Community Element

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Community Element Mobility Economic Prosperity Public Services Conservation Open Space Noise Safety Land Use Housing Historic Preservation Urban Design Element
Back Focus Areas

Vision & Core Values

A Shared Vision

A vision statement is the expression of our community’s past, present, and future; our aspirations and dreams; and is only bound by the limits of our ambition. The following vision was created through a collaborative process that included community comments, the General Plan Advisory Group, and the City Council. This vision guides the General Plan’s goals and policies and future decisions.

Santa Ana is a city that promotes the health and wellness of all residents, with a civic culture that actively embraces the power of diversity. Our city invests in resources that create economic opportunities for the next generation, and it is a community that celebrates our past while working together to create a sustainable future.

Our Core Values

Icon for health core value HEALTH

The people of Santa Ana value a physical environment that encourages healthy lifestyles, a planning process that ensures that health impacts are considered, and a community that actively pursues policies and practices that improve the health of our residents.

Icon for Equity core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice EQUITY

Our residents value taking all necessary steps to ensure equitable outcomes, expanding access to the tools and resources that residents need, and to balance competing interests in an open and democratic manner.

The value of equity that includes “EJ” in the upper corner indicates a policy related to environmental justice.

Icon for sustainability core value SUSTAINABILITY

Santa Ana values land use decisions that benefit future generations, plans for the impacts of climate change, and incorporates sustainable design practices at all levels of the planning process.

Icon for culture core value CULTURE

Our community values efforts that celebrate our differences as a source of strength, preserve and build upon existing cultural resources, and nurture a citywide culture of empowered residents.

Icon for education core value EDUCATION

We are a city that values the creation of lifelong learners, the importance of opening up educational opportunities to all residents and investing in educational programs that advance our residents’ economic wellbeing.

About the Element

Purpose of the Community Element

The Community Element reinforces the City’s values of recreation, culture, education, and health and wellness, and cultivates opportunities for improved quality of life for all residents. The goals and policies of this element can be made operational through partnerships with local agencies and organizations on facilities, activities, and events throughout Santa Ana.

This element works in tandem with other elements of the General Plan, such as the Open Space Element, which contains policies related to parks and recreation facilities.

Community Element Introduction

Building and maintaining an active and thriving community requires the careful cultivation and equitable distribution of diverse recreational, cultural, educational, and health and wellness events, facilities, and systems.

Santa Ana is home to a range of cultural amenities, community attractions, and public facilities, including the Downtown, Bowers Museum, Discovery Science Center, and the Santa Ana Zoo. Residents also enjoy access to Santa Ana College and local schools, parks, churches, and community centers. The City sponsors activities year-round, such as biking/running events, holiday parades, festivals, and other opportunities for exercise, social cohesion, and educational programming.

Community members take pride in celebrating diverse cultures and showcasing public art that reflects their heritage and identity. Throughout multiple stages of their lives, Santa Ana residents seek lifelong learning experiences and are continuously looking to take an active role to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods and throughout the City.

Dozens of plans and programs implemented by the City and other agencies and organizations overlap with the goals and policies of the Community Element. One example is the Santa Ana Community Arts and Culture Master Plan, which established goals and strategies on topics including cultural equity, infrastructure for the arts, communitywide access, youth programming, and placemaking.

Community Considerations for the Community Element

Through the community engagement process for this General Plan, participants identified numerous community-related considerations and values that they believe should form the basis of and be addressed by this element. Specifically, participants highlighted the following topics, areas of concern, and community strengths:

  • Maintain a diverse culture and strong sense of community
  • Leverage Downtown
  • Increase community participation
  • Improve educational opportunities for youth
  • Expand senior services
  • Ensure equitable access to programs
  • Promote healthy food options

Policy Framework

GOAL CM-1: Recreation and Culture

Provide opportunities for public and private recreation and cultural programs that meet the needs of Santa Ana’s diverse population.

