80A - JOINT PH - TRANSIT ZONING CODE, FINAL EIR, SPECIFIC PLAN ETC. - ORIGINAL PACKET PROVIDED TO COUNCIL

Home Browse Search

Transit Zoning Code /Proposed Development May 27, 2010 Page 9 Zonina ordinance Amendment In order to enact the Transit Zoning Code (TZC), amendments to Chapter 41 (Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code; an amendment to the height exemption map and amendments to the sectional district maps will need to be processed (Exhibits 9, 10 and 11). As discussed earlier, the Downtown is located within the boundaries of the TZC. Currently, the Downtown has two zoning designations, the Central Business (C3) and Central Business- Artists' Village (C3 -A). Since both of these zoning districts will be superseded by the adoption of the TZC, reference to them throughout Chapter 41 will be eliminated. In addition, the approval process for projects in a Specific Development (SD) and Overlay Zone (OZ) district will be modified. Under the current standards of Chapter 41, any application for a permit for a building or structure within a Specific Development (SD) or Overlay (OZ) zoning designation requires review and approval by the Planning Commission. Without modifying this section, permits currently issued by right and over the counter, such as single family dwellings, would be encumbered by a discretionary approval process. The more complex projects will continue to be reviewed by the Development Review Committee and the Planning Commission as needed. Projects requiring a Historical Exterior Modification Application (HEMA) will continue to be reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission. Conclusion For the last four years, the City has been diligently working on the development of the Transit Zoning Code. The community outreach for the Renaissance Specific Plan, of which the code was a component, included over 100 outreach meetings and interviews held from April 2006 through February 2003. During the last year, in conjunction with the proposal to develop Agency -owned properties in the Station District, staff held an additional 20 community meetings and interviews. Staff has also worked diligently on an on -going basis with SACReD, a coalition of numerous community groups and organizations, to obtain input on the proposed development and planning effort. This community input has been invaluable and has greatly contributed to the refinement of the code. Approval of the Developer Project will allow the redevelopment of the properties owned by the Santa Ana Redevelopment Agency, which will include more than 100 affordable units, new public open space and a joint -use community facility on the Garfield Elementary School site. Construction of affordable housing units is critical to meeting the City's Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for 2006 -2014. In addition, the adoption of the Transit Zoning Code will provide the land -use framework necessary to allow for and encourage new transit - supportive development that provides a better market for public transit, consistent with the goals of SB 375, California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, will provide strategic areas for infill, pedestrian friendly environments, and will focus housing and employment growth in transit - accessible locations through transit - oriented developments.