2010-025 - Create the Urban Neighborhood Land Use Designation

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LAND USE ELEMENT COMMUNITY FACTORS "['he Santa Ana community serves as the governmental and cultural center of Orange County. With a current population cxceeding300,000 residents, the City ranks among the largest in CaliFornia. Santa Ana continues to experience growth, although unlike many of its Orange County neighbors, it has been almost Fully developed for many years. "1'he City's rich history is reflected in its diverse mix of residential neighborhoods, business districts, and emerging cultural opportunities. "I'he development patterns of Santa Ana's neighborhoods vary significantly in intensity, character, and architecture. Commercial uses range from small, family owned and operated businesses to large regional shopping centers. The City's strong industrial base is characterised by a mixture offacilitics which range from one to two person manufacturers to Fortune 500 corporate operations. As the scat for Orange County, the Civic Center area contains Federal, State, and local governmental facilities including the courts, criminal justice facilities, administrative offices, and service centers. Each ofchesc land use characteristics help to define the City as a vibrant and dynamic urban center. Playing a key role in shaping future growth and redevelopment, the Land Use Element perpetuates positive land uses and promotes development ~~•hich supports a high quality of life throughout the communit}'. A number of critical issues were considered in the formulation of the goals and policies contained in this Element. These goals and policies, together with the Land Use Plan, provide a "framework° forfirturedecision-making regarding land use and development in the City. The emerging issues and opportunities which arc important factors for the Elcmcnt include the City's land use patterns, demographic characteristics, cnvironrncncalconditions, and public infrastructure considerations. LAND USE CHARACTERISTICS Many of the (;icy's land use characteristics arc directly related to its historic y~~r~ A~~~ ~~~.~ founded by position as one of Orange County's earliest pioneer settlements. Since Santa Ana W;Il;aro Snnrsc>>n ;.+ ts~>9. was founded in the 19th century, its primary settlement period occurred before the automobile age. Unlike many ofits Orange County neighbors, the City's land use patterns mirror both its rich history as well as, its more recent. growth. Itey land use characteristics include the Following: Santa Ana is surrounded by incorporated cities. Asa result, its sphere of influence is primarily restricted to within its own jurisdictional boundaries. Since the City has very limited vacant land available for development, most new development involves recycling and redevelopment in areas previously improved. "I'he Ciry's central location, and its status as a counrygovcrnmental Resolution No. 20'10-025 r~ ~ I "~~~~'~ `- ~ p Page 16 of 107 e ~ ., /.' `-~\~,,.. _----____ _..- - -. --- t CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN ~,