NS-3040 - Amendment of Articles II.II of Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code

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ORDINANCE NO. NS-3040 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ARTICLES 11.11 OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE WHEREAS, on October 15, 2012, the City Council enacted the Sunshine Ordinance as found in Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code ("SAMC") to ensure that the people of Santa Ana remain in control of the government they have created; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to maintain and enhance opportunities for public participation and meaningful engagement in the development review process and routinely revisits the Sunshine Ordinance to ensure the requirements for public participation remain updated with shifts in community engagement over time; and WHEREAS, on December 7, 2021, the City Council adopted amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance expanding the number of required community meetings and the notification radius; and WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to update the Sunshine Ordinance to increase transparency, awareness, and public engagement opportunities through establishing meeting format and presentation requirements, increase the noticing area, and make clarifying edits to application processing timelines; and WHEREAS, on May 16, 2023, the City Council considered the staff report, recommendations by staff, and any public comment concerning Ordinance Amendment No. NS-3040. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The recitals above are each incorporated by reference and adopted as findings by the City Council. Section 2. The City Council finds and determines that this ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, the adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to sections 15061(b)(3) and 15061(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, as there is no possibility it will have a significant effect on the environment. As a result, Environmental Review No. 2023-27 will be filed upon adoption of this ordinance. Section 3. Section 2-153 (Public input through community meetings prior to discretionary approval) of Chapter 2 of the SAMC is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows (new language is underlined and deleted language is stricken): Sec. 2-153. - Public input through community meetings prior to discretionary approval.