Item 27 - Appeal Application Nos. 2020-03 and 2020-04 - Central Pointe Mixed-Use Development

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Appeal Application Nos. 2020-03 and 2020-04 — Central Pointe Mixed -Use Development January 19, 2021 Page 11 development materially assist in accomplishing the goal of providing affordable housing opportunities throughout the City. The Commission failed to address this issue and the Project may not qualify to come under the Santa Ana Housing Opportunity Ordinance, Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 41-1607 and Public Resources Code Section 15162." Staff Response — The Project does not include on site affordable housing units and is not required to pay an in lieu fee. The Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) Chapter 41, Article XVIII.I was amended by the City Council on September 1, 2020. As amended, Section 1902(a) and (b) the HOO now only applies when a residential project which proposes a residential density above the General Plan permitted density. The Central Pointe Mixed -Use Project is consistent with the General Plan District Center land use designation. No General Plan Amendment is required for the Project. Therefore, the HOO (on site units or in lieu fee) does not apply. Furthermore, Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 41-1607, entitled "Deviations from density bonus and affordable housing provisions," applies to projects seeking a density bonus or waivers and modifications from development standards. The Project does not seek a density bonus and complies with the development standards of the Metro East Mixed -Use overlay zone. b. SWRCC attests that, "The Planning Commission failed to adequately address the well being of the community in ensuring that qualified Santa Ana residents, veterans and graduates or certificate holders of the Santa Ana Unified School District and Rancho Santiago Community College District are provided a process to be included as part of the workforce constructing the Project." Staff Response — The Planning Commission's responsibilities include decisions regarding land use and zoning as prescribed by ordinance. There is no City ordinance requiring workforce agreements for private development projects. c. SWRCC states, "Failure of the Planning Commission to ensure the maximum amount of viable commercial development on the project ... The failure to require the maximum viable square footage of commercial space will lead to greater vehicle trips from the residents to commercial areas both within Santa Ana ... areas that are already inundated with traffic, and also Tustin, sending sales tax revenue out of Santa Ana. This traffic increase is due to inadequate commercial sites that will exist to serve these new residents was not adequately studied by the commission, something required under California environmental laws." Staff Response — The Metro East Mixed -Use Overlay, Active Urban subzone permits mixed -use development. The Project proposes 644 residential units and 15,130 square feet of commercial space. The Metro East Mixed -Use Overlay does not require a minimum amount of commercial square footage for a mixed -use development. As presented to the Planning Commission the applicant retained the