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CAL <br /> HDF <br /> May 6, 2025 <br /> City of Santa Ana <br /> 20 Civic Center Plaza <br /> Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> Re: Proposed Housing Development Project at 510 and 520 N Harbor Boulevard <br /> By email: eCommentrasanta-ana.org <br /> CC: scarvalho(casanta-ana.orq; cityclerk(casanta-ana.orq; Planning(casanta-ana.orq; <br /> ANunez(asanta-ana.org <br /> Dear Santa Ana City Council, <br /> The California Housing Defense Fund("Ca1HDF")submits this letter to remind the Council of <br /> its obligation to abide by all relevant state housing laws when evaluating the proposed <br /> 45-unit housing development project at 510 and 520 N Harbor Boulevard,which includes <br /> five moderate-income units.These laws include the Housing Accountability Act("HAA'),the <br /> Density Bonus Law("DBL"),and California Environmental Quality Act("CEQA')guidelines. <br /> The HAA provides the project legal protections.It requires approval of zoning and general <br /> plan compliant housing development projects unless findings can be made regarding <br /> specific,objective,written health and safety hazards. (Gov. Code, § 65589.5,subd. (j).)The <br /> HAA also bars cities from imposing conditions on the approval of such projects that would <br /> reduce the project's density unless,again,such written findings are made. (Ibid).) As a <br /> development with at least two-thirds of its area devoted to residential uses,the project falls <br /> within the HAA's ambit,and it complies with local zoning code and the City's general plan. <br /> The City must therefore approve the project unless it makes written findings regarding <br /> health and safety as mentioned above-which it cannot do since the preponderance of the <br /> evidence in the record does not support such findings.(Ibid.)Increased density,concessions, <br /> and waivers that a project is entitled to under the DBL(Gov. Code, § 65915)do not render the <br /> project noncompliant with the zoning code or general plan,for purposes of the HAA. (Gov. <br /> Code, § 65589.5,subd. (j)(3).) <br /> Ca1HDF also writes to emphasize that the DBL offers the proposed development certain <br /> protections.The City must respect these protections.In addition to granting the increase in <br /> 360 Grand Ave #323, Oakland 94610 <br /> www.calhdf.org <br />