section
or Section 8.1.2 below, Developer shall not sell, transfer, or assign the Property or Project in whole
or in part, or transfer or assign Developer's rights and obligations in this Agreement, in whole or
in part, without City's prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed ("Permitted Transfer"); provided, however, Developer shall have the right
without City's prior written approval to transfer or assign the Property, Project and/or Developer's
rights and obligations in this Agreement to any entity that is controlled by, or is under common
control with, Developer, and Developer shall thereafter be released from any future obligations
under this Agreement. In connection with Permitted Transfer, Developer shall: (i) notify City in
writing of the sale, transfer, or assignment of all or any portion of the Property, and (ii) deliver to
City an assignment and assumption agreement (or other agreement) in a form approved by City in
its reasonable discretion and executed by Developer and its transferee/assignee pursuant to which
Developer's transferee/assignee assumes all of Developer's covenants and obligations set forth
herein with respect to the Property or the portion thereof so transferred. Any request for transfer
or assignment of the Agreement by Developer shall require the payment of fees or a deposit to
compensate the City for approximate expenses incurred by Developer to City, as applicable, for
the City's review of the request. Upon the delivery of the assignment and assumption agreement
as provided for above for a Permitted Transfer, or in the event of a sale of the Property as provided
for in Section 8.1.1, Developer shall be released from any future obligations under this Agreement.
8.1.2 Sale of Property. Owner agrees and declares that the Property and the
Project shall be held, conveyed, mortgaged, encumbered, leased, rented, used, occupied, operated,
sold, and approved subject to all obligations set forth or incorporated in this Agreement, all of
which are for the purpose of enhancing and protecting the value and attractiveness of the Property
and the Project. All of the obligations set forth or incorporated in this Agreement shall constitute
14
covenants which run with the land and shall be binding on Owner and its successors and assigns,
and all parties having or acquiring any right, title or interest in, or to any part of the Property or
Project. Owner further understands and agrees that the Density Bonus permit approvals received
for this Project have been made on the condition that Owner and all subsequent owners, or other
successors and assigns of the Property and/or Project lease and rent the Affordable Units in
accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of this Agreement for a
term of 55 consecutive years commencing upon the date that the Project is first occupied.
8.1.3 Subsequent Assigningnt. As used in this Agreement, the term "Developer"
shall be deemed to include any such transferee or assignee after the date such sale, transfer, or
assignment occurs in compliance with this Agreement.
8.1.4 Unpermitted Assignments Void. Any sale, transfer, or assignment made in
violation of this Agreement shall be null and void, and City shall have the right to pursue any right
or remedy at law or in equity to enforce the provisions of the restriction against unpermitted sales,
transfers, or assignments.
8.2 Covenants Run with the Land. The Property shall be used, occupied and improved
subject to the covenants, conditions, and restrictions set forth herein. The covenants, conditions,
restrictions, reservations, equitable servitudes, liens and charges set forth in this Agreement shall
run with the Property and shall be binding upon Developer and all persons having any right, title
or interest in the Property, or any part thereof, their heirs, and successive owners and assigns, shall
inure to the benefit of City and its successors and assigns, and may be enforced by City and its
successors and assigns. The covenants established in this Agreement shall, without regard to
technical classification and designation, be binding for the benefit and in favor of City and its
successors and assigns, and the parties hereto expressly agree that this Agreement and the
covenants herein shall run in favor of City. City is deemed the beneficiary of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and of the covenants running with the land, for and in its own right
and for the purposes of protecting the interests of the community and other parties, public or
private, in whose favor and for whose benefit this Agreement and the covenants running with the
land have been provided. Developer hereby declares its understanding and intent that the burden
of the covenants set forth herein touch and concern the land and that the Developer's interest in the
Property is rendered less valuable thereby. Developer hereby further declares its understanding
and intent that the agreement provides a public benefit in furtherance of benefit of such covenants
touch and concern the land by enhancing and increasing the enjoyment and use of the Property by
the citizens of City and by furthering the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of City.
9. MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and all of its exhibits and attachments set forth
and contain the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the density bonus
of the Project, and there are no oral or written representations, understandings or ancillary
covenants, undertakings or agreements which are not contained or expressly referred to herein.
No testimony or evidence of any such representations, understandings or covenants shall be
admissible in any proceeding of any kind or nature to interpret or determine the terms or conditions
of this Agreement.
15
9.2 Amendment. Any alteration, change or modification of or to this Agreement, in
order to become effective, shall be made in writing and in each instance approved by the City
Council, or through the City Manager as detailed herein, and signed on behalf of each party. The
City Manager shall have the authority to make approvals, issue interpretations, execute documents,
waive provisions, and/or enter into amendments of this Agreement on behalf of City that further
the intent of this Agreement. Any requested alteration, change or modification of the Agreement
by Developer shall require the payment of fees or deposit by Developer to City, as applicable, for
the City's review of the request. Each alteration, change, or modification to this Agreement shall
be recorded against the Property in the Official Records of Orange County, California.
9.3 Notices.
9.3.1 Delivery. As used in this Agreement, "notice" includes, but is not limited
to, the communication of notice, request, demand, approval, statement, report, acceptance,
consent, waiver, appointment or other communication required or permitted hereunder. All notices
shall be in writing and shall be considered given either: (i) when delivered in person to the
recipient named below; or (ii) on the date of delivery shown on the return receipt, after deposit in
the United States mail in a sealed envelope as either registered or certified mail with return receipt
requested, and postage and postal charges prepaid, and addressed to the recipient named below; or
(iii) two (2) days after deposit in the United States mail in a sealed envelope, first class mail and
postage prepaid, and addressed to the recipient named below; or (iv) one (1) day after deposit with
a known and reliable next -day document delivery service (such as Federal Express), charges
prepaid and delivery scheduled next -day to the recipient named below, provided that the sending
party receives a confirmation of delivery from the delivery service provider; or (v) the first
business day following the date of transmittal of any facsimile, provided confirmation of
successful transmittal is retained by the sending Party; or (vi) upon transmission thereof (as
evidenced by the recipient's reply to such notice or other competent evidence of actual receipt) if
transmitted by electronic transmission (email), provided that a copy of such notice is concurrently
sent by first-class mail postage prepaid. All notices shall be addressed as follows:
If to City: City of Santa Ana
Community Development Agency
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-26)
P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, California 92702
Attention: Housing Manager
With a copy to: Office of the City Attorney
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, 7th Floor (M-29)
Santa Ana, California 92702
If to Developer: Unison Real Estate Group, LLC
18952 MacArthur Blvd Suite 210
Irvine, CA 92612
Attention: Oscar Uranga
9.3.2 Change of Address. Either Party may, by notice given at any time, require
subsequent notices to be given to another person or entity, whether a party or an officer or
representative of a party, or to a different address, or both. Notices given before actual receipt of
notice of change shall not be invalidated by the change.
