Item 22 - Transit Zoning Code Amendments Resolution

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ZOA No. 2024-02 & AA No. 2024-03 (Transit Zoning Code Amendments) April 1, 2025 Page 3 Based upon City Council direction, and the research and analysis of the issues herein, staff has prepared Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) No. 2024-02 proposing to amend certain sections of Chapter 41 (Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC), Article XIX. The Transit Zoning Code, Specific Development (SD) No. 84 zoning district. The ZOA proposes amendments that would modify the list of land uses and permit types, including the deletion of industrial land uses; amend nonconforming regulations, including the addition of an amortization process/termination of use process; amend and add operational standards for allowed uses and nonconforming uses; and delete the Industrial Overlay (I-OZ) zone from text and maps. A second ordinance, Amendment Application (AA) No. 2024-03, proposes to delete the M1 (Light Industrial) and M2 (Heavy Industrial) suffixes from certain properties within the SD-84 zoning district boundary as designated on the City of Santa Ana Zoning Map. DISCUSSION The Transit Zoning Code/Specific Development No. 84 The SD-84 zoning district, also known as the Transit Zoning Code (TZC), is located in the central urban core of the City and comprises over 100 blocks and 450 acres. The TZC includes the Civic Center, Downtown, and the Logan and Lacy neighborhoods, which are among the City's most historic in age and as established residential communities. The TZC is generally bounded by First Street, Flower Street, Civic Center Drive, Grand Avenue, and the Santa Ana (1-5) Freeway. Prior to the implementation of the TZC, the area consisted of a wide range of civic, commercial, industrial, and residential land uses regulated by varying zoning districts. In June 2010, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS-2804, creating the TZC, whose purpose was to establish a transit -supportive, pedestrian -oriented development framework to support the addition of new transit infrastructure; preserve and reinforce the existing character and pedestrian nature of the City by strengthening urban form through improved development and design standards; encourage alternative modes of transportation; provide for a range of housing options; and allow for the reuse of existing structures. In July 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS-2970, amending the TZC to modify certain design criteria regulating height, massing, open space location, driveway standards, lot dimensions, and parking alternatives. The amendment did not include changes to land uses or permit types within the TZC. When originally adopted, the TZC provided new zoning for all properties contained within its boundary. However, some properties with existing M1 and M2 zoning and/or existing industrial businesses, also received an overlay district designation which allowed for the continuation of industrial land uses on those properties. The development of mixed -use on these properties consistent with the new zoning they received as part of the TZC adoption is 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. However, due to the continued