HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - 75AN \
June 17, 2014
City Council Meeting
Correspondence
Email/ Sender /Representative
Agency
Letter
Letters in Support of 75A
1
Michael Balsamo, CEO Building Industry Association of Southern
California
2
Clara Turner Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible
Development
3
Victor Payan, Yenny Vernal, Matt Southgate
United Artists of Santa Ana
4
Kay Ayazi
Tootsie Ice Cream
5
Ava Steaffens, CEO
KidWorks
6
Cesar Covarrubias, Executive Director (5/12/2014)
The Kennedy Commission
7
Lamont Hartman, Local Engagement Pastor
Mariners Church
$
, Claire Braebum, Executive Director
America On Track'
9
Dawn S. Reese, Executive Director and Co -CEO
The Wooden Floor
10
Shawna E. Smith
Taller San Jose
11
Cesar Covarnubias, Executive Director (6/16/2014)
The Kennedy Commision
Letters in Opposition of 75A
1
Jason Niedle
Santiago Street Lofts Resident
2
Sherrilyn Arnold
Santiago Street Lofts Resident
MAgenda SUOIbibs Correspondence.doc
r r r
June '10011, =4
In Support of 75.E
Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
From:
Huizar, Maria
Sent:
Thursday, June 12, 2014 12:44 PM
To:
Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
Cc:
Orozco, Norma; Trujillo, Rose Ann
Subject:
FW: June 17th Public Hearing Support Letter
Attachments:
2014 -06 -12 Santa Ana - 923 N Santiago.pdf
Please enter into the record. Thank you.
From: Victor Cao [mailto:vcao(cabiaoc.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2014 12:25 PM
To: Huizar, Maria
Subject: June 17th Public Hearing Support Letter
Dear Ms. Huizar,
On behalf of our membership, I would like to submit a letter in support of the mixed use residential project a 923 North
Santiago Street. Could you please file this on the public record for the public hearing item on June 17" and send to City
Council?
Thank you for your time and service.
Sincerely,
Victor Cao
Government Affairs Manager
BIA of Southern California, Orange County Chapter
(949) 553 -9500 x120 office
(714) 202 -7122 mobile
June 12, 2014
The Honorable Miguel Pulido and City Council Members
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
SUBJECT: Support for Mixed -Use Development at 923 North Santiago Street
Dear Mayor Pulido,
On behalf of our membership, I would like to express our support of the mixed -use
development proposed at 923 North Santiago Street. The project conforms to the
General Plan, has many merits (LEED Gold design), and is uniquely well suited to
address local economic and planning goals.
The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Orange County Chapter
(BIA /OC) is a non -profit trade association of over 1,000 companies employing over
100,000 people affiliated with the home building industry. The Orange County
Chapter represents the largest member base within BIA Southern California. Our
mission is to champion housing as the foundation of vibrant and sustainable
communities.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF HOUSING
New housing will significantly contribute to Santa Ana's economic well- being.
Orange County led the nation last year by creating over 8,600 jobs in construction,
which was a substantial factor in lowering the County's unemployment to 5.0 %'
According to research by the National Association of Home Builders, approximately
80 jobs and over $2.9 million in taxes would be created from the project at 923 North
Santiago'. Additionally, nearly three- fifths of a household income is spent within the
local economy, which is a direct benefit to local businesses and city sales tax revenue.
These economic benefits from housing are sustainable and affect various sectors of the
economy.
DEMOGRAPHICS & HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Presently, there is a housing shortage in Orange County. On average, home prices
have risen by 21.1% in one year. While housing supply remains constrained, Orange
County is expected to see a population increase of over 432,000 people in the next 20
to 25 years. While there are many factors affecting affordability, producing homes is
the most direct approach to remedy affordability challenges. Producing homes in
Santa Ana at all income levels is necessary to address the City's needs as outlined in
the Housing Element. The proposed development will expand housing opportunity
I Construction pumps O.C. job growth to 2.2% annual rate. OC Register, 12 Mar 2013
<http: / /www.ocregister.com /articles /percent- 606548 - jobs -year. html>
z Impact of Home Building and Remodeling on the U.S. Economy, National Association of Home Builders.
1 May 2014. < http:// www. nahb .org /generic.aspx ?sectionlD= 784 &genericContentlD= 227858>
Orange County
Chapter
nuilding Indusny As.;ociaFion
of $oath,,,, cMflb,nm
17744 Sky Park Circle
Suite 170
Irvine, California 92614
949.553.9500
fax 949.769.8943
www.biaoc com
PRESIDENT
DONNA KELLY
LENNAR
VICE PRESIDENT
JOAN MARCUS- COLVIN
THE NEW HOME COMPANY
TREASURER
JIM YATES
RANCHO MISSION VIEJO
SECRETARY
MIKE GARTLAN
KB HOME
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
DAVE BULLOCH
STANDARD PACIFIC HOMES
TRADE CONTRACTOR COUNCIL V.P.
ALAN BOUDREAU
BOUDREAU PIPELINE CORPORATION
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT
MARK HIMMELSTEIN
NEWMEYER & BILLION, LLP
MEMBER -AT -LARGE
BRIAN GEIS
MEMSER�ADLARGE
MIKE WINTER
SARES -REGIS GROUP
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MICHAEL BALSAMO
to residents of very low, low, and moderate incomes with 100% affordability overall. In order to best
achieve local expansion of affordable housing opportunity, it is critical that the City of Santa Ana and
the County of Orange realize the benefit from the Federal Home Funds that could be otherwise used
outside our county.