9.4 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement shall
be determined invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected
thereby to the extent such remaining provisions are not rendered impractical to perform, taking
into consideration the purposes of this Agreement.
9.5 Interpretation and Governing Law. This Agreement and any dispute hereunder
shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without
regard to conflict of law principles. This Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to
its fair language and common meaning to achieve the objectives and purposes of the Parties hereto,
and the rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting
Party shall not be employed in interpreting this Agreement, all Parties having been represented by
counsel in the negotiation and preparation hereof.
9.6 Section Headings. All section headings and subheadings are inserted for
convenience only and shall not affect any construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
9.7 Singular and Plural. As used herein, the singular of any word includes the plural,
and vice versa, as context so dictates. Masculine, feminine, and neuter forms of any word include
the other as context so dictates.
9.8 Joint and Several Obligations. If at any time during the term of this Agreement the
Property and/or Project is owned, in whole or in part, by more than one Developer, all obligations
of such Developer under this Agreement shall be joint and several, and the default of any such
Developer shall be the default of all such Developers.
9.9 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance of the provisions of
this Agreement as to which time is an element.
9.10 Computation of Days. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement or any Exhibit
attached hereto, use of the term "days" shall mean calendar days. For purposes of this Agreement
and all Exhibits attached hereto, "business days" shall mean every day of the week except
Saturdays, Sundays, official State holidays as recognized in Government Code Section 19853(a)
or successor statute, and any days in which Santa Ana City Hall is closed for business.
9.11 Waiver. Failure by a Party to insist upon the strict performance of any of the
provisions of this Agreement by the other Party, or the failure by a Party to exercise its rights upon
the default of the other Party, shall not constitute a waiver of such Party's right to insist and demand
strict compliance by the other Party with the terms of this Agreement thereafter.
17
9.12 Non -Discrimination. In performing its obligations under this Agreement,
Developer shall not discriminate because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, sexual
orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, or disability, as defined and prohibited by applicable
law, in the recruitment, selection, training, utilization, promotion, termination or other related
activities. Developer affirms that it is an equal opportunity employer and shall comply with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
9.13 Third Party Beneficiaries. No person or entity, other than City and Developer shall
have any right of action based upon any provision of this Agreement.
9.14 Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be deemed to be in default where failure or
delay in performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement is caused by floods,
earthquakes, other Acts of God, fires, pandemics as declared by federal, state, or local emergency
resolution, wars, riots or similar hostilities, strikes and other labor difficulties beyond the Party's
control (including the Party's employment force), court actions (such as restraining orders or
injunctions), or other causes beyond the Party's control, including delays by any governmental
entity (although the City may not benefit from this provision for a delay that results from City's
failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement), or an insurance company of either party.
If any such events shall occur, the term of this Agreement and the time for performance by either
Party of any of its obligations hereunder may be extended by the written agreement of the Parties
for the period of time that such events prevented such performance.
9.15 Mutual Covenants. The covenants contained herein are mutual covenants and also
constitute conditions to the concurrent or subsequent performance by the Party benefited thereby
of the covenants to be performed hereunder by such benefited Party.
9.16 Successors in Interest. The burdens of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and
the benefits of this Agreement shall inure to, all permitted successors in interest to the Parties to
this Agreement. All provisions of this Agreement shall be enforceable as equitable servitudes and
constitute covenants running with the land. Each covenant to do or refrain from doing some act
hereunder with regard to development of the Property: (a) is for the benefit of and is a burden upon
every portion of the Property; (b) runs with the Property and each portion thereof, and (c) is binding
upon each Party and each successor in interest approved pursuant to this Agreement during
ownership of the Property or any portion thereof.
9.17 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in counterparts,
which counterparts shall be construed together and have the same effect as if all of the Parties had
executed the same instrument.
9.18 Jurisdiction and Venue. Any action at law or in equity under this Agreement or
brought by a Party hereto for the purpose of enforcing, construing or determining the validity of
any provision of this Agreement shall be filed and tried in the Superior Court of the County of
Orange, State of California, and the Parties hereto waive all provisions of law providing for the
filing, removal or change of venue to any other court.
W.
9.19 Project as a Private Undertaking. It is specifically understood and agreed by and
between the Parties hereto that the development of the Project is a private development, that neither
Party is acting as the agent of the other in any respect hereunder, and that each Party is an
independent contracting entity with respect to the terms, covenants and conditions contained in
this Agreement. No partnership, joint venture or other association of any kind is formed by this
Agreement. The only relationship between City and Developer is that of a government entity
regulating the development of private property and the Developer of such property.
9.20 Further Actions and Instruments. Each of the Parties shall cooperate with and
provide reasonable assistance to the other to the extent contemplated hereunder in the performance
of all obligations under this Agreement and in the satisfaction of the Project and conditions of this
Agreement. Upon the request of either Party at any time, the other Party shall promptly execute,
with acknowledgment or affidavit if reasonably required, and file or record such required
instruments and writings and take any actions as may be reasonably necessary under the terms of
this Agreement to carry out the intent and to fulfill the provisions of this Agreement or the Project
or to evidence or consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. City hereby
authorizes City Manager to take such other actions and negotiate and execute any additional
agreements or amendments to this agreement as may be reasonably necessary or proper to fulfill
the City's obligations under this Agreement. The City Manager may delegate her or his powers
and duties under this Agreement to an authorized management level employee of the City.
9.21 Estoppel Certificate. Within ten (10) business days following a written request by
any of the Parties, the other Party shall execute and deliver to the requesting Party a statement
certifying that (i) either this Agreement is unmodified and in full force and effect or there have
been specified (date and nature) modifications to the Agreement, but it remains in full force and
effect as modified; and (ii) either there are no known current uncured defaults under this
Agreement or that the responding Party alleges that specified (date and nature) defaults exist. The
statement shall also provide any other reasonable information requested. The failure to timely
deliver this statement shall constitute a conclusive presumption that this Agreement is in full force
and effect without modification, except as may be represented by the requesting Party, and that
there are no uncured defaults in the performance of the requesting Party, except as may be
represented by the requesting Party.
9.22 No Subordination. City's approval of the necessary land use entitlements that
authorize Developer to develop, operate, and maintain the Project was based upon Developer's
obligation to provide the Affordable Units pursuant to the State Density Bonus Law, City Density
Bonus for Affordable Housing, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. For the Term of
the Density Bonus Housing Agreement, this Agreement shall have priority over any and all
mortgages, deeds of trust, and other similar forms of secured financing recorded against the
Property or any portion thereof. Developer expressly understands and acknowledges that state law
requires preservation of affordability covenants in connection with the approval of this density
bonus project.
9.23 Attorneys' Fees and Costs. If either Party to this Agreement commences an action
against the other Party to this Agreement arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the
19
prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees, expert witness fees, costs
of investigation, and costs of suit from the losing Party.
9.24 Authority to Execute. The person or persons executing this Agreement on behalf
of each Party warrants and represents that he or she/they have the authority to execute this
Agreement on behalf of his or her/their corporation, partnership or business entity and warrants
and represents that he or she/they has/have the authority to bind the Party to the performance of its
obligations hereunder.
{Signatures on following page}
20
EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY
REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, COUNTY OF ORANGE, STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
LOTS 3 AND 4 IN BLOCK "A" OF "SANTA ANA INVESTMENT COMPANY TRACT NO. I
HUMPHREY'S ADDITION TO SANTA ANA", IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, COUNTY OF
ORANGE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 11, PAGE 39 OF
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
APN: 398-385-02
22
INCOME VERIFICATION FORM
Inclusionary Unit Address:
Head of Household (Print Name):
Current Address (if
different from above):
Telephone Number: Home:
Email address:
Date of Birth:
Work:
Social Security # or TIN:
Household Composition
Cell:
List All Household Members Living in the Inclusionary Unit
Dependent Social Security #
Name Sex Age (Y/N) or Taxpayer ID #
List additional household members on a separate sheet of paper.
Income Verification Form Page 1
Santa Ana, California
EXHIBIT "B"
INCOME VERIFICATION FORM
Monthly Gross Income *
List All Sources of Income of All Household Members Living in the Inclusionary Unit
Part 1: Earned Income
Other
Head of
Household
Household
Members
Total
1.
Gross wages, before payroll deductions and
$
$
$
including overtime pay, commissions, fees, tips
and bonuses.
2.
Net income from self employment, independent
$
$
$
contractor work or a business.
3.
Social security and any payments from annuities,
$
$
$
insurance policies, pension/retirement funds,
disability or death benefits received periodically.
4.
Payment in lieu of earnings, such as
$
$
$
unemployment, disability compensation, worker's
compensation and severance pay.
5.
Public assistance, welfare payments
$
$
$
6.
Alimony, child support, other periodic allowances
$
$
$
7.
Regular pay, special pay and allowances of
$
$
$
members of the Armed Forces
8.
Other
$
$
$
Subtotal: Monthly Earned Income $
Total Monthly Earned Income x 12 = $ Total Annual Household Gross Earned Income
Income Verification Form Page 2
Santa Ana, California
EXHIBIT "B"
INCOME VERIFICATION FORM
Monthly Gross Income *
List All Sources of Income of All Household Members Living in the Inclusionary
Unit
Part 2: Investment Income
Total
Other Adult
Household
Head of
Household
Investment
Household
Members
Income
1.
Interest paid on Bank and Savings accounts
$
$
$
2.
Dividends and other payments from stocks and
$
$
$
bonds
3.
Income from real property (i.e. rental property)
$
$
$
4.
Other (describe)
$
$
$
Subtotal: Monthly Investment Income:
$
Total Monthly Investment Income x 12 = $ Total Annual Household Investment Income
*Note: The following items are not considered income: casual or sporadic gifts; amounts specifically for or in
reimbursement of medical expenses; lump sum payments such as inheritances, insurance payments, capital
gains and settlement for personal or property losses; educational scholarships paid directly to the student or
educational institution; special pay to a serviceman head of family away from home and under hostile fire;
relocation payments under federal, state or local law; foster child care payments; value of coupon allotments
for purpose of food under Food Stamp Act of 1964 which is in excess of amount actually charged the eligible
household; payments received pursuant to participation in the following programs: VISTA, Service Learning
Programs, and Special Volunteer Programs, SCORE, ACE, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Foster
Grandparent Program, Older American Community Services Program, and National Volunteer Program to
Assist Small Business Experience.
Income Verification Form Page 3
Santa Ana. California
EXHIBIT "B"
INCOME VERIFICATION FORM
Assets **
List the Current Value of All Assets of All Household Members Living in the Inclusionary Unit
If the Asset generates income, that income must be specified In Part 2 above
Head of
Household
Other Adult
Household
Members
Total Value of
Value
Value
Assets
1.
Bank and Savings accounts
$
$
$
2.
Stocks and bonds
$
$
$
3.
Real property (i.e. rental property)
$
$
$
4.
Other (describe)
$
$
$
Total Asset Value $
**Note: Necessary items, such as furniture and automobiles, used for personal use are excluded from
household assets. Collections of items for hobby, investment or business purposes must be included in
household assets. If the total value of household assets exceeds $5,000, the calculation of the household's
annual income shall include the greater of the actual amount of income, if any, derived from all of the
household assets; or 10% of the total value of the assets.
Income Verification Form Page 4
Santa Ana, California
EXHIBIT "B"
INCOME VERIFICATION FORM
If the total asset value exceeds $5,000, perform the calculations in the following table. If the total asset value
is less than $5,000, the amount of investment income to be included in annual household income is $0.
Calculation of Investment Income to be Included in Annual Household Income
1.
Total Annual Household Investment Income
$
2.
Total Asset Value
$
x 10%
$
The Greater of #1 or #2 = Investment Income to be Included in Annual Household Income $
Calculation of the Household's Total Annual Income
Total Annual Household Gross Earned Income 1 $
Total Investment Income to be Included in Annual Household Income
Total Household Income 1 $
Documentation
Attach True Copies of the Relevant Documents Listed Below
Paycheck stubs from three most recent
pay periods
Employment verification
Three years Income tax returns for Title
Holders
Social security verification
Alimony/child support verification
Other (Describe)
Bank/Savings account verification
Self-employment verification
Unemployment verification
Welfare verification
Disability income verification
Income Verification Form Page 5
Santa Ana. California
AFFIDAVIT
This Affidavit is made with the knowledge that it will be relied upon by and the City of Santa
Ana to determine maximum income for eligibility to purchase the Inclusionary Unit listed above. (1/we) warrant
that all information set forth in this document is true, correct and complete and based upon information (1/we)
deem reliable and based upon such investigation as (1/we) deemed necessary.
(lMe) acknowledge that (1/we) have been advised that the making of any misrepresentation or misstatement in
this affidavit will constitute a material breach of (my/our) purchase agreement and will additionally enable the
seller to terminate the purchase contract and sell the Inclusionary Unit to another party.
