Item 28 - Public Hearing - Amendment Application for the Village Santa Ana Specific Plan

Home Browse Search

9 FINDINGS REGARDING PROJECT ALTERNATIVES consideration in an EIR are: (i) failure to meet most of the basic project objectives, (ii) infeasibility, or (iii) inability to avoid significant environmental impacts. The range of alternatives required is governed by a "rule of reason" that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a reasoned choice. The EIR shall include sufficient information about each alternative to allow meaningful evaluation, analysis, and comparison with the proposed Project. Alternatives are limited to ones that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the Project. Of those alternatives, the EIR need examine in detail only the ones that the lead agency determines could feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the Project. As set forth in these findings, the implementation of the Project would not in result in significant impacts that are considered unavoidable, with the exception of impacts related to recreation. In making the alternatives findings below, the City of Santa Ana certifies that it has independently reviewed and considered the information on alternatives provided in the EIR, including the information provided in the comments on the Draft Supplemental EIR and the responses thereto. 9.1 DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED Section 15126.6(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines specifies that an EIR should (1) identify alternatives that were considered by the lead agency but were eliminated from detailed consideration because they were determined to be infeasible during the scoping process; and (2) briefly explain the reasons underlying the lead agency's determination. Among the factors that may be used to eliminate alternatives from detailed consideration in an EIR are: (i) failure to meet most of the basic project objectives; (ii) infeasibility; and/or (iii) inability to avoid significant environmental impacts. Alternatives that were considered but rejected during the scoping process for detailed evaluation in Section 6.5 Alternatives Considered but Rejected of the Draft Supplemental EIR are discussed below: 9.1.1 Buildout of the Zoning Designation Alternative The Buildout of the Zoning Designation Alternative would entail buildout of the project site pursuant to the standards and regulations in the City's SD-48, amended in January 1989.' The SD-48 permitted uses include, but are not limited to, retail specialty, office, restaurants, specialty markets, beauty salons, banks, and theaters. Conditional uses permitted included live dance entertainment and alcoholic beverage sales. The SD-48 also includes development standards for parking for land use types, building setbacks (at a minimum of 15 feet), height (at a maximum of 35 feet), landscaping, signage, and building uses. The project site is currently occupied by the South Coast Plaza Village commercial center on both sides of South Plaza Drive which consists of approximately 164,049 square feet of retail shops and restaurants, offices, and the Regency Theatres cinema building. The majority of the buildings are at the maximum height of 35 feet. The property also provides surface parking, a variety of trees and a half -acre open space lawn area. Therefore, the existing development at the project site is reflective of the standards established under SD-48. It is not realistic that the site would be redeveloped with new or modified commercial uses consistent with the existing SD-48 zoning. Additionally, the permitted uses under the SD-48 do not allow for residential, office, or open space uses. City of Santa Ana, January 17, 1989, Specific Development No. 48, Amendment Application 1017 NS-1997. City of Santa Ana The Village Santa Ana Specific Plan Project August 2025 CEQA Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations W