2014-069 - Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2014-01

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Harbor Boulevard Mixed Use Transit Corridor Plan Findings and Facts in Support of Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations be reduced to 1.82, slightly more housing -rich than the existing forecast, resulting in a more favorable jobs- housing balance. Table 3 Jobs - Housing Balance in Santa Ana, 2035, with Harbor Corridor Plan Buildout D. PROVISIONS OF THE HARBOR CORRIDOR PLAN WORK TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE, THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND DEFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE Although buildout of the project area would result in significant environmental impacts on related to air quality, the Harbor Corridor Plan encourages and promotes more environmentally sustainable development and reduced vehicle miles traveled than would otherwise result in the development of the area. The project would improve Harbor Boulevard and its cross - streets: 5th Street, 1st Street, McFadden Avenue, and Westminster Avenue in order to create a robust multimodal corridor that accommodates the movement of vehicular traffic through the City and region as well as other modes of travel. The project would encourage bicycle and pedestrian safety along the corridor by enlarging the sidewalk and parkway areas (planting new landscaping and trees) and creating efficient connections to the regional bicycle network. Infrastructure improvements would maintain the same rights -of -way and number of travel lanes on the affected roadways. These improvements would result due to the promotion of transit alternatives reducing vehicle miles traveled and encourage walkability by improving pedestrian safety. The project area has identified existing deficiencies in its stormwater and wastewater conveyance system. Adoption of the specific plan would require the establishment of a nexus study and development fee program to fund water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. Future development within the Harbor Corridor Plan would be required to upgrade these facilities through physical improvements or payment of fees (see mitigation measures 7 -1, 7 -2, and 14 -1 through 14 -3). These upgrades would benefit the existing residences and businesses in the area. E. THE HARBOR CORRIDOR PLAN SUPPORTS THE CITY'S REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT (RHNA) The Harbor Corridor Plan provides an opportunity to allow for affordable homes in the City, which can be counted towards the lower income RHNA requirement. The State of California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) estimates the relative share of California's projected population growth that would occur in each county based on CDF population projections and historical growth trends. These figures are compiled by HCD in a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for each region of California. Where there is a regional council of governments, the HCD provides the 50 July 2014 Employment Housing Units Jobs - Housing Ratio 2010 143,987 76,918 1.87 2035 existing forecast 149,440 78,323 1.91 2035 with Harbor Corridor Plan Buildout 149,613 82,207 1.82 D. PROVISIONS OF THE HARBOR CORRIDOR PLAN WORK TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE, THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND DEFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE Although buildout of the project area would result in significant environmental impacts on related to air quality, the Harbor Corridor Plan encourages and promotes more environmentally sustainable development and reduced vehicle miles traveled than would otherwise result in the development of the area. The project would improve Harbor Boulevard and its cross - streets: 5th Street, 1st Street, McFadden Avenue, and Westminster Avenue in order to create a robust multimodal corridor that accommodates the movement of vehicular traffic through the City and region as well as other modes of travel. The project would encourage bicycle and pedestrian safety along the corridor by enlarging the sidewalk and parkway areas (planting new landscaping and trees) and creating efficient connections to the regional bicycle network. Infrastructure improvements would maintain the same rights -of -way and number of travel lanes on the affected roadways. These improvements would result due to the promotion of transit alternatives reducing vehicle miles traveled and encourage walkability by improving pedestrian safety. The project area has identified existing deficiencies in its stormwater and wastewater conveyance system. Adoption of the specific plan would require the establishment of a nexus study and development fee program to fund water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. Future development within the Harbor Corridor Plan would be required to upgrade these facilities through physical improvements or payment of fees (see mitigation measures 7 -1, 7 -2, and 14 -1 through 14 -3). These upgrades would benefit the existing residences and businesses in the area. E. THE HARBOR CORRIDOR PLAN SUPPORTS THE CITY'S REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT (RHNA) The Harbor Corridor Plan provides an opportunity to allow for affordable homes in the City, which can be counted towards the lower income RHNA requirement. The State of California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) estimates the relative share of California's projected population growth that would occur in each county based on CDF population projections and historical growth trends. These figures are compiled by HCD in a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for each region of California. Where there is a regional council of governments, the HCD provides the 50 July 2014