(lMe) do hereby swear under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct and that
this affidavit has been executed as of the date specified below by each adult member of the household which
intends to occupy an Inclusionary Unit located at
Signature
Printed Name
Executed at
Signature
Printed Name
,Santa Ana, California.
Date
Santa Ana, California
Date
Executed at , Santa Ana, California
Affidavit Page 6
Santa Ana, California
Exhibit C
ATTACHMENT C -- 2
ANNUAL TENANT INCOME VERIFICATION FORM
Administrative Procedures Manual April 27, 2023
Rental Residential Development
TENANT INCOME VERIFICATION FORM
2021 AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND CREATION ORDINANCE
CITY OF SANTA ANA
Table 1: Annual Household Gross Earned Income I
List All Sources of Earned Income for all Adult Household Members Living in the Inclusionary Unit
Other Adult
Head of
Household
Household
Members
Total
1. Gross amount, before payroll deductions of
$
$
$
wages, salaries, overtime pay, commissions,
fees, tips and bonuses
I
2. Net income from business
$
$
$
3. Social security, annuities, insurance policies,
$
$
$
pension/retirement funds, disability or
death benefits received periodically
4. Payment in lieu of earnings, such as
$
$
$
unemployment, disability compensation,
worker's compensation and severance pay
5. Public assistance, welfare payments
$
$
1 $
6. Alimony, child support, other periodic
$
$
$
allowances
7. Regular pay, special pay and allowances of
$
$
$
members of the Armed Forces
8. Other
$
$
$
Subtotal: Monthly Earned Income $
Total Monthly Earned Income x 12 = $ Total Annual Household Gross Earned Income
1 The following items are not considered income: casual or sporadic gifts; amounts specifically for or in reimbursement of
medical expenses; lump sum payments such as inheritances, insurance payments, capital gains and settlement for personal
or property losses; educational scholarships paid directly to the student or educational institution; special pay to a
serviceman head of family away from home and under hostile fire; relocation payments under federal, state or local law;
foster child care payments; value of coupon allotments for purpose of food under Food Stamp Act of 1964 which is in
excess of amount actually charged the eligible household; payments received pursuant to participation in the following
programs: VISTA, Service Learning Programs, and Special Volunteer Programs, SCORE, ACE, Retired Senior Volunteer
Program, Foster Grandparent Program, Older American Community Services Program, and National Volunteer Program to
Assist Small Business Experience.
Administrative Procedures Manual Page 1
Rental Residential Development April 27, 2023
Table 2A: Household Assets 2
List the Value of All Assets Owned by all Adult Household Members Living in the Inclusionary Unit
Head of
Household
Other Adult
Household
Members
Total
Return @ 10%
of Total
1. Bank & savings accounts
$
$
$
$
2. Stocks and bonds
$
$
$
$
3. Real property
$
$
$
$
4. Other
$
$
$
$
Table 2B: Income Earned Annually from Household Assets
List the Actual Annual Return on All Assets
Owned by all Adult Household Members Living in the Inclusionary Unit
Other Adu It
Head of
Household
Household
Members
Total
1. Bank and savings accounts
$
$
1 $
2. Stocks and bonds
$
$
$
3. Real property
$
$
$
4. Other
$
$
$
The return on Household assets to be included in the Gross Income calculation is set at the greater of
the two amounts shown on the following page:
z Necessary items, such as furniture and automobiles, used for personal use are excluded from household assets.
Collections of items for hobby, investment or business purposes must be included in household assets. Under California
Government Code Section 6914, if the total value of household assets exceeds $5,000, the calculation of the household's
annual income shall include the greater of the actual amount of income, if any, derived from all of the household assets; or
10% of the total value of the assets.
Tenant Income Verification Form Page 2
Administrative Procedures Manual: Rental Housing Development April 27, 2023
j Table 2C Annual Asset Income to be Added to Annual Household Gross Earned Income
10%Annual
Return
Actual Return
Return to be
Applied
1. Bank and savings accounts
$
$
$
2. Stocks and bonds
$
$
$ ,
3. Real property
$
$
$
4. Other
$
$
$
Total Annual Return to be Added to Annual Household Gross Earned Income $
The total Gross Household Income is equal to the sum of the following:
Table 3:
Calculation of the Household'sTotal Annual Gross Income
Annual Household Gross Earned Income (Table 1) $
Annual Asset income (Table 2C) $
Total Annual Household Gross Income $
Income Documentation
Attach True Copies of the Relevant Documents listed Below
Paycheck stubs from two most recent
pay periods
Employment verification
Income tax return
Social security verification
Alimony/child support verification
Other (Describe)
Bank/Savings account verification
Self-employment verification
Unemployment verification
Welfare verification
Disability income verification
Tenant Income Verification Form Page 3
Administrative Procedures Manual: Rental Housing Development April 27, 2023
AFFIDAVIT
This Affidavit is made with the knowledge that it will be relied upon by the City of
Santa Ana, our landlord and the owner of our apartment building, to determine maximum income for
eligibility. (1/we) warrant that all information set forth in this document is true, correct and complete
and based upon information (1/we) deem reliable and based upon such investigation as (1/we) deemed
necessary.
(I/We) acknowledge that (1/we) have been advised that the making of any misrepresentation or
misstatement in this affidavit will constitute a material breach of (my/our) rental agreement with the
property owner to rent the unit and will additionally enable the property owner to initiate and pursue
all applicable legal and equitable remedies with respect to the unit and to me/us.
(I/We) do hereby swear under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct
and that this affidavit has been executed as of the date specified below by each adult member of the
household which intends to occupy an Inclusionary Unit located at
Ana, California.
Signature Date
Printed Name
Executed at , Santa Ana, California
Signature
Printed Name
Executed at
Date
Santa Ana, California
,Santa
Tenant Income Verification Form Page 1
Administrative Procedures Manual: Rental Housing Development April 27, 2023
ATTACHMENT C - 3
NO INCOME CERTIFICATION
Administrative Procedures Manual April 27, 2023
Rental Residential Development
NO INCOME CERTIFICATION FOR
HOUSEHOLD MEMBER
(NAME) certify that as of
(DATE), I am not receiving any type of income including, but not
limited to, wages and salaries, overtime pay, commissions, fees, tips, bonuses, or any
other compensation for personal services, net income from the operation of a business
or profession, dividends or interest, net income from any kind of real or personal
property, Social Security, annuities, retirement funds, pensions, death or disability
benefits, unemployment or disability compensation, workers compensation, severance
pay, welfare or other publlc assistance, alimony, or child support.
By this Certification, I declare under penalty of perjury that all of the foregoing
information is true and correct. Misrepresentation or misstatement may be a violation
of law that could result in a fine, criminal penalty or a default on the Inclusionary
Housing Regulatory Agreement made in conjunction with the rental of this Inclusionary
Unit.
