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<br />Memo to City of Santa Ana Planning Commission <br />September 15, 2021 <br />Page 5 <br /> <br /> <br />The City’s parkland standard is also less than the standard set out in the Quimby <br />Act, Government Code section 66477, which allows cities to require that subdivisions <br />dedicate parkland sufficient to provide up to three acres of park area per 1,000 <br />subdivision residents. <br /> <br />Moreover, Policy OS-1.3 has been weakened from the version included in the <br />2020 draft Update. While the previous draft policy called for the City to “achieve” a park <br />ratio of two acres per 1,000 people (2020 Draft Open Space Element at 5; Final <br />Environmental Impact Report at 2-17), the new draft merely says the City will “strive to <br />attain” that standard. Open Space Element at 5. Given the importance of addressing the <br />City’s park deficiency, the policy’s language should be mandatory. <br /> <br />We therefore propose revising Policy OS-1.3 to read as follows: <br /> <br />Policy OS-1.3: Park Standard. Establish and maintain public open space and <br />recreation requirements for new residential and nonresidential development to <br />provide sufficient opportunities for Santa Ana residents and visitors. Strive to <br />attain The City shall achieve a minimum citywide park ratio of two three acres of <br />park land per 1,000 residents in the City. For new residential development in <br />Focus Areas, the City shall prioritize the creation and dedication of new public <br />parkland over the collection of impact fees. <br /> <br />We also propose that the Update include an additional implementation action <br />calling for the City to amend the Municipal Code to reflect this standard: <br /> <br />Implementation Action OS-1.16. Park Standard. Amend Municipal Code Chapter <br />35, Article IV to require that the City achieve a minimum citywide park ratio of <br />three acres per 1,000 residents. <br /> <br />5. Proposed Changes to the Open Space Element’s Policies on Parkland Creation and <br />Distribution <br />The Open Space Element currently includes the following policies relating to <br />parkland creation and distribution: <br />Policy OS-1.4. Park Distribution. Ensure the City residents have access to public <br />or private parks, recreation facilities, or trails within a 10 minute walking and <br />biking distance of home. Prioritize park provision, programs, and partnerships in <br />park deficient an[d] environmental justice areas.