Laserfiche WebLink
City of Santa Ana Chapter 2. Project Description <br />of the state's budget on local revenues, the City sought a means to bolster its <br />economic development efforts. The SEZ program appeared to be the appropriate <br />avenue to pursue. Thus, in fiscal year 1991-1992, Santa Ana began the intensive <br />and highly competitive application process for the program. Santa Ana's <br />application was one of 22 submitted for the remaining five designations allowed <br />under the Nolan Bill at the time (five more slots have since been added by <br />legislation). <br />In the application, the City demonstrated a strong commitment to its residents <br />and businesses and proposed awell-defined marketing plan to ensure the SEZ's <br />success. The City was able to do this based on the powerful foundation it had <br />built through its previous economic development efforts. This foundation, <br />coupled with the support the City received from its business, brokerage, lending, <br />and residential communities, all provided key ingredients in producing a <br />successful application. <br />Santa Ana received its designation on June 8, 1993, and now holds one of 42 <br />enterprise zones throughout California. The existing Santa Ana SEZ <br />encompasses approximately 11.09 square miles. The original boundary included <br />approximately 9.53 square miles, while the expansion area, approved on August <br />1, 1994, added approximately 1.56 square miles. Companies already in the zone <br />can qualify for benefits, as do new businesses relocating or expanding into the <br />zone. The City's enterprise zone designation lasts for I S years, and there aze <br />currently over 11,000 businesses within the zone. <br />Project Location <br />The proposed Santa Ana SEZ is contained entirely within city limits and <br />encompasses approximately 16.32 square miles. Figure 1 shows the regional <br />location, and Figure 2 shows the proposed boundaries of the Santa Ana SEZ. <br />Existing Conditions and Surrounding Land Uses <br />The proposed project area is located in a highly developed urban area. Land uses <br />within the SEZ and vicinity aze characterized by generally moderate to <br />high-density urban uses, including residential, commercial, schools, Santa Ana <br />College and train depot, and industrial uses. <br />Santa Ana State Enterprise Zone November 2007 <br />Initial Study 2-2 <br />J65 00814.07 <br />19E-12 <br />