Signature
Print Name
Date
Administrative Procedures Manual Page 1
Rental Residential Development April 27, 2023
Exhibit D
ANNUAL RENTAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT COMPLIANCE REPORT
2021 AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND CREATION ORDINANCE
CITY OF SANTA ANA
Project Name:
Project Address:
Total Number of Units in the Project:
Compliance Report Completed By:
Phone Number:
Date:
Reporting Period:
Number of Very Low Income Units:
Unit #
Household
Name
Household
Size
Household
Income
Number of
Bedrooms
Calculation of Net Monthly Rent
Date First
Occupied
Date of Last
Income
Recertification
Gross Rent
Minus:
Net Rent
Other
Utility Mandatory
Allowance Payments
Administrative Procedures Manual: Page 1
Rental Residential Development 8/22/2023
Administrative Procedures Manual: Page 2
Rental Residential Development 8/22/2023
EXHIBIT F
NOTICE OF AFFORDABILITY RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the CITY OF SANTA ANA, a charter city and municipal
corporation organized and existing under the Constitution and laws of the State of California, has
entered into a Density Bonus Agreement with Unison Real Estate Group, a California Limited
Liability Company ("Property Owner"). The Density Bonus Agreement imposes income and
affordability covenants for an affordable housing project with fifteen (15) units ("Project")
located at 1212 E. Fourth Street, Santa Ana, Orange County, Assessor's Parcel Number 398-385-
02, and further described in the legal description provided in Exhibit A to the Density Bonus
Agreement.
The Density Bonus Agreement was recorded as Document/Instrument Number [TO BE
INSERTED], and shall remain in effect until fifty five (55) years from the date a certificate of
occupancy is issued for all units in the Project. Among other things, the Density Bonus
Agreement requires as follows: (a) one (1) one -bedroom unit (the "Affordable Unit") shall be
restricted for occupancy to a household that qualifies as a "Very -Low Income Tenant," which is
defined to mean a household whose income does not exceed fifty (50%) of the area median
income for the Orange County, California PMSA, adjusted for household size, and (b) the rent
for the Affordable Unit shall not exceed one -twelfth (1/12) of the product of thirty percent (30%)
times fifty percent (50%) times the Median Income for Orange County, as adjusted to reflect a
reasonable utilities allowance.
In the event the Property Owner wishes to sell or transfer the Project during the Affordability
Period, the City and the Property Owner shall execute and deposit into escrow this Notice of
Affordability Covenants on Transfer of the Property. The sale or transfer of the Property shall
not be effective unless and until the City and transferee execute the documents necessary to
transfer the Density Bonus Agreement obligations from the Property Owner to the transferee.
This Notice of Affordability Covenants on Transfer of the Property in no way modifies the
provisions of the Density Bonus Agreement. In the event of any conflict between this Notice of
Affordability Covenants on Transfer of the Property and the Density Bonus Agreement, the
terms of the Density Bonus Agreement shall prevail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have duly executed this Notice of Affordability
Restrictions on Transfer of Property as of the dates set forth below.
[Signatures on Following Pages]
SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
NOTICE OF AFFORDABILITY RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
CITY:
CITY OF SANTA ANA
A California Charter City and Municipal
Corporation
Name: Kristine Ridge
Its: City Manager
Date:
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
IN
SIGNATURE PAGE
TO
NOTICE OF AFFORDABILITY RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
PROPERTY OWNER:
UNISON REAL ESTATE GROUP
A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Name: Oscar Uranga
Its:
Date:
Density Bonus Agreement Application No. 2023-01, "41h and Grand"
1212 E. Fourth Street
The 2010 Transit Zoning Code EIR and Technical Appendices are available online at:
https://www.santa-ana.org/environmental-impact-report-transit-zoning-code/
Or by visiting:
Planning and Building Agency — Planning Division Public Counter
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Exhibit 10 — 2010 Transit Zoning Code EIR
ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER
-SINCE 1921-
Mailing Address: 600 W SANTA ANA BLVD STE 812, SANTA ANA, CA 92701
Telephone (714) 543-2027 / Fax (714) 542-6841
Visit us @ www.LegalAdstore.com
NUVIA OCAMPO
CITY OF SANTA ANA/PLANNING & BUILDING AGENCY
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA 2ND FLR
SANTA ANA, CA 92702
COPY OF NOTICE
Notice Type: GPN GOVT PUBLIC NOTICE
Ad Description
1212 E Fourth Street
To the right is a copy of the notice you sent to us for publication in the
ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER. Thank you for using our newspaper. Please
read this notice carefully and call us with any corrections. The Proof of
Publication will be filed with the County Clerk, if required, and mailed to you
after the last date below. Publication date(s) for this notice is (are):
08/16/2023
The charge(s) for this order is as follows. An invoice will be sent after the last
date of publication. If you prepaid this order in full, you will not receive an
invoice.
Publication $124.00
Total $124.00
Daily Journal Corporation
Serving your legal advertising needs throughout California.
ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER, SANTA ANA (714) 543-2027
BUSINESS JOURNAL, RIVERSIDE (951) 784-0111
DAILY COMMERCE, LOS ANGELES (213) 229-5300
LOS ANGELES DAILY JOURNAL, LOS ANGELES (213) 229-5300
SAN FRANCISCO DAILY JOURNAL, SAN FRANCISCO (800) 640-4829
SAN JOSE POST -RECORD, SAN JOSE (408) 2874866
THE DAILY RECORDER, SACRAMENTO (916) 444-2355
THE DAILY TRANSCRIPT, SAN DIEGO (619) 232-3486
THE INTER -CITY EXPRESS, OAKLAND (510) 2724747
OR# 3730166
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BEFORE THE SANTA ANA PLANNING
COMMISSION
The City of Santa Ana encourages the
public to participate in the decision -
making process. We encourage you to
contact us prior to the Public Hearing if
you have any questions .
Planning Commission Action: The
Planning Commission will hold a Public
Hearing to receive public testimony, and
will take action on the item described
below. Decision on this matter will be final
unless appealed within 10 calendar days
of the decision by any interested party or
group.
Proiect Location: 1212 East Fourth
Street located within the Corridor (CDR)
district of the Transit Zoning
Code/Specific Development No. 84
(SD84).
Proiect Applicant: Oscar Uranga with
Unison Real Estate Group, LLC (Applicant
and Property Owner)
Proposed Proiect: Applicant is proposing
to construct a 15-unit rental residential
development, with one unit proposed as
affordable to very -low income households.