  • Policy CM-1.1
    Access to Programs
    Provide and maintain access to recreational and cultural programs to serve residential areas. Prioritize the provision of programs for residents living within park deficient or environmental justice areas.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-1.2
    Community Input  
    Engage residents and community facility users with meaningful and effective participation to provide input and involve them in the decision-making process for community facility improvements and programming.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-1.3
    Equitable Programs 
    Encourage recreational and cultural programs and activities of local interest that are inclusive and affordable to all.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-1.4
    Shared Use 
    Expand community activities and programs provided through shared use or cooperative agreements at City facilities or partner sites.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-1.5
    Equitable Recreational Spaces 
    Promote the development and use of municipal buildings, indoor facilities, sports fields, and outdoor spaces for recreation that serve residents throughout the city, with priority given to areas that are underserved and/or within environmental justice area boundaries.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-1.6
    Recreation on Private Property
    Promote the development and use of privately-owned recreation and entertainment facilities that help meet the needs of Santa Ana residents.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-1.7
    Connections to Facilities  
    Support efforts to connect residents and visitors to local and regional cultural, educational, and natural environments.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for culture core value
  • Policy CM-1.8
    Developer Involvement 
    Promote developer participation in the provision of community facilities to meet the recreational needs of residents.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-1.9
    Art and Cultural Programming  
    Promote art and cultural programs of local interest to provide educational and cultural awareness opportunities.
    Icon for culture core value
  • Policy CM-1.10
    Community Attractions 
    Incorporate placemaking elements and technology into existing and new parks and facilities to encourage use of public spaces, access to educational resources, and community-led activities.
    Icon for sustainability core value
  • Policy CM-1.11
    Program Incentives 
    Incentivize use of privately owned property to promote recreation, health, wellness, and art and culture programs.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for culture core value Icon for education core value

GOAL CM-2: Education

Provide exceptional, accessible, and diverse educational programs and facilities to meet community needs.

  • Policy CM-2.1
    Supporting Organizations
    Collaborate with both private and public organizations that support early childhood education programs to optimize and expand service capacity.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-2.2
    Educational Facilities Capacity
    Partner with local school districts, nonprofit organizations, and other educational providers regarding land use and policy changes to ensure available educational facilities.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-2.3
    Partnerships with Schools
    Strengthen partnerships with local schools to promote safe, supportive, and effective learning environments that foster school and community pride.
    Icon for Equity core value Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-2.4
    Parent Participation
    Support education, recreation programs, and after school activities that involve parent participation to increase high school graduation and college attendance rates.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-2.5
    Training Opportunities
    Promote and partner with local businesses, schools, and nonprofits offering education, job training, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities for Santa Ana youth and residents.
    Icon for Equity core value Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-2.6
    Educational Funding
    Enhance educational opportunities in the community by expanding and maintaining access to libraries, learning centers, and technology through innovative funding sources.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-2.7
    Lifelong Learning
    Encourage lifelong learning beyond the traditional classroom environment by promoting lectures, learning circles, self-directed discussion groups, learning and skill-building activities, and other educational opportunities at local libraries, historical societies, cultural centers, recreation and community centers, and public spaces.
    Icon for Equity core value Icon for education core value

GOAL CM-3: Active Living and Well-Being

Promote the health and wellness of all Santa Ana residents.

