Correspondence - #22 - Response to Late Comments

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VOR %1pG.r/ a Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County. peopleforhousing.org Honorable Valerie Amezcua Mayor, City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 September 16, 2024 Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the City Council, I am writing in support of the project before you— Related Bristol— which seeks to add 3750 much -needed new housing units to Orange County, creating a new neighborhood and new destination on an otherwise crumbling, auto -oriented shopping center. Given the scarcity of empty, developable land in Orange County, this project is a rare and unique opportunity to provide new housing in a high quality, infill environment. We know that projects like Related Bristol are the future of sustainability—both economic and environmental —in today's increasingly urban Orange County. After two years of extensive community outreach, public presentations, environmental reviews and millions of dollars spent on design working with the city, I hope this project is approved under its current design and unprecedented benefits package, which includes new community open space and funding for affordable housing. It would be a mistake to discard these efforts, and given the requirements of the Housing Accountability Act, whatever development would replace it would have much -needed housing, but would not generate the same level of synergy or sales tax from the mixed use and experiential retail contained in the current proposal. The need for housing is real and pressing, and every unit we can add to the regional housing supply will help address the shortage that is felt by everyone. The quality of the design and planning with which Related Bristol will set a precedent for future infill development in Orange County. I urge you to vote yes and move this project forward. Sincerely, Elizabeth Hansburg Cofounder, Director