2011-023 - Development Agreement Between the Community Redevelopment Agency

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Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 3 Presents the alternatives to the project as originally proposed and evaluates them in relation to the findings contained in Section 15091(a)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The Agency must consider and make findings regarding alternatives when a project would involve environmental impacts that cannot be reduced to a less-than- significant level, or cannot be substantially reduced, by proposed mitigation measures. Chapter 4 Presents Findings related to the modified Station District Project and the Settlement Agreement. Chapter 5 Presents a Statement of Overriding Considerations that is required in accordance with Section 15093 of the CEQA Guidelines for significant impacts of the Project that cannot be mitigated to a less-than-significant level. The Transit Zoning Code project area is located in the central urban core of the City of Santa Ana and comprises over 100 blocks and 450 acres. The project is located in the area west of Interstate 5, north of First Street, and between Grand Avenue and Flower Street and south of Civic Center Drive in the City of Santa Ana in Orange County, California. The Transit Zoning Code provides new zoning for all of the properties contained within its boundary with the exception of those properties zoned M1—Light Industrial or M2—Heavy Industrial. These M1 and M2 properties would retain their existing zoning, but would be covered by an overlay zone that allows for the option of future mixed-use development to be exercised at the discretion of the property owner. The Transit Zoning Code provides for the integration of new infill development into existing neighborhoods, allows for the reuse of existing buildings, supports mixed-use development, provides a transit-supportive, pedestrian-oriented development framework to reduce vehicle trips, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support the addition of new transit infrastructure, and provides an economic development stimulus. Within the boundary of the Transit Zoning Code, the Redevelopment Agency (Agency) owns forty-nine parcels comprising approximately seven noncontiguous acres. The Agency/City is pursuing the potential acquisition of twenty additional properties within the immediate vicinity of the forty-nine parcels mentioned above for the purposes of completing the assemblage of properties on those blocks in which the Agency already has majority ownership, as well as to secure property to provide for additional open space. The acquisition of these additional properties may lead to demolition and/or relocation of existing structures, as well as the potential relocation of any existing residents. The Agency and the Developer propose to redevelop these properties. The Developer concept for these properties includes the development of a maximum of 155 rental units and a maximum of 65 for-sale units—a total of 220 new residential units. A component of this residential development will be affordable pursuant to the County of Orange‘s criteria for low-to-moderate income housing. The City/Agency is also pursuing the addition of new public open space that could include a public park, a public tot lot, and a 10,000 square foot community building. The redevelopment of these properties requires the demolition of approximately 30,243 square feet of building area, on fifteen Agency-owned properties. The City will amend the current General Plan to permit these new land uses and amend the Zoning Code to establish development standards that implement the project. These amendments will allow the City to Revised Station District Project and FOL Settlement Agreement Findings of Fact/Statement of Overriding 1-2 Considerations