  • Policy CM-3.1
    Supporting Health Services
    Collaborate with and provide support to organizations engaged in improving public health and wellness, expanding access to affordable quality health care, and providing medical services for all segments of the community. Encourage greater emphasis on expanding or improving health services to underserved areas and populations.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-3.2
    Healthy Neighborhoods
    Continue to support the creation of healthy neighborhoods by addressing public safety, land use conflicts, hazardous soil contamination, incompatible uses, and maintaining building code standards.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-3.3
    Healthy Residential Programs
    Invest in programs and public improvements that educate residents about opportunities to increase their physical activity and improve their health, especially in environmental justice communities with higher risk of negative public health outcomes.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-3.4
    Safe Mobility
    Promote the overall safety of multimodal streets by developing local and regional programs that educate and inform motorists of nonmotorized roadway users.
    Icon for Equity core value Icon for education core value
  • Policy CM-3.5
    Community Spaces
    Encourage positive community interactions and neighborhood pride to create secure communities and promote safe public spaces.
    Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice Icon for culture core value
  • Policy CM-3.6
    Healthy Options
    Promote access to affordable, fresh, and healthy food options citywide through efforts such as community gardens, culinary classes, and neighborhood farmers markets.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-3.7
    Active Lifestyles
    Support programs that promote sports, fitness, walking, biking and active lifestyles.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-3.8
    Underutilized Spaces
    Repurpose underutilized spaces and City-owned vacant land as a strategy to improve community health and increase the number and accessibility of opportunities for health and recreation activities. Prioritize the redevelopment of such sites within environmental justice area boundaries and other areas underserved by parks and recreation opportunities.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-3.9
    Prevention
    Coordinate with the County Health Care Agency to promote healthier communities through education, prevention, intervention programs, and other activities that address the root causes of health disparities and inequities in Santa Ana.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice
  • Policy CM-3.10
    Public Health
    Explore the feasibility of establishing a City Public Health Department with a focus on enhancing local health care access and delivery of health services in the City.
    Icon for health core value Icon for Equity core value with environmental justice

Additional Goals and Policies related to the Community Element Policy Framework [Table CM-1]

Each policy in the City of Santa Ana General Plan is listed under the most related goal and element. Some policies, however, also reinforce other goals housed in different elements.

To provide a more complete picture of all of the policies that support the goals of this element, Table CM-1 lists each Community goal in the far left column and, in columns to the right, identifies related policy numbers from other elements.

Goal CM-2, for example, is supported not only by the policies in this element (CM-1.1 through CM-3.7), but by three policies in the Public Services Element.

Table CM-1

Community Element Goals Element Related Goals and Policies
CM-1: Recreation and Culture
Provide opportunities for public and private recreation and cultural programs that meet the needs of Santa Ana’s diverse population.		 Mobility Element M-3.3, M-3.5
Public Services Element PS-1, PS-1.3, PS-1.5
Open Space Element OS-1, OS-1.1, OS-1.2, OS-1.4, OS-1.10, OS-1.12, OS-2.1, OS-2.2, OS-2.3, OS-2.11, OS-2.12, OS-2.13, OS-2.14, OS-2.15
Land Use Element LU-2.3, LU-2.9, LU-3.10, LU-4.9
Housing Element HE-3.4

 

Figures & Tables

Implementation

About Implementation

An implementation plan is a coordinated series of actions the City desires to take in the future that are intended to advance, over the long term, the City’s Shared Vision, Core Values, and the General Plan goals and policies. An implementation plan is thus a follow-up measure for this element. Taken as a whole, these programs represent the City’s best thinking today on what actions should be taken to address the considerations and concerns of the community and make sure that the plan’s aspirations are achieved.

Implementation is in large part contingent on adequate funding. Many of these actions can be pursued through initiatives already underway. Other programs will require additional resources. Therefore, the exact mix and timing of programs the City may pursue will in part be opportunity driven, dependent on the availability of funding, staffing, and other necessary resources. The Time Frame in the Implementation Table below is the target for completion of the Action.

This element may be implemented by amendments to existing plans, ordinances, development standards, and design guidelines; capital investments/projects; and interagency/interjurisdictional coordination. The following table identifies the implementation action, the responsible City agency, and targeted timeline for accomplishment.