CONSISTENT WITH PLANNING POLICY
The project at 923 North Santiago is consistent with the city's Transit Zoning Code as well as statewide
and regional housing policy. Senate Bill 375 created a framework for transit- oriented design in order to
further transportation and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The project is uniquely positioned adjacent
to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, which promotes mobility and environmental
sustainability.
For these reasons, we strongly encourage the approval of the development at 923 North Santiago
Street. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Michael Balsamo
Chief Executive Officer
Cc: City Council
Mr. David Cavazos, City Manager
Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
From: Huizar, Maria
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 9:38 AM
To: Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
Cc: Trujillo, Rose Ann; Orozco, Norma
Subject: FW: Depot at Santiago Housing (SACReD)
Attachments: Santiago Depot.docx
Please include letter for the record. Thank you
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Magallon, Becky
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 9:23 AM
To: Sarmiento, Vince
Cc: Huizar, Maria
Subject: FW: Depot at Santiago Housing (SACReD)
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Clara Turner [mailto:cturner@occord.org]
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2014 2:39 PM
To: Pulido, Miguel; Sarmiento, Vince; Martinez, Michele; Amezcua, Angelica; Benavides, David; Reyna, Roman; Tinajero,
Sal; Cavazos, David
Subject: Depot at Santiago Housing (SACReD)
Dear Mayor, Councilmembers, and City Manager,
SACReD would like to submit the attached letter for your consideration prior to the City Council meeting Tuesday, June
17.
Respectfully yours,
SACReD
June 12, 2014
Mayor Miguel Pulido and City Council Members
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: Support for Affordable Homes- Depot at Santiago
Dear Mayor Pulido and City Council Members,
SACReD, the Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible Development, believes strongly in the
principles of inclusion, transparency, and participation for residents in our community of Santa Ana.
We write today to express our strong support for the proposed Depot at Santiago housing project.
We believe that the Depot at Santiago is a critical opportunity for Santa Ana to improve opportunity
and wellbeing for Santa Ana families. The proposed project will provide 70 safe and affordable
home for Santa Anans, and it will significantly improve the quality of life for many working families
in the City. For the City of Santa Ana, the Depot at Santiago represents an opportunity to solidify the
City's role as a leader in facilitating and encouraging the development of safe, affordable homes for
working families.
The Depot at Santiago is an excellent proposal that benefits our community in more ways than just
providing additional quality, accessible housing. In addition to providing the 70 units of affordable
housing, the project is a pioneer for the strategy of providing mixed -use development with housing
that is one hundred percent affordable to lower income residents. The project will help address the
City's shortfall in meeting its RHNA allocation, while aligning and integrating with policy initiatives
that promote climate health, reduce congestion, and reduce negative environmental impacts of
development.
Safe and affordable housing is one of the most important factors in the wellbeing of an individual, a
family, and a community. We encourage the City to approve the Depot at Santiago project. We
believe that the City must continue to deepen its commitment to providing safe and healthy housing
options for our low income working families of Santa Ana, and the Depot at Santiago project
represents a key opportunity to do so.
Sincerely,
Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible Development
qph� @®
- SANTA ANA COLLABORATIVE FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT
Healthy Colaboratmo de Santa Ana Para el Desarrollo Responsable
Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
From: Barela, Rosa
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 10:41 AM
To: !City Clerk
Cc: Haluza, Karen; Fregoso, Vince; Carvajal, Verny
Subject: FW: Depot at Santiago- Letters of Support
Attachments: 140614 Depot at Santiago- Letters of Support.pdf
Categories: City Hall Closed
Hi ladies,
See attached letters of support for tomorrow's Council Agenda Item 75A.
From: Todd Cottle [mailto:todd(&c- cdev.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2014 4:13 PM
To: Carvajal, Verny
Cc: Barry Cottle; Haluza, Karen
Subject: Depot at Santiago- Letters of Support
Hi Verny,
Attached are letters of support from interested parties concerning the Depot at Santiago project. I've attached letters
from the following individuals /organizations:
United Artists of Santa Ana
Tootsie Ice Cream
KidWorks
The Kennedy Commission
Lighthouse Learning Centers /Mariner's Church
America on Track
The Wooden Floor
Taller San Jose
You should also be receiving a letter directly from the BIA at the beginning of the week. I'll forward additional letters if
we receive them on Monday or Tuesday. Thanks.
Todd Cottle
C & C Development Co., LLC
14211 Yorba St., Ste. 200
Tustin, CA 92780
714 - 288 -7600 x250
866 - 570 -0728 (fax)
todd(a.c- cdev.com
May 20,2014
Honorable Members uf City Council
City of Santa Ana
2V Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA93?O1
Dear Members of Santa Ana City Council,
\8/e write you bu regards 0[the proposed development project k8um/xmsDmyot@S .
United Artists of Santa Ana ('UASA") has met personally with the developers of the project
and are excited about their commitment to incorporating the arts into the project.
Vye have discussed the following items with the developer and have interest iu developing a
more formal relationship as the project moves forward. lJAS&islooking forward tuserving
us the partner in:
1. Assisting the developer with outreach to the artist community in Santa Ana. We
would love $o see numerous artists get uu the waiting list as soon aJ possible tn
become tenants in the apartments, as this would enhance the dynamic mix of the
community and provide critical affordable housing options for artists,
2. Managing/curating a dedicated gallery space within the retail portion of the project.
This would be provided t0 our group free 0fcharge,
3. Managing and promoting periodic arts focused events, performances, screenings
and art markets io the parking court area and the large patio space atthe
southeastern portion nf the project,
4. COoS*|tiog and assisting with the design Ofmo on-site public art piece,
With our involvement, weare excited about what this project modo to contribute to the
overall vision of the arts in Santa Ana,
Thank you for your continued service to the City uf Santa Ana as well as your continued
support nf the arts and local artists.
Best Regards,
' l§«tnrPava& Matt Southgate
United Artists o[ Santa Ana United Artists n[ Santa Ana United Artists of Santa Ana
M. Box 18l6 Santa Ana, cA9Z7O1«infn@un\ted°¢|$svhantaanaurg
May 20, 2014
Honorable Members of City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Dear Members of Santa Ana City Council,
I write you in regards of the proposed development project known as
Depot @Santiago. I have met personally with the developers of the project and am
excited about its retail component. We all know that there is a great need for retail
and restaurants in that section of the city.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that Tootsie ice Chsam has a significant
Interest in being a future tenant at the Depot@Santiago project. We understand that
completion of the project is at least two years away. This letter simply expresses
our interest to explore possibilities with the owner as the project progresses. This
letter should not be construed as a commitment of any kind.
We are excited about the potential expansion of our business within the City of
Santa Ana and are hopeful that we may be able to serve the residents around the
train station with an expanded presence upon completion of this development
Thank you for your continued service to the City of Santa Ana as well as your
continued support of local businesses.
E
7
Nam
KidWorks-
touching lives with hope"
,tune 12, 2014
c/o Todd Cottle
C &C Development
14211 Yorba St., Suite 200
Tustin, CA 92780
RE: Depot at Santiago- 923 N. Santiago Street, Santa Ana
To City of Santa Ana
71 4.834,9400
714.&34:9494
W.0kidworksor line.org
I have known and worked with Orange Housing Development Corporation (OHDC) and C &C
Development (C &C) for a number of years. In that time, I have found them to be developers
committed to producing quality housing for the residents of Santa Ana. Through KidWorks
Community Centers, we currently partner with OHDC and C &C in the Townsend/ Raitt
neighborhood. Their development is an asset to the surrounding community,
KidWorks Learning Centers are focused on providing programs to grow individuals, strengthen
families and build a better community. The centers provide daily academic assistance to
children and teens through after - school programs working with small groups of children and
Individually with teens to help them be successful with their daily assignments and projects.
Additional programs for students include youth group tutoring, Leadership and computer labs.
The centers also offer adult education programs in Spanish literacy, ESL (English as a second
language), community leadership and parent education.
KidWorks and I are pleased to support this new proposed development. The Depot at Santiago
will be another quality affordable housing development that will assist in transforming lives of
individuals and families within the City of Santa Ana.
Sincerely,
ine /
6//r/ LV_ d
Ava Steaffens
CEO
May 12, 2014
Chair Eric Alderete and Planning Commissioner Members
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: Support for Affordable Homes- Depot at Santiago
Dear Chair Alderete and Planning Commissioner Members,
www.kennedyeonnnission.org
17701 Cowan Ave., Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
949 250 0909
Fax 949 263 0647
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad based coalition of residents and
community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families
earning less than $20,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has been
successful in partnering and working with jurisdictions in Orange County to create strategic and
effective housing and land -use policies that has led to the new construction of homes affordable
to lower income work -force families.
The Commission would like to commend the City's leadership and support in encouraging
and facilitating the development of homes affordable to lower income working families.
Recently, at the 2014 Affordable Housing Awards Breakfast, two of the City's affordable home
developments received awards for excellence in residential housing design and special needs
design: Terraces at Santiago (36 family apartment homes) and Vista Del Rio (41 special needs
apartment homes). As the City continues its great efforts in addressing the City's housing
needs for lower income workers and families, the Commission recommends the City to
support the proposed Depot at Santiago.
The proposed Depot at Santiago will not only provide 70 affordable, safer and healthier homes
but it will also significantly improve the quality of life for many working families in the City. In
addition, the ,proposed Depot of Santiago will:
1) Be one of the very few cities in Orange County to construct a mixed -use development
that will provide 100 percent of the rental homes as affordable. The City will be at the
forefront in establishing a mixed -use lower income affordable home development model
for other cities in the County to implement.
2) Address the City's 2008 -2014 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) carryover!
shortfall (111 very low- income and 90 low- income homes) and the current 2014 -2021
RHNA housing needs (45 very low - income and 32 low- income homes).1
3) Achieve the vision and goals of the Transit Zoning Code which "provides for the
integration of new infill development into existing neighborhoods, allows for the reuse of
existing buildings, supports mixed -use development, provides a transit - supportive,
1 City of Santa Ana General Plat Housing Element 2014 -2021, January 2014, p. A -34.
Chair Alderete and Planning Commissioner Members
May 12, 2014
Page 2 of 2
pedestrian- oriented development framework to reduce vehicle trips, reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, and support the addition of new transit infrastructure, and provides an
economic development stimulus, ,2
4) Align with the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375)
and help the City implement and comply with the goals of SB 375. Locating homes,
specifically affordable homes such as the Depot at Santiago, near transit (Santa Ana
Regional Transportation Center), job centers and neighborhood services will decrease the
enviromnental impacts of traffic congestion, vehicle miles travelled (VMT) and
greenhouse gas emissions.
The Commission looks forward to continuing our partnership with the City to increase affordable
home opportunities for lower income working families. If there are any questions, please feel
free to contact me at (949) 250 -0909 or cesarc@lrennedycommission.org.
