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EIR No. 2020-01, GPA No. 2020-02, & AA No. 2020-01 – The Bowery Mixed-Use Development May 11, 2020 Page 8 General Plan Amendment To facilitate the applicant’s request, a general plan amendment application and an amendment application are required to change the subject site’s general plan land use and zoning district designations. The applicant’s requests are consistent with the changes required for similar projects that were on properties not previous zoned for such developments, such as The Heritage at 2001 East Dyer Road and Elan at 1660 East First Street. The general plan amendment is required to change the subject site’s current land use designation in the Santa Ana General Plan from Professional and Administration Office (PAO) to District Center (DC). The PAO designation allows high-quality professional and administrative office uses, as well as supportive limited commercial uses. Examples include office buildings, medical and dental practices, pharmacies, and cafes. Conversely, the proposed DC land use designation would be consistent with the proposed development. The DC land use designation allows medium- to high- intensity mixed-use developments such as the proposed project, and areas designated DC are typically located on the City’s major thoroughfares. Residential development within these areas are allowed at a density of up to 90 dwelling units per acre. The subject site’s location at the intersection of Redhill and Warner avenues, near the Costa Mesa (SR-55) Freeway, renders the DC designation appropriate for the proposed mixed-use development. Moreover, the subject site is in the vicinity of The Heritage, which was entitled in 2016, and the Tustin Legacy Specific Plan, a large master-planned community across Redhill Avenue in the City of Tustin that allows a mixture of land uses that are compatible with and complement the proposed development. If approved, the project would support several goals and policies of the Housing Element. First, the project would be consistent with Goal 2, which encourages diversity of quality housing, affordability levels, and living experiences that accommodate Santa Ana's residents and workforce of all household types, income levels and age groups to foster an inclusive community. Second, the project would support Goal 4, to provide adequate rental and ownership housing opportunities and supportive services. Further, the project would be consistent with Policy HE- 2.2 to create District Centers with high intensity, mixed-use urban villages and pedestrian oriented experiences. Finally, the project would be consistent with Policy HE-2.4 to facilitate diverse types, prices and sizes of housing. The project would also be consistent with goals of the Land Use Element, including Goal 1 to promote a balance of land uses to address basic community needs, and Goal 6 to reduce residential overcrowding to promote public health and safety. The proposed project will provide additional market rate housing in the City, thereby assisting in addressing the shortage of available housing within the region. The project will also provide additional housing options for those seeking housing within the jobs rich southeastern area of the City adjacent to the Irvine Business Complex. The development will also support Urban Design Element Goal 1 to improve the physical appearance of the City through development of a district that projects a sense of place, positive community image, and quality environment. In addition, the request for the proposed general plan amendment is consistent with the City’s comprehensive General Plan update currently underway. The City has recently initiated the 3-8