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CITY COUNCIL 14 NOVEMBER 4, 2025 <br />MOTION: Councilmember Hernandez moved to keep the Affordable Housing <br />Funds Policies and Procedures as is <br />MINUTES: Councilmember Bacerra asked whether Habitat for Humanity projects <br />would require a General Plan Amendment or Zone Change and the allowances <br />under state housing laws that permit housing projects to bypass the City’s existing <br />zoning regulations. He requested clarification on whether the proposal would <br />authorize the Executive Director of Planning and Building to issue a determination <br />to draft a pre-commitment letter for the Council and future proposals be made clear <br />and fair for the community. He spoke in support of the item. <br />SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilmember Bacerra moved to approve the <br />recommended action for Item No. 21 as amended to remove language in the <br />policy <br />Motion died due to lack of a second. <br />MINUTES: Community Development Director Michael Garcia addressed the need <br />to obtain a General Plan Amendment or Zone Change and noted that state laws <br />and existing zoning regulations must align with one another to allow for the <br />Executive Director of Planning and Building to draft a pre-commitment letter when <br />necessary. <br />Councilmember Phan inquired about the length of time and costs associated with a <br />General Plan Amendment and Zone Change, and whether there are affordable <br />housing units within the City that are high-density mixed-use for-sale projects. She <br />requested language be added to the existing pre-commitment letter to ensure <br />zoning regulations are being followed and asked whether developers identify the <br />City in lawsuits related to land use entitlements, she recommended standard <br />indemnification language be included in applications and spoke in opposition to the <br />item. <br />Planning and Building Director Ali Pezeshkpour stated the average time for a <br />General Plan Amendment and Zone Change within the City is approximately 9 to <br />18 months, with about $100,000 in application fees, in addition to costs for retaining <br />professional services. He explained Estrella Springs was a mixed-use conversion <br />project that allowed affordable housing under the Harbor Specific Plan and projects <br />requiring a resolution for a General Plan Amendment or an ordinance for Zone <br />Changes, include standard indemnification language as included in all resolutions <br />and ordinances presented to the Council. <br />City Manager Alvaro Nuñez explained zoning laws are outlined within and <br />referenced behind existing pre-commitment letters and related policy. <br />Mayor Amezcua asked whether the amendment conflicts with the Santa Ana <br />Municipal Code (SAMC), spoke in support of affordable housing within the City, and <br />expressed concern regarding the item, stating that the City Manager should work <br />with staff on the policy.