Sincerely,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director
2 City of Santa Ana Transit Zoning Code (SD 84A and SD 84B) EIR, February 2010, p.1 -7
(3i MARINERSCHURCH
May 21, 2014
c/o Todd Cottle
C &C Development
14211 Yorba St., Suite 200
Tustin, CA 92780
RE: Depot at Santiago - 923 N. Santiago Street, Santa Ana
To Whom It May Concern:
Mariners Church has known and worked with Orange Housing Development Corporation
(OHDC) and C &C Development (C &C) for a number of years. In that time, they have proven to
be developers committed to producing quality housing for the residents of Santa Ana. Through
our Lighthouse Community Centers, we currently partner with OHDC and C &C at four of their
locations, two of which are located in Santa Ana. Each of their developments are an incredible
asset to the surrounding community.
Mariners Church's Lighthouse Community Centers are focused on providing volunteer -based
programs reflecting Christ's transforming love by building community, strengthening families
and growing individuals. The centers provide daily academic assistance to children and teens
through after - school programs working with small groups of children and individually with
teens to help them be successful with their dally assignments and projects. The center's goals
are to equip volunteers and community leaders to meet unique, holistic needs of the
communities. Additional programs for elementary, junior high and high school students include
youth groups, camps, field trips, and computer labs at each site. The centers also offer adult
education programs in ESL (English as a second language), community leadership and parent
education.
Mariners Church and its Lighthouse Community Centers are pleased to support this new
development. This Depot at Santiago will be another quality housing development that will
assist in transforming lives of individuals and families within the City of Santa Ana.
5001 newport coast drive. Irvine, ca 92603 ° 949.769.8100 • marinerschurch.org
Honorary Boar_d_of_Directors
Ed Arnold, News Anchor
KOCE, Channel 50
Charles Brobeck, Chief of Police
Irvine Police Department (Ret.)
David O. Carter, Judge
United States District Court
William M. Habermehl,
Superintendent of Schooke Emeritus
Orange County Dept. of Education
Marls Victor Hansen, Co- Author,
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Board of Directors
Claire Braeburn, Executive Director
America On Track
Michael J. Chilleen, Attorney
Sheppard Mullin
Thomas Creato, Principal
Create Consulting
Don Crevier, President
Crevier Classic Cars
Mike Kilbride, CEO
Kilbride Engineering
Mike Lake, Vice President. Marketing
Crevier BMW & Mini
Patrick Ross, CPA / Partner
Haskell & White, LLP
Goody Tokushima, CEO
TCG international
Terry Thompson, President
America On Track
A-00SOry BBoard
Craig Chen, 2nd Year Resident
Stanford Hospitals and Clinics
Alberto Gedissman, MD,
Medical Director
AltaMcd Health Services
Peggy Goldwater Clay
Community Leader
Marty Michael, Vice PresidenflGM
Aera Aerospace
Marl: Van Horn, Resonrce Teacher
Muir Fundamental, SAUSD
NN
Teaming Communities & Youth for a Brighter Future
June 12, 2014
c/o Todd Cottle
C &C Development
14211 Yorba St., Suite 200
Tustin, CA 92780
RE: Depot at Santiago- 923 N. Santiago Street, Santa Ana
To the City of Santa Ana:
I have known and worked with Orange Housing Development Corporation
(OHDC) and C &C Development (C &C) for a number of years. In that time, I
have found them to be developers committed to producing quality affordable
housing for the residents of Santa Ana. We have partnered with OHDC and C &C
on many of their locations. All of their developments are an asset to the
surrounding community. OHDC and C &C go above and beyond to create
beautiful apartment home communities that, give the working class residents of
Santa Ana a place to live and raise their children with a sense of self - respect and
pride.
We are focused on strengthening families and growing individuals. We have
worked closely with OHDC & C &C on their non - smoking policies and now in
Nutrition and Health education classes for their residents. Their sincere
commitment to community enhancement and collaboration is unparalleled.
America On Track and I are pleased to support this new proposed development.
The Depot at Santiago will be another quality affordable housing development
that will assist in transforming the lives of individuals and families within the City
of Santa Ana.
Sincerely,
Claire Braeburn
Executive Director
America On Track
600 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 710, Santa Ana, CA 92701 •:• Tel: (714) 531 -7144 S www.AmericaOnTrack.org
from here you can step anywhere
June 12, 2014
c/o Todd Cottle
C &C Development
14211 Yorba St., Suite 200
Tustin, CA 92780
RE: Depot at Santiago- 923 N. Santiago Street, Santa Ana
To City of Santa Ana
I have known Orange Housing Development Corporation (OHDC) and C &C Development (C &C) for a
number of years. In that time, I have found them to be developers committed to producing quality
affordable housing for the residents of Santa Ana. Their developments are an asset to the surrounding
community.
The Wooden Floor is focused on strengthening families and growing individuals. We look forward to
being a part of this exciting new project.
The Wooden Floor is pleased to support this new proposed development. The Depot at Santiago will be
another quality affordable housing development that will assist in transforming lives of individuals and
families within the City of Santa Ana.
Sincerely,
Dawn S. Reese
Executive Director and Co -CEO
1810 North Mai n Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706 -2727 Phone: 714.541.8314 Fax: 714.541.2150 •wwvq. Ti 100 1 .crg
RE: Depot @Santiago -923 N. Santiago Street, Santa Ana
Dear Todd,
I'm happy to provide this letter in support of your proposed development, Depot @Santiago, located at
923 N. Santiago Street in Santa Ana. As a resident of that neighborhood, we are excited about what the
proposed project will bring in the way of housing and retail space.
I have known and worked with C &C Development for a number of years. In that time, I have found your
team to be developers committed to producing quality housing for the residents of Santa Ana. The
caliber of the housing projects C &C Development produces is outstanding. These developments
become important assets to the surrounding community.
