75A - PH - EIR AND AMEND GENERAL PLAN 555 E MEMORY LN

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EIR No. 2010 -01, AA No. 2014 -01, GPA No. 2014 -01 April 14, 2014 Page 5 The EIR has found that, of the eight environmental issues analyzed in the draft EIR, all were determined to be less than significant or could be reduced to less than significant levels with mitigation measures. Further, it was determined that no significant and unavoidable adverse impacts associated with this project would occur after mitigation from proposed project implementation as all potential impacts that were identified for the project can be mitigated to a level of less than significant (Exhibit 9). General Plan Amendment To allow the development of this parcel, a General Plan amendment is required. Currently, the land use designation for this site is Medium Density Residential (MR -15), which allows residential development that does not exceed 15 dwelling units per acre. This project will require amendments to the Land Use Element, including amending the General Plan Land Use designation to DC with a General Plan floor area ratio of 1.27. The floor area ratio was derived from the size of the proposed buildings as well as the square footage of the existing structures on the site (Exhibit 10). The proposed project will be consistent with several goals and policies of the recently adopted Housing Element. First, the project is consistent with Goal 2, which encourages diversity of quality housing, affordability levels, and living experiences that accommodate Santa Ana's residents and workforce of all household types, income levels and age groups to foster an inclusive community. Second, the project supports Goal 4, to provide adequate rental and ownership housing opportunities and supportive services for seniors, people with disabilities and people needing sportive housing. Further, the project is consistent with Policy HE -2.2 to create District Centers with high intensity, mixed -use urban villages and pedestrian oriented experiences; Policy HE -2.4 to facilitate diverse types, prices and sizes of housing; Policy HE -4.1 to support development of affordable senior housing readily accessible to support services; Policy HE -4.4 to support service enriched housing for persons with special need such as seniors and people with medical conditions; and Policy HE -4.7 to exercise appropriate land use, planning and regulatory oversight over the operation, location and impact associated with social needs housing and facilities. As proposed and as shown on Map 1 on the following page, the project is similar in scale and intensity with the densities of residential, commercial and office developments found in the immediate vicinity, including those at Westfield Main Place and City Place to the west, as well as office developments to the west, and additional office developments in the City of Orange to the north and east. Amending the land use designation of the project site to DC from MR-15 would render the land use designation more consistent with the type of development in the proposed project, as well as with existing conditions nearby. Further, the DC land use designation would contribute to the overall area's transition to a segment of the city that increasingly offers a "live, work, play" lifestyle to its residents and visitors. The proposed residential tower and enhanced amenities at the project site are consistent with the residential developments at City Place, the recently - entitled "The 301" project at 301 East Jeanette Lane, and allows the future residents at the project to enjoy the commercial amenities nearby at City Place and the Main Place mall, as well as the ability to "age in place." 75A -7