HomeMy WebLinkAbout1 - PUBLIC COMMENT_GREENSIDESFrom:Nathaniel Greensides
To:PBAeComments
Subject:Public Comment Item 1 - Planning Commission Regular Meeting Agenda Sep 13, 2021
Date:Sunday, September 12, 2021 3:18:47 PM
Attachments:image.png
Dar Planning Commission,The Drafted EIR seemingly includes no details regarding how to reduce usage of individual
automobiles to get around town. Considerations of increasing the amount of people who usepublic transit, carpooling, or even protected bike lanes is noticeably absent from the Draft.
Looking at the map of existing land use, I am disappointed that the focus areas are largely
already higher density residential and commercial zones. The vast majority of the rest of thecity will see no changes - it largely remains zoned as single family residences reliant upon the
outdated model of one person one car. The idea of the Urban Neighborhood is one I applaud -yet the proposal as it exists aims to turn areas of the city which are essentially already urban
neighborhoods even moreso into urban neighborhoods.
If there is to be a serious discussion about mitigating and or reducing the environmentalimpacts of (re)development in the city, the discussion also needs to include the aspect of
rezoning SFR zoned neighborhoods to increase density in those areas - not just in areas whichare already dense. Yes, it is absolutely controversial as it goes directly against the very
circumstances under which it came into existence - "The American Dream". But of course thisfalls outside of the currently proposed General Plan Updates.
The Draft EIR seemingly makes no mention of manners in which air quality will be affected
by automobile traffic outside of periods of construction and re-development. DedicatedBike/Bus/Carpool lanes during certain rush hours might be effective. Car free weekends to
allow for pedestrian and transport shuttles on weekends is another. Incorporation of nativeplant species into any development plans is another.
Some of these focus areas being targeted by the GPU might also be positively served to
include an aspect of green space. I don't mean that we should clear already existing structuresto allow the earth to breathe again. I simply mean that creative manners of creating new parks
and recreation space need to come about. In San Francisco and in Chicago there are elevatedparks that allow people there to have a car free view of the world and doubly serve as transit
and commercial centers. Santa Ana would benefit from this type of development in myopinion. However, this certainly does not mean to say that where there is the possibility of
acquiring new space for parks - such as Willowick - that those should be foregone. After all,there is a reason why Central Park remains a beloved landmark in New York City - there'd be
possibly little to no access for humans to directly connect with the soil of the earth beneaththeir city otherwise.
Anyways, those are just some thoughts I have.
Sincerely,Nathaniel GreensidesWard 5 resident