As you know Taller San Jose's mission to walk young lives out of poverty is achieved through intensive
workforce training programs followed by employment opportunities with local companies. Each year
more than 300 young men and women receive services at Taller San Jose that include hands -on
technical training in construction, medical assisting, office technology, supportive life skills, and job
readiness.
Taller San Jose is pleased to support the new Depot @Santiago Apartments. This new project will help
bring needed jobs to the City of Santa Ana, provide affordable workforce housing, and help spur further
development within the Station District.
Sincerely,
Shawna E. Smith
Executive Director
801 North Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone (714) 543 -57.05
Fax (714) 543 -5032
www.tallersanjose.org
Sparuored HJ ojSt. JDreO, rotOmIl"",
Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
From:
Sent:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Categories:
Mayor and City Council,
Huizar, Maria
Monday, June 16, 2014 4:17 PM
Cavazos, David; Carvalho, Sonia R.; Haluza, Karen
Support Letter for the Depot at Santiago - 75A
Ltr_SA CC Depot at Santiago 14.6.16.pdf
City Hall Closed
Attached is a letter of support on Agenda Item 75A.
From: linda tang [mailto:kencomlt33(&gmail comJ
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 4:11 PM
To: Huizar, Maria
Cc: Cesar Covarrubias; Eunice Bobert; Todd Cottle
Subject: RE: Support Letter for the Depot at Santiago
Dear City Clerk Huizar,
Please find attached the Kennedy Commission's comment letter regarding tomorrow's City Council Agenda
Item #75A to allow the construction of the Depot at Santiago.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Linda Tang
The Kennedy Commission
17701 Cowan Ave., Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
p:(949)250 -0909
f: (949) 263 -0647
www.Icennedycommission.org
June 16, 2014
Mayor Miguel Pulido and City Council Members
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: Support for Affordable Homes- Depot at Santiago
Dear Mayor Pulido and City Council Members,
www.kennedycommission.org
17701 Cowan Ave., Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
949 250 0909
Fax 949 263 0647
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad based coalition of residents and
community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families
earning less than $20,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has been
successful in partnering and working with jurisdictions in Orange County to create strategic and
effective housing and land -use policies that has led to the new construction of homes affordable
to lower income work -force families.
The Commission would like to commend the City's leadership and support in encouraging
and facilitating the development of homes affordable to lower income working families.
Recently, at the 2014 Affordable Housing Awards Breakfast, two of the City's affordable home
developments received awards for excellence in residential housing design and special needs
design: Terraces at Santiago (36 family apartment homes) and Vista Del Rio (41 special needs
apartment homes), As the City continues its great efforts in addressing the City's housing
needs for lower income workers and families, the Commission recommends the City to
support the proposed Depot at Santiago.
The proposed Depot at Santiago will not only provide 70 affordable, safer and healthier homes
but it will also significantly improve the quality of life for many working families in the City. In
addition, the proposed Depot of Santiago will:
1) Be one of the very few cities in Orange County to construct a mixed -use development
that will provide 100 percent of the rental homes as affordable. The City will be at the
forefront in establishing a mixed -use lower income affordable home development model
for other cities in the County to implement.
2) Address the City's 2008 -2014 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) carryover/
shortfall (111 very low - income and 90 low- income homes) and the current 2014 -2021
RHNA housing needs (45 very low- income and 32 low- income homes).'
3) Increase public health, fitness and mobility choices, The Depot of Santiago will be
located near the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and proposed Santa Ana 1
Fixed Guideway. Residents who live near a transit hub generally depend less on driving I
City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Clement 2014 -2021, January 2014, p. A -34.
Mayor Ptdido and City Council Members
June 16, 2014
Page 2 of 2
their automobile and rely more on walking, biking or utilizing public transit. For many
families, youths, elderly and those who do not own cars, living closer to transit will create
a more walkable, active slid healthy lifestyle for people to get from one destination to
another.
4) Align with the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375)
and help the City implement and comply with the goals of SB 375. Locating homes,
specifically affordable homes such as the Depot at Santiago, near transit (Santa Ana
Regional Transportation Center and proposed Fixed Guideway), job centers and
neighborhood services will decrease the environmental impacts of traffic congestion,
vehicle miles travelled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions.
5) Achieve the vision and goals of the Transit Zoning Code which "provides for the
integration of new infill development into existing neighborhoods, allows for the reuse of
existing buildings, supports mixed -use development, provides a transit - supportive,
pedestrian- oriented development framework to reduce vehicle trips, reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, and support the addition of new transit infrastructure, and provides an
economic development stimulus "z
The Commission looks forward to continuing our partnership with the City to increase affordable
home opportunities for lower income working families. If there are any questions, please feel
free to contact me at (949) 250 -0909 or cesarc @kemiedycolmnission.org.
Sincerely,
Cesar ov�`rriigias
Executive Director
s City of Santa Ana Transit Zoning Code (SD 84A and SD 84B) EIR, February 2010, . p.1 -7.
CORRESPONDENCE
City Councd Meeting
N�- �Jlrljl
A
Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
From: Barela, Rosa
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 10:43 AM
To: !City Clerk
Cc: Haluza, Karen; Fregoso, Vince; Carvajal, Verny
Subject: FW: Meeting Tonight and Tomorrow Morning
Attachments: The Depot Opposition Letter 6142014.pdf
Categories: City Hall Closed
Hi Ladies,
See attached written communication for tomorrow's Council meeting on Agenda Item 75A.
Thankyou!
