75A - PH - AMEND GENERAL PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -01 December 9, 2013 Page 2 Commission study sessions. All parties expressing interest, as well as neighborhood and community leaders were notified by electronic Community Message when the Draft Elements and related Negative Declaration were released for public review. These documents are also available for public viewing on the City web site, public planning counter, and main library. Additionally, interested parties have been duly noticed of the Planning Commission and City Council public hearing dates to consider the adoption of the Draft Elements. Housing Policy Plan Through community engagement and a City Council Visioning Session, a new Housing Vision statement was created for Santa Ana adopted into the existing 2006 -2014 General Plan Housing Element. As part of this Housing Element Update, it is proposed that this Vision be refined to further promote health and wellness in Santa Ana, as noted below: "Santa Ana residents have an equal right and opportunity to find suitable housing in quality residential neighborhoods that allow themselves, their families, and neighbors to live the fullest lives. We support an inclusive community that is multigenerational, culturally diverse, healthy, sustainable, and economically broad. The City will facilitate the production, rehabilitation, and improvement of rental and homeownership opportunities at different affordability levels ". The 2014 -2021 Draft Housing Element (Exhibit 1) identifies over 50 Implementation Programs to achieve this Housing Vision. Some of the key new policy programs include: Complete and Healthy Neighborhoods. This Housing Element Update proposes additional policies to enhance quality of life in Santa Ana through an emphasis on Complete Neighborhoods. Complete Neighborhoods qualities include improved access to services, community facilities, and healthy food options; as well as the integration of community gardens. In addition, the promotion of healthy neighborhoods would include creating and maintaining park and open spaces, green parkways, street trees, and a continuous pattern of pathways to encourage walking, biking and active lifestyles. Quality Housing and Healthy Homes. The existing Citywide Design Guidelines and zoning development standards promote quality design of new and rehabilitated housing. It is proposed that these tools be refreshed to identify additional practices and innovations to promote active and sustainable housing designs. To maintain quality and healthy homes, a policy is proposed to rigorously enforce building and property maintenance standards through proactive property inspections to remove blighted and unhealthful conditions. This program would include collaborating with community serving organizations to educate landlords and tenants regarding property health and maintenance issues, and working with the County Health Department to better address infestation of vermin and rodents, as authorized by Senate Bill 488. 75A -4