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■ Strategy 2. Create new opportunities for business/job growth through new <br />General Plan and Zoning Ordinance policies. <br />■ 2b. Update the City's Zoning Ordinance to be consistent with the updated <br />General Plan and include equitable, innovative, business friendly zoning <br />practices. <br />■ Strategy 3. Promote a solutions -based customer focus in all efforts to <br />facilitate development and investment in the community. <br />■ 3c. Explore opportunities to encourage a business friendly environment <br />within the city through the reduction of non -essential regulatory <br />requirements, improved coordination between agencies for development <br />review and addition of monetary incentives (e.g. sales tax sharing, <br />enhancing Small Business Incentive Program, etc.). <br />■ Strategy 5. Leverage private investment that results in tax base expansion <br />and job creation citywide. <br />■ 5a. Identify and market underutilized properties (city and non -city owned) for <br />new development that will create new jobs and expand the City's tax base <br />(e.g. YMCA, 3rd and Broadway parking structure, Saddleback Inn site). <br />Commission/Committee recommendations & other support <br />■ Reviewed by Development and Transportation Committee on 9/5/2013. <br />■ Recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on 9/22/2014. <br />■ Recommended for approval by the Economic Development Task Force <br />10/14/2014. <br />■ Letter of support from the Orange County Business Council received <br />11 /18/2014. <br />The following speakers addressed the City Council on the matter: <br />• Ana Urzua, concerned with unintended consequences of adaptive reuse, not <br />all building accounted for and request definition of "under -utilization". <br />• Madeleine Spencer, troubled with high number of vacant properties - over <br />2,000 including empty lots; encourage CEQA reviews and public notification <br />process. <br />■ Mayor Pulido asked that list of lots be provided to staff to verify information. <br />Councilmember Benavides asked about amenities and open space <br />requirements addressed through this ordinance. <br />Interim Director Haluza noted that balconies and rooftop can be considered. <br />Councilmember Benavides, supports recommendation - economic development <br />effort. <br />Councilmember Sarmiento, seconded motion; revitalizes dormant vacant lots; <br />urban core offers amenities other areas do not; .reactivate corridors. <br />Mayor Pulido reluctantly supports motion, unintended consequences; staff to <br />monitor number of conversions and applications processed. <br />CITY COUNCIL AGENDA 30 NOVEMBER 18, 2014 <br />