Rosa Barela
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Jason Niedle [mailto:jason@iasonniedle.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2014 4:29 PM
To: Lawrence, Mark
Cc: Martinez, Michele; Martinez, Michele; Cavazos, David; Haluza, Karen; Carvajal, Verny; Kutner, Scott
Subject: Re: Meeting Tonight and Tomorrow Morning
Mr Lawrence,
Thank you again for meeting with the Transit District residents on Thursday, and for your offer to distribute our thoughts
on the matter to the Mayor, Council, Manager, and staff prior to the June 17th vote on the Depot at Santiago.
I was unable to get you this letter within 24 -hours as you had wisely suggested — so please forgive the weekend
distribution, but it was the quickest that we could put some reasonable thoughts together.
I send my appreciation in advance for helping the city leaders, planners, and administrators hear our concerns via this
letter prior to their meeting.
Thank you!
Jason Niedle
Santiago Street Lofts Resident
714 - 721 -3700 mobile
JASON NIEDLE
Santiago Street Lofts Resident, Santa Ana, California
14 June 2014
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, California
Mayor Pulido; Councilmembers Sarmiento, Martinez, Amezcua, Benavides, Reyna and Tinajero;
Manager Cavazos and Mr. Lawrence, Planning Exec. Dir. Haluza, and City Staff:
First, thank you for your hard work for the City, and for caring about the residents and the future of
our city.
On June 17th, you will be asked to vote on an appeal to The Depot at Santiago. I and a large group
of local residents are passionately opposed to it based on the Vision; and if it must go through, we
strongly ask for your assistance in alleviating a number of issues with the project.
VISION
Let me state for the record that I and quite literally everyone that I have personally spoken with in
the Santiago and Logan neighborhoods are opposed to this project from the VISION perspective. The
Council has an opportunity to create an incredible transit zone around the train station, and this
project does not live up to that potential by any stretch of the imagination.
The Renaissance Plan that the city developed for this area was exciting, and one of the reasons that
many have moved or stayed here. The Plan said: "Santiago Street receives moderately - scaled residential
or mixed -use development along the frontage..." Based on this, many other representations, and our
dreams for a better Santa Ana, the community was expecting for - purchase units with vibrant retail at
The Depot; not the current lackluster corridor of dense units, with retail so weak that it is "mixed -use"
in name only.
We have made our opposition clear, over and over. And thus, we ask you to once again consider your
vision for this area: It could become an amazing area like the Gaslamp District in San Diego — or it can
feature a project like The Depot; perhaps a good project in many respects, but one which is simply in
the wrong place to support this vision.
Our opposition stated, we have been told by the hardworking city staffers that our opposition comes
too late in the process. We unfortunately do not know the process like a well - vested developer, and so
we ask for a continuance of the hearing on this property to a date no less than go days forward, so that
the community may meet with each of you to discuss our mutual and shared visions for this area.
Although this process has been ongoing for a long time in the eyes of the staff, in the eyes of the
community we are just beginning to receive full information on the project.
JUNE 17 2014 VOTE ON To THE DEPOT AT SANTIAGO
CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE THE PROJECT
PAGE 2
Should a vote to delay the project be unsuccessful, we at a minimum implore our representatives to
consider some conditions for the project that would alleviate some of the pain we see forthcoming:
Addition of a light at N Santiago St and Civic Center / Stafford prior to resident move -ins: With
the current stop sign (which is difficult to see) and no crosswalk, this is a dangerous intersection. The
stop sign is frequently run by speeding cars, and it is overburdened. At peak traffic periods, the traffic
backs up, causing ingress problems to the Lofts and access problems to the Logan neighborhood. The
additional congestion caused by 1,00o more cars per day from The Depot at Santiago will create a
severe burden on the stop sign.
Synchronization of that light with light at N. Santiago & Santa Ana Blvd: At peak times, the traffic
leaving downtown headed down Civic Center Drive is backed up in an "L" shape. The stoppage starts
at Santa Ana Blvd and works its way back down N Santiago St - blocking the entire street in front of
the proposed new project. The stoppage then turns the corner, and continues to be backed up down
Civic Center Dr towards Poinsettia and further.
If there were two lights on N. Santiago St that were unsynchronized with each other, this could
potentially cause even more traffic problems. However, if the lights were coordinated, they could allow
a flow from Civic Center, through N Santiago, and all the way onto Santa Ana Blvd.
Addition of crosswalks at N Santiago St and Civic Center / Stafford: About two years ago, I
personally witnessed a deceased older gentleman who was just killed at this corner walking home
from church, hit by a tow truck. And now, on a daily basis my wife's young vocal students leave our
loft, and I am continually concerned about their safety. At the moment, there is no crosswalk at this
intersection. This would ideally be rectified immediately, but we ask that at a minimum this is resolved
before completion of The Depot.
Two or more drop -off spots for Wooden Floor which do not cannibalize existing parking: As far as
the residents have been able to discover, there is no plan for the drop -off and pick -up of students, other
than the standard parking spaces. This will force parents to illegally park, block exits, or drop children
off in an unsafe area. However, a dedicated curb space for pick -up and drop -offs could easily resolve
this problem. Please make this condition mandatory.
Require the street sweeping closures to once again be staggered: Currently, parking in this area
is highly impacted each Tuesday because the limited street parking is entirely unavailable due to
street sweeping on nearby streets. This was not the case in prior years. Please restore staggered street
sweeping in the area so that the parking impact is spread over multiple days, and thereby minimized.
Return parking (2 -hours maximum from Sam to Spm) to the West side of Santiago St: Parking was
allowed on the West side of N Santiago St, but was removed for a bus stop - a bus which no longer
stops here. With the reestablishment of 2 -hour parking during business hours, business customers can
frequent our businesses for a meeting, but they will not crowd the area with all day parking. Allowing
parking overnight will also alleviate additional stress on the area.
