Item 25 - Public Hearing - Zoning Ordinance - Bella Terra Residential Community and Temple Project

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ZOA No. 2026-02, CUP No. 2026-03, and TTM No. 2026-01 — Bella Terra Residential Community and Temple at 4006, 4010, and 4018 West Hazard Avenue April 21, 2026 Page 3 DISCUSSION Background and Context The earliest available aerial imagery, dated 1947, indicates that the Project site was first developed as part of a larger orchard, with no buildings or structures present at that time. The surrounding area was primarily used for agricultural purposes, with scattered residences and farm-related buildings in the vicinity. The Project site is currently comprised of three parcels developed with three single-family residences, constructed individually between approximately 1949 and 1953. Historic aerial imagery shows that the residences remained surrounded by orchard trees and agricultural uses throughout the 1950s, after which the area gradually transitioned to residential development. On August 7, 1989, the Santa Ana City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS-2019, rezoning the properties at 4006, 4010, and 4018 West Hazard Avenue from the Single- Family Residence (R1) zoning district to Specific Development District No. 53 (SD-53). The SD-53 zone was established to allow the development of up to 17 single-family detached dwelling units served by a private cul-de-sac street, with site-specific land use standards and regulations. The purpose of SD-53 was to provide flexibility from conventional lot size requirements to reflect existing residential patterns, promote quality site design, and respond to housing market conditions at the time, including the limitations of the 6,000-square-foot minimum lot size adopted in 1960. However, the site was never developed in accordance with the permitted uses or design standards of the SD-53 zoning district, and the properties remain unimproved. The Applicant submitted Development Project Review No. 2023-03 on January 23, 2023, proposing to modify SD-53 development standards, establish a place of worship, and subdivide the Project site to construct 12 single-family residences with associated site improvements. Following multiple project revisions and completion of the Project's environmental analysis, the Development Project Review application was approved on December 16, 2025. Applications for Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2026-02, Conditional Use Permit No. 2026-03, and Tentative Tract Map No. 2026-01 were deemed complete on January 5, 2026. Proiect Description The Project site consists of three contiguous parcels totaling approximately 2.5 acres, located at 4006, 4010, and 4018 West Hazard Avenue, between La Vergn Way to the east and Morse Drive to the west. Currently, the site contains three approximately 1,500- square-foot, single-story single-family detached residences, one of which is vacant, with associated detached garages, accessory structures, and areas of dirt and asphalt concrete paving. The proposed Project includes demolition of the three existing residential structures and associated improvements to construct 12 new two-story single-