75C - PH - THE FIRST ST FAMILY APTS

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GPA No. 2016 -01, AA No. 2016 -01, & ER No. 2016 -14 March 28, 2016 Page 5 Project Analvsis The applicant is requesting approval of a General Plan Amendment, Amendment Application (zone change), and a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program. The following sections provide analyses for the General Plan Amendment and Amendment Application, with analysis of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program provided in the "CEQA Analysis" section of this report. General Plan Amendment The applicant is requesting approval of a General Plan Amendment to change the General Plan land use designation from General Commercial (GC) to Urban Neighborhood (UN) with a floor area ratio of 0.75 (Exhibit 9). The floor area ratio was derived by dividing the square footage of the proposed development by the total site area in square feet. The City's Housing Element, adopted in 2014, identifies the project's location as an area to support future housing developments, and the project's proposed density is consistent with the density range identified by the document. The project site and surrounding area, also identified by the Housing Element for future infill housing opportunities, is currently designated by the General Plan Land Use Element as a General Commercial (GC) land use district. The district applies to this area because of the current mix of commercial land uses, including offices, retail stores, motels, eating establishments, and uses of a similar commercial nature. However-, the residential nature of the proposed development requires establishment of the new land use designation for the property of Urban Neighborhood (UN) to be consistent with the provisions of the General Plan. As additional applications for residential or mixed -use projects are received by the City in this area, a comprehensive amendment to change the area's land use designation from General Commercial (GC) to Urban Neighborhood (UN) may take place. If approved, the project would support several goals and policies of the Housing Element. First, the project would be 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 would support Goal 4, to provide adequate rental and ownership housing opportunities and supportive services, Further, the project would be consistent with several Housing Element policies; Policy HE -2.3 to encourage construction of rental housing for the city's residents and workforce; Policy HE -2.4 to facilitate diverse types, prices and sizes of housing; and Policy HE -4.2 to encourage the development of larger rental units for families. 75C -7