JUNE 17 2014 VOTE ON To THE DEPOT AT SANTIAGO
PAGE 3
Match the terms of the West side also to the East side of N. Santiago Street: Currently, there is a
"No Stopping 7pm - 6am" restriction on the East side. This makes no sense - our guests cannot park
anywhere near our residences after 7pm, so apparently they are supposed to move their cars mid -
dinner. I believe this was originally meant to handle safety and security problems that are no longer
an issue, and will not be an issue based upon the claims of The Depot's developer as to safety and
sufficient parking.
Require an additional 50 parking spaces: With the most recent information that we have access to,
the Depot at Santiago has 156 bedrooms, which reasonably require 1 parking space each. Above that,
25% guest parking is required (or at least reasonable), mandating 39 additional spaces. Logic - and
please consider this over the numbers of "3.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet" - logic dictates that a
business would have enough parking for its employees, plus at least 2 to 5 clients. With the Depot's
management, The Wooden Floor, and at least 3 other businesses, we can assume something on the
order of 20 employees (4 each). If each business has just 3 spots for clients, that's another 15 spaces. It's
likely that The Wooden Floor will need additional spaces beyond this calculation, but for now we have:
156 spaces (I per bedroom)
39 guest spots ( +25 %)
20 employees
15 customers
230 TOTAL
The need, logic says, is 230 parking spaces - yet there are only 157 planned spots. While we have
heard that the project meets the mandatory requirements, we appeal to your logic. This is just not
an accurate nor sufficient amount of space. To add to the problem, Santiago Street Lofts were also
woefully underparked, and every Tuesday the now "both sides of the street" sweeping causes a parking
log -jam on top of the already problematic issues.
Unfortunately, forcing people to walk to the train station is, as I can tell you from personal
experience, terrible for business, potentially unsafe, and always inconvenient. It is especially
problematic with the inability for one to remove their car or park at the station between approximately
midnight and 6am. (If you are unaware - and much to my surprise when I desperately needed my car
one night - the train station locks cars inside during the late night hours).
A developer will nearly always tell you that parking is sufficient; but their numbers will always
sway towards their desire for less expensive parking - as they did right here at the Lofts - meaning the
developer will push hard for the fewest spots possible. And while the Planners may say that "2.25 cars
per unit" is sufficient, this needs to be reasonably adjusted based on the reality of the project.
Again, we do understand that the statistical numbers claim the development has the correct
amount of parking, but we ask you to further research the issue, consider the current parking
overcrowding, and impose at least 5o additional spots (and that number still a compromise on what's
actually needed) based upon logic and the actual needs of the community. On this topic, we are more
intimately familiar with the needs of the area, and yet the numbers are still derived from those furthest
from the problem.
JUNE 17 2014 VOTE ON TO THE DEPOT AT SANTIAGO
PAGE 4
Require Developer to take action to facilitate cross - community interaction: Were Logan and
Santiago St. Lofts neighborhoods given access to the open spaces of the Depot and were the Depot's
gated areas removed - plus potential other actions that we are not currently aware of - there would
exist the potential for wider interactions between the communities.
Pursue market -rate, for -sale projects in this area: In looking at a map, it's clear that the area around
the train station already supports a heavy concentration of affordable rental units. This is counter to
the City's stated desire for a wide range of income distributions. Please remove the area surrounding
Logan, the train station, and the Lofts from proposals seeking government subsidized or affordable
housing for at least the next 5 years. We ask the Mayor, Council, and Planners to seek true diversity on
all fronts, not just on one side of the equation, and to take what other actions are needed to assure a
grand vision for this area.
We were greatly appreciative of the opportunity to meet and begin a relationship with Councilmember
Martinez and City Staff just two days ago. We would like the opportunity to have the conversations
with each of you that the Developer has already had, and therefore we ask for your vote to delay the
project; and if unsuccessful, your insistence upon our reasonable conditions.
With our sincere thanks,
J�kon Niedle
Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Forwarding a revised letter.
Magallon, Becky
Tuesday, June 17, 2014 9:18 AM
Huizar, Maria
Trujillo, Rose Ann; Mitre - Ramirez, Norma
FW: Retract and Replace Letter sent 6/17
Revised Letter to the Council 20140617.pdf
From: Sherrilyn Arnold [mailto;sarnold9C&roadrunner com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 9:15 AM
To: Huizar, Maria; Magallon, Becky; Pulido, Miguel; Martinez, Michele;
Amezcua, Angelica; Reyna, Roman; Benavides, David
Cc: Lawrence, Mark; Cavazos, David; Haluza, Karen; Carvajal, Verny;
Subject: Retract and Replace Letter sent 6/17
Martinez, Michele; Sarmiento, Vince; Tinajero, Sal;
Kutner, Scott
Please retract my original Letter to the Council sent 6/17, it included errors. Replace with the
attached revised letter.
My apologies and thanks,
HA
310.701.1 184
Sherrilyn Arnold
Santiago Street Lofts Resident
16 June 2014
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, California
Re: June 17, 2014 Vote on The Depot at Santiago
Mayor Pulido; Councllmembers Sarmiento, Martinez, Amezcuo, Benavides, Reyno and Tinajero;
Manager Cavazos and Mr. Lawrence, Planning Exec. Dir. Haluza, and City Staff:
I must say, it took us by surprise. Of all the possible uses floated by sales agents and dreamed of by loft
owners for that precious corner plot of land across the street, high - density, large- family, 100% low -
income rental units was never even imagined. Our bad, I suppose, but ...