Goal CM-1: Recreation and Culture – Implementation Actions [Table CM-2- part 1]:

Ref. # Implementation Action Agency/
Time Frame
Goal CM-1: Provide opportunities for public and private recreation and cultural programs that meet the needs of Santa Ana’s diverse population.
1.1 EJ action icon (Community Element) Engage EJ communities on recreation and cultural programs. Incorporate community stakeholders from environmental justice communities to form an Environmental Justice Action Committee to guide the identification of recreational and cultural programing needs and desires. PRCSA/PBA 2023
1.2 EJ action icon (Community Element) Community conversation. Plan for and conduct a community survey every two years related to community health, pollution concerns, parks, community engagement, and community service needs, with focused outreach to environmental justice priority areas, utilizing various platforms, such as social media and school events, to encourage substantial survey participation. CMO Every two Years
1.3 EJ action icon (Community Element) Collaboration. Develop intentional, strategic partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit entities to improve health outcomes by leveraging capacity, resources, and programs around mutually beneficial initiatives that promote health, equity, and sustainability in neighborhoods within environmental justice area boundaries. Develop a comprehensive partnership policy providing guidelines that can be used throughout the City organization. PBA/PRCSA 2022 -2024
1.4 EJ action icon (Community Element) Community coordination on underutilized spaces. Coordinate with community residents, property owners, and other stakeholders to identify vacant and potentially underutilized properties and strategize how such properties could be repurposed into public parks or commercial recreation facilities. PBA/PRCSA 2022 & ongoing
1.5 EJ action icon (Community Element) Alternative facilities. In park deficient and environmental justice areas, identify facilities that are viable alternatives to public parks and municipal facilities for recreational, cultural, and health and wellness programs, including but not limited to school facilities, facilities of faith-based and civic organizations, and privately owned recreation and entertainment facilities. Identify, inventory, and rank other resources for potential park system acquisition, expansion to existing parks, and/or parks development opportunity within the community. PRCSA 2022
1.6 EJ action icon (Community Element) Program accessibility. To ensure residents of environmental justice area boundaries have access to recreational, cultural, and health and wellness programs, establish accessibility corridors that provide attractive, comfortable, and safe pedestrian and bike access to public recreational facilities in the Parks Master Plan (an implementation action of the Open Space Element). Identify public realm improvements needed to create these accessibility corridors. Prioritize investments for accessibility corridors in the city’s capital investment program; include investments for accessibility corridors when investments are made in new parks and recreation facilities within environmental justice area boundaries. PRCSA/PWA 2022
1.7 EJ action icon (Community Element) Rental property outreach. Augment the Proactive Rental Enforcement Team and Residential Response Team with additional outreach geared toward absentee owners of rental properties. Create and periodically distribute outreach materials in order to educate absentee owners about legal obligations to maintain and upkeep rental properties. Distribute information to tenants about their rights and protection, so they are not penalized for reporting or living in a dwelling unit that does not meet health and safety standards. Translate outreach efforts into Spanish, Vietnamese, and other appropriate languages. Prioritize such outreach for properties within environmental justice area boundaries. PBA 2022 & Ongoing
1.8 EJ action icon (Community Element) Neighborhood rehabilitation. Continue to seek state and federal funding for neighborhood rehabilitation projects and collaborate with community-based organizations to identify housing issues and improvements needed, especially for housing within environmental justice area boundaries. CDA Ongoing
Notes:
CDA – Community Development Agency; CMO – City Manager’s Office; HR – Human Resources Department; PBA – Planning and Building Agency; PWA – Public Works Agency; PRCSA – Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency; PD – Police Department
EJ action icon (Community Element) – associated with environmental justice policies

 

Goal CM-2: Education – Implementation Actions [Table CM-2 – part 2]

Ref. # Implementation Action Agency/
Time Frame
Goal CM-2: Provide exceptional, accessible, and diverse educational programs and facilities to meet community needs.
2.1 EJ action icon (Community Element) Facilities to support lifelong learning. For areas within park deficient and environmental justice areas, conduct, maintain, and publicize an inventory of public, nongovernmental, and private facilities that can be used by organizations to support early childhood education, after school activities, libraries and learning centers, and other meetings and educational opportunities. CMO 2024
2.2 EJ action icon (Community Element) Public realm. Identify areas in need of a public realm plan to provide attractive, comfortable, and safe walking corridors to promote accessibility to community programs or activity centers, in conjunction with the City’s Active Transportation Plan. PWA/PBA Ongoing
Notes:
CDA – Community Development Agency; CMO – City Manager’s Office; HR – Human Resources Department; PBA – Planning and Building Agency; PWA – Public Works Agency; PRCSA – Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency; PD – Police Department
EJ action icon (Community Element) – associated with environmental justice policies

