Item 28 - Extension of Moratorium on the Approv., Commenc., Establish., Reloc., or Expans. of Indus. Uses

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Transit Zoning Code Urgency Interim Ordinance (Moratorium) April 16, 2024 Page 3 4 1 8 7 design standards; encourage alternative modes of transportation; provide for a range of housing options; and allow for the reuse of existing structures. Moreover, the TZC provided new zoning for all of the properties contained within its boundary with the exception of those properties zoned Light Industrial (M1) or Heavy Industrial (M2). These M1 and M2 properties retained their existing zoning, but were covered by two overlay zones that allows for the option of future mixed-use development to be exercised at the discretion of the property owner. In support of the TZC, the City Council also approved a General Plan amendment, establishing numerous mixed-use General Plan land use designations for the entirety of the TZC. In these industrial overlay areas, however, the resulting new General Plan land use designations immediately resulted in zoning inconsistencies and land use conflicts between the new General Plan land use designations and the industrial overlays. Since 2010, and specifically in the Logan and Lacy neighborhoods, these industrial uses have remained, changed ownership, undergone expansions or intensifications, and created numerous land use conflicts and disturbances that affect surrounding residential communities. Specifically, in the Logan neighborhood alone, these land uses create quality of life, health and safety, and other trespass issues for residential properties that often directly abut these industrial land uses. These issues include odors, dust, traffic, noise, vibrations, and other documented impacts that have taken place for nearly a decade and a half, despite the change in underlying General Plan land use designation. Comprehensive Zoning Code Update The City Council approved a contract with Moore, Iacofano, Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) on October 17, 2023. To ensure the City’s Zoning Code and General Plan are consistent, and to maintain compliance with state law, comprehensive amendments to the Zoning Code are required. Necessary amendments include the creation of new zoning district designations and corresponding development standards; updates to the definitions, signage, nonconforming, and parking sections; reorganization of the entire Zoning Code to a more user-friendly format; and new standards to reflect new land use trends, economic development trends, and land use goals of the City. MIG and City staff have conducted extensive community outreach, stakeholder interviews, and reviews of existing zoning-related codes and policies in Santa Ana. These early efforts have indicated that the irreconcilable land use conflicts and land use inconsistencies in the TZC area are among the top, most pressing topics that must be addressed as part of the comprehensive Zoning Code Update process in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the most vulnerable communities that face the impacts of the land use conflicts within the TZC area.