To those of us who bought into the Santiago Street Loft development it seemed so obvious that at this
time of upward trending transit orientation and sustainability, this city with its fading industrial zone
flanking a regional rail station would cerlainly recognize and highly value this place- specific
opportunity for transformative renewal. And indeed, when I made this my home and place of business
in 2007 all indications were that the City Officials of Santa Ana were on top of it. SARTC visions,
Renaissance plans, Enterprise Zones, the Santiago Street Lofts themselves ... all evidenced the
enthusiasm of revitalization. But the economy tumbled and the momentum stalled. It happens.
The City's efforts in recent years to rebuild, preserve and protect the essential affordable housing stock
in our neighborhood have served us well and will safeguard against the displacement of community
that too often accompanies redevelopment growth. While this affordable -heavy development in our
district has been viewed, for the most part, as beneficial, this Depot apartment project strikes an
entirely different chord. With this project the City and developer have co -acted to co -opt a premium
site in this unencumbered industrial area - a key, perhaps pivotal parcel in the recession - stalled
evolution of our transit community vision. And you are using it, not to promote the economic growth
needed to make this place a "place" - with shops and services and commerce and jobs, and the
spending power to support them, but to actually prevent profitability within the community by
excluding and precluding the customers and businesses needed to make a transit oriented district
(T.O.D.) viable.
I absolutely object to the exclusionary nature of this housing project and the deliberate condemnation
of this precious, high - potential, gem of a site to economic stagnation and underachievement for the
district.
When I look at the sea of blue on the Housing Element map of our district that identifies sites for
potential future housing I feel sick. I fear that all of these properties are now being watched by those
who may view this area as a repository for all future low- income housing. I pray that this is not the case,
What this area needs is mixed - income, market rate, and for -sale housing in mixed -use developments,
We have enough rent - restricted complexes for the time being.
With what I have recently discovered through reading the City's RFP end learning the
recommendation and loan approval process, I can see that there is not much hope that you would
reject this project that you have already subsidized. The deal was sealed with the Loan Agreement
long before the community got wind of its existence, and neighborhood involvement is solely for the
purpose of minor adjustments and getting the folks on board. It appears that public dissention on
these City subsidized projects is really quite irrelevant. But I will ask anyway, because I believe it's
essential to vibrant growth of our transit community, that you do not approve this project at this time.
Instead, I would urge the City and the developer to re- negotiate and re- conceive the plan for this
property and to modify it to include a variety of income levels, including the market -rate renters this
embryonic transit community needs for growth rather than thwarting the vision, and indeed the project
itself, by their exclusion.
I have read and concur with the letter written by Jason Niedle. I echo his list of conditions to improve
the project and I would add the following requests:
Narrow the roadway at Santiago by creating wider pedestrian sidewalks and curbside parking. This
street is considered a secondary arterial and it handles quite a lot of commuter traffic, along with bus
and heavy truck passage. Building four -story buildings on the east side of the street will create an echo
canyon like the one on Santa Ana Blvd. where traffic sounds amplify and reverberate to the point
where conversation is impossible. Narrowing the street and encouraging traffic to go north to the
Penn /17}h freeway onramp will reduce traffic noise (and perhaps some of the built -in collision risk
created by the off -set driveway locations of the two communities). It will also allow for bicycle paths
and a wider sidewalk which creates a friendlier pedestrian street to serve the new shops and
restaurants.
Plant additional landscape In the parkway to mitigate sound reverberation. With a wider area devoted
to sidewalks there is room to accommodate more landscape and trees of various heights to absorb
some of the overpowering sound.
Eliminate the locked gates Into the complex. Locked gates read like bars on windows. It suggests that
there is something to fear in the neighborhood. Our community is wide open and ungated and we
would like our neighbors to exhibit the some expression of safety. If there is a compelling reason why
the gates cannot be eliminated completely, perhaps they can remain open until lOpm. And if the
gates must exist, they should be beautiful. Perhaps a local metal artist could be commissioned to
create something.
Revisit the design of the elevations to restore a bolder, fresher Image. The original renderings for the
project depicted a strong, clean, modern design. The latest revisions have devolved into a tired,
Residence Inn aesthetic. This is not in keeping with the forward - looking, edgy attitude of the
neighboring lofts.
Provide subsidies to supplement and encourage retail and restaurant investment. As you intend to
populate the development with income - restricted residents who do not offer retailers a reliable, viable
customer base, I would suggest that some form of funding be afforded to attract businesses to these
retail spaces and insure their viability for a period of time, until a broader, more lucrative audience can
be brought to the area. To have station - adjacent businesses fail and remain closed in these locations
would create a far worse situation than what we have now. Future investors would not see untapped
potential but an untenable marketplace.
Evaluate the safety and traffic impact of children crossing Santa Ana Blvd. It is possible that two to
three hundred children will be crossing this seven -lane arterial roadway to get to school in the morning
at about the some time hundreds of commuters are navigating this intersection. This is a dangerous
situation and if there is a way to improve the safety conditions it must be done. Consider adding left -
turn traffic signals at the Santa Ana /Santiago intersection and perhaps a raised median island until the
light rail comes on line.
In closing I'd like to thank you for hearing my concerns. As I have become more involved in this
process and met with the City staff and officials, all of you who dedicate yourselves to improving our
City and bettering our lives, I have a much deeper respect and appreciation for the effort it takes and
the energy you give. Thank you for your understanding, your assistance and your welcoming, friendly
attitude toward my participation throughout this process.
Sincerely,
Sherdlyn Arnold
Santiago Street Lofts Resident
c: 301.701.1184