In order to facilitate the construction of the
project, the applicant is requesting
approval of Density Bonus Agreement
(DBA) No. 2023-01 to utilize waivers from
development standards and/or
development concessions as permitted
pursuant to California Government Code
sections 65915 through 65918 as
implemented by the Santa Ana Municipal
Code (SAMC) Sections 41-1600 through
41-1607.
Environmental Impact: Pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the
project is exempt from further review.
Categorical Exemption, Environmental
Review (ER) No. 2022-04 will be filed
for this project.
Meeting Details: This matter will be
heard on Monday, August 28, 2023 at
5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers,
22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA
92701. Members of the public may
attend this meeting in person or join
via Zoom. For the most up-to-date
information on how to participate virtually
in this meeting, please visit
https://www.santa-a na.org/planning-a nd-
bu i Idi ng-meeti ng-partici pation/.
Written Comments: If you are unable to
participate in the meeting, you may send
written comments by e-mail to
PBAeComments@santa-ana.org
(reference the Agenda Item # in the
subject line) or mail to Nuvia Ocampo,
Recording Secretary, City of Santa Ana,
20 Civic Center Plaza — M20, Santa Ana,
CA 92701. Deadline to submit written
comments is 4:00 p.m. on the day of the
meeting. Comments received after the
deadline may not be distributed to the
Commission but will be made part of the
record.
Where To Get More Information:
Additional details regarding the proposed
action(s), including the full text of the
discretionary item, may be found on the
City website 72 hours prior to the public
hearing at: https:llsanta-
ana.pdmegov.com/public/portal.
Who To Contact For Questions: Should
you have any questions, please contact
Pedro Gomez with the Planning and
Building Agency at PGomez@santa-
ana.org or714-667-2790.
Note: If you challenge the decision on the
above matter, you may be limited to
raising only those issues you or someone
else raised at the public hearing
described in this notice, or in written
correspondence delivered to the Planning
Commission or City Council of the City of
Santa Ana at, or prior to, the public
hearing.
Si tiene preguntas an espanol, favor de
Hamer a Nuvia Ocampo (714) 667-2732.
NaucanlienI@cbangtiangVi0t,
An di g n tho @ i cho Tony Lai s o (714)
565-2627.
8/16/23
OR-3730166#
' CITY OF SANTA ANA
Planning and Building Agency
" 20 Civic Center Plaza • P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, California 92702
www.santa-ana.org/pba
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BEFORE THE SANTA ANA PLANNING COMMISSION
The City of Santa Ana encourages the public to participate in the decision -making process. This
notice is being sent to those who live or own property within 1000 feet of the project site or who
have expressed an interest in the proposed action. We encourage you to contact us prior to the
Public Hearing if you have any questions.
Planning Commission Action: The Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing to receive public
testimony, and will take action on the item described below. Decision on this matter will be final unless
appealed within 10 calendar days of the decision by any interested party or group
Project Location: 1212 East Fourth Street located within the Corridor (CDR) district of the Transit
Zoning Code/Specific Development No. 84 (SD84).
Project Applicant: Oscar Uranga with Unison Real Estate Group, LLC (Applicant and Property Owner)
Proposed Project: Applicant is proposing to construct a 15-unit rental residential development, with
one unit proposed as affordable to very -low income households. In order to facilitate the construction
of the project, the applicant is requesting approval of Density Bonus Agreement (DBA) No. 2023-01 to
utilize waivers from development standards and/or development concessions as permitted pursuant to
California Government Code sections 65915 through 65918 as implemented by the Santa Ana
Municipal Code (SAMC) Sections 41-1600 through 41-1607.
Environmental Impact: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA
Guidelines, the project is exempt from further review. Categorical Exemption, Environmental Review
(ER) No. 2022-04 will be filed for this project.
Meeting Details: This matter will be heard on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Members of the public may
attend this meeting in person or join via Zoom. For the most up-to-date information on how to
participate virtually in this meeting, please visit https://www.santa-ana.org/planning-and-building-
meeting-participation/.
Written Comments: If you are unable to participate in the meeting, you may send written comments
by e-mail to PBAeComments(a)_santa-ana.org (reference the Agenda Item # in the subject line) or mail
to Nuvia Ocampo, Recording Secretary, City of Santa Ana, 20 Civic Center Plaza — M20, Santa Ana,
CA 92701. Deadline to submit written comments is 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Comments
received after the deadline may not be distributed to the Commission but will be made part of the record.
Where To Get More Information: Additional details regarding the proposed action(s), including the full
text of the discretionary item, may be found on the City website 72 hours prior to the public hearing at:
https://santa-ana.primegov.com/public/portal.
Who To Contact For Questions: Should you have any questions, please contact Pedro Gomez with
the Planning and Building Agency at PGomez(a_santa-ana.orq or 714-667-2790.
Note: If you challenge the decision on the above matter, you may be limited to raising only those issues
you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence
delivered to the Planning Commission or City Council of the City of Santa Ana at, or prior to, the public
hearing.
Si tiene preguntas en espanol, favor de Ilamar a Nuvia Ocampo (714) 667-2732.
Neu can lien lac bang tieng Viet, An dien thoai cho Tony Lai so (714) 565-2627.
r
L
1000' RADIUS NOTIFICATION MAP
1212 E. Fourth Street
1,000 Ft. Buffer Map
f
O DIZM ILigbl the 11 rtiv-1
From: Linda Arriaga
To: eComments. PBA
Subject: 1212 E. Fourth Street - Transit Zoning Code/Spec Dev No. 84 (SD84)
Date: Sunday, August 27, 2023 11:57:35 PM
Matter to be heard on: Monday, August 28, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. City Council Chambers
My name is Linda Arriaga, I reside at 1215 E. 3rd Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701. I have lived at this address for over
20 years. My parents where the previous owners. My father was Frank Rodriguez, the first Hispanic police officer
hired by the Santa Ana Police Department. My property is directly behind the property (1212 E. Fourth Street) that
applicants (Oscar Uranga and Unison Real Estate Group, LLC) are proposing to construct a 15-unit rental residential
property.
This is my concern with building a 15-unit rental residential on this property. First, the congestion it would cause. It
is near the corner of 4th and Grand Ave. This intersection has had numerous accidents; the parking alone would not
be enough, thereby causing residents from this 15-unit to come and park on our street (1215 E. 3rd Street). We have
several homeowners renting out rooms to individuals already causing limited parking. You figure 15 apartments
times the number of people living in these apartments, not including renting out rooms to others, in order for these
folks to pay for rent. Is too much.
Should you chose to approve this project, this is to place the City of Santa Ana on notice of the propensity of a
major accident to happen because of the congestion. Was a legal assistant for over 48 years, 10 of those years
working for attorneys who represented several public entities and saw a lot of accidents the city could have
prevented.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to voice my concerns.
