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Additionally, in developing standards for second units, the City must uphold Goal No. 3 of the City's Housing Element; to promote the preservation of historic homes that are a part of Santa Ana's past. The City Council desires to revise the City's Code accommodate the changes in California law presented by AB 1866, by adopting regulations establishing a ministerial process by which second units may be permitted in all zoning districts within the City in which single family homes may be built, and which regulations will reasonably protect the ability of homeowners to create second units in such zoning districts. The City lacks sufficient open space for its residents. The General Plan standard of 2 acres of open space per 1,000 residents has not been met in Santa Ana and there is inadequate public open space for the City's residents. It should be noted that this standard is less than that recommended for urban communities by the two leading independent research institutes in this area; the National Recreation and Park Association ("NRPA") and the Urban Land Institute ("ULI"). For these reasons, preservation of adequate back yards in single family residences is critical to the well being of the community. The Council finds that 1,200 square feet of secure and continuous, non-front yard open space is essential to the well being of the City's residents who live in a single parcel in which there is primary and secondary dwelling unit, one of which would be occupied by an owner-occupant and the other potentially occupied by a tenant. Due to this lack of public open space, some areas within the City are more than ¼ mile from a pocket park (i.e., a park of less than 5 acres) or more than ~ mile from a neighborhood park (i.e., a park with more than 5 acres, less than 100 acres and with dedicated parking). These standards were determined to be appropriate pursuant to the City's Community and Recreation Needs Assessment, and are based on recognized national standards. T he areas not served b y community o r neighborhood p arks are mostly within the City's non-residential zoning districts, but in small part they include some residential areas where there are single family homes. The Council finds that such areas, as designated on the map accompanying this ordinance entitled "Areas of Open Space Deficiency" and on file with the Clerk of the Council, are not adequately served by the City with public open space and therefore, no second unit should be permitted. All second dwelling units which are legal and permitted as of the date of this ordinance shall not be affected by its adoption, and no previously illegal or unpermitted second dwelling unit shall be deemed to have been made legal or conforming by the adoption of this ordinance. Ordinance No. NS-2629 Page 2 of 8