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2101 and 2109 E Santa Clara Avenue <br />April 2, 2024 <br />Page 6 <br />The General Plan Update (GPU) was adopted in April 2022, after a seven-year effort of <br />extensive community participation. Engagement efforts and interactions with the <br />community included over 60 community meetings and workshops, online surveys, direct <br />mailers to property owners and tenants, and multiple study sessions. Moreover, they <br />included one-on-one meetings with the Planning Commission and City Council, which <br />allowed for an informed and inclusive decision -making process. These efforts resulted <br />in the crafting of the land use plan within the Land Use Element that reflects the <br />community's visions for Santa Ana's growth and development citywide. The updated <br />Land Use Element of the General Plan reflects and sets the community's land use and <br />development policies and a vision for future development of the City. <br />Prior to the GPU, the subject properties had a split land use designation of Institutional <br />(INS) and General Commercial (GC). As a result of the GPU, the land use designation <br />for the properties were updated to fully be GC, consistent with the adjacent commercial <br />center properties. However, the GPU did result in a zoning inconsistency, as the <br />properties were still zoned General Agricultural (Al), which does not allow for eating <br />establishments. To address this inconsistency, the overall project includes an <br />amendment application to change the zoning district to Arterial Commercial (C5) <br />required for the project. <br />The approval of the proposed project will be consistent with the General Plan land use <br />designation of General Commercial (GC). The project would provide an added amenity <br />to the existing commercial shopping center and would promote a land use that enhances <br />the City's economic fiscal viability and mitigates any potential impacts to the surrounding <br />community. The overall operations will contribute to the viability of the site creating a <br />business environment that is safe and attractive. Moreover, the project has been <br />designed to be consistent with several goals and policies of the General Plan as <br />discussed below. <br />• Goal LU-2: Land Use Needs — Provide a balance of land uses that meet Santa <br />Ana's diverse needs <br />o Policy 2.2 Capture Local Spending — Encourage a range of commercial <br />uses to capture a greater share of local spending and offer a range of <br />employment opportunities. <br />o Policy 2.6 Encourage Investment — Promote rehabilitation of properties <br />and encourage increased levels of capital investment to create a safe and <br />attractive environment. <br />o Policy 2.7 Business Incubator — Support land use decisions that <br />encourage the creation, development, and retention of business in Santa <br />Ana. <br />The project is consistent with Goal LU-2 and Policies 2.2, 2.6, and 2.7, as it will allow for <br />additional service to Santa Ana residents and visitors, thereby positively contributing to the <br />economic viability of the area by promoting local spending, offering employment <br />opportunities, and providing a safe workplace. In addition, the applicant is making an <br />