Sincerely
Linda Arriaga
Sent from my iPad
From: Lindo, Jared@DOT <Jared.Lindo@dot.ca.gov>
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2023 1:45 PM
To: Imani, Mehrsa@HCD <Mehrsa.lmani@hcd.ca.gov>; Pezeshkpour, Ali <APezeshkpour@santa-
ana.org>
Subject: 1212 E Fourth Street Application TZC/CDR zoning requirements
Dear Mehrsa Imani, Ali Pezeshkpour,
The purpose of this letter is to halt any approval to modification of zoning requirements and to
adhere to the development requirements of a first floor commercial/mixed use zoning at the subject
property. This is in response to the attached letter sent to the City of Santa Ana Planning Manager
on 4/27/2023 referencing 1212 E Fourth Street Application — Letter of Technical Assistance. The
letter outlines the timeline of project phases and highlights the local governments reluctance to
provide timely review and responses to both the applicants Phase 1: Applicants Submittal to
Application Completeness Determination, and Phase 2: Application Completeness Determination to
Project Consistency Determination. I find that both of these review processes would have been
critical reviews based on the applicants request for concessions to reduce, modify or eliminate
development standards and zoning code requirements.
In light of the letter where its written that a concession may be sought not only to modify a zoning
code requirement where: "First the applicable zoning classification is simply "multi -family dwellings"
(i.e., not "MixedUse"). Second, the ground floor commercial requirement is subordinate in function
to the primary zoning classification of "Multi -Family Dwellings," relating primarily to the location of
the commercial floor area"." This does not correctly describe the subject projects zoning
classification, where as, in review of the City of Santa Anas Zones Established & Uses document
(April 28 2022) and stated in the attached letter, the project location is zoned as Transit Zoning Code
(TZC) and Corridor (CDR) Zone, which defines CDR as:
"This zone is applied to properties fronting existing commercial corridors and provides standards to
improve pedestrian -orientation in a transit -supportive, mixed use area. Mixed -use flex block and
live -work building types are at or near the sidewalk, and accommodate street level retail, service,
and office uses, with office and residential above...."
Therefore, the project is zoned as CDR, meaning the project needs to comply to is zoning
requirements and include first floor commercial. Altering the zoning of this corner is not consistent
with the adjacent zoning and use of the adjacent and surrounding properties of the area. These
properties are for mixed -use and live -work spaces making the primary function of such
developments first floor commercial and upper story dwellings subordinate to the first floor
commercial use. Using the State Density Bonus Law (SDBL) to modify zoning away from commercial
local need is an overreach. The SDBL directive of "shall be interpreted liberally in favor of producing
the maximum number of total housing units" does not mean to increase housing by altering exiting
zoning, reduce local jobs, reduce local businesses, and reduce local resources for residents in the
local and regional area. This zoning is also in place to protect the resources available to the greater
regional area due to its proximity of local and regional transit as part of the TZC zone. Noting that
the "the cost of adding an additional story to the building to meet the ground floor commercial
requirement and providing 16 units is presumably economically infeasible" would not be sufficient
justification since the property location per code is only allotted 12 units per is size allotment and
any allowed units using an incentive to grant is just that, an incentive. An reduction in an incentive
should not be justification enough to replace a zoning standard and itself be the reason for first floor
commercial exceptions. The applicant will be granted the additional 4 units per the SDBL which it is
entitled, however it is up to the applicant to incorporate the incentive or not. The applicant has
demonstrated that they can incorporate 2 of the 4 SDBL incentive units while adhering to the first
floor mixed use zoning requirements meaning that there is no need for an additional floor nor is it
infeasible as the letter states.
I did read that this project is either determined or seeking Environmental Categorically Exempt (CE)
CEQA determination. If this is the case, I believe that any consideration in an exception to local
zoning would violate CE/CE determination and require a revalidation and trigger an Initial Study
Mitigated Negative Determination (IS/MND) or Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Where local
community members would have the opportunity to comment and review.
Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me.
Jared Lindo, PE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT _
2020 W. El Camino Avenue, Suite 500 .'� 1..
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
April 27, 2023
Ali Pezeshkpour, Planning Manager
City of Santa Ana
Planning Division
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Dear Ali Pezeshkpour:
RE: 1212 E Fourth Street Application — Letter of Technical Assistance
The purpose of this letter is to provide technical assistance to the City of Santa Ana (City)
regarding the application for a proposed housing project to be located at 1212 E Fourth
Street (Project). The California Department of Housing and Community Development
(HCD) received a request for technical assistance regarding the subject Project, and the
determination of application completion and consistency pursuant to the Permit
Streamlining Act (PSA) (Gov. Code, § 65920 et seq.), the Housing Accountability Act
(HAA) (Gov. Code, § 65589.5), and the State Density Bonus Law (SDBL) (Gov. Code, §
65915 et seq.). Additionally, the request asks if the Project will be subject to the City's
recently amended inclusionary zoning ordinance, named the Affordable Housing
Opportunity and Creation Ordinance (AHOCO).
HCD understands that the proposed Project will create a total of 14 units, including one
unit dedicated to very low-income (VLI) households. The Project site has a general
plan land -use designation of Urban Neighborhood -Medium, allowing residential
densities of up to 40 dwelling units per acre (du/ac). The site is zoned Transit Zoning
Code (TZC) / Corridor Zone (CDR). The Project's zoning classification is "Multi -Family
Dwellings."' Under the SDBL, the Project's base density is 12 units (0.287 acres x 40
du/ac, rounded up per Gov. Code, § 65915, subd. (q)). The applicant is providing eight
percent VLI units (one unit) to earn a 27.5-percent density bonus (four units). While
entitled to four units, the applicant has chosen to incorporate only two bonus units. The
Project seeks concessions and development standard waivers pursuant to the SDBL.
1 Transit Zoning Code (TZC), Section 41-2007, Table 2A — Use Standards.
Ali Pezeshkpour, Planning Manager
Page 2
Project Timeline
This letter presents the Project's permitting history in three distinct phases, punctuated
by key milestones, to present the information in the clearest way possible.
Phase 1: Application Submittal to Application Completeness Determination
On November 10, 2021, the applicant submitted the full development application.
Under the Permit Streamlining Act, local governments have 30 calendar days after the
development application submittal to inform the applicant of whether the application is
complete. If the local government does not inform the applicant of any deficiencies
within that 30-day period, the application will be "deemed complete," even if it is
deficient (Gov. Code, § 65943, subd. (a )).2
The City failed to inform the applicant in writing that the application was not complete
by December 10, 2021 (i.e., 30 days from the date of submittal). Therefore, on
December 10, 2021, the application was deemed complete by operation of law.
