CORRESPONDENCE- 75A - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

While listening to the April 2, 2020 Planning Commission meeting, I heard several of its members, including Commissioner Ken Nguyen, offer enthusiastic support for One Broadway Plaza. Except for Commissioner Norma Garcia, I did not notice any of the other Commissioners express substantive concern about the 3,000 plus vehicles trips entering the adjoining neighborhoods to use already over -crowded city streets. Perhaps Commissioner Nguyen should walk through the impacted neighborhoods, to remind him that these are places where working-class families already live, and already suffer from excessive traffic. Quite differently Commissioner Garcia was thoughtful in her persistent effort to discuss the pressures of traffic on the community, despite staff's lax presentation, and their downplaying of OBP's impacts. Mr. Nguyen and the Commission's enthusiasm for increased traffic impacts on working class neighborhoods, where traffic is worsening, and where public's health and safety is at risk, reflect the vast disconnect between the Planning Commission, the Santa Ana City Council, staff, and the community. City Council's lack of care for its downtown -adjacent residents is also evident by its recent approval of 2525 N. Main Street apartment project. Although Councilpersons Sarmiento and Penaloza have since stated they now oppose 2525 N. Main (for which your constituents are grateful), the PC, and City Council continue to assert that the City of Santa Ana cannot exist, let alone thrive, without an iconic project. The PC and City Council continue to replay this tired excuse about the City's downtrodden self-image as a way to justify its actions. This beggarly image was manufactured and vigorously sold by past Councils, and is perpetuated by several Council members, including the Mayor. Their argument is that we must remake the City, often at the expense of neighborhoods, to remain viable. This is thoughtless and insensitive, and reflects some of the antiquated reasoning for decision -making by our elected leaders, especially Mayor Pulido, and Council -members Jose Solorio and Cecilia Iglesias. The PC and Council City want the community to believe that Santa Ana has no other means to improve itself, except to rely on out -of -scale projects which often result in permanent negative impacts, and few if any benefits. Out -of -scale projects invite undue outside influence, and the often aggressive tactics used by these developers, and which undermine and destroy our beloved neighborhoods. In closing, I ask the City Council delay the public hearing on this project, in consideration of the above community concerns, until: * After the November General Election, when a new City Council is seated * The project is evaluated in light of the Comprehensive Update of the City's General Plan, and * In recognition of the likely repeal of 2525 N. Main Street, a similar, but much smaller project Thank you, Jeff Dickman, French Park 714 240 0883 5