2010-024 - The Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-02

Home Browse Search

Chapter 4 Statement of OverrJding Conslderatlons ~ Provide additional public open space and Facilitate joint use arrangement with SAUSD fox a ne«• con~niunity center ~ Provide an economically viable redevelopment scenario for the Agency-owned properties I-Iaving (i) adopted all feasible mitigation measures, (ii) rejected as infeasible alternatives to the Project discussed above, (iii) recognized all significant, unavoidable impacts, and (i~) balanced the benefits of the proposed Project against the proposed Project's significant and unavoidable impacts, the Agency hereby Euids that its benefits ouhveigh and override its significant unavoidable impacts for the reasons stated below. Bach benefit set forth belo~~• constitutes an overriding consideration warranting approval of the project, independent of the other benefits, despite each and every unavoidable impact. Developer Project Benefits a. The "Transit Zo[ung Code component of the Proposed Project provides a framework for the development of compact, transit-oriented development, such as the Deg*eloper Project, that contains a riaix of residential, commercial and professional uses in order to address the City's and the region's goals of providing sites for housing in already urbanized locations that are adjacent to transit, thereh}• reducing vehicle trips and related greenhouse gas emissions, as well as stimulating investment iu underutilized land, and improving the jobs/Housing balance «•ithin the City. According to a study published by the Southern California tssociation of Governments entitled "THe 1Vew Economy and the Jobs/I-Iousing Balance in Southern California," the Z.os Angeles and Oravge Counties regions Hac•e a higher proportion of jobs to housing than do those areas in the Inland Empire. Due to a lack of readily a~•ailable land for new housing construction in these jobs- rich areas, workers are required to drive farther and Farther distances in order to Find affordable housing. A situation that exacerbates this lack of a~*ailahle land For new housing is the o~rer-zotung of land for corrunercial uses, which cities have historically done in order to increase sales tax revenues following the adoption of Proposition ] 3 in 1978. i'he Transit Zoning Code would re- zone property, either through standard zoning tools or through overlay zones, that was not historically zoned for residential use, thereby increasing the land available for residential development and providing more Housing in an already urbanized, jobs-rich environment (T/ie 1Vem Eronan~~ and t/ie Jobs/Hoasiug Bnlnnre iii SoiNber~s C~lifanrin, Southern California Association of Governments, April 2001. Los Angeles, CA.) b. The Transit Zotung Code area is ideally located for increased growth by its proxirtiity to major transit systems and its adjacency to existing residential communities and an established gridded street network. THe proposed Transit Zoning Code supports the existing transportation network, and creates amenity-enriched connections between the Government Center and Rail Station, and improves area-wide ~i•alkabiliry. c. The Transit Zoning Code allows land uses and land densities that will provide transit-supportive development, such as the Developer Project, necessary to generate adequate ridership on the proposed Santa Ana Fixed Guideway transit s}'stem which will serc•e Santa Ana Regional Transit Center ("SAR'1'C"). d. The Transit Zoning Code pro~•ides zoning which would allow Eor the integration of new infill development, such as the Developer Project, into existing neighborhoods. e. The 'Transit Zoning Code and the Deg*elopex Project arc consistent with and further the goals, policies and objecti~•es of the Southern California Association of Governments ("SCAG") 2008 Xegion~r/ TizrnsJ~orYntioa P/nn: Aln,~ivg Ybe Connections (RTP), and SCAG's ~~Soli,lt~~Qno-.Ala~' /~0.?fik~e Plan: Heping Conimiinities ~4o%ieve a .Siistninnble Tidrur (RCP) land use goals. The RT1~s~o~ ~lc~ge Transit Zoning Code (SD 84) EIR Flndings of Fact/Statament of Overriding Consldarations q_5