Phase 2: Application Completeness Determination to Project Consistency
Determination
The HAA requires that for housing development projects containing 150 or fewer
housing units, the local agency has 30 days from the date the development application
is deemed complete to provide the applicant with written documentation of any
inconsistency, incompliance, or inconformity with the applicable plan, program, policy,
ordinance, standard, requirement, or other similar provision (Gov. Code, § 65589.5,
subd. 0)(2)(A)(i)). If the local agency does not provide written documentation of such
findings within 30 days, the development project shall be deemed consistent,
compliant, and in conformity of the applicable plan, ordinance, and standards (Gov.
Code, § 65589.5, subd. (j)(2)(13)).
The City failed to inform the applicant in writing of any inconsistencies by January 9,
2022 (i.e., 30 days from the date that the application was deemed complete by
operation of law). Therefore, on January 9, 2022, the Project was deemed consistent
and compliant with the applicable plan, ordinance, and standards by operation of law.
On the same date, the Project became vested under the HAA (Gov. Code, § 65589.5,
subd. (j)(1)). Note that the Project's vesting is not based on the submittal of a
Preliminary Application (Gov. Code, § 65941.1) because the applicant did not submit a
Preliminary Application. The Project's vesting occurred when the application was
deemed consistent by operation of law (Gov. Code, § 65589.5, subd. (h)(5)).
2 See also Housing Accountability Act Technical Assistance Advisory Memo, dated
September 15, 2020, Page 8.
Ali Pezeshkpour, Planning Manager
Page 3
Phase 3: Project Consistency Determination to Project Consideration
Nine days after the Project was deemed consistent by operation of law, on January
18, 2022, the City sent the applicant its first letter regarding the Project. The letter
confirmed the application submittal date of November 18, 2022 and provided a list of
required modifications to the design of the Project. It is apparent from the length and
level of detail in the letter that its purpose was related to Project consistency and not
application completeness. Throughout the following year, the applicant continued to
revise the Project while periodically receiving inconsistency letters from the City. The
most recent letter from the City to the applicant, dated March 15, 2023, states that the
project "has met the requirements and conditions of the City's Development Review
(DRC) to complete the Development Project Review process" — except for the
singular issue of compliance with the AHOCO.
Santa Ana's Affordable Housing Opportunity and Creation Ordinance (AHOCO)
HCD understands that the AHOCO was formerly known as the Housing Opportunity
Ordinance (HOO), which was adopted in 2011 and later amended in 2015, 2020, and
2022. The HOO, as amended in 2020, applied to "any new residential project comprised
of twenty (20) or more residential lots or residential units" (NS-2994, Sec. 41-1902). As
of April 19, 2022, the newly adopted AHOCO became applicable to "any new project
comprised of five or more residential lots or residential units" (Ord. No. NS-3019, Sec.
41-1902). Relative to the State Density Bonus Law, the City's AHOCO requires more
affordable units, and more deeply affordable units, than the minimums specified in the
SDBL (Gov. Code, § 65915, sub. (b)).
While HCD recognizes the City's efforts for a more robust inclusionary zoning ordinance,
due to the Project being deemed consistent (under operation of law) on January 9, 2021,
the Project is not subject to the AHOCO. The Project is only subject to the requirements
in effect on January 9, 2021.
State Density Bonus Law
At the time the application was initially submitted on November 10, 2021, the Project
design included 16 units, including four bonus units. The applicant sought to use a
SDBL concession to reduce or eliminate a requirement that "Multi -Family Dwellings" be
located "only on second or upper floors, or behind retail or service ground floor use." 3
The City informed the applicant in a letter dated January 18, 2022 that "[t]he Density
Bonus Law's provisions do not allow an applicant to request a waiver for land uses,
such as the commercial/mixed-use requirement for a project." This is an overly broad
interpretation. The SDBL contains no language creating a distinction between
3 Transit Zoning Code (TZC), Section 41-2007, Table 2A — Use Standards, Footnote 1.
Ali Pezeshkpour, Planning Manager
Page 4
requirements associated with "land use" and development standards.4 A concession
may be sought not only to modify or eliminate a development standard but also to
modify "zoning code requirements" (Gov. Code, § 65915, sub. (k)(1)). First, the
applicable zoning classification is simply "Multi -Family Dwellings" (i.e., not "Mixed -
Use"). Second, the ground floor commercial requirement is subordinate in function to
the primary zoning classification of "Multi -Family Dwellings," relating primarily to the
location of the commercial floor area.
If the applicant chooses to request a concession to eliminate or modify the requirement
for ground floor commercial, they may. The decision -making body must consider the
requested concession pursuant to the SDBL. The City must grant (i.e., "shall approve")
the specific incentives/concessions requested by the applicant unless the City makes
written findings, based on substantial evidence, that the incentive/concession would (1)
not result in a cost reduction, (2) have a specific adverse impact on health or safety (as
defined), or (3) be contrary to state or federal law (Gov. Code, § 65915, subd. (d)).
Because the City wrongfully rejected its concession request, the applicant has
removed the two ground floor residential units and replaced them with commercial floor
area. This has reduced the number of units in the overall project from 16 to 14, thus not
achieving the full 27.5-percent density bonus to which the applicant is entitled. The cost
of adding an additional story to the building to meet the ground floor commercial
requirement and providing 16 units is presumably economically infeasible.
Finally, the SDBL contains the directive that it "shall be interpreted liberally in favor of
producing the maximum number of total housing units" (Gov. Code, § 65915, subd. (r)).
Conclusion and Next Steps
HCD encourages the City's efforts to prioritize housing affordability and to increase the
overall supply of housing. However, the City must process development applications in
accordance with the timelines established under the PSA and the HAA. Failure to do
so results in project applications being deemed complete and consistent with local
regulatory requirements by operation of law, as seen here. Moving forward, HCD
expects the City to advance the Project to a meeting where it can be considered by the
decision -making body.
HCD would also like to remind the City that HCD has enforcement authority over the
SDBL, HAA, and PSA, among other state housing laws. Accordingly, HCD may review
local government actions and inactions to determine consistency with these laws. If
HCD finds that a city's actions do not comply with state law, HCD may notify the
California Office of the Attorney General that the local government is in violation of
state law (Gov. Code, § 65585, subd. (j)).
4 "Development Standard" is defined in Government Code section 65915, subdivision
(o)(2).
Ali Pezeshkpour, Planning Manager
Page 5
If you have any questions regarding the content of this letter or would like additional
technical assistance, please contact Mehrsa Imani, of our staff, at
mehrsa.imani(a�hcd.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
5i"(�
Shannan West
Housing Accountability Unit Chief