 

Goal CM-3: Active Living and Well-Being – Implementation Actions [Table CM-2 – part 3]

Ref. # Implementation Action Agency/
Time Frame
Goal CM-3: Promote the health and wellness of all Santa Ana residents.
3.1 EJ action icon (Community Element) Community health care facilities. Evaluate options to support existing and potential community health care facilities in environmental justice focus areas through a variety of mechanisms such as reduced permit fees, reduced impact fees, and tax incentives. PBA/CMO 2023
3.2 EJ action icon (Community Element) Pedestrian access to health facilities. Ensure that new or redeveloped health care facilities include pedestrian-friendly site amenities. In areas where mobile clinics are stationed, ensure the location is safe and accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. PBA Ongoing
3.3 EJ action icon (Community Element) Health Metrics. Engage with the Orange County Health Care Agency and other stakeholders to monitor key health indicators to measure the success of the outcome of General Plan policies and the implementation plan, including reduction in incidence in asthma and low birth weight of infants. PBA/CMO 2022
3.4 EJ action icon (Community Element) Prevention activities. Coordinate with the County Health Care Agency to identify the root causes of health disparities and inequities in Santa Ana, with additional detail for residents living within environmental justice area boundaries. Identify potential programmatic changes and resources to better address the root causes. PBA/CMO 2022 -2024
3.5 EJ action icon (Community Element) Environmental Education. Encourage all education institutions in Santa Ana to include curriculum regarding environmental justice and local efforts to promote clean business operations, environmental quality, and the health in our community. PBA/CMO 2022 -2024
3.6 EJ action icon (Community Element) Fresh and healthy foods. Pursue programs, incentives, and/or grants to encourage urban agriculture and small grocery or convenience stores to sell fresh foods in the city, especially those within environmental justice area boundaries. Examples include grants or loans to purchase updated equipment, publicity, or directories of healthy food outlets, or connecting stores to wholesale sources of healthy, local, or organic food. CDA 2022
3.6A EJ action icon (Community Element) Food Deserts. Collaborate with Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) to gather and map food desert data, and share publicly through the City’s Environmental Quality webpage. PBA 2024
3.7 EJ action icon (Community Element) Public health and wellness collaboration summit. Collaborate with health care providers, health and wellness advocates, and other public health stakeholders to identify ways to improve the provision of and access to health and wellness services throughout the city. Include a discussion on areas within environmental justice area boundaries and other areas underserved by parks, programs and services that support health and wellness. PRCSA 2022 & ongoing
3.8 EJ action icon (Community Element) Environmental soil and human health screening measures. Collaborate with Orange County Health Care Agency, and local stakeholders such as Orange County Environmental Justice and UC Irvine Public Health, in efforts to provide increase healthcare services (i.e., blood lead testing, treatment) for residents, especially those that reside in environmental justice communities. Additionally, collaborate to advocate for adjustment of the County and State policies for health and environmental screening levels to promote healthy outcomes related to lead contamination as recommended by health experts. PBA Ongoing
3.9 EJ action icon (Community Element) Environmental Justice Staff. Identify funding and hire a full-time Environmental Justice staff member to collaborate with the community to implement the environmental justice policies and actions including community outreach, collaboration on environmental health studies, pursuing grants, and coordination with federal, state, and local agencies regarding environmental concerns in the City. CMO 2022
Notes:
CDA – Community Development Agency; CMO – City Manager’s Office; HR – Human Resources Department; PBA – Planning and Building Agency; PWA – Public Works Agency; PRCSA – Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency; PD – Police Department
EJ action icon (Community Element) – associated with environmental justice policies

 

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