Item 31 - 2020 General Plan Annual Progress Report

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8 Development Division utilized a third-party real estate advisory consultant to develop a pro forma and cost/benefit analysis for the redevelopment of the 3rd and Broadway parking structure in Downtown. In addition, the Planning Division requires major development projects and projects requiring general plan amendments or zoning amendments to submit an Economic Benefits and Fiscal Analysis to evaluate their short and long-term economic contributions. • As part of the annual City Budget preparation, development permit processing fees are evaluated for adjustments to reflect actual staff cost, and endeavor to be competitive and comparable to other communities in Southern California. • Economic Development Division continues to track the number of new businesses, business services provided to businesses and the number of residents assisted by workforce development programs. • As part of the Draft General Plan Land Use Element (October 2020), five land use focus areas were identified for potential new housing and economic growth opportunities. In particular, the proposed District Center and Industrial/Flex land use designations in the 55/Dyer Focus Area would provide additional development opportunities and take advantage of the location’s proximity to the freeway, Orange County Business Complex, and nearby regional airport. 5. Education Element Educational services and facilities are principal contributors to a community’s quality of life. Often the level and character of such services become key factors in the locational decisions of families and businesses. This element was created as part of the City of Santa Ana’s to address educational facilities and needs in support of the motto Education First. • The Santa Ana Unified School District/City Council Joint Policy Committee remains available, as needed, to review City and school district development and expansion plans to maximize joint development and other joint use policies, where feasible. • Although public libraries, museums, recreational centers, public parks and schools closed during most of 2020, innovative programs launched through our library system to complement the work of local schools. In-person young adult programs, followed by a wide variety of virtual youth adult programming offered through the remainder of the year. Curbside library pickup and drop off service enhancement followed by expanded hotspot program offering 320 hotpots to library patrons. In 2020, the State awarded the City $5.2M in Propostion 68 funding to construct two new parks (Standard/McFadden an Raitt/Myrtle) on currently vacant land. The City is also pursuing State funding for a new community center at Memorial Park. The Santa Ana Zoo celebrated its 68th Birthday in February 2020. Virtual and limited time programming reintroduced to the public during the summer and fall months. • The City’s 2020 community budget outreach process provided a vehicle to engage stakeholders, including developers, to discuss and prioritize use of the City’s