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Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, California 92701 January 28, 2019 Re: Density Bonus Agreement No. 2018-01 Dear Mayor Pulido and City Council Members: I am writing to you in support of Density Bonus Agreement No. 2018-01 for the construction of the Legacy Square project at 609 N. Spurgeon St.. My husband and I have owned a home in Santa Ana since 1976. We are long-time members of Santa Ana United Methodist Church, which owns the property in question. The church has partnered with National Community Renaissance (CORE) and Mercy House to create affordable housing for the people of Santa Ana. I am excited that our church can be a part of the effort to meet the challenge of housing for homeless and low-income members of our community. I attended the Planning Commission meeting on January 14 at which the Density Bonus Agreement was presented and ultimately approved. I was caught off -guard by some of the objections that were raised by community members, and in anticipation that those concerns may come up again at the City Council meeting on February 5,1 would like to address them. Several people commented that "they're taking away our church." They elaborated on their church's ministries in the community. Those expressing these views are members of one of the churches that currently rents space from Santa Ana United Methodist Church. It is understandable that they feel distress at being displaced from the buildings that have been their "home" for a number of years; however, SAUMC has every right to determine how we use our property. We believe that providing a safe and secure home for individuals and families is an appropriate ministry for our church. By entering into a ground lease arrangement with CORE, we can serve those in need and also derive some limited financial benefit for other ongoing ministries of SAUMC. On the practical side, if we had decided to sell, it is highly unlikely that the renters would have had the means to purchase the property, valued at nearly $5 million in as -is condition, or to restore the red -tagged building, which we've been told will cost at least $3 million to make useable again. In addition, as part of the redevelopment, both our current renters have been offered options and assistance to relocate. I wish that they could be reassured that a church is not made up of buildings, but of people, and that wherever they resettle, God is in control of the situation, and if they desire to serve Him, He will bless them and their efforts. A second group of people who raised objections were from the nearby French Park neighborhood. Some felt they had not been properly notified of the plan, but we have confirmed that in fact all the requirements of notifying them were met, including an opportunity to come to a sunshine meeting.