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

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Chapter 4 Statement of Overriding Considerations identif}'ing strategic areas for infill, pedestrian friendl}' environments, and Focusing housing and employment growth in transit-accessible locations through transit-oriented dc~=elopments (FIR, Section 4.7 [Land Use], and R'I1~, pp. 90-91). The RCP includes similar strategies, such as establishment of mixed-use clusters and other transit oriented development around transit stations and along transit corridors (RCP, pp. 15-17). £ Development of the 'T'ransit Zoning Code will result in Fewer traEFic impacts than the No Project/Rcasonabl}' Foreseeable Deveioptitent (Table 5-3). Tlus result is consistent with and Furthers the implementadon strategies detailed in the California Resources Board Climate Change Scoping Plan (Scoping Plan). 11B 32 directed the California Air Resources Board (ARB) co develop a Scoping Plan with actions to reach the target. The Scoping P/nu's proposed strategies For local governments include a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measure of "infill, affordable and transit- orieuted housing development and the land use changes necessary to increase such development." (Scopiig Plnu, Vol. 1, C-7G.) g. The Transit Zoning Code pla}'s a critical role in achieving targets under SB 375, California's Sustainable Cotntnunities and Climate Protection Act The t1RB Scopin8 P/nn cites the key role of SB 375 in implementing AB 32, noting SB 375 "reflects the importance of achieving significant additional reductions of greenhouse gas en-rissions from changed land use patterns and improved transportation to help achieve the goals of AB 32." (Scropiug P/a~i, p. 47.) The role of local go~'ernments is also recognized in reaching SB 375 targets. "Local Goy=ernments I]avE the aLllLlt}' to directl}' influence both the sitting and design of new residential and commercial dew=elopments in a ~c'ay that reduces greenhouse gases associated with vehicle tra~'el, as well as energ}=, water, and waste.... Enhanced public transit set-vice combined with incentives for land use de~'elopment that pco~'ides a better market for public transit tivill pies}' an important role in helping to reach regional targets." (Scoping 1'/nn, p. 48.) The t1B 32 implementation strategy For SB 375 includes the following measure: "Enhanced public transit service combined with incentives For land use development that proms*ides a better market foe public transit will play an unportant role in helping to reach regional targets." (Scoping P/nn, p. 48.) lF. The Cit}' of Santa Ana currentl}' has a shortage of rental units appropriately sized to accotrunodate families. As stated in the City's 200G-2014 Housing ELeuient, while multiple-Eatnily housing comprises 41% of all ltousing stock within the Cit}', only 13% of multiple family and single-funil}' rental units have three or more bedrooms. It is estimated that 45% of a21 Families who rent ha~'e Five or more members. This translates into a shortage of 12,000 large fancily rental units. The Developer Project contains 77 ttvo-bedroom units and 68 three-bedroom units. In addition, the 1~~Terc}' I-Iouse project will provide one three-bedroom and fi~'e hc'o-bedroom units. "These ututs arc appropriatcl}' sized to meet Santa Ana's identified detnograpluc needs. i. 'The City currently suffers front a shortage of affordable housing. As set forth in rice City's certified Housing Element (2006-2014), the Cit}' of Sautes Ana's share of the Kegional I-Iousing Needs Allocation (RIINA) For 2006-2014 3,393 units of nee' residential construction, G94 of which are to be affordable to z'et}+ low income households, 574 of which are to be affordable to low income households, and GG5 to he affordable to moderate incotae households (FIR, Section 4.9). State law mandates that in order to satisfy its RHNA requirement the Cit}' create opporhtnities for new housing, particularly affordable housing, through the application of zoning tvluch allows Eor increased density. The existing tnaxitnum density allowed under the current zoning ~t~thin the area covered by the Transit Toning Code is 15 dwelling units per acre, though there are projects ~vitYrin the area that were constructed prior to the estahlishment of the current zoning [hat exceed the 15 Re61~t1o~M1lrnti~fi0r42$e. The State Department of I-Iousing and Community Development (I-ICD) Pa9~~r t11~ cities provide zoning that allows for residential construction at a minimum density of 4-6 Transit Zoning Code (SD 84) EIR Findings of Fact/Statement of Overriding Considerations