75B - PH - EIR HARBOR CORRIDOR - Laserfiche WebLink

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No. 2014 -01, GPA No. 2014 -02 ZOA No. 2014 -01 & AA No. 2014 -01 August 25, 2010 Page 9 translators provided at all major events. Unique public engagement tools, such as; a bus guided tour; youth- oriented tools, such as the hands -on "City as Play" model; visual preference surveys that allow participants to choose pictures that best represent their vision; advertisements on bus benches along the corridor; and the use of the internet and social media were all employed to engage the community. In addition, staff had many personal one -on -one meetings and phone calls with all interested parties in order to better understand their concerns and incorporate their ideas. In addition to the above outreach efforts, over 3,800 notices were mailed to announce public hearings and availability of the draft Harbor Corridor documents, including notification of this meeting. This list is comprised of property owners, occupants and businesses in the project area, as well as within 500 feet of the project site. An electronic community message was also sent to a wide distribution of community organizations, neighborhood leaders and business interests one week before the public hearing. While there have been phone calls received throughout the course of this project, at the time of this printing, no correspondence, either written or electronic, had been received from any members of the public. Staff did receive a phone call from one resident regarding the existing crime and loitering in the area, and that additional housing would attract more related issues. Strategic Plan Alignment Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #3 Economic Development, Objective #2 (Create new opportunities for business /job growth and encourage private development through new General Plan and Zoning Ordinance policies), Goal #5 Community Health, Livability, Engagement and Sustainability, Objective #3 (Facilitate diverse housing opportunities and support efforts to preserve and improve the livability of Santa Ana neighborhoods) and Objective #4 (Support neighborhood vitality and livability). Conclusion Approval of this project will allow the City to remain in compliance with State requirements for Housing Element implementation and will further the implementation of state and regional mandates to improve transportation and land use planning, improve the jobs /housing balance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Adoption of the plan also will provide new opportunities for property owners in the plan area to re -use underutilized properties by providing a regulatory framework for new development. In addition, the adoption of the plan will allow for new transit opportunities for the City, as it will support the Fixed Guideway project by increasing ridership projections and providing a stronger linkage between transportation and land use. Finally, the adoption of the proposed discretionary actions will promote a strong active transportation environment, which will result in significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improved public health as people walk and cycle more and the air quality improves, and a thriving business environment as people live, work, dine and